📰 Whatever Happened to Slade – Album Review: Mar. 1977
- Slade
- Mar 26, 1977
- 2 min read
Writer: Pete Makowski (SOUNDS)
Date: 26 March 1977
Length: 4 min read
A gritty, good‑humoured review of Slade’s comeback album, published as part of the same “Old boppers never die” feature. Makowski pushes back against the idea that Slade were proto‑punks, instead framing them as pure, unfiltered rock’n’roll survivors.
A band written off by fashion returns with a loud, unapologetic rock record.
Makowski rejects the claim that Slade were “punks before punk,” arguing instead that they were always about good‑time rock’n’roll. Their new album, he writes, proves they still have power, humour, and a loyal following.
📰 Key Highlights
• Review published in SOUNDS, 26 March 1977
• Evaluates Slade’s comeback album
• Highlights “Gypsy Roadhog” and “When the Chips Are Down”
• Denies the “Slade were punks” narrative
• Emphasises their live power and influence
📰 Overview
Slade entered 1977 with their commercial fortunes at a low point. Punk had reshaped the landscape, and the band’s glam‑era dominance felt distant. Whatever Happened to Slade was their attempt to reassert themselves — heavier, rawer, and more grounded than their earlier hits.
Makowski’s review acknowledges their decline in visibility but praises the album’s energy and attitude. He positions Slade not as punk precursors but as rock traditionalists whose influence extended far beyond fashion cycles.
📰 Source Details
Publication / Venue: SOUNDS (UK music paper)
Date: 26 March 1977
Format: Album review
Provenance Notes:
• Verified from the printed page
• Part of the “Old boppers never die” series
• Includes a small Slade band photograph
📰 The Story
Makowski opens by addressing the question embedded in the album title: Whatever happened to Slade? His answer is simple — they never left. They just fell out of fashion.
He praises the album’s rock‑solid songwriting and performance, highlighting “Gypsy Roadhog” and “When the Chips Are Down” as proof the band still had teeth. He dismisses the idea that Slade were proto‑punks, noting that while they had the look, they lacked the nihilistic attitude.
The review ends on a warm note: Slade may not be fashionable, but they remain loud, fun, and fiercely committed to their craft.
📰 Visual Archive
A small black‑and‑white photograph of Slade accompanying the review, positioned beneath the headline “‘Slade were punks’ claim denied.”
Slade photographed for SOUNDS, 26 March 1977.
📰 Related Material
• Slade – Whatever Happened to Slade (1977)
• Slade UK tour, spring 1977
• “Old boppers never die” series
📰 Closing Notes
Makowski’s review captures Slade at a transitional moment — no longer chart kings, not yet cult heroes. The album stands as a testament to their resilience and their refusal to be defined by trends.
📰 Sources
• SOUNDS (26 March 1977)
• Contemporary press archives
📝 Copyright Notice
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary.
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