Getting to Know: Dirty Michigan Rockers, Slumlord Radio
In today’s Getting to Know, we meet Slumlord Radio, a dirty Michigan rock trio that considers themselves a less handsome version of Rush. If you are in an up and coming band that would like to partake in a Getting to Know feature, contact editor@riffyou.com to receive the questionnaire and instructions. Thanks!
Band Name: Slumlord Radio
Band Members: Tommy “T-Bear” Erickson (vocals, guitar), Mike “Ace” Todd (bass), and “Rattlesnake” Matt Claucherty (drums).
Years Active: 3.5
City of Origin: Grand Rapids, MI.
Who are you and what do you do?
“We are Slumlord Radio. We play gritty punk n’ roll power-slop. We are a trio. We make good houseguests and clean up after ourselves. We are actually super nice guys. Loud scuzzy guitars, nicotine/whiskey laced vocals, big fat bass, and rollicking, rolling, pounding drums. Take some punk, metal, grunge/garage, and good ole Detroit rawk, throw it in a blender…and bam! That about sums it up!”
In 100 words or less, tell us how your band has gotten to this point.
“After forming in 2010, we have played some of the finest dives in the world. We have managed to keep the train rolling and have released three albums/EPs. We just try to keep our heads down and keep grinding it out Michigan blue-collar style.
What is your latest release and how would you best describe it to someone who hasn’t heard your band?
“Our latest album is called No Trick Pony, and it was released in April on Honyock Records. It’s a wild, ripsnortin’ romp of dirty punk n’ roll, but with some wild interesting twists. It is available on bandcamp.com, Spotify, iTunes, etc.”
When making an album, which aspect of the process do you put the most time into and why?
“We focus on everything equally. It’s about picking what songs we want, arranging them to how we like ‘em and figuring out the best way to present them.”
What is the best part about your band and why?
“We try to keep things fun and have a good time. We hope people see how much fun we have playing together and get a kick out of it themselves. We just enjoy getting up on stage and letting it rip. It’s like a bear tearing up a campground.”
What makes your band unique from the rest?
“Slumlord Radio = the handsome, less talented American version of Rush!”
How does your band survive the challenges of touring/gigging?
“Get some booze, some hugs and we’re all wound up! Just have to keep hustlin’ as well as toss in some shuckin’ and jivin’ for good measure. Also, our manager Chris “Big Rig” Riggie makes sure to keep us all in line.”
Would you rather be critically-acclaimed; rich and famous; or an under-the-radar band with a dedicated fan base?
“Under-the-radar with a dedicated fan base would be our choice. Because then you have the people who really dig you, they will stick by you. Critically-acclaimed would be nice, but hell, our folks say we’re good, so that’s good enough for us. Rich and famous would be good too, but we’re actually heirs to the Coronel Sanders KFC fortune and have male modeling careers in Belgium, so we’re all set on that front.”
If you’d have to compare your band to another one out there, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Motörhead.Because like us, they are just trio that likes to play dirty rock n’ roll.”
Which band/musician would you like to share many drinks with? What would you talk about?
“The original lineup of Guns N’ Roses, or maybe even Iggy Pop, or Tom Waits. We’d love to chat about rasslin’ and the stock market.”
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