With a name like Slammin’ Gladys it’s damned near impossible to establish what genre they could sing in. Are they going to be heavy metal? Are they a Rockabilly group? Are they punk? Well, the band probably couldn’t tell you themselves, and maybe that’s the way it should be. Growing up on a diet of radio songs, which included early rock, and Motown, Slammin’ Gladys took notes and their sound draws from the very best of popular music. Back in 1992 they had a hit with ‘Down On Your Knees’, released via Priority Records, and co-written with Jani Lane, of Warrant. They drifted apart, but now. after being tracked down by Ohio’s Jib Machine Records, the quartet are reunited.
Jib Machine wanted to re-release the band’s debut album, and the process caused the band, comprising vocalist/guitarist David Brooks, guitarist J.J. Farris, bassist Al Collins, and drummer Stephen DeBoard, to reconsider the chemistry they once had, and they recorded 9 new songs. New single, ‘Dragon Eye Girl’, was written by Brooks after he met his girlfriend. The song took on a new meaning the more he considered it; it’s about how we all have a good side and a bad side, and maybe – just maybe – those dragon eyes should serve as a warning.
The song itself is all snarls and wails, like an animal that’s been forced into a corner. It’s blue-eyed soul, yet there’s some serious swagger, a la Prince, and riffs that Aerosmith could only dream about.
Even though they’ve not toured for nearly 25 years, Slammin’ Gladys have lost nothing of their steam, and there was plenty of it in evidence on the LA rooftop where they shot the clip for their new song. Temperatures hit a dragon-like 40 degrees C (that’s 104 in the old money), but they’re still giving it their all, as if there was a crowd of hundreds slamming their fists into the air and singing their hearts out. There’s even a special appearance from the Dragon Eye Girl herself, daring us to stare just that minute too long, as she performs for the camera. This is rock as it should be done.
Slammin’ Gladys can be found on their website.
