It’s perplexing to figure out what angle Slick Idiot is going for. With discs bearing appellations like DickNity, Screwtinized and xSCREWciating, what does the German Industrial outfit expect the crude puns to represent? Does the band traffic in some kind of satire or social commentary, or is it sexualized synth Rock that’s unashamedly silly? Most importantly, if someone adored Slick Idiot’s otherworldly EBM more than any other music ever created, how difficult would it be to publicly profess that an album called ReDickUlous changed your life?
Once part of KMFDM, En Esch and Guenter Schulz parted ways with the Industrial titans some 10 years ago to design this new project. (Fun fact: Both founders have participated in Pigface, a revolving door industrial supergroup that’s held Jello Biafra, Penn Jillette and Trent Reznor among its massive ranks.) While the band fills out for concerts, the chief engineers always occupy vital roles: The hairless Esch handles vocals with a reptilian growl resembling Iggy Pop making a come-on in a back alley, and Schulz uses a guitar to lead their throbbing, machinelike instrumentation. Aside from a female roar that occasionally floats through the looping throbs, Slick Idiot is a straight-up dance soundtrack for dark clubs.
Analyzing their lyrics gives weight to the notion that, while the band’s lasciviousness is probably tongue-in-cheek, it’s nonetheless pretty creepy. “Hot Stuff” declares, “I really dig your body type/ I’ve got tricks to show to you.” “Get Down Give In (The Sex Song)” discusses doing something “deep and dandy, nice and slow.” And the chorus of “Blast” boasts, “I’ve got a big, fat blast beyond your imagination.”
Topping all of this, the Covington stop is part of a nationwide tour called “In the Flesh” that coincides with the release of fresh full-length album Sucksess. Oh, Slick Idiot, your lechery never fails to entertain.
(Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.)
