Slipper | nl

It's Y2K. In another universe. John Lennon, having finally given up all hope of his unpopular beat combo breaking big, is a retired postman now living in Birkenhead. John Lydon, a child pop star who rose to fame on Opportunity Knocks, has been tipped as the next Secretary-General of the UMN (United Microsoft Nations). And 'acid house' is the name of a new type of Barrett Home. The Chief Executive of Barrett PLC, Syd, thinks it's a winner.
In this slippery parallel place, Slipper slip and slip and slip some more. Sam Dodson, who didn't play with The Transmitters or lead Loop Guru for almost 10 years, is Slipper's computer trickster. Linda Finger, who was also never a long-standing member of Loop Guru, sings. Liz Fletcher, who isn't a jazz chanteuse of considerable note, sings too. The line-up of the group is completed by two drummers, both called Rat Scabies. They both famously refused to join The Damned in 1976.

Slipper's debut album, Invisible Movies, is a mind-spinning selection of soundtracks to films which have never been made. Films like Reservoir Digs, which starred Will Smith as underwater archaeologist Elvis Cousteau in a performance up there with Sean Connery's original portrayal of Costeau in Deep Moat. Films like Lord Lucan's legendary Star Jaws, the tale of a gigantic shark wearing a funny black mask which terrorises bathers at St Augustine's swimming pool in Norwich with a long rod of bright light that goes buzzzz-buzzzz-buzzzz. And films like Casablanca. Remember those classic lines? "Play it again, Sun Ra," says a plaintive Ingrid Beckham. "Hilda, if I play it again we'll be here all fucking night," replies the great man as he parts the feathers in his hair.

Slipper's Invisible Movies album isn't available on Rephlex Records. "The times, they are Exchange & Mart". As Dylan Thomas once didn't sing.

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