Punks gallant return to London

You may think that the Punk movement was left behind in the 70’s, but here to bring it back are the always loud, endlessly talented, and politically motivated Slaves.

In a deafening return to the UK, Slaves ended their world tour on the 30th November 2016 at the O2 Shepard’s Bush Empire. Complete with an adoring crowd, desperate to hear the heavy drum beats and guitar riffs that have become expected of the band, the night was one big mosh pit of memories.

The Punk duo, originally from Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, made up of Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman, stormed the stage with nothing other than a simple drum kit, a guitar, and a back-drop of their recent album cover ‘Take Control’. How can two men and two instruments make so much noise? Well, typical to the Punk movement, these two men know how to bang hard on a drum and strum a guitar for all its worth. Mix this with heavily political lyrics screamed on a microphone and you have punk perfection- Slaves.

Although sometimes coming under scrutiny for their name, which is sometimes perceived as insensitive, every member of the audience at Shepard’s Bush seemed to appreciate not only the raw quality of their music, but the genius behind their lyrics. With their whole band name being a metaphor for us all being slaves to society, they carry out this message in their songs from both their albums ‘Are you Satisfied’ and ‘Take Control’. With songs such as ‘The Hunter’ carrying the message of corporate business controlling a society of working class people, it’s endlessly satisfying to finally find a band who don’t write soppy love songs, but who are addressing real problems in the world, and pairing cleverly inventive lyrics with a harsh beat.

A night of thousands of sweaty bodies, with no inhibitions, losing their minds in a mosh pit has never sounded so good. If there is one thing that Slaves taught us last night it was this: Punk will never die. We need bands to sing the lyrics that will politically stimulate us all and lead us into the revolution we need.

Long live punk. Long live Slaves.

#Slaves