The Slits - Peel Session 1977

[@Fogon59]

This is the best thing on all of the internet, not just music internet, anything at all.

[@hopebgood]

I remember listening to this session in bed before I had to go to my shitty grammar school the next day. This is what made me happy.

[@willieluncheonette]

A very important Peel session. The Slits first official recordings, capturing them in all their punky glory. Another instance where John Peel had his finger on the pulse of what was happening on the streets. Amazingly, it would be almost two years before their debut album, Cut, was released in September, 1979. So you can see why Peel is held in the highest regard all over England. The band had a buzz around them in 1977 and these four songs have a haphazard yet extremely appealing sound--like a band just discovering what they're capable of in a studio. And yet it all coalesces beautifully here, yielding a remarkable picture of what was possible in 1977, the year punk took over. (Kudos again to vibracobra23 for constantly searching out the best possible sound on these Peel sessions.)

[@filip3104]

great post my friend, really thanks for the additional info!

[@Briar-Bat93]

Great stuff. Watched it again. John peel what can i say ! Thanks maybe.

[@willieluncheonette]

filip panca you are very welcome, my friend. Aren't these songs great? One past comment (I forget who it was) said these sound more dangerous and threatening than any punk music today. Now that was a comment that stuck in my mind.

[@willieluncheonette]

Carl Fry you can hoist one to him tonight. that;s what I'm gonna do.

[@filip3104]

willieluncheonette Yes they are the best of the best to me. I heard many other thinks but this kind of Punk music always was and still are my favourits ...

[@martinashton5792]

Saw them in 1977 , absolute chaos...absolutely brilliant

[@chrisbell5920]

Most John Peel Sessions were excellent, but THIS one is pure gold. When I listened to it a few minutes ago, memories seeped out from that place one rarely accesses-- great memories of those good old days when we were young and our music was new and innovative and life-changing for so many of us. I saw the Slits umpteen times between 77 and 79, at least twenty times when they supported The Clash on two tours (with the Buzzcocks and then The Innocents), and many more times when they headlined their own shows. Remember the Slits at the Acklam, anybody? I still have the small button badges from that night, showing cartoon matchstick figures of Ari, Viv and Tessa amongst all my other old stuff. Actual physical mementos but nowhere near one's memories, if you can get them to come out of the recesses. Thanks girls, for the great times, and the great memories too!

[@shinywarm6906]

unquestionably, the greatest Peel session ever

[@shack7631]

Simply glorious. This is what Peel Sessions were all about. No wonder it was one his favourites.

[@UKAlanR]

One of the most valuable Peel sessions of the time, as an artefact, as the band's first released recording Cut sounded so different. Truly magnificent, most especially Love and Romance.

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

Good old John Peel! His radio show was essential listening back in the 70s. Brilliant and eclectic selection of artists and bands, along with sessions like the iconic Slits!

[@kevinadamson3505]

USed to listen to john peel religiously every night from 77 onwards and tape them to play back to my mates the next day.REmember this session as if it was yesterday.pure unadulterated energy.Awesome.

[@chrisbct4948]

vibracobra23, our hero. Viv Albertine in her book Clothes, Music, Boys said that they didn't get recorded, that they did practice for their 2 pre lst lp Peel sessions and were glad to get to Peel. It's clearly awesome stuff, in fact, their zestyness outside of the lp Cut, isn't really ever otherwise captured as their Giant Slits lp gets heavy dub. Crucial recordings. Love it. Lucky enough to see 'em about 2005 and 2006 in San Diego. What a treat.

[@oldmodelarmy]

Still think this is the best thing they ever recorded. Just punk rock in all it's glory. x

[@TateHemlock1]

One of my most favorite Peel Sessions EVER. Shoplifting is one of my favorite songs. Love the raw energy here. Cut's easily one of the ten best post-punk records and there are a lot of records deserving of the title of best in the post-punk world. Nothing quite like the Slits. Soooo good. So good.

[@amandarichardson2399]

NOT post punk PUNK

[@prpwnage9296]

Its punk era not post punk era

[@marcosdgonzalez5270]

Punk rock

[@SinewRending]

*These recordings were my introduction to The Slits. I got to sing "New Town" on stage with Ari and the band years after first hearing them.*

[@redlester]

Recorded on my 18th birthday! 🎉

[@Vibracobra23_Original]

Happy Birthday!

[@andrewlengert2558]

excellent, exactly as I remember them from 40 years ago. jesus wept life goes on & on & on. what a drag. life not the music

[@gfrkiss]

Easily the most important female punk band....still mean so much...

[@lediabolique5822]

Yes, important as a female punk band, but also important as one of the most original and innovative punk bands...ever, male or female.

[@sexobscura]

and i thought it was Culture Club

[@RUDI-UK]

They're the most important female band from ANY genre

[@gfrkiss]

@@RUDI-UK I remember The Runaways...they were spat on by all as well, a great band .

[@j.w.beekman9431]

Palmolive on drums (original member - she was replaced by Budgie by the time Cut was made)

[@chase7206]

I've been reading Jarvis Cocker's book and he recalls listening to this live in 1978, and the recording of 'shoplifting' being a major influence on him pursuing music.

[@hopebgood]

"Shoplifting". Ah...class.

[@EllakGr]

Raw, wild, defiant and free! Thank you!

[@johnwalton7573]

spot on willie raincoats and slits opened the chance for girl bands wide open - Pity wasn't followed up but Slits will always be National treasure in my mind

[@calvinguile1315]

This was my FAVORITE ep forever ❤

[@juliorivera6584]

I FUCKING LOVE THIS ALBUM! Particularly because it's a JOHN PEEL gem!

[@JOPGONZA]

waouh , i saw them playing in Paris in 78 , they were so great girls , funny , good performers , unforgettable friends ; Good times

[@JohnSmith-ji6lu]

The first punk concerts I ever went to was the Clash, The Slits, Buzzcocks and Subway Sect at Leicester De Montfort Hall in I about 76/77. This really takes me back to my teenage years.

Quite a punk scene was Leicester.

[@JohnSmith-ji6lu]

@ I wouldn't say so really, at that time there was only a handful of us.

[@gunnargarcia901]

Saw same tour, Victoria Halls, Hanley. Must have been 77...

[@JohnSmith-ji6lu]

@@gunnargarcia901 I would have been 16 years old at the time.

[@iainsmith9322]

De Mont hall, I was there too, my first gig @ 15 years of age! Brilliant!!

[@LucyOLastic]

they scared the shit out of me! I recorded "Instant Hit" and "Love and Romance" on an old reel to reel. the transformation to "Cut" was pretty mindblowing. I liked the punk stuff with Palmolive, but the resulting album is so much better. Nice to hear a few psychedelic touches from producer Clive Langer, ex Deaf School guitarist. Ari Up's voice melodies reminded me of Sonja Kristina of Curved Air for some reason. I like the different guitar sounds, some weird acoustic folk stuff on Ping Pong Affair. The last thing I expected. the cassette copy I bought sounded somehow better than the CD.....a long gap on the tape on Side one, so had to leave it to run out. It remains with me to this day!

[@hopebgood]

I remember listening to this Slits John Peel session in bed and dreading the next day at my Dickensian grammar school. My life really was chalk and cheese from this point onwards.

[@seanedwards7755]

Excellent session. Many thanks.

[@hopsail]

I am obsessed with The Slits still, at 60. Frankly, I think punk began and ended with them.

[@hopebgood]

I love The Slits too mate. They were fucking fantastic

[@solanaplunkett1272]

i love this version of love and romance

[@l.salisbury1253]

For me the best Slits LP was their Peel Sessions mini-album on Strange Fruit (1990)...

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

Outstanding brilliance.

[@markwelbyBlood]

Use to love listening to Peel 10 til midnight Monday to Friday. Also The Slits were the first Punk band I ever saw playing live

[@honyjohan4998]

I can't believe I didn't hear them when I was younger.....

[@LarzGustafsson]

Great sound!

[@kevinadamson5768]

Love and romance truly is epic on this recording.

[@cclewes7373]

Great band

[@ianwalsh9552]

Well done sounds good to me

[@GyntherMeyer]

Thanks so much for uploading this!

[@klaussperger]

Changed my life

[@lumanchu3386]

Ari Up Forever!

[@drychaf]

Crucial 'what punk was all about' listening, along with X-ray Spex. Sleater-Kinney rekindled the flame. Who else though?

[@kennethhausrath6306]

Sleayer kinner isnt super punk

[@wrencormier513]

Bikini Kill, Patti Smith, Pixies, Sonic Youth, the Clash, Stooges, New York Dolls

[@drychaf]

@@wrencormier513 Thanks for that reply. Yes all those bands and many more were crucial (the Stooges/Iggy particularly). My posting was very vague, and I'm trying to remember what I meant by it myself! I think it was the combination of punk energy and fearless originality that the Slits (Peel Session, not Cut) and X-Ray Spex offered. Bands like The Clash (saw them 3 times in '77/'78) and many others, were thrilling at the time, esp live, but they were still solid rock & roll compared to these women, who created unique sounds that I still listen to in wonder and awe now.

[@wrencormier513]

@@drychaf I see what you mean

[@theWARMJET]

Love and romance is epic. Wild

[@kevinadamson5768]

It really is.

[@kevinadamson3505]

never heard anything before or since to match this.YEah I know they could,nt play that well but come on this is Punk rock at it,s rawest.

[@kevinadamson3505]

They don't make music like this anymore.

[@iangraham6458]

I used to feel like you but if you just scratch a little deeper I think there are a lot of exciting new bands around with that real punk spirit.

[@nick16279]

@@iangraham6458 Perhaps, but nobody seems to be doing the original Punk Rock sound.

[@iangraham6458]

@@nick16279 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV67aYShptd3m7s

[@stevenimeson902]

New town bass line forever!

[@daskleinegluck4553]

Great song over all!

[@pressureworks]

Slit Rock.... They don't play it often enough

[@carlosarturosousagarridole9361]

El verdadero sonido de The Slits.

[@patrickcannady2066]

Love it.

[@wetbear1968]

This version of Newtown is ace 👍

[@JimWood03]

Check out the Y album (Y3LP or Bootleg Retrospective).

[@kelb6073]

Women have to put up with so much shit. Thank God for John Peel! Also, Ari was only a teen when she started. Crazy!

[@paintsilj]

Guitar line in last track used by The Fall, Jawbone and the air rifle....?

[@russellrichardson554]

interesting question... there's a similarity for sure... but those early Fall songs were often based on initially 'obvious' riffs, then twisted and bent, so perhaps the Slits had the same praxis?

[@robh9079]

Apparently the BBC engineers were on the snooty side to the slits. They did a good job though... (maybe a bit over the top on the short delay)

[@harryknackers7892]

Ari Up, Ari!

[@robertwilliams1182]

One of the original all girl punk bands..give it to em Ari Up.

[@Broatch6]

slitrock woz frank fearless and femtastic !!!

[@GeraldIrsigler]

Comment Nr. 2^7 + 1

[@davepx1]

The most horrific racket I'd ever heard: yes, it really was that truly glorious, and still is. This made the Pistols sound like Showaddywaddy - which they were, really.

[@startervisions]

Lol that's what makes riot grrrl so much heavier than the emo dude rockers of the same era

[@mgdoble]

What are you talking about....its tight!

[@davepx1]

@@mgdoble If only the Beeb had allowed time for Palmolive to throw in a 20-min drum solo... :)

[@therespectedlex9794]

​@@davepx1Beeb? If only boob had allowed.

[@kurtvanderbogarde8402]

Palmolive could have been the next Keith Moon. She was the best thing about the Slits (and the ONLY good thing about the Raincoats).

[@tonyjohn1395]

I’ve got this on 12 inch vinyl EP. Is it valuable ? Saw them a few times as well. Woolwich polytechnic and the other cinema by Goodge Street in London stands out. The latter was a Sunday matinee gig with sham 69 as I remember?

[@wrencormier513]

The vinyl is valuable to the right people, probably rare, but not sure how rare

[@pressureworks]

Is it the Strange Fruit label release ??

[@sandypadlock3337]

The slits are the clash in girls 👍

[@hopebgood]

The Slits are better than The Clash. More fun.

[@milesgeary6358]

They're way less commercial than the Clash.

[@NigelMessenger-ks1py]

Oh for those acklam hall days to return. They were proper punk live but that 1st album was awful. Really disappointing. All their energy was gone. Shame.

[@sebp400]

hey Polvo fan!

[@johnadams9514]

polvo rules but what are you talking about?

[@paulgriffiths1062]

Probably the worst band ever ....

[@ughman7694]

illuminati

[@therespectedlex9794]

Who isn't?

[@strumbolli]

Fuck me, they can barely play here (yes I know it's punk). However the musicainship on Cut is phenomenal especially the drums. These kids must've worked really hard in those 18 months or Dennis Bovell played all the instruments on Cut :)

[@left4deadlover123]

+strumbolli Dennis Bovell did not play all the instruments on Cut.

[@gotham61]

+Elliott Day It's no secret that Palmolive had left the band before they recorded Cut, and that Budgie played the drums on the record. The difference in tightness is not subtle. Later, Bruce Smith from The Pop Group became the drummer. At the end of this video Peel talks about how they were an all female band at the time of the session, and how he preferred that version.

[@mookie2637]

Incorrect. He plays 'percussion' on Newtown, with a box of matches a spoon and a glass.

[@bradjfield]

A reggae session musician called Maxie played drums on "I heard it thru the grapevine.' Budgie played on the rest of CUT .

[@fluentpiffle]

A live band is only ever as tight as their drummer..

[@GeeEm1313]

Love it.