The Slits - Typical Girls

Considering the Slits formed in 1976, it's quite a surprise that it took them until 1979 to release an album and a single. The Slits were an all girl band except for the Drummer Budgie (later with Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Creatures) consisting of Ari Up, Palmolive, and Viv Albertine. I saw the Slits a few times and their gigs were very raw and angry, so (Like many) I was surprised when I bought this single at how commercial and professional it was.

'Typical Girls' is excellent but for me it's their b-side cover of the Marvin Gayes classic 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' that stands out. If there done well I have always been a fan of covers, especially if the format is changed, and in my opinion this version is brilliant.

So which one do you prefer, the original or the cover? leave a comment, I know where my vote is.

Band: The Slits
Label: Island
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. Typical Girls
2. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this then buy their debut album, you will not be disappointed, it includes both sides of this single.

Cut: Remastered

Slits / The Pop Group Split Single 7"

Split single with "The Slits" and "The Pop Group" from the excellent "Rough Trade" label. I bought this as a Slits fan, with no knowledge of The Pop Group. On first play I can remember being disappointed and filed it in my collection and forgot about it for a while. Then a couple of months later I pulled it out and put it on again and I don't know what happened but I loved "In The Beginning There Was Rhythm" with it's punk/funk/reggae dub sound. The other side from the Pop Group and "Where There's A Will" never grew on me, even though it had a similar sound (not surprising in that both bands shared drummer and manager). The Pop Group split up in 1981 and later on band members went on to form Pigbag and Rip Rig and Panic.

But a usual I'll leave it to you to comment on which side you prefer.

Band: The Slits/The Pop Group
Label: Rough Trade
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. In The Beginning There Was Rhythm
2. Where There's A Will

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then your in luck you can still buy the Pop Groups debut album here:

Y [Remastered and Expanded]
and there's lots to choose from the Slits, in my opinion their debut is the best:

Cut
but if you like the sound of this post then try this:

In the Beginning (A Live Anthology)