The Slurs
The Melody Inn
Friday, Nov. 19

Trouble with rock and roll, huh? Well, sock-ya-in-the-gut, in-your-face rock and roll sure seemed alive and healthy Saturday night. Fans and friends alike gathered at the Melody Inn for the Slurs’ album release party celebrating the finally-completed The Trouble with Rock and Roll. Starting their set during the 1 o’clock hour, the Slurs pummeled, jumped, thrashed and spit through an undeniably energetic and electrifying show.

They knocked over mic stands, repeatedly got doused with who-knows-what kind of liquid and even chipped some teeth before the night was out. Yes, it was a little sloppy. Yes, it was more than a little loud. And yes, a great deal of the lyrics were utterly indistinguishable. There was no getting around whose party this was. It was the Slurs’ night and they were there to have an awesome time and make an awesome time for everybody who showed up.

Again and again, the band implored the audience members to give their opinion of the show, and how it was progressing.

It was progressing just fine. The Slurs should be thrilled that they have a darn good album on their hands to promote with their live show. How does one evaluate a show like this? The merits are not necessarily determined by how “well” the songs were played, if they were in tune, if the vocals were clean. Punk music follows its own format. It distinguishes itself from other forms of music by making its most important element the spirit behind it. Irreverent, witty and charming in a so-ugly-its-cute sort of way, punk music does not play by anyone else’s rules. And neither do the Slurs. Playing what was undeniably their music on their night, the Slurs had a perfect show. Perfectly them.