I was going to do something quiet and melodic tonight - but naw. These are crazy times and crazy music seems to fit right in. And Slade filled that bill quite nicely.
Not really as popular over here as they were in Europe, probably because we didn't really get the whole British working class/hooligan/glam thing (at first). It predated Punk by a few years but it was no less outrageous. Slade epitomized that general breakdown in social nuances with a mixture of booze, snot and sheer velocity. And they were wildly loved in the UK.
They also had a penchant for misspelling song titles, such as tonights classic Mama Weer All Crazee Now and it became their trademark and a takeoff on what was perceived as how a bunch of ignorant slobby kids got through life.
All good fun and it spawned a whole sub-genre through the early 70's with the likes of Gary Glitter, Suzy Quatro, The Sweet and hundreds in between. It promptly stopped in 1976 when Punk took over, taking it to the next level, although Slade did soldier on for a few more years before calling it quits and then reuniting in the early 80's for a revival.
If you aren't familiar with them - by all means, crank this puppy up. And don't forget to VOTE tomorrow!
We may all be crazee, but we ain't stupid.
