| The Slickee Boys | |
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Classic line-up circa 1985. From left: John Chumbris, Dan Palenski, Mark Noone (seated), Kim Kane, Marshall Keith. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Genres | Punk Garage Rock Psychedelic New Wave Rock |
| Years active | 1975–1991; (more-or-less-annual reunion shows continue to the present) |
| Labels | Dacoit (US) Giant (US) Limp (US) Line (Germany) New Rose (France) Twin/Tone (US) |
| Members | |
| John Chumbris : Bass guitar Giles Cook : Drums John Hansen : Rhythm guitar Martha Hull : Lead vocals Kim Kane : Rhythm guitar Thomas Kane : Bass guitar Marshall Keith : Lead guitar, keyboards Mike Maxwell : Bass guitar Mark Noone : Lead vocals Emery Olexa : Bass guitar Dan Palenski : Drums Chris Rounds : Drums Andy von Brand : Bass guitar Howard Wuelfling : Bass guitar |
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The Slickee Boys were a Washington, D.C. area punk-psychedelic-garage rock band whose most-remembered lineup consisted of guitarist Marshall Keith, guitarist Kim Kane, singer Mark Noone, and drummer Dan Palenski. The band has become a legend in the D.C. punk community. They were known for their wild costumes and graphics.
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The band was founded in the mid-1970s by guitarists Kim Kane and Marshall Keith, with Kane as principal songwriter, and featured Martha Hull on vocals. The band released its first EP, "Hot and Cool", in 1976 — an event documented by members of the new wave community as the third DIY new wave record ever recorded.
In 1978 Mark Noone replaced Hull as the singer, with the band benefitting from Noone's showmanship as well as his songwriting. In 1983, a music video for their song "When I Go to the Beach" placed second in MTV's Basement Tapes competition. This resulted in the video being shown regularly as well as garnering the band the distinction of being first from the D.C. area to get airplay on the then-new video channel.
In 1988 after a short European Tour, founding member Kim Kane departed to focus on his band Date Bait. The band soldiered on with long-time roadie, John Hansen, taking over on rhythm guitar until they called it quits in 1991.
They hold the record for the most performances at DC's 930 Club - 81 shows.
Roadie, soundman, and guitarist John Hansen died on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the age of 47. His sister reported that he had committed suicide.[1]
In the mid 80's The Slickee Boys formed their "alter ego" rock-a-billy band, The Wanktones. At some venues, including the now-defunct DC club The Wax Museum, The Wanktones "opened" for The Slickee Boys. On their only album released as The Wanktones, "Have a Ball Y'All", The members are listed under the following pseudonyms: Del Marva, Bo Link, Mo Sloe, Ersel Wank, Floyd Glen Bernie, and Elmer Preslee.
Over the years, they've won a number of awards ("Wammies") from the Washington Area Music Association.
In addition, in 1989 the band was inducted into the WAMA Hall of Fame[3]
Starting shortly after the break-up, reunion shows have taken place most years (as recently as July 3, 2011 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC) usually the week between Christmas and New Years, with one show each in Baltimore and D.C. Frequently the line-up changes during the course of the show, with band members taking turns playing on different songs.
In 1987 the retro-surf film Back to the Beach (with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello) used the song "When I Go to the Beach" during the bar scene with Bob Denver.[4] It is not included in the soundtrack released on CBS Records.[5]
Other bands that played on the same bill as the Slickee Boys:
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