This is a blurb about the album Burn Out by Slick Shoes. Don’t let this false start fool you. We will get to Slick Shoes.

I texted who I believe to be the culprit of the famous line stated above that would send me on this journey: David Curtis (Side Walk Slam and Run Kid Run). This is that conversation.

Josh: Leave Here A Stranger seems so personal. I feel the lyrics are describing headaches & heartaches of being a creative.

David: So true! I have touring memories tied to LHAS, touring with The Dingees listening to that record.

Josh: So you & the Dingees jammed LHAS while on tour?

David: Yes.

Josh: That’s a little of a funny picture to me. A rowdy punk/ska band traveling the U.S., listening to this slow jam of a record. The idea that “Give Up The War” plays then you get out of the van and play “Staff Sgt. Skreba” is funny to me. Did they have the appreciation for SF59 as you did or did you lead that charge? Because I love when we hear of influencers like yourself and The Dingees being influenced by another band. Especially if there isn’t a direct road between the two mediums. I guess the most direct road is paved with teeth and nails.

David: To answer your first question, I think I was more of a fan of their earlier material at that time, then when they heard that record they were freaking out over the sounds and songs. Totally took us all to the next level of fandom. I remember as a little 20-year-old driving up through San Francisco and thinking this is one of those perfect moments. I was so young and still honestly star struck by them and coming across this gem and in a way discovering it together was a way of being on the same level. Haha. His guitar playing and tones absolutely influenced me! Probably way more subtle with Side Walk Slam and Run Kid Run, but most definitely with my solo projects. I remember meeting Jason at Cornerstone Festival and kinda nerding out I was so star struck by this guy. It definitely did not feel like we were label mates.

Josh: Haha, I totally hear the influence on your solo records. I’d argue that SF59 my be the first real mature artist we listened to as a group. Would you agree?

David: Absolutely agree.

Josh: Do you remember saying or someone saying in our group that “Starflyer 59 is the best band to ever be on Tooth & Nail Records?"

David: I probably said that...bold statement, just too many different genres to compare though. MxPx and SF59 are two of the best at what they do.

Josh: Hahaha that statement got me into SF59 though. It was homework. It was like a voice in my head said, ”Oh, we are liking this now? I must’ve missed the memo.”

Bad news: Scott from Jesusfreakhideout just told me that someone has already claimed doing a blurb about Leave Here A Stranger. What are your thoughts on Burn Out by Slick Shoes? (By the way, what a great way to show the differences of genres that T&N had on their roster; listening to SF59 all morning and taking a complete right turn into Slick Shoes land.)

David: We could do Burn Out. Great record!

Josh: When I think of Slick Shoes, I think of two moments in my life. 1) My first Cornerstone, when you and I watched them perform that first EP. This girl next to us on the front row was singing every word. After they finished, the lead singer came up to her and said, ”I noticed you were singing along. Come by the merch booth and I’ll get you something for free.” At that moment you screamed at him, ”I was singing along too!”. I believe I said that you weren’t his type. The next band would be a sweater vest wearing band that we had never heard of. They dressed like Weezer, so we thought we’d stay there & watch this band called ZAO. We were never the same again.

David: Haha I totally remember that too!

Josh: 2) I remember playing the second track off of Burn Out for my high school basketball team to run out to. Previously we used "New Noise" by Refushed but a teacher saw that they used the F-word on another song title so they put an end to that.

David: Did I ever tell you the story of being on one of the first shows with The Dingees and the two T&N tours lined up. Slick Shoes was headlining the other tour. I was in a hotel room with The Dingees and Ryan Kepke and a few others with Slick Shoes. I remember being so in shock. I’m sure thinking back I probably didn’t hide it well.

Josh: No, I never heard that. We were just kids, though. You were hanging with the pros at the top of their game.

David: I know. I kinda forgot how cool that was. I think The Dingees leaving me to sleep at the LAX airport put a bad taste in my mouth. But now I’m glad to have experienced getting to see the road with them.

Josh: Hahahaha I’m gonna leave that in the blurb. Any specific thoughts on Burn Out?

David: Hearing Slick Shoes made me realize I’m not a real guitar player.

Josh: Same. They took pop punk and made it more than three power chords. It was difficult to cover and replicate without massive practice. Burn Out was the first Slick Shoes record that I thought of them as a possible new level band. The EP was okay. Rusty was great, but Burn Out brought it! It would seem the band had figured out their writing style and voice at this time in their career.

David: Yeah, that’s on point!

Josh: I’d also argue that they’d never be as good of a well-oiled machine of punk rock goodness as this moment in their career.

David: Yep, this was their peak. Songs were great on Wake Up Screaming, but the production I don’t think was as good.

Josh: That being said, I only followed them slightly after this record. This record was so good. I’d agree, they’d end up having great songs after Burn Out, but maybe not a solid record like it. His voice didn’t seem as immature as on previous releases, because let’s not forget that he was barely a teenager when he joined this band. Didn’t they lose their main songwriter/guitarist after Burn Out?

David: Yeah, I know they lost their guitarist, but I'm not sure on the songwriter. The guy's last name was Jackson.

Josh: Well, no doubt, Slick Shoes made one of the best records in T&N history with Burn Out.

        - Joshua Clifton of the band Ravenhill and David Curtis of the bands Side Walk Slam and Run Kid Run