Review: Hot Laundry – ‘Shake Slide Twist’ EP

“SHAKE SLIDE TWIST, 4 songs, 4 chances to dance. Let’s get it on and have a good time!” – Hot Laundry

Social media bios are usually taking with a pinch of salt, but in the case of the above description of the latest EP from Hot Laundry, it hits the bullseye. Self-described as “…Hi-Octane Rock n Roll, hints of Motown, revved up guitars in the vein of MC5 and heavy dash of Delta Boogie…” Hot Laundry is that first shot of caffeine in the morning, the kind of band that makes you break a hip by trying dance moves that should not be attempted by anyone other than Mick Jagger. When they lock into that thang that they do so well, it’s impossible to resist, might as well just give up and go with the flow. Broken hip aside, what’s the worst that can happen?

Led by the smoking-hot Motown-meets-Punk vocals of Janette Lopez, and ably supported by Ileath Bridges and Gena Serey on backing vocals, the four tracks on ‘Shake Slide Twist’ are guaranteed to cure what ails ya. Had enough of lockdown? Climbing the walls in isolation? Pop on‘ Shake Slide Twist’ and within the first few moments of opening track ‘Shake’ it will be a case of “lockdown, what lockdown?”. If someone dares to “reimagine” the John Waters movie Hairspray, then here is the perfect soundtrack. Imagine The B-52s with fiery riffs and a punk rock attitude and you are only halfway there. The razor-sharp guitar work from Grady Hord is vibrant and should have the listener dusting off the air guitar, throw in some killer work from the engine-room team of bassist Neil Young, and the amazingly-monikered Thor DSR on drums and the end result is jet-fuelled fun. The vocals from Lopez on ‘What Would I Do’ spark memories of the iconic Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex, and thanks to the fuzzy tones of Grady Hord, and a Motown-on-steroids vibe, the track gives off an Austin Powers-meets-Jack Rabbit Slims aura. Only this time John Travolta can’t keep up the pace.

‘Satisfied’ is all about the lush backing vocals from Ileath Bridges and Gena Serey, which combine well alongside Lopez to make a wall of vocals that bring a Rolling Stones ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ vibe to the party. Lopez is a revelation. One of those performers where although you are discovering them for the first time, it’s almost as if you have been listening to them for decades, and this is such a strong example of her vocal range. Try resisting the handclap intro of closing track ‘Glitter and Gold’ – futile, mate. Grady Hord excels again with his guitar work throughout, more hints of a Stones-y influence here and there on a really funky track that brings the party to a close just as it was getting warmed up.

Remember when Lemmy and Slim Jim Phantom used to play as Head Cat? Hot Laundry would have been the perfect opening act.

Out now on Die Laughing Records and Golden Robot Records, more information here.

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2 comments

  1. Thank you! more music coming out soon!
    oxo Janette

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