Slinky Malinky are an emerging punk / new-wave band based in Cardiff. They’ve recently played gigs at The Moon, Porter’s and Elysium supporting the likes of Monet, Mothman the Man and Enabling Behaviour. In December, they’ll be supporting Half Happy at CWRW. They release their first singles in the coming months.
Hi, how are you today?
Not bad, considering. How are you?
Can you introduce the band?
I’m Liam, I play bass. Then we have Sam on guitar and vocals, Rhys, who plays another guitar and Ethan who drums, drives and buys the rounds.
How did you meet? Where?
Catholic school, early 2000s, Blair era. Somewhere along the way, Ethan joined in.
Where does your name come from?
Classic literature.
What’s the music scene like back home?
We’ve been in around it for a few years and definitely seen it mature. Bands like Spithood, Shlug, Slate, Red Telephone and Half Happy are making excellent music.
How would you describe your music in five words?
Have you listened to us?
Which artists do you admire?
Television, Brian Patten, Nina Simone, Echo & The Bunnymen, Blondie. The list goes on.
Which albums do you share a love of?
The Modern Lovers and Fear of Music loom eternal over us. We couldn’t be a guitar band without an Arctic Monkeys album, so probably Tranquillity Base. Also, Ram.
What would be your dream collaboration?
James Ford. We love what he’s done with the new Fontaines record. James, get in touch ([email protected]).
Can you tell us about your upcoming release?
We have two songs coming down the line. One is fairly new. The other has been simmering for years. With the older song, ‘Goon Boy’, we’re trying to appeal to an ancient sadness. For the listener to stand devastated. And perhaps bob their head, or tap their feet. The new one, Conversation, is what happens when Gang of Four and Paul McCartney go for a Pizza Express in Woking.
What’s on your playlist?
All of the above, but specifically, Frenz – The Fall, Big Man – Self Esteem, Total Football – Parquet Courts, Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez.
Thanks for your time.
Thank you, expect an invoice in the post.
