It's Officially "Hammer Time!"

Folks, we want to officially introduce you to the latest member of the Slacks entourage, our new guitar player Mike "The Hammer" Null. Mike comes to us from San Francisco where he grew up singing in a world-class boys choir (no kidding!). He travelled extensively with the choir, performing for everyone from your grandmother to the Pope! That's right, Mike's larynx has been blessed by the holiest man on the planet. If it's good enough for God, it's good enough for the Slacks!

But of course Mr. Null (the name means "zero" or "absence of anything" which Mike tells us is a GOOD thing) can also play one mean guitar. One day a few years back he quit college to practice all day every day, and it certainly shows! The man has a great sense of rhythm and will tear your face off whenever we cut him loose with a solo! Those of you who have seen him in action will attest!

Of course the big question since Mike joined the group has been "What happened to Mighty Slim?" Well, it's a sordid, foggy story, one that will make a great network mini-series someday, but as far as we can put together, Slim blacked out one night after a particularly cosmic Cantab gig, woke up in the U.S. Navy, went AWOL because they wanted him to cut his hair, got marooned on the Ivory Coast and fell in love with a rebel leader's daughter. Soon after, she was killed in battle, and he was so heartbroken that he sought amnesty in China and is now studying Shaolin Kung Fu with Mongolian sheepherders on the outskirts of the Gobi desert. He now goes by Mighty Sahn. You just never know with that guy...

So let's all welcome Mike Null to the lineup - a great addition to the cause!

New Locale, Same Great Flavor

Hello there everyone in Blog-vania!

I just moved to Central Square and BOY is my back a-hurtin'! First off...I wanna thank Mara, Amanda, and Brad for helping me with this move. THANKS!

I didn't want to head out "into it all" with the rest of the college folks on Sept. 1st. That day is the Day-of-ALL-Movin'-Days. So, I decided to get a jump on it and did it the week before. I feel like I can NOW catch up on my sleep. But, nuh-uh... not so fast...The Chickenslacks have some more amazing times to offer you! And I'll be danged if you catch Yours Truly sleepin' at the wheel!

I've just moved into this great place only a block away from the Cantab! (I'm already liking where THIS is goin'! tee-hee... No more cab rides, and I get to "stumble home"... ) But, I've FINALLY unpacked everything, and I'm ready to head out into Cambridge, my new home away from home.

Oh yeah... At least I know one person living here in my apartment. Mr. Lee Lundy. He is our resident go-to bass man when our main fella, the indelible Rick Roscoe, is away in some far off land. So, if you ever see me or my roommate Lee, don't hesitate to stop us and say HI.

One more thing....Any good places to eat and hang?!?!

Peace and Chicken grease!
Your Saxyman,
Jeremy D. Valadez

3 Year Anniversary Circus set for Sept 18

For 156 Thursdays in a row, The Chicken Slacks have been pouring the best classic soul and funk onto a sweaty and eager Cantab Lounge crowd, creating a weekly juke joint dance party that has aptly become known as “Your Gateway to the Weekend.”

On Thursday, September 18, the Chicken Slacks host their annual Anniversary Circus to commemorate yet another year of “Every Damn Thursday.”

Besides the usual get-down music from the ‘Slacks, past Anniversary shows have included jugglers, caricature artists, belly dancers, balloon twisters, giveaways and raffles. What to expect this year? Expect to be wowed, in many ways.

Heating it up on the Vineyard

Hiya Slackers!

The Slacks are riding the high from two great shows on Martha's Vineyard! We packaged up the soul, threw it on a ferry, and bussed it over to Lola's in Oak Bluffs where we played two straight nights.

Friday's show appeared to be jam packed, but the staff kept apologizing for a small turnout! There were some fireworks going on nearby, and they promised us a full house the next night! Full house? The crowd we saw wasn't a full house? Oh boy..

Saturday.. was a full house. Felicia Taylor (daughter of the great Bird Taylor) kicked the night off with some beautiful soul singing that set the mood just right. When the Slacks hit, not only did we see a few people return from Friday's show, but we saw a slew of new faces all shakin' it out on the dance floor. We also saw some our fans from the Cantab travel all the way out to see us!

To all involved, we'd like to express our sincere thanks for the great hospitality. Here's to the opportunity for a return trip!

Signing off,
Hammer

Rave Review!

We've just discovered a nice review of the Chicken Slacks by a photographer who worked at a wedding where we were performing. It's great to hear such positive feedback! Check it out...

http://christinkhan.blogspot.com/2008/08/chicken-slacks_25.html

Diamond D and his Voodoo Tea

You'll see it at every Slacks gig - before the show and on the breaks, the consumate musician caring for his instrument. Diamond D screws open his little blue thermos and carefully pours out a few drams of hot tea. He sips it meticulously. "It's for my throat," he says softly. "I can't sing without it."
But this is no ordinary Oolong or English Breakfast. No no, it's homemade by Mr. Wilkerson himself, according to strict rules and ancient rituals. What's in it? I have no idea, but I know the recipe has changed - no, evolved - over the years. I know that D frequents a local Chinese market to obtain certain special leaves. I know he also travels to Salem, Massachusetts (home of all things wicken) to procure a special additive. I know it takes over 30 minutes to steep a small batch.
One night I asked him what was in it, and he gave me a pretty long (but clearly incomplete) list, including ginger, honey, and licorice. "Any voodoo?" I asked. "Not yet," he replied with his signature mysterious sneer. I guess it hasn't come to that yet. I was going to ask him for a sip, but I'm afraid.
So next time you see Diamond D sipping his tea, ask him what's in it, maybe he'll tell you. And then ask if you can have a taste. I dare you.

Hot Fun In The Summertime

So here we are, half way through the summer already - and man, it's been busy! The Cantab has been packed with new faces (and old), we've been killing them at the weddings (there has not been a dancefloor large enough...), the new CD is almost finished (and sounding great!), and the weather in Boston has been beautiful!

It's a nice time to sit back, work on our tans and pop a cold one, but we're also busy planning all the exciting stuff coming up in a couple of months - the release of the new CD, the 3-Year Anniversary Circus at the Cantab (Sep. 11) , The Halloween Masquerade Ball (Oct 31), and a few other fantastic unmentionables.

So stay tuned, and in the meantime, please, enjoy some Hot Fun In The Summertime. And drop us line sometime, if you had a good time! We love ya!