Slowpoke Set Aug. 22 Release for Self-Titled Debut; Teaser Streaming
Okay, you got me. I started out wanting to write about Newfoundland’s Slowpoke because the opener and longest track (immediate points) from their upcoming self-titled, self-released debut album is called “Stony Iommi” and that rules. But then I actually listened to the track, which effortlessly shifts from grindcore sludge to psychedelic jamming before giving way to the punk-via-desert hook of “Slumlord” and the leaves-bruises “Sid the Cat,” and well, by then you’re pretty much hooked. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been listening to a lot of records in the last couple weeks — 110 reviews’ll do that — and I hope you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt accordingly when I tell you that I haven’t heard anything in that entire process that sounds like this.
Plus, they earned a grant! Can you imagine the US government giving out grants to heavy bands? Me neither.
From the PR wire:
Canadian Stoner/Doom Act Slowpoke Announce Debut LP, Release Album Teaser
Slowpoke’s self-titled debut runs the gamut of heavy genres. It features epic, psychedelic passages that transition to fast punk rock, righteous riffs, fuzzladen doom and some straight up rock and roll. Slowpoke keeps things interesting with progressive songwriting and by drawing from a wide range of inspiration including bands like Clutch, The Melvins, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath and many more.
Slowpoke formed in St John’s Newfoundland Canada in 2018 by Ben Chapman-Smith (Bass, Vocals) and Cameron Legge (Guitar). In early 2019 Adam Young (Drums) joined the band. The trio went on to record the bedrock of their upcoming album ‘Slowpoke” and closed the night at Still Heavy’s Midsummer Mayhem 3 festival and were dubbed the “hidden gem of the evening” by Tony Carew owner of Still heavy. COVID-19 made live performances a non-option in 2020 so Slowpoke went inside and worked away at their release, and applied for a MusicNL Artist development grant which they received in January 2021.
Upon receiving the grant Slowpoke enlisted the services of Rick Hollet at Redhouse Recording (sHeavy, Hey Rosetta!) for Mixing and Chris Keffer at Magnetic North (The Black Keys, Cheap Trick) studios for Mastering. Slowpoke is currently performing Newfoundland and has an album release show planned at the Rockhouse in St Johns on August 21st 2021 with The Birchmen and local legends sHeavy.
Tracklisting:
1. Stony Iommi 9:27
2. Slumlord 3:03
3. Sid the Cat 5:31
4. Miami Camo 5:24
5. Windtalker 5:02
6. Sanctuary 7:28
7. Slowpoken 9:12
Slowpoke is:
Cameron Legge – Guitar
Ben Chapman-Smith – Bass, vocals
Adam Young – Drums
https://www.slowpokeband.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/slowpoketheband/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4rTzZYhVbVE03MUgsgyLKg
https://www.slowpokenl.bandcamp.com/
