helterskelter.ca

SLAUGHTER (Usa)
1990 - Stick It To Ya.
way more Helter Skelter.

January 15, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: Stick It To Ya.

Las Vegas city of sins, city of SLAUGHTER.

Backline for ex-KISS slinger Vinnie Vincent, singer Mark Slaughter and experienced bassist Dana Strum wanted to be more than just part of a solo-project. Now paired with guitarist Tim Kelly and hard-hittin' drummer Blas Elias, these rocknroll new-kids were aiming for the big slice of the cherry pie.

After the commercial height of the glamorous 1986-to-89's hardrock excesses, the question remained: by 1990 was there any room left for innovations ? ...here comes more dynamics and dynamite !

The opening 100% ass-kicking "Eye To Eye" connects to the sweaty heart-pounding "Burnin' Bridges" ...this fresh band doesn't stop for nobody. "That's Not Enough" and "She Wants More" reaches out of your loud-speakers and puts the spotlight on the party. The fast-paced "Loaded Gun" is a single-bullet killer, while the power-ballad "Fly To The Angels" is pure magic in a bottle. The beautiful melodies and Mark's heavenly voice captures the essence of arenarock. To witness it live was a blessing, I know, I was there.

After "Rock And Roll All Nite" and "Big City Nights", we now get the mega bass-thumpin' heavyrock-anthem "Up All Night". The formula's the same, yet the boys still bring some high-gain attitude to the table. With heavy MTV-rotation, this one made SLAUGHTER a household name and still today is part of the array of hardrock's golden hits that epitomize the glorious 80s decade.

The companion Stick It Live EP is a fine bonus and displays the explosive energy the boys had on stage. And once again, Mark's vocal performance cannot be touched.

Still RIAA-certified 2x Platinum and little late to the party by 1990, Stick It To Ya is one of the last real vintage Sunset Strip vibed hardrock exhibition. Along fellow rebel-mates FIREHOUSE, EXTREME and TRIXTER, they did jam the house just before the rocknroll changing of the guards, courtesy of Seattle's late 1991 flannels.

SLAUGHTER stuck to their guns in a very different rock-landscape, as proven by their follow-up: 1992's The Wild Life CD.

RIP Tim Kelly (1963-1998)

*
Up All Night = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Za0gWXJW1w
Fly To The Angels = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmobha2krY
Spend My Life = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPz0VhJlSw
Stick It To Ya = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJaQB_aWn7s&list=OLAK5uy_nx-OSKoZDJzsCFmUZtri1jk_5IoEpWqrk
Interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnep3lgYWM
Live on Arsenio Hall in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEETl9d6L78
Live in Binghamton in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GF_SftdDc
Stick It Live = full MCD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnR61Xr2CA0&list=PL-QbYf2ZidHTkfASdLZLQ1GIN3XPji3cm
Live ABC's In Concert in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZKdOxjlNJA