If you accused SLIP~ons of sounding like a punk rock version of Kings of Leon, they probably wouldn’t deny it! That said, this Vancouver four piece undoubtedly has more in common with 90’s alt-rock a la Sugar/Bob Mould, or even Hüsker Dü.
The band’s sophomore EP, “Overtime” is due February 20th, 2026, self-released on the Scamindy label (Cobraside Distribution). Physical copies will be available on translucent 12” orange crush vinyl, and streams will be available on Bandcamp, and selected DSPs (no Spotify).
The record takes inspiration from the sudden death hockey period as extended metaphor for “$hit getting real”. On the more political lyrics, singer Brock Pytel comments, “I made it all the way through side A without a single song about a breakup!”
Recorded by John Raham at Afterlife (formerly Mushroom Studios), “Overtime” was mixed by Dave Ogilvie in Vancouver and mastered by Ronan Chris Murphy in Western Massachusetts.
Halo Creative (LA) is hard at work animating a video for “Overtime” to follow up their 2024 effort for “Graystone”, named for the Graystone Hall, an all-ages venue in the 80’s where Detroit punks could have seen anyone from Die Kreuzen to Black Flag.
Record release shows are happening in Victoria and Vancouver (March 6-7) with support from Liquidlight (Portland) and Vic Bondi (Seattle). More weekend warrior touring will follow throughout the year.
Slips frontman Brock Pytel first appeared in the late eighties as singing drummer of Montreal pop-punks, Doughboys. After two (acclaimed) LPs and a few years of fervent North American tours (most notably with Descendents, ALL) Brock left the band to practice Vipassana meditation and study Pāli language in Igatpuri, India.
“I had a habit of going to extremes. At the time it never occurred to me that I could deepen my practise of meditation AND play in a touring punk rock band… It was just, “I’m going to shave my head and become a monk.””1
Brock and former Sarah MacLachlan bass player, Brian Minato, first collaborated on “Apart”, digitally released in 2012. After recruiting Spitfires/Mongoose veteran, Rob “Shockk” Matharu on guitar, drummer Shane Wilson drunkenly vowed to join the band at all costs after seeing them covering Replacements one night at Lanalou’s. He replaced OG drummer Adam Fink (Actors) soon after.