One of the Portland Mercury's writers today did a little blurb about the Slants:
Ezra Ace Caraeff writes "We get it. The Slants are Asian. The Portland sextet has a boastful bio which constantly mentions it, all of their press seems to hinge solely on that fact, and the band plays up every possible stereotype by booking slots at anime expos and holding a contest for an adorable pink Hello Kitty guitar. Much like a white rapper with confidence issues, the Slants' constant reminders of their ethnicity seem forced, if not a little desperate. Much like any white kid can rock the mic with the best of them, the concept of a few Asian kids playing keyboard rock isn't exactly mind-blowing, nor does the experience lead to, as their bio puts it, "melting people's faces off with 'Chinatown Dance Rock.'" Instead, the Slants offer another take on the sterile dance rock made popular by Depeche Mode, the Faint, and countless others who clutter the stage with an abundance of keyboards and black clothing. While Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts (OMG! Slanted eyes, because, you know, they are totally Asian!) was released last September, tonight is another CD release, this time celebrating national distribution for the album. EAC"
It seems that he doesn't do his homework (most of our press, such as getting "album of the year", hinges on the great music) and perhaps it is he who has the confidence issues. Perhaps he doesn't listen to any music at all: we aren't the only ones that represent our ethnic heritage or have tounge-in-cheek band name/album title. How about NWA, or even more recently, Jay Z's "Black Album" (or even The Beatles' "White" album set, haha). Furthermore, no one seems to have probelms with Puerto Rican rapper Fat Joe who always talks about his Puerto Rico-styled beats and pride - yet because we decide to try and bring a new style of music to the Asian entertainment scene, he has issues?
Besides, his biggest issue is that much of our press has to do with our ethnicity - yet that's the focus of his own review, The Slants' Asian-ness. Perhaps he didn't even bother listening to the record, which really has one direct song about Asian social issues. If playing an anime convention is so over-the-top, wouldn't the same apply for Irish folk music being played at Kelly's Irish pub every weekend? Or all-gril bands playing at rock camp for girls? Get a life.
Anyway, if you've got issues with his comments, then you can send some love to the editor at: mercuryeditorial@portlandmercury.com
Our manager joked about hiring the Triad or Yakuza to take a hit out on Ezra, but I think the best revenge is just living well and succeeding.
posted by Simon Young