I do love it when a confident band rocks up claiming to sound somewhere between Exile era Stones and The Afghan Whigs thats some goal to live up to right there and why not.

SLIP~ons are an aggressive punchy power-pop band from Vancouver, BC. for sure I get the Afghan Whigs tag and Husker du no question, and for me thats good enough right there whilst I’d also add some earlyish Goo Goo Dools is in there. This four-piece was formed in 2012 by Brian Minato (Sarah Maclachlan) and Brock Pytel, “half of the singing/songwriting force behind Montreal’s Doughboys”, they also include Rob “Shockk” Matharu (Spitfires) on guitar, and Shane Wilson on drums. 

This here EP is packed with wild solos and plenty of punch in the rhythm and big dreams and big sound. It starts with a jangly intro on the title track as the drums roll in on some early 90s alt-rock riffing on a more rocky Springsteen if I’m looking for a tag to hang this sound on. Sure alt rock Husker Du is prominent in the melody and some J Mascis on the riffs that always going to peak my attention. there are six tracks on offer and the songwriting and performance are of a high standard and with enough grit and sonic fuzz in there to get any kid off their backside and at least swaying to the beat especially ‘Soldier, Don’t Say Goodbye’ a song with a whole heap of energy rattling down the line.

‘Nothing Is Good Enough’ has shades of early Foo Fighters doing punk rock and possibly the EP’s best riff. ‘Mosquito’ is up next and curiously it features twice back to back with an explicit version and then followed by a clean take on the same track, not something I was expecting, and would have preferred another track if I’m being honest but I do like the solo when it catches fire and collides with the main lick – good stuff.

Finishing off the EP with ‘Undivided’ clocking in at over five and a half minutes its got a lengthy intro before breaking out the song ebbs and flows nicely and is a decent closer showing another side of the bands songwriting. If you ever wanted to know who was listening properly when Bob Mould was kicking up a shit storm heres your chance and these guys were clearly taking note and using their influences well. Nice tunes.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

TikTok: tiktok/@sliponsvancouver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sliponsband

Bandcamp: https://slip-ons.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slip.ons.band/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sliponsvancouver/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0GB7L9xhFn0Lb5Jh8BVk5A?si=LaP_sSuaTc625B9E7cN1SA