SLUG BOYS - SLEEP FOREVER
(Translated)
FULL ARTICLE

The Oslo band Slug Boys, with members from both England and Sweden, delivers another stylish song with a touch of 80s post-punk. Such a delicious touch. Not a chilling touch. Here we are talking about a blanket of guitars, cold sound and the vocalists raspy and insistent voice at its best. It is easy to get pulled here and there and not least into the Slug Boys universe when they constantly drip such gems on us with the taste of bands like Idles and Viagra Boys, from England and Sweden. A kind of apocalyptic feeling that gives you the desire to keep going. A band and a song for both f'ing and fabulous moments
Totto Mjelde
Program host, “Stjernepose” and “Gitar” on NRK P13
SLUG BOYs - MOTHER MARY
(Translated)
FULL ARTICLE

SLUG BOYS IS AN UNDISCOVERED NORWEGIAN GEM FOR (FAR TO MANY) UNKNOWN PUNK SOULS OUT THERE! EARLIER THIS MONTH THEY RELEASED "MOTHER MARY"; A GEM FOR ALL FANS OF (POST-)POST-PUNK BANDS LIKE IDLES, SQUID, SHAME AND VIAGRA BOYS. NOW GAFFA IS GOING ON WITH A SMALL RECOMMENDATION IN THE HOPE OF SPREADING THE GOOD WORD: THE LIST OF SLUG BOYS.
WHAT IS IT MISSING? A ROARRING VOCALIST WITH A BONE-HARD AND RUSTY WORKING-CLASS VOICE THAT REALLY RASES, A CHORUS THAT IS AS CATCHY AS IT TASTES ASPHALT, AND NOT LAST; TOTALLY SATISFYING DYNAMICS FROM BOTH STRINGS AND DRUMS.


Sigurd Hollen Elgenes,
GAFFA
SLUG BOYS - GLASNOST
(EXCERPT)
FULL ARTICLE

Musically, it’s far more melodic than I expected and it channels a variety of bands and artists you might not be expecting such as The Sweet (‘Ballroom Blitz’), Arcade Fire’s ‘Month of May’, Carter USM (various tracks) and any amount of US hard rock/punk bands, led by New York Dolls.
All coincidentally I know but trust me, you will hear them.
And do give it a listen. You don’t have to be Johnny Rotten to like it and I guarantee it will grow on you. (They might well consider writing a song about him; he’s a changed character.)
The full album will be released next year, produced by Morten Øby, and they will be issuing more singles over the coming months.
The album will “defy categorisation within the Norwegian punk scene”… as it “toys with topics of love, death and frustration, conveyed through intense performances and a healthy dose of self-awareness and humour.”
Bring it on. It’s just what we need.

DAVID BENTLEY,
NORDIC MUSIC CENTRAL

SLUG BOYS - FOR LOVE
(TRANSLATED)
FULL ARTICLE

Slug Boys describes itself as a Norwegian-Swedish-British post-punk band based in Oslo. The band has made a name for themselves in the underground scene with several chaotic concerts at venues such as John Dee, Samfundet in Trondheim, Rockeklubben in Porsgrunn and Klubbøya. This fall they have also played at Revolver, Goldie and Vaterland in Oslo, as well as Aladdin Scene in Halden.
– We have now recorded our debut album, which will be released in the spring. Two singles are already out, and have received good reviews and have been regularly played on NRK. Now we are releasing the third single, the band says.
Slug Boys debuted with an EP in 2022, and followed up with a single the following year. The upcoming album was recorded at Taakeheimen Lydrike with Morten Øby, who has previously worked with bands such as Death By Unga Bunga, Blomst and Aktiv Dødshjelp.
– “For Love” is atmospheric, hard and melodic, and has been a crowd favorite at our concerts for a couple of years, despite the fact that it has not been released yet. It is about the fear of disappointing people close to me, not being enough, and causing more harm than good.
– This doesn’t really come from a specific moment or problem, but more from an ongoing relational anxiety. It’s a feeling that I’m sure many people know – the worry about how you are perceived by friends, family and loved ones, even after many years together, says vocalist.

Arvid Skancke-Knutsen,
BALLADE
slug boys - sleep forever
(TRANSLATED)
FULL ARTICLE


With " Sleep Forever, " the SLUG BOYS deliver a single that deliberately takes a laid-back approach, yet still carries the raw edge of Norwegian punk tradition. While the quintet is still new to the scene, their previous singles, videos, and live sessions demonstrate a band developing their own sound, balancing casualness and energy.
Laid-back, but with bite
While " Sleep Forever" doesn't charge forward at a brute pace, the song captivates with a casual coolness that makes it all the more haunting. Melodic guitar riffs, a driving rhythm, and a certain melancholic undertone lend the single a special depth. The song conveys a feeling of hovering between resignation and optimism—a mood that perfectly fits the often dark, yet melody-loving Scandinavian punk aesthetic.
More than just a taste
Even though the band is still in its early stages, the SLUG BOYS have already recorded their first album. " Sleep Forever " offers a taste of something big growing here – a sound that appeals not only to die-hard punk fans, but also to anyone who finds their musical home between snottiness and melody.
Conclusion: Promising newcomer with THEIR own signature
With " Sleep Forever, " the SLUG BOYS prove that they not only deliver raw energy, but also have a soulful, thoughtful side. Anyone who likes Scandinavian punk with character should keep this name in mind—something exciting could emerge here.
Martin “Otte” Oertel
BLATTURBO


slug boys - sleep forever
(TRANSLATED)
FULL ARTICLE


With " Sleep Forever, " the SLUG BOYS deliver a single that deliberately takes a laid-back approach, yet still carries the raw edge of Norwegian punk tradition. While the quintet is still new to the scene, their previous singles, videos, and live sessions demonstrate a band developing their own sound, balancing casualness and energy.
Laid-back, but with bite
While " Sleep Forever" doesn't charge forward at a brute pace, the song captivates with a casual coolness that makes it all the more haunting. Melodic guitar riffs, a driving rhythm, and a certain melancholic undertone lend the single a special depth. The song conveys a feeling of hovering between resignation and optimism—a mood that perfectly fits the often dark, yet melody-loving Scandinavian punk aesthetic.
More than just a taste
Even though the band is still in its early stages, the SLUG BOYS have already recorded their first album. " Sleep Forever " offers a taste of something big growing here – a sound that appeals not only to die-hard punk fans, but also to anyone who finds their musical home between snottiness and melody.
Conclusion: Promising newcomer with his own signature
With " Sleep Forever, " the SLUG BOYS prove that they not only deliver raw energy, but also have a soulful, thoughtful side. Anyone who likes Scandinavian punk with character should keep this name in mind—something exciting could emerge here.
Martin “Otte” Oertel
BLATTURBO
slug boys - glasnost
FULL ARTICLE

Slug Boys, the Oslo-based scandi-brit post-punk band, have returned with their new single Mother Mary. Following the success of their politically charged anthem Glasnost, the band shifts gears, diving deep into the personal with this hardcore-infused yet sentimental track.
Mother Mary explores the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one, specifically the passing of [the vocalist’s] father-in-law.
The song’s roots are grounded in the heavy atmosphere of hospital rooms, sleepless nights, and the quiet, poignant moments shared between family.
As [THE VOCALIST] recalls, “There was a lot of disbelief in the household in the year that followed his passing… We didn’t really sleep but when we did, we slept in waiting room chairs but someone was always there to hold his hand.” It’s a personal tribute, with the name Mother Mary pulled directly from The Beatles’ lyrics, reflecting the solace and memories created in those final moments, soundtracked by artists like Billie Holiday.
Stylistically, Mother Mary stands apart from the band’s earlier work, blending their raw post-punk sound with a more reflective tone. While the track retains their trademark intensity, the vulnerability here adds a new layer to their repertoire. It’s a song born out of grief, but also out of love—a cathartic release for the band as they process the experience of loss.
The single continues Slug Boys’ march towards their anticipated full-length album, slated for release in 2025, produced by Morten Øby, known for his work with Death by Unga Bunga and Blomst. With Mother Mary, Slug Boys showcase their ability to balance heavy, raw energy with moments of delicate introspection.

Karol Kaminski
IDIOTEQ
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