Cheater Slicks

Reviews

Cheater Slicks Live on WFMU / At Carabar LP

There is no better band than CHEATER SLICKS. Like, objectively speaking. Dudes have been at it for 40 years, they’ve put out a ton of records (but not too many!), each of which is both essential and compulsively listenable, and they still kill live. Loudest band I’ve ever seen! So, I’m totally on board with Almost Ready’s blitz of unearthed live recordings. This is the fifth of six such LPs that they’ve released over the past year or so, and it covers two performances: a 2004 appearance on WFMU’s The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T, and a 2006 appearance at the Columbus, OH venue Carabar. The former features a bunch of rockers pulled from Refried Dreams and what would end up being Walk into the Sea, and sounds fantastic. The latter covers more of their subdued numbers, including their great cover of the MYSTIC TIDE’s “Mystery Ship,” which closed out Don’t Like You—it also sounds great, but more like a traditional live record. It’s a document of a band at the height of its power doing what they do best, just absolutely cranking out incredible songs. Let’s unearth every shred of the SLICKS recorded output! Please!

Cheater Slicks Live at Double Happiness LP

CHEATER SLICKS get another live document courtesy of Almost Ready Records, who’ve already put out several LPs of their shows plus a four-cassette box set. Recorded at a record store appearance in July 2014, Live at Double Happiness captures the band in their natural state: loud, loose, and completely unconcerned with your approval. Some of it serves a VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO vibe, all the instruments doing their own thing simultaneously, and those were the moments that hooked me most. The whole record plays like outsider art rendered in thick, rough lines, presented with a confidence that makes it clear they’re doing exactly what they want to do. If you don’t get it or don’t want to get it, that’s on you. They’re just going to keep on going. Limited to 180 copies on vinyl for the faithful.

Cheater Slicks Live at CBGB’s 02.28.92 LP

Recorded at their second CBGB’s appearance, this set captures the band during a period of evolution in the wake of the departure of bassist Merle Allin, as they were becoming the heavy and experimental three-piece unit that they remain today. The earliest session of the four live CHEATER SLICKS albums recently released by Brooklyn’s esteemed Almost Ready Records, the sound quality on Live at CBGB’s 1992 is notably strong and clear, having been remastered from the original board tape for a dynamic presentation. It sounds great loud, preserving the wild atmosphere and nuances in the performance adequately as hits like “Destination Lonely” and “Possession” howl from the speakers. Crank it up, crack a cold one, and bask in its sweaty, loaded energy in the comfort of your living room.