Something great I can almost guarantee you haven’t heard: Slack Mallard

Here’s something great I can almost guarantee you haven’t heard. Anti-folk busking band Slack Mallard are a brilliant bunch of “lazy ducks” from deep southwestern England. They pick up phonetically and musically where their former group Phat Bollard left off.
These rag tag lads first met in Calstock, a town by the Tamar River in the lush and wild region of Cornwall. They make their living playing street corners which they reach by travel-ling the UK in their lorries (vans), of-ten with their dogs and sometimes kids in tow.
With five excellent CDs under their belts, their latest release is a bit of a departure as the original unit, Phat Bollard, recently parted ways due to creative differences. Today, the core group consists of Adam Whittaker on guitar, Aaron Barnes on Mandolin, Brian Dunbar on percussion, and Ash on banjo. Everybody writes, and everybody sings.

Their most recent release Small Plot Changes speaks to the upheaval within England, global society, and perhaps the group itself. While sonically their sound is sometimes reminiscent of classic British folk groups like Fairport Convention, their politically charged and defiant lyrics place them more within the anti-folk can-non. The group’s cheeky humor and witty turns of phrase show that they’re onto something unique.
As has been the tradition on their last three recordings, the album starts with a spoken word piece penned by Ash, here called “Nothing”, which attempts to explain the disintegration of the universe all because “a young human’s love decided to go out with Ricky from #7 who everyone in the park knows is a nob.”
“Tories” dissects the hypocrisies of English elites complete with plenty of pisstaking via sound clips and cruel but well-deserved imitations of the upper crust.
“Locked Outside” is a rousing number which has the classic skiffle sound for which Phat Bollard were known. “When You’re Gone” is a droll statement on reality complete with a rousing chorus, faux lip blown horns, and a welcome swipe at our president.

And you can’t take it with it you when you’re gone
Counting on an afterlife, yet another con
And though I think that Donald Trump’s a prick
He’s just another symptom of a system that is sick

“Gospel Boat Song” is a feelgood number that speaks to the joys of floating downstream with old friends. There’s a video on YouTube worth checking out, and for those interested in purchasing the band’s music, go to:
www.slackmallard.bandcamp.com
This writer is trying to bring Slack Mallard over to the USA to tour. Any-one interested in helping can contact me at: [email protected]

Michael Cobb