Globe-trotting British quartet Slydigs are getting ready to release their new EP How Animal Are You.

Recently the North West based outfit have been wowing audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Last year Slydigs embarked on a 19 date North American and European Arena tour with The Who. This jaunt included a date at the much revered Staples Center in LA, earning the band rave reviews.

Slydigs also joined Los Angeles-based rock and soul troubadours Vintage Trouble as main support on two of their recent European tours.

The band consists of four old school friends, Dean Fairhurst (guitar & vocals), Louis Menguy (guitar), Peter Fleming (drums) and Ben Breslin (bass) who grew up together in the industrial wastelands that exist between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool. 

Slydigs will release their brand new six track EP How Animal Are You on May 12th, although fans of the band won’t have to wait as long to hear the title track and first single from the package, which was released on April 7th.

With the band’s latest offering, immediately from the off the first few bars of the title track has that distinctive Slydigs sound which we’ve come to know and love. This is typified by the unmistakable blistering guitar riffs of Louis Menguy which is laid over a solid yet frantic rhythm from Peter Fleming and Ben Breslin respectively, and Dean Fairhurst’s fierce rock and roll vocal.

Much like the title track the fast and furious “Give It Up Brother” is packed full of infectious hooks which you can’t help but be swept away by. 

On the other hand, the band showcase a softer side of their songwriting with the beautiful heartfelt number “To Catch A Fading Light”. The largely acoustic song is laden with vocal harmonies and lightly infused with some superb keyboard licks from Ryan Breslin. Both this and the slide-tastic “Truth Will Be Told” has been a staple part of the band’s live set for some time.

Through forming a band, the Warrington-based four piece have been given an outlet to channel their obsession with music and an opportunity to break free from their pre-determined existence of working in the local factories and building sites to which the region has to offer. 

Some of those themes can be heard on the EP and particularly on the incredibly bluesy, foot-stomping number “Suburban Confinement”. Lines in the song like ‘Ain’t it hard to be a man when you’re living on the breadline’ or ‘It’s hard to be confined when you are living in a one horse town’ really resonate throughout.

The EP is brought to a close with “The Kids Feel Underrated”. The track starts slowly with only a keyboard accompaniment, and as the song ebbs and flows it builds into quite an epic. Once again showcasing just how multifaceted this group really are.

Slydigs will be hitting the road in May and June for an extensive European tour in support of their new EP. Tickets for all shows are all sale now, and the band are not to be missed.

Slydigs European Tour Dates:

May

19th – Manchester, Deaf Institute
20th – York, Fibbers
21st – Newcastle, Think Tank Underground
22nd – Sheffield, Corporation
24th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
25th – Glasgow, Garage Attic
26th – Edinburgh, Mash House
27th – Warrington Festival
29th – Nottingham, Bodega
30th – Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
31st – Bristol, Louisiana

June

1st – Brighton, Sticky Mikes
3rd – London, Camden Rocks
5th – Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
6th – Cambridge Portland Arms
14th – Amsterdam Paradiso
15th – Nijmegen, Merleyn
16th – Belgium, Graspop Festival
17th – France, Hellfest

Slydigs
Website | Facebook | Twitter

Photo: © Adam Kennedy

About The Author

Adam Kennedy is an experienced music photographer based in northeast England. He has been shooting concerts for several years, predominantly with the band Vintage Trouble. In 2013, he was one of their tour photographers, covering the UK and Ireland tour including the headline shows and as opening act for The Who. As an accomplished concert photographer, Adam's work has been featured in print such as, Classic Rock Blues Magazine, Guitarist Magazine, Blues in Britain magazine, broadcast on the MDA Telethon on ABC Television in the US, used in billboard advertising for Renaissance Hotels in the US, and featured online via music blogs such as Uber Rock and Guitar Planet. He is also the official photographer at Newcastle Rock and Blues Club.