Slave Raider

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Slave Raider was an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 that was known for its over-the-top antics, heavy make-up and glam song lyrics. In the 1980's, the Minneapolis music scene was primarily known for The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Husker Du and Prince among others, but in the Twin Cities, Slave Raider had a huge following that were known as 'The Raid'. They opened for such 80's bands as Ratt and Poison with the original line up but when Nicci Wikkid and Letitia Rae left the band to concentrate on solo projects, they added bass player Tommy D and became known as a true musicians band.

The band recorded three albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but were never able to make much of a dent in the glam metal scene of the time due to the beginning of the grunge movement that interestingly, has been attributed to the influence of their fellow Minnesotans, The Replacements.

The band was dropped by its record label following their third album release in 1990 and would break up soon after that with the band members going on to solo projects. The original line up has periodically reunited since then to perform the occasional reunion show that is always 'standing room only'.