
| The Story of The Slashtones The Slashtones are one of the most eclectic bands to spring forth from the rock clubs and sleazy after-hours bars of New York City. Founded in 1993 by the enigmatic Harry Slash, The Slashtones, in one form or another, have been one of NY's longest running "all-star bands". (We hate the term "supergroups")
Harry revived the band the following year in 1994 with a slightly altered cast, this time as a mostly jazz rock band with a few more original funny "comic rock creations". "The Slashtones" then transformed into a "real band" with a unique conceptual style of mixing hard rock grooves with classic television themes, hard edged musical arrangements with original satirical material and unique multicultural instrumentals. The band was completely restructured in 1997 when it adapted a harder edged industrial metal sound while Harry Slash recorded original music for the "Extreme Championship Wrestling" television program. The Slashtones have since revived their earlier satirical styles, while maintaining their harder edged sound and adding other eclectic elements to their music. The Slashtones have been called "more of a Rock & Roll think tank" than a regular band as 'band guru' Harry Slash always tried to put together rotating lineups of musicians with slightly different styles in a creative situation where the first priority is the music and having fun.
It's also the band's unique conceptual approach to it's music that over the years has attracted cast members associated with such diverse artists as: The B-52s, Birdland, Brad Factor:10, James Brown, The Cult, The Cycle Sluts From Hell, Roger Daltry, Dion, Deep Purple, John Entwistle, Gloria Estephan, Ace Frehley's Comet, Macey Grey, Robert Plant & The Honeydrippers, Billy Idol, Todd Levin, Buddy Miles Express, Sam Moore, Mountain, Murphy's Law, Nuclear Assault, Buster Poindexter, RadioActive, Raging Slab, Rainbow, The Rattlers, Reckless Fortune, Buddy Rich, Riot, The Rolling Stones, Ronnie Spector, Spinal Tap, Storm, UFO, The Uptown Horns, Tom Waits, Leslie West, Warrior Soul, Zebra and others. The band's cast has had many different musicians of merit come and go (then return for a bit before leaving again) with numerous roster and style changes, but one thing that has never waned is the musicality.
The Slashtones current and final cast members are: (we're getting tired of updating the band page...) Harry Slash: vocals & acoustic guitar, Arno Hecht: saxophone & clarinet, Steve "Budgie" Werner: drums & percussion, Felix Hanemann: bass, keyboards, piano & vocals and Richie Scarlet: lead & rhythm electric guitar, vocals, piano and second bass with co-producer Tarik Solangi on vibraslap and third bass. ("... and I don't give a darn!" "Oh that's our Shortstop." - Bud Abbott & Lou Costello) |
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