THE SLACKERS PLAYED ‘16 TONELADAS’ (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT)

Hailing from New York, the sextet featured Vic Ruggiero on lead vocals and keyboards and Jay Nugent on guitar. Horn section Dave Hillyard on saxophone and Glen Pine on trombone (and sharing lead vocals). The rhythm section: Marcus Geard on bass and Jimmy Boom on drums. The opening song Keep Him Away from their 1998 release ‘The Question’ was a fast upbeat number with punchy horns. This really got the night jumping. Next into Boogie Nowhere from their recent 2022 release was more bouncy at a slower tempo. Then into Watch This. Each song kicked up the mood.

Collectively they are a powerhouse. There is an unmistakable chemistry amongst each other and an obvious love for their music. Fun to watch and more fun to dance too. Their thirty-plus history and endless catalogue rounds them out as a great live act.

Works Overtime has one of those melodic hooks and catchy chorus that stays with you for days. “You’ve got me working for your love overtime. Since you’re mine (you’re mine)…”

Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya offered a rocksteady beat and old soul hook for a slow, feel-good vibe. Yes, It’s True is a confession of loneliness without her love. Only ska can evoke shuffling feet while nursing a tender heart.

Segway to Fried Chicken, a funky, light-hearted tasty seduction with a side of biscuits and fixings. All ending in an uplifting La Bamba-esque chord progression asking “Mary, won’t you come with me? Mary-Mary, don’t freak that Boogaloo…” Slackers’ lyrics are witty, fitting nicely in their song’s mood.

Mid-set the band took a break leaving Ruggiero to pick up the guitar and duet with saxophonist Hillyard for a short intimate breakdown, playing You Must Be Good. Back to the full ensemble My Last Star; a gentle sentiment. Tell Them No was another masterful song. The chorus is incredibly catchy. The lyrics are smart word play. Just brilliant.

“This next song is about hope when there is no hope…” Pine and Ruggiero introduced Been Waiting lampooning themselves as a band that is not so much sunshine reggae as umbrella reggae “specializing in happy music with sad lyrics”. “People been waiting, I’ve been waiting for a new mankind…”

The fun and antics continued with Hillyard ‘collapsing’ on the stage only to revive with Ruggiero leading the crowd in a ‘Disco Dave’ call and response to revitalize him back to full function returning to his full-on sax solo.

The set ended with Old Dog, I Still Love You and the rousing stomp What Went Wrong. They returned with the Doo Wap encore Married Girl and the slow-groove reggae tune Wasted Days.

By the end of the night, the dance floor was full with the dancing crowd were both exhilarated and exhausted from the relentless skanking. The Slackers were relentlessly groovin’. They are one of the finest ska bands ever. Let’s hope they return back to Valencia soon.

Report by Phillip Solomonson

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

All photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ’24/7 Valencia’

Set List:

Keep Him Away

Boogie Nowhere

Watch This

Works Overtime

Manic

Christine Keilar

Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya.

Yes, It’s True