The Slackers
Jay Nugent from The Slackers & his best memories over the years
I’ve heard Montreal described in a million ways, but I think my personal favourite is how the Slackers’ Jay Nugent characterized the city to me yesterday: “Cultured and yet sleazy.”
We were talking about the band’s upcoming Montreal appearance, a special event that promises to be extra special since the band is currently on their 20th Anniversary Tour. You read that right—the Slackers have been rude and reckless for two decades. And since the average lifespan of a band these days is, well, not that long, I asked Agent Jay to share the secret of the band’s longevity. Turns out it’s pretty simple.
“I'm reminded of George Harrison's wife being asked what the secret was to a long marriage: ‘Don't get divorced.’ How did the Slackers stay together for 20 years? Simple: we refused to let the band break up.
“It's okay to not be best buddies with your bandmates,” he continues. “You don't have to talk or hang out off the road. Or on the road, for that matter. Like a marriage, you can't sweat the small stuff. You gotta remember to look at the big picture.”
Other questions/answers:
What are some of the best memories from your 20 years as a Slacker?
(NB: Jay answered with a lot of memories, so I picked a handful)
“Sitting on the edge of the Adriatic passing a bottle of wine back and forth with rest of the band on a night off in Venice. 2001; sitting on stage watching the Specials after opening for them in Leeds, May, 2009; Brazil; sticking a rubber dildo on the Phenomenauts’ van in Buffalo then learning that they drove 2,000 miles to Colorado without realizing it, 2006; convincing Dave, Jens and Vic that me and Marcus had become coke addicts in Italy, 2010.”
Favourite Slackers songs to play:
“Fried Chicken,” “Nurse,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Knowing,” “This Is The Night,” “Pedophilia.”
The music industry is a tough slog. What keeps you motivated?
“What keeps me motivated is hearing about other people's crappy nine-to-five jobs. It makes it very easy to get in the van, get to rehearsal, practice, play another tune in the encore, etc. We have a great job and I don't take it for granted or consider it a chore. The different routines break up whatever monotony may arise: the primal simplicity of touring and playing gigs; the quiet introspection of writing; the technical problem-solving of recording and mixing.”
Have you influenced bands?
“We've definitely influenced other bands. It's strange when Trad Ska bands draw their influences from us as opposed to the Skatalites or Prince Buster. It's even stranger when bands tell us that we're their biggest influence, then we hear their music and they sound like a bad Less Than Jake ripoff. I think they must say that to every national band they open for.”
The Slackers
Jay Nugent
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