The Slits

The Slits
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1976 in London, England
Founder	Ari Up, Palmolive, Kate Korus
Defunct	1982, 2010
Headquarters	London, England
Products	Punk rock and post-punk music albums and singles

The Slits emerged as a pioneering punk and post-punk ensemble originating in London in 1976, formed by musicians previously involved with the Flowers of Romance and the Castrators. The original roster featured Ari Up and Palmolive, with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt stepping in to replace initial members Kate Korus and Suzy Gutsy. Their 1979 debut, Cut, is widely recognized as a seminal post-punk record.

1976–1982

The band came together in October 1976 when Ari Up connected with Palmolive and Kate Korus, leading them to hold their first rehearsal the following day. In 1977, they supported the Clash on the White Riot tour, which also featured Buzzcocks and the Jam. Their live shows from this era are captured in The Punk Rock Movie (1978). November 1978 saw them touring again alongside the Clash during the "Sort it Out Tour". Joe Strummer acknowledged their promise through their vigorous gig schedule.

Palmolive departed in 1978 to join the Raincoats, and drummer Budgie, formerly of the Spitfire Boys and later associated with Siouxsie and the Banshees, took her place. This change in personnel coincided with a shift from their initial raw punk style toward a bass-heavy sound influenced by reggae, dub, and global musical traditions.

Their debut album Cut, produced by Dennis Bovell, was issued in September 1979 via Island Records and included backing vocals from Neneh Cherry. The album’s controversial cover depicted the group nude, adorned with mud and loincloths. Although Palmolive reportedly disapproved of the artwork, she had exited the band months prior and did not participate on the recording.

In the early 1980s, The Slits embraced a more avant-garde direction, collaborating with Bristol’s post-punk outfit the Pop Group, sharing drummer Bruce Smith, and releasing a joint single under Y Records. They also compiled an untitled collection featuring demos and live tracks recorded before Cut. Following extensive touring, their sophomore studio album Return of the Giant Slits was released before they dissolved in early 1982. Subsequently, Ari Up became involved with the New Age Steppers.

2005–2010

In 2005, Ari Up and Tessa Pollitt revived The Slits with a revamped lineup after Viv Albertine opted not to rejoin. The following year saw the release of the EP Revenge of the Killer Slits, which included contributions from former Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook alongside Chris Constantinou and Marco Pirroni, both previously of Adam and the Ants, who also co-produced the project. Cook’s daughter Hollie provided vocals and keyboard parts. Additional members comprised No (from Home Office) on guitar, German drummer Anna Schulte, and guitarist Adele Wilson.

The band embarked on their first U.S. tour in a quarter-century during 2006’s 'States of Mind' tour, followed by performances in Australia and Japan. They also served as opening act for Sonic Youth at New York’s McCarren Park Pool. After Adele Wilson and No left, American guitarist Michelle Hill joined the lineup. In July 2009, Zoë Street Howe published Typical Girls? The Story of the Slits, a biography released concurrently with their third studio album, Trapped Animal.

Ari Up passed away in Los Angeles at age 48 in October 2010. Honoring her wishes, the band’s final release was a video for "Lazy Slam" from Trapped Animal, issued posthumously. Additionally, an unreleased track from 1981 titled "Coulda Woulda Shoulda" was scheduled for release early in 2011.

Band Members

Ari Up – lead vocals (1976–1982, 2005–2010; deceased 2010)
Palmolive – drummer (1976–1978)
Suzy Gutsy – bass guitar (1976)
Kate Korus – guitarist (1976–1977)
Tessa Pollitt – bass guitar (1976–1982, 2005–2010)
Viv Albertine – guitarist (1977–1982)
Budgie – drums (1978–1980)

Bruce Smith – drums (1980–1982)
Neneh Cherry – backing vocals (1981)
Hollie Cook – backing vocals (2005–2010)
Michelle Hill – guitar (2005–2010)
NO – guitar and backing vocals (2005–2010)
Anna Schulte – drums (2005–2010)
Adele Wilson – guitar (2005–2010)
Little Anna – keyboards and melodica (2007–2009)

Lineup History

1976	1976–1978	1978–1980	1980–1982
Ari Up – vocals Kate Korus – guitar Suzy Gutsy – bass Palmolive – drums	Ari Up – vocals Viv Albertine – guitar Tessa Pollitt – bass Palmolive – drums	Ari Up – vocals Viv Albertine – guitar Tessa Pollitt – bass Budgie – drums	Ari Up – vocals Viv Albertine – guitar Tessa Pollitt – bass Bruce Smith – drums
1982–2005	2005–2010
Disbanded	Ari Up – vocals Hollie Cook – backing vocals No – guitar, backing vocals Adele Wilson – guitar Michelle Hill – guitar Tessa Pollitt – bass guitar Anna Schulte – drums Anna Ozawa – melodica, keyboards

Studio Albums

Cut (Island (UK) / Antilles (US), September 1979) — UK chart peak No. 30
Return of the Giant Slits (CBS, October 1981)
Trapped Animal (Narnack, 2009)

Compilation Releases

The Slits/Bootleg Retrospective/Untitled (Y Records, May 1980)
Double Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit, November 1988)
In the Beginning (Jungle, 1997)
Live at the Gibus Club (Castle Music / Sanctuary, February 2005; recorded January 1978)

Singles and EPs

"Typical Girls" / "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Island (UK) / Antilles (US), September 1979; also issued as a 12-inch EP featuring alternate takes) — UK chart position No. 60
"In the Beginning There Was Rhythm" (Y Records, March 1980; split single with the Pop Group)
"Man Next Door" / "Man Next Door (version)" (Y Records, June 1980)
"Animal Space" / "Animal Spacier" (Human Records UK, 1981; also released as a US Human Records 12-inch EP with different tracks)
"Earthbeat" / "Earthdub" / "Begin Again, Rhythm" (CBS, August 1981 UK release; December 1981 US release; available on both 7-inch single and 12-inch EP formats)
"American Radio Interview (Winter 1980)" / "Face Dub" (CBS, October 1981; included as a bonus disc with Return of the Giant Slits)
The Peel Sessions (Strange Fruit, February 1987)
Revenge of the Killer Slits (2006) — released as a 7-inch and CD maxi single

Documentary

The 2018 documentary Here To Be Heard: The Story of the Slits was released, highlighting the band's influence and enduring significance.

In popular culture

The name of the band is featured in the lyrics of the song "Hot Topic" by Le Tigre.

External links