Ari-Up (b. Arianna Foster; vocals), Kate Korus (b. Katherine Corris,
New York, USA; guitar), Palmolive (b. Paloma Romero; drums, ex-
Raincoats) and Suzi Gutsy (bass). Korus soon left to form the Mo-
dettes and Gutsy quit to team up with the Flicks. They were replaced
by guitarist Viv Albertine and bass player Tessa Pollitt and it was
this line-up that supported the Clash during the spring of 1977. The
band were known for their uncompromising attitude and professed lack
of technique, but their music was as aggressive and confrontational
as the best of the punk fraternity. Their failure to secure a record
contract during the first wave of the punk explosion was surprising.
By the time they made their recording debut, Palmolive had been
ousted and replaced by Big In Japan percussionist Budgie (b. Peter
Clark, 21 August 1957). Signed to Island Records, they worked with
reggae producer Dennis Bovell on the dub-influenced Cut. The album
attracted considerable press interest for its sleeve, which featured
the band naked, after rolling in mud. The departure of Budgie to
Siouxsie And The Banshees (replaced by the Pop Group's Bruce Smith)
coincided with the arrival of reggae musician Prince Hammer and
trumpeter Don Cherry. A series of singles followed, including a
memorable version of John Holt's "Man Next Door". By 1981, the Slits
had lost much of their original cutting edge and it came as little
surprise when they disbanded at the end of the year.
some girls are bigger than others
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