Happy Holidays

A little shameless self-promotion

Gratifying to read recent posts on Yelp about the Slacks at The Cantab Lounge.

“The bar-- Cantab Lounge. The band-- The Chicken Slacks. The day-- Thursday. The night-- Funky. The mood-- Elated. The evening-- oohhhhhh sssoooo grroovvyyyy…”

“Two Words: Diamond D...”

“Everyone should go to Cantab Lounge on Thursday nights. The band, The Chicken Slacks, were far from slackers. Not only did they jam until 2am, but also Jeremy (sax player) could be seen smiling while billowing into his horn…”

“In a phenomenal move of showmanship, Diamond D leaves the stage completely at least a few times and retreats to the back office...then returns minutes later to crazy applause. Serious performers know how to enter and exit a room…”

“You need to come on a Thursday night to be funkified ASAP if you have never been…”

“But for my money, there is undoubtedly no better night of dancing in Boston then the Chicken Slacks on Thursday. This funk-soul outfit brings together twenty-something hipsters, soccer moms, and a plethora of goofily grizzled barflies…”

“On Thursday nights, Cantab Lounge is THE place to be. Why? Two words: Chicken Slacks. ..”

Thanks to all who took the time to be kind!

Photo shoot on the docks

Had a fun photo shoot recently with the legendary photographer Ron Pownall, hanging around Pier 4 at the Boston Navy Yard. We were in good hands-- Ron has shot a huge collection of iconic photos of Dylan, Janis, Tina Turner, Springsteen, Marvin Gaye, the Stones, on and on, including a few covers for Rolling Stone magazine. Check out his work here, and look for our new band portraits soon!

We had a great Fifth Anniversary Circus

Thanks to all who came to celebrate our five years in residence at The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA. Our Fifth Anniversary Circus was the best one yet-- some 350 came out to party-- and we are grateful for the support of our long-time fans and our new fans, as well. Check out our Facebook page to see a few photos.

Here's a couple pics to get you started:

The party started outside The Cantab

Diamond D and Steve, our favorite bartender

Jeremy interviewed by The Worcester Telegram and Gazette

Victor D. Infante, of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette has a column called "What Are You Listening To," and our Music Director Jeremy Valadez gave these answers:

Here's Jeremy's list:

1. King Curtis – “Memphis Soul Stew” Live at the Fillmore West. One of the best Live performances All-Time! You can't go wrong with Aretha backed by King Curtis.

2. “Check the Rhime” – A Tribe called Quest. (They used a lot of sampling in this album. This particular track has the saxophone line from “Love Your Life” by Average White Band.)

3. “Bad Luck” - Hank Carbo (We pay homage to Hank by sometimes playing “Hot Pants” Thursdays at the Cantab.)

4. “Gentle Thoughts”- Herbie Hancock, from the album "Secrets." (My favorite Herbie tune of all time. It just sounds… right.) On this YouTube link you'll find a sampling of all the tracks on "Secrets."

5. “The World Is Round” - Rufus Thomas. Another classic from Rufus.

6. “On Fire” - JJ Grey & Mofro via YouTube, live at The Second Annual Blackwater Soul Revue in Saint Augustine, FL,2008. It’s raw, gritty, and the music video would do the song justice, I’d have to imagine.

7. “Danseuses De Delphes” – Claude Debussy ‘Debussy: Preludes Book 1’ I like listening to Debussy in the winter. Very serene; ephemeral. On the other hand “Minstrels” from the same Preludes Book is, what I believe, a jovial jaunt between some musicians on the street busking and fighting over which one deserves the tips from the next patron.

8. “Nothing Can Change This Love” – Sam Cooke. A beautiful ballad that I want to add to our repertoire. Sam's voice is oh, so smooth.

9. “Hip City” aka “Do That Shing A Ling” - Jr. Walker and the All Stars Live on Soul Train. His range is absolutely amazing! He just keeps popping out all of those “F’s”!

10. "Show Me Something Beautiful" - Trombone Shorty. If you don’t know who this is, you’ll need to find out as quickly as humanly possible. I had the pleasure of meeting him back in 2000 in New Orleans when he was just a teenager. He had the most clear, crisp, and precise tone I’ve ever heard come out of that horn. That night aI got a lesson on self-expression. I knew he was going to be big, but damn! I saw him again when I played in a brass band that opened Sound Session 2010 in Providence, RI. Great guy, too. He is the new sound of New Orleans.

Thanks, Victor!

Summer greetings

Just a check in...how's everybody?

Summer means lots of wedding gigs, about 20 this season, in six states. Our wedding reception gigs are a blast, as we play the same show we play at our club gigs. The Chicken Slacks always bring a Chicken Slacks party.

What else? Our trumpeter Mike Reavey has a new baby girl!

The Cantab continues to be packed every Thursday night!

We are playing an important benefit on the Boston waterfront on July 15 for Make-a-Mark, a foundation that provides sailing opportunities for kids. With this benefit, Make-a-Mark can provide scholarships for kids in need. Check it out. Mayor Tom Menino is the honorary chair for this worthy cause. The great Erin and the Soul Drivers will cover our Cantab night while we play this benefit.

A couple great club gigs coming soon: Friday, July 9, at Johnny D's in Somerville, and Friday, August 6 at The C-Note in Hull, MA. The best way to track our appearances is on our MySpace page.

Have you checked out our guitarist Michael Duke singing "Ooh Poo Pah Doo," live at The Cantab? Great crowd participation. Here you go. Check out our many other YouTube videos, too.

We are really pumping out our Facebook postings. Check out our many posts of rare classic soul concert footage, such as this one, Barbara Lynn singing "You'll Lose a Good Thing." Simply awesome.

Have a great summer-- make it funky and full of soul! We'll stay in touch!

Thanks to My Secret Boston

Thanks to My Secret Boston for this recent post:

"This generation needs a soul cleansing. These days it's too easy to get caught up in distractions-- iPhones, Twitter, Lady Gaga-- and forget about the true party favors. Deep down we are begging for a savior, perhaps a righteous cocktail of relentless rhythmic entitlement. You know-- the type of beat that grabs booties of all sizes and gives them a nice shaking.

We are talking about soul, and, lucky for us locals, The Chicken Slacks have turned Thursday nights at The Cantab into a sweat-drenched ode to a time we can all dig, a time when the Godfather of Soul was alive and sane, a time when people willfully danced around divine beats, all while carrying the devil's intentions in their hips.

The Slacks make you believe that somewhere the Reverend Al Green himself approaches a gospel choir and asks, "Can I get a witness?" Why not witness it for yourself? Amen. Wallace."

Thank You Chicken Slacks Nation!

Hey Y'all

I wanted to take the time to thank the band and the wonderful people of the cantab lounge as well as the rest of the chicken slacks' nation for welcoming me into the band with open arms! These Past two months have been an absolute blast playing with The Chicken Slacks and a true education of Soul! A Big Thank you to Justin Berthiaume for believing that i could help carry on the Slacks tradition, without is love for soul, none of this would be possible. Thank y'all so very much!! Now Get your pants on and get down to the Cantab this thursday, cause its the only way to start your weekend!!

Cheers!

Mark

Getting ready for Mardi Gras

Our guitarist Michael Duke is taking the leadership on prepping the band for this year's Mardi Gras season.

The Duke has strong New Orleans credentials, having toured with the great Johnny Adams for six years, serving as Adam's music director. He seems to have about 10,000 classic and obscure New Orleans recordings in his iPod.

Listen for the Slacks playing party faves from Professor Longhair, The Hawketts, Jessie Hill, The Meters, Chris Kenner, Dr. John and more.

The Louisiana connection is strong with The Slacks. Diamond D hales from Slidell, LA., and Texans Jeremy Valadez and Curtis Jerome Haynes are known to have crossed that border a few times.

Come party with us for Mardi Gras:

Feb 5: Ralph's Rock Diner in Worcester, MA.

Feb 19: Johnny D's in Somerville, MA.

Feb 20: The C Note in Hull, MA.

And, of course-- Every Thursday night at The Cantab Lounge.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!