We’re happy to announce the SLATES Jamz Club! Those who sign up will receive two copies of a hand-bound zine/newsletter, a limited casette tape of unreleased music only available here (or vinyl 7″ if we get about 75 peeps), a sticker, patch, exclusive members-only offers, and other goodies (deemed appropriate) delivered to your door. If at least 75 people get in on this, we’ll be able to press a super limited 7″ that will exclusively be available to members only. SLATES will not be making any money off the Jamz Club, this is entirely dedicated to those who’ve been so supportive over the years. But full disclosure, we also miss the days bands would send you stuff in the mail and want to do as much of that as possible before Skynet nukes North America. Annual membership is $20 if you live in North America, $25 if you’re across the pond. To become a member, paypal your dues to slatesgang(at)gmail(dot)com, or email us and we’ll reply with an street address to send your dough.

We’re heading everywhere we can between Winnipeg and Whitehorse this spring, check the Tour section for dates.

Also, Vérité. It’s a brand new jam of ours, recorded in the Dojo by Eric and mixed by Jesse Gander.

I suppose it’s time for an update eh? After all, it is the dead of winter and I know what you’re thinking; what are SLATES up to? Well my friends, like Darrin Kenneth O’Brien, I’m here to inform.

First off, you wanna know how to slow down production of a new album? Join TOO MANY COVER BANDS. This is exactly what every member of SLATES was up to last fall. Between Bon Scott era AC/DC, Pogues and weddings we had our hands full and if you were (un)lucky enough to catch any of those Edmonton or Calgary shows let me tell you, we appreciated the whiskey and you’re not getting any of your money back.

The SLATES shows in those towns with the Flatliners and Propagandhi were a great time though. I remembered that I had an old letter squirrelled away somewhere that Todd wrote me when I was 17.

“Holy shit, look how bad my writing was back then!” – the Rod

Good things come in small packages though. Especially when they’re Wheat Chiefs shirts from Marc Belke. Thanks Muc!

So writing for the 3rd LP is well underway as are plans to track the thing at Electrical Audio. The jams are sounding “tight”, I’d go as far as to say they’re “probably the best we’ve ever written”. We’re also “really looking forward to playing the new songs live”, throughout Western Canada, where we’ll be heading this spring.

Other than that, much respect to those involved in the Idle No More movement and those opposed to the conservative agenda (see: whittling away of environmental regulations and treaty rights) rolled into Bill C-45. The majority government seem to be having a heyday packing some very concerning things (ie. weakening environmental regulations and rolling back crucial treaty rights) into these omnibus budget packages, and it’s an inspiration to see people paying attention and taking a stand.

-dally

It’s a little late I know, but a huge thank you to everyone who came out, fed us, helped with and let us sleep on your couches on the Canadian tour. We had a riot and we’re already talking about another one! First things first, we’re going to get back in the studio and finish writing songs for a new album. We’re halfway there-ish. Pending injuries, honeymoons and  the grind of the daily, we hope to have things ready to go and record in the early spring. In the meantime, we’ve got a couple prairie shows coming up with the Flatliners and I found a great interview we did this summer with Toronto is Awesome. Check it out here.  For all other sporadic musings, check our facebook and twitter accounts. XO, talk soon.

Ahhh, remember when it was warm?

Interview.

Second Winnipeg show added to Canadian Tour.

Vue Weekly on our upcoming tour.

Here’s some video of an acoustic jammer a few weeks back.

OMG! I could’ve twitted both those things at once! LOLZ. Who uses thoughtful discourse anymore?

Slates Cross Canada Tour

Hey friends, we’re finally heading east this summer! If you would like to play with us somewhere down the road or can help out with any dates TBA, please get in touch with our man Adam (adam@kreeftbooking). Did I mention we’ll also be bringing a new limited 7″ that way? Three new jammers and a deadly cover. It’s gonna be a good time, we promise.

06/21ish: Calgary, AB @ Sled Island Festival
06/30: Edmonton, AB @ New City
07/06: Regina, SK @ somewhere really cool last minute. Check our facebook for details!
07/07: Winnipeg, MB @ The Lo Pub
07/08: Thunder Bay, ON – Not happening, BBQ instead.                                                      07/09: Drive day, really cool. Engage moose detractors!                                               07/10: Timmins, ON @ The Victory Tavern
07/11: Sudbury, ON @ Millard’s Garage
07/12: North Bay, ON @ Bull and Quench Pub
07/13: Thetford Mines, QC @ Sergent Peppers Pub
07/14: Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
07/16: Halifax, NS @ Gus’ Pub
07/18: St. John’s, NL @ Distortion
07/19: Cornerbrook, NL @ White Horse Lounge
07/20: Dartmouth, NS @ Jacob’s
07/21 Saint John, NB @ Pepper’s Pub
07/22: Moncton, NB @ Plan B
07/23: Quebec City, QC @ L’Agitee
07/24: Ottawa, ON – @ Cafe Dekcuf                                                                              07/25: Hamilton, ON @ This Ain’t Hollywood
07/26: Ontario somewheres. We’ll announce it on facebook or twitters or something.  07/27: Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee’s
07/28: London, ON @ The Nite Owl
07/29: Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House                                                           07/30: More adventures in the sheild!                                                                              07/31: Sault Ste Marie – Karaokee somewhere maybe?
08/01: Thunder Bay, ON (Redemption!)  @ 251 Francis
08/02: Brandon, MB – TBA
08/03: Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo’s

Quick update!

Things have been a bit slow here in SLATESLAND. We got home from tour and decided to lie low for a few months. Stef’s started playing with the Rhubarbs while Dallas and James are involved with a Pogues set over the holidays (not to mention Dirty Dudes, singalongs and other ventures). Of course Eric is inching closer to becoming a kung fu master (which you will definitely not be able to see on the youtubes). No worries, many, many plans for 2012. It’ll be another gooder for Les Slaterinos!

In the meantime (and in between time) we’re playing Matty’s 100th show this weekend at the Wunderbar. He’s been doing great work for the all-ages scene in Edmonton though Clean Up Your Act and when he asked us to play this ripper, how could we refuse?! Event info here.

See you in the new year.

xo

-SLATES

S9/10 – Vienna, AT @ EKH
Sn9/11- Budapest, HU @ Szabad AZ A
T9/13 – Gyor, HU @ titkos helyszín w/Watch My Bag & Fuck Like Bunnies
W9/14 – Wroclaw, PO @ Falanster
Th9/15- Prague, CZ @ 007 w/Like Rats on a Sinking Ship & Astpai
S9/17 – Passau, DE @ Zeughaus w/Der Steinkopf