razorcake.org (US) #135 July 2023 If you took the parts of the Exploding Hearts that weren’t about aping Johnny Thunders or picking out sweaters that coordinated with the color of their spray paint, and welded said essence to a more traditional late-’70s/early-’80s power pop band on the rockier end of that particular spectrum (Plimsouls maybe? Second Eddie And The Hot Rods album? I might even accept Nervous Eaters as an answer here), you might get something approaching Slander Tongue (or a marginally more serious Platinum Boys, I suppose). Then again, one of these guitar leads sounds kinda like the Skids, so what do I know? This German quartet is so masterful at blending the poppy and punky with the powery and poppy and the garagey and rolly that when they throw out some fancy little accoutrement like a bit of bink bink bink piano or a wah-wah guitar solo, it seems almost unfair, like they’re shooting fish in a barrel. Which is probably why they have that song “Fish Taxi,” so the fish can get to the barrel in time for the set. This band is welcome to knock me down, step on my face, and slander my tongue all over the place. Actually, I think they already have. BEST SONG: “Way To Go.” It sounds kinda like that Alice Cooper song but I can’t fault the lads for their youthful enthusiasm. BEST SONG TITLE: “The Jab.” It sounds like Paul Weller’s old band ib he hadda code. FANTASTIC AMAZING TRIVIA FACT: Successful apostrophe usage rate fifty percent. –Rev. Nørb (RN)
monstres-sacres.blogspot.com March 2023 In 2017 four road tested rockers from the back alleys of Berlin slithered from their barstools at the infamous rock & roll refuge, Wowsville Bar. They picked up their electrified weapons of destruction and formed what was to become the rock & roll wrecking machine known as SLANDER TONGUE. The seasoned foursome dug up the decaying bones of early 70s rock & roll and boot stompin’ glam. Instead of merely regurgitating worn out ROLLING STONES and MOTT The HOOPLE riffs they brazenly revitalized them with the sleazy swagger of Johnny Thunders, the sonic assault of Fred Smith, and the bona fide rock & roll groove of ROY LONEY era FLAMIN GROOVIES. They jumped out of the gate with a pair of rattle rocking singles in 2018; “Server Room b/w This Time” (Bachelor Records) and “Goin’ Down b/w Back Off” (Wild Wax). Both were mastered at the hands of Crypt’s kingpin, Tim Warren, and unequivocally kicked ass, leaving no doubt that real rock and roll still has a glimmer of hope. The 2020 self titled full length on Slovenly Records hit like a ton of bricks! Undeterred by the constraints at the hands of Covid they emerged from isolation with the big balls stomp of the 2021 single, “Ride b/w Lockdown” on Slovenly. They continue to sling their brand of steamy rock & roll havoc on the willing few and have kicked off 2023 with their newest album, “Monochrome” available on garage punk juggernaut, ALIEN SNATCH! RECORDS
greennoiserecords.com (US) March 2023 When you hear this has got members coming from Bikes, Modern Pets, and King Khan and his Shrines, you bound to got a good idea where you're headed with this outfit, garage-punk power-pop rock n roll or something like that, likely a bunch of who-cares happies raised on 40-ounce doses of 1970s punk, power pop, glitter, garage, and rock n' roll, drinking up the past and smashing the bottle against the wall...kick-starting the engine, gas tank filled with octane siphoned from some old 1960s’ Dodge A100s that used to transport outfits of the 1970s when they were young and hungry and first starting out...the New York Dolls, Alice Cooper Group, AC/DC and Cheap Trick...blasting out of those possible influences and probably a bunch of others like a motorbike with the throttle twisted and chugging out of town like there's no tomorrow...going along double nickels and into passing gears, good times abound throughout...set solid from go to whoa, "a bottle of whisky and a barrel of fun," clap-claps that sound like slaps on the back of your leather jacket...slap the dust from your cap, stick out your sore thumb and hitch a ride...slap a grin to your chin, put the balm to your burned calves and let the warm summer wind to your ears...cannonball off the end of the dock and splash into this one...crank it like a Craig deck...another gem from this Berlin outfit (mw)
ox-fanzine.de (GER) #168 May 2023 Trotz der schieren Existenz von Christian Lindner gibt es auch in diesem Land noch positive Neuigkeiten zu vermelden. Die Wilko Johnson-Kegelbrüder von SLANDER TONGUE haben endlich ein neues Album vorgelegt, bei dem nicht nur die Bandfotos so aussehen, als hätte man sie gerade aus dem Nikotinschleier eines Partykellers mit psychedelischer Blumentapete gerettet, in dem früher nicht nur feuchtfröhliche Tanzabende der TED MULRY GANG und SKYHOOKS, sondern auch ausschweifende Orgien der FLAMIN’ GROOVIES-Belegschaft stattfanden. Was waren das damals aber auch für Zeiten, diese Siebziger Jahre, man sah aus wie Lobby Loyde nach einem misslungenen Apothekenüberfall, trug viel zu enge Strickjacken und konnte sorglos mit Latzhose Mofa fahren, während man die Melodie von „Yesterday’s hero“ summt. Dann eine Runde am Flipper, Kaugummiautomaten aufbrechen und eine halbe Stunde Schlaf, bevor das Wochenende in Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco beginnt. Heißer als sämtliche Hits von BROWNSVILLE STATION! (9/10) (DK)
voixdegaragegrenoble.blogspot.com (FR) March 2023 craqué un max sur leur 1er album! Donc j’attendais avec beaucoup d’envie ce 2ème album du quatuor berlinois. Et pinaise qu’est-ce qu’il est bon !!! Leur cocktail Power Pop/Garage Rock (ou l’inverse c’est vous qui voyez) s’est teinté fortement d’une coloration Rock’n’Roll originellement fortement présente, tout comme des ‘Relents’ de 70’s Rock (disons des NEW YORK DOLLS jusqu’à DOCTOR FEELGOOD mais dégraissé des clichés qu’on y associe, l’esprit, pas la copie). Sûrement que le CHEAP TRICK de la grande époque n’est pas loin de leurs amours de jeunesse… tout comme les Remplacements de la période ‘Pop’.C’est réjouissant, euphorisant, et diablement addictif! Les 10 CHANSONS ici présentées glissent comme une farandole de desserts! Un vrai régal ! De ces albums hyper évidents qui semblent avoir toujours appartenu à votre discothèque et qu’on à toujours plaisir à redécouvrir !!! (BT)
rosyoverdrive.com (US) July 2023 Here’s another one of these garage rock power pop hits! I’m not sure if there’s much to say about “Huntin’”, which is just an excellent snotty piece of rock and roll that pulls from early 70s punk and power pop brilliantly and undeniably. Sometimes a good song is just good, and I’m not going to pass on “Huntin’” just because I can’t think of any cool hook to put in this little paragraph. They’re from Berlin, that’s kinda unusual for the music I write about?
released February 23, 2023
Automatic Axel – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Klaus – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Chico M. – Bass, Vocals
Johnboyadonis – Drums
Eblo – Piano
Jeff Clarke & The Inserts – Backing Vocals
Alien Snatch! Records 2023
Produced and mixed by Smail-Shock-Productions at Studio B/AK18
Mastered by Nene Baratto & A Hule Hule
Artwork by Nirzar Pang!
SLANDER TONGUE
11.11.2023 (DE) - Berlin Loophole w./KÜKEN
17.11.2023 (ES) - Santander - Rock Beer The New
18.11.2023 (ES) - Valladolid - Cientocero
19.11.2023 (ES) - Cáceres - Boogaloo
20.11.2023 (ES) - Daimiel - Disco Bar Canos
21.11.2023 (ES) - Valencia - Loco Club
22.11.2023 (ES) - Madrid - Wurlitzer Ballroom
23.11.2023 (ES) - Ponferrada - Crocodrilo Negro
24.11.2023 (ES) - Coruña - Mardi Gras
25.11.2023 (PT) - Lisbon - Village Underground