Slackdaddy
Encyclopedia
Slackdaddy is a three-piece Rock/Alternative/Indy band
from Athens, Georgia. The band consists of Andrew McCain on Guitar/Vocals, Bryan J. Howard on Bass, and Ian Werden on Drums.
, Bryan befriended Ian Werden who had recently moved to Alexandria from Detroit. The two played together in several short-lived bands, notably The Clockmen and Frankly Scarlett with guitarist Alex Lane. In 1989, Bryan and Ian joined St. Stephens
students Andrew McCain and Luke Taylor to form The Moorish Idylls. The band frequently played the "Open Mike Coffeehouse", a monthly gathering at the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church which featured local acoustic bands and soloists. The Moorish Idylls were the first band to play "electric" at the Coffeehouse. After the four band members had graduated from high school and attended separate universities, The Moorish Idylls played only a few shows. One notable gig was the first Cecilfest on July 10, 1993 where several new songs were debuted, indicating a new musical direction for the band.
In the autumn of 1994, Bryan's stepfather Harvard told him about his good friend from his 1950s Army days whose nickname was "Slackdaddy." Slackdaddy was known to be quite flirtatious and popular with women, yet as a married man, he never committed adultery. During an argument with his wife, who was convinced that he had cheated, she shot him dead. Bryan was so moved by this "patron saint of misunderstood men" that he decided to rename the band Slackdaddy. It was also around this time that rhythm guitarist Luke Taylor left the band, leaving Slackdaddy as a power-trio.
During the summer of 1995, the band played several shows in the Washington area, including several at Jenkin's Hill, a basement bar near the U.S. Capitol on Pennsylvania Ave. On December 31, 1995 Slackdaddy played the Laughing Lizard in Old Town Alexandria.
Bryan J. Howard now leads a band called The HEAP
from Athens, Georgia. The band consists of Andrew McCain on Guitar/Vocals, Bryan J. Howard on Bass, and Ian Werden on Drums.
Early years
The origins of the band began in Alexandria, VA, a suburb of Washington, DC in the late 1980s. Andrew McCain and Bryan J. Howard had been friends since early childhood and played together in the Mt. Vernon Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, which Bryan led. Later, while attending West Potomac High SchoolWest Potomac High School
West Potomac High School is a public high school in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is located on 6500 Quander Road and is part of Fairfax County Public Schools.-History:...
, Bryan befriended Ian Werden who had recently moved to Alexandria from Detroit. The two played together in several short-lived bands, notably The Clockmen and Frankly Scarlett with guitarist Alex Lane. In 1989, Bryan and Ian joined St. Stephens
St. Stephens
St. Stephens, St. Stephen's, Saint Stephens, or Saint Stephen's may refer to the following:-Population centers:*St. Stephens, Alabama, a town in the United States*St. Stephens, North Carolina, a town in the United States...
students Andrew McCain and Luke Taylor to form The Moorish Idylls. The band frequently played the "Open Mike Coffeehouse", a monthly gathering at the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church which featured local acoustic bands and soloists. The Moorish Idylls were the first band to play "electric" at the Coffeehouse. After the four band members had graduated from high school and attended separate universities, The Moorish Idylls played only a few shows. One notable gig was the first Cecilfest on July 10, 1993 where several new songs were debuted, indicating a new musical direction for the band.
In the autumn of 1994, Bryan's stepfather Harvard told him about his good friend from his 1950s Army days whose nickname was "Slackdaddy." Slackdaddy was known to be quite flirtatious and popular with women, yet as a married man, he never committed adultery. During an argument with his wife, who was convinced that he had cheated, she shot him dead. Bryan was so moved by this "patron saint of misunderstood men" that he decided to rename the band Slackdaddy. It was also around this time that rhythm guitarist Luke Taylor left the band, leaving Slackdaddy as a power-trio.
During the summer of 1995, the band played several shows in the Washington area, including several at Jenkin's Hill, a basement bar near the U.S. Capitol on Pennsylvania Ave. On December 31, 1995 Slackdaddy played the Laughing Lizard in Old Town Alexandria.
Career
In 1996, the band decided to move to Athens, Georgia, noted for its lively underground scene. Playing many well-known clubs in the area, the group gained enough popularity to tour. For two years, 1996–1998, they toured the southeast, touting their first album, "Is" released in February 1998. This success eventually lead to a 1999 nationwide tour. In 2001, their second album, Supercell, was released to anxious fans. Slackdaddy then released its apparent last album, Karmageddon, which is available as a free download on the Slackdaddy website.Current status
The band has been on hiatus since 2003, when Andrew left to finish his masters degree. This eventually led to his marriage, and a child. The future of the band is unknown at this time. The band has played just a few shows since 2003. On March 12, 2004 the band played Caledonia Lounge in Athens, GA which was captured on video and can be viewed on the video page of the website.Bryan J. Howard now leads a band called The HEAP
Compilations
- Athfest 1999
- Loving the Ailen
- Athfest 2001
- Yearbook
- All About Numbers
Band members
- Andrew McCain on Guitar/VocalsGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Bryan J. Howard on BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Ian Werden on drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....