Show Preview: Slut River – at The Redwood Bar – Los Angeles, CA – September 26, 2013

Imagine old school Punk Rock getting into a sloppy bar fight with Post Punk. Grunge jumps in to break it up, but just gets smacked over the head by a bottle of Jameson. Hardcore comes diving in thinking it's some wild party, and soon an all out musical brawl is taking place. Fists are flying as broken glass and an odd mixture of blood, sweat and booze coat the gritty bar floor. Slut River (SR) is the musical equivalent of this beautiful disaster.

 

SR was founded by the Midwest's notably hard hitting and ferocious drummer Joe Ross and his alluring lover Anna McDermott. Front woman Anna mesmerizes audiences with her disorderly, angst filled stage presence and abrasive, bewitching vocals. Teaming up with Max Bauerly on guitar and Ana Baez on bass, this Iowa City based band is criss-crossing the country on a 7 week tour, bringing their magnetic and attention grabbing energy to festivals, clubs, record stores, and house shows across the nation.

SR have been going strong for 3 ½ years, releasing 2 demos, a cassette, and a 7 inch, as well as embarking on numerous tours. This current tour adventure is their longest to date, exposing them to new audiences and launching them into unfamiliar territory, such as the East Coast. 

Joe explains "The shows have been going great for being our first time in some of these cities. You usually have to hit a city 2-3 times before you really see a following form." 

New audiences have been largely receptive to SR. During their New York set, SR's roaring stage presence and rapid fire Punk Rock inspired "Skunk," the lead singer of the Punk outfit Spewing Cum, to carve a big SR on his shoulder. Immediately after they finished their set, he came running over to show them the bloody, oozing wound. 

Guitarist Max is new to SR, and is thrilled with how the shows are going.  "I've never been in a band that people like so much," he said. Night after night audiences are really getting into the groove and enjoying the Slut River experience. 

Touring DIY style has ups and downs, trials and tribulations. I recently spoke with SR as the grueling midwest humidity was bearing down on them, and they were dealing with some serious van issues. A new fuel pump and filter drained the band account dry, and they were contemplating ending the tour. Luckily, their van problems came in the most convenient of places. They have an already established following through out the Midwest thanks to their extensive touring, catchy music, and spine tingling live performance. People have fun at their shows, and come back for more. With the help of some friends in Wichita, KS, they were able to raise enough money to cover the repair costs with one epic show. Still on a tight to non-existent budget, they were able to forge on to the next show, PB and J's in hand.

Touring DIY style is also what great memories are made of. Anna is pretty stoked to have gotten her first tattoo on the road, as well as trying her hand at the gun while inking up the tattoo artist with a sloppy rendition of the S//R logo. “After the show she offered us free tattoos. There was a bar next to her shop with cheap beer specials, and then we got a bottle of Jameson and went for it.”  Anna said. Anna and Joe got the S//R forever stamp, and then Anna was asked if she would do the honors of marking up the artist.   Anna’s thoughts; “I could barely open my eyes, but it’s just a few letters, how bad could it be?"  Well…turns out none of the lines are straight and a few are bleeding into each other, but the artist fucking loves it! Punk as fuck, just like SR.

Slut River will be reaching Los Angeles on September 26th, playing The Redwood in downtown LA. They will be sharing the bill with Local Punk rockers Dangerously Sleazy, The Thingz, and Terminal A. Also be on the look out for SR in San Diego on the 25th with Secret Fun Club.

They have Tee shirts, 7 inches and demos available at the shows. Or familiarize yourself with the tunes ahead of time and check out the SR bandcamp page HERE. Their limited edition 7 inch is available for only 5 bucks. Also, you can name your price for the digital downloads of all their releases. Throw a few dollars in their gas tank and help them reach their final destination.

-Mindiana Jones-

Big Wheel Contributor

 

 

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