articles
The Country Slashers
from volume 02 issue 05 // MacKenzie Pause
The Country Slashers
Words by MacKenzie Pause
Combining rock, country and punk elements, The Country Slashers truly create a unique sound. Enduring lineup changes, busy schedules of working musicians and an ever changing Orlando scene, the perpetual evolution of The Slashers is anything but predictable.
Three of the four members sat in the heat of the storage unit where drummer Patrick O’Neal practices with two other local bands. While O’Neal set up his drums, Phil Longo (bass) and Erich Jackson (guitar) joined the interview. Longo picked up a microphone and playfully tossed it back and forth while he talked openly about the “pain in the ass” but rewarding experience of being a Slashers member.
“It’s been one long journey,” Longo said. “The whole thing has been a pain in the ass, but it’s been worth every minute.”
Jason Smith (vocals) started The Country Slashers in Clermont, where he picked up a bass and sang for what was then a three piece. Drawing from influences like Motörhead, AC/DC, Nashville Pussy, The Ramones and Johnny Cash, the southern rock punk band was born.
The revolving door of bass players finally stopped two years ago when Longo joined the band. Longo has been a part of the Orlando scene for years, playing in bands like Telephone, Adventures in Immortality, Florida Arson Project, The Hot Six and currently Mumpsy. Smith approached Longo with the opportunity and after witnessing a live show at Will’s Pub, Longo was ready to contribute his talents.
Jackson joined the band as rhythm guitarist, but his role quickly changed to lead as the evolution of The Country Slashers continued. Jackson played with The Kick in the past and currently tour manages for Copeland.
O’Neal completed the lineup with a powerful and intense drumming style he’s known for from past bands like My Hotel Year. He’s currently the backbone for not only The Country Slashers, but History and Inkwell.
Finding devoted members may have taken a few years, but their progress illustrates their dedication. Despite playing in other bands and managing on the road, the four find time in their schedules to make The Slashers happen. They play shows regularly and recently recorded a full length.
The Country Slasher’s first release, Love Lost and Found, was recorded by Travis Adams (Inkwell), who helped create an album the band is extremely proud of, as well as an environment conducive for comfort and creativity.
Jackson said: “I’m very big on being comfortable in the studio. You go into some of the bigger places and the engineer is an asshole and you can’t get out of your shell.”
“It was really great because Travis wasn’t anal about set tempos,” O’Neal said. “We played it how we would play it live. This kind of music is not made to be animatronic.”
Longo said: “He has experience with all three of us in the past, so I think he knew how to get the best out of us. Just let us be ourselves, but when something needed to be said, he would say it. It was easily one of the best recording experiences I’ve ever had.”
Orlando’s Post Records plans to help with the distribution, which should help take The Country Slashers to the next level and further shows the potential of camaraderie amongst local bands and labels within Orlando.
In a town where so many bands seem to be trying to find a scene to fit in, The Slashers do their own thing, while Longo still lobbies for Orlando musicians to rise up and unite.
“We fit more in the scene as musicians,” Longo said. “In Orlando, most of the musicians get along really well. Even though we all sound differently, if people are going to take this area seriously, then we should take ourselves seriously. We need to be proud of where we are from. The only thing that separates Austin from here is that people are proud there. You got to be a badass band and be proud. Things can happen, we can make it work. Omaha, Nebraska did it, and Austin, Texas has always done it. You go to these places, and they are all proud. We have badass shit here.”
O’Neal said: “You can go see The Country Slashers, History, Kingsbury and The Attack on one show and none of those bands sounds alike. But it’s cool because they are all really good bands.”
The Country Slashers don’t need to fit into a scene to prove they are a “kick ass southern rockabilly punk band,” but their pride is just what Orlando lacks and so desperately needs. Their raw and energetic live performances merit a “must see” tag, while their first release is just the beginning of many things to come.
www.myspace.com/countryslashers
Words by MacKenzie Pause
Combining rock, country and punk elements, The Country Slashers truly create a unique sound. Enduring lineup changes, busy schedules of working musicians and an ever changing Orlando scene, the perpetual evolution of The Slashers is anything but predictable.
Three of the four members sat in the heat of the storage unit where drummer Patrick O’Neal practices with two other local bands. While O’Neal set up his drums, Phil Longo (bass) and Erich Jackson (guitar) joined the interview. Longo picked up a microphone and playfully tossed it back and forth while he talked openly about the “pain in the ass” but rewarding experience of being a Slashers member.
“It’s been one long journey,” Longo said. “The whole thing has been a pain in the ass, but it’s been worth every minute.”
Jason Smith (vocals) started The Country Slashers in Clermont, where he picked up a bass and sang for what was then a three piece. Drawing from influences like Motörhead, AC/DC, Nashville Pussy, The Ramones and Johnny Cash, the southern rock punk band was born.
The revolving door of bass players finally stopped two years ago when Longo joined the band. Longo has been a part of the Orlando scene for years, playing in bands like Telephone, Adventures in Immortality, Florida Arson Project, The Hot Six and currently Mumpsy. Smith approached Longo with the opportunity and after witnessing a live show at Will’s Pub, Longo was ready to contribute his talents.
Jackson joined the band as rhythm guitarist, but his role quickly changed to lead as the evolution of The Country Slashers continued. Jackson played with The Kick in the past and currently tour manages for Copeland.
O’Neal completed the lineup with a powerful and intense drumming style he’s known for from past bands like My Hotel Year. He’s currently the backbone for not only The Country Slashers, but History and Inkwell.
Finding devoted members may have taken a few years, but their progress illustrates their dedication. Despite playing in other bands and managing on the road, the four find time in their schedules to make The Slashers happen. They play shows regularly and recently recorded a full length.
The Country Slasher’s first release, Love Lost and Found, was recorded by Travis Adams (Inkwell), who helped create an album the band is extremely proud of, as well as an environment conducive for comfort and creativity.
Jackson said: “I’m very big on being comfortable in the studio. You go into some of the bigger places and the engineer is an asshole and you can’t get out of your shell.”
“It was really great because Travis wasn’t anal about set tempos,” O’Neal said. “We played it how we would play it live. This kind of music is not made to be animatronic.”
Longo said: “He has experience with all three of us in the past, so I think he knew how to get the best out of us. Just let us be ourselves, but when something needed to be said, he would say it. It was easily one of the best recording experiences I’ve ever had.”
Orlando’s Post Records plans to help with the distribution, which should help take The Country Slashers to the next level and further shows the potential of camaraderie amongst local bands and labels within Orlando.
In a town where so many bands seem to be trying to find a scene to fit in, The Slashers do their own thing, while Longo still lobbies for Orlando musicians to rise up and unite.
“We fit more in the scene as musicians,” Longo said. “In Orlando, most of the musicians get along really well. Even though we all sound differently, if people are going to take this area seriously, then we should take ourselves seriously. We need to be proud of where we are from. The only thing that separates Austin from here is that people are proud there. You got to be a badass band and be proud. Things can happen, we can make it work. Omaha, Nebraska did it, and Austin, Texas has always done it. You go to these places, and they are all proud. We have badass shit here.”
O’Neal said: “You can go see The Country Slashers, History, Kingsbury and The Attack on one show and none of those bands sounds alike. But it’s cool because they are all really good bands.”
The Country Slashers don’t need to fit into a scene to prove they are a “kick ass southern rockabilly punk band,” but their pride is just what Orlando lacks and so desperately needs. Their raw and energetic live performances merit a “must see” tag, while their first release is just the beginning of many things to come.
www.myspace.com/countryslashers
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