By Jacob Romu

On the July 11, Slates will rip up The Apollo with locals The Fin’r Things. This punk band from Edmonton leans more towards the groovy sounds of Hüsker Dü and Jawbreaker than traditional punk. Their third LP, Taiga (2014) was recently released on New Damage Records, and was recorded in Chicago with the great Steve Albini.

Slates have toured extensively, not just across Canada, but overseas Bosnia and Cuba are places that do not normally have much access to touring punk rock. They are also involved in Solidarity Rock—an artist run organization working to partner musicians, artists and creative people in Cuba, Canada and beyond. Since 2008, they have been working to collect instruments and musical equipment to help Cuban rock bands find their own way through music.

For more information, check out Slates at: slatesband.ca or facebook.com/pages/Finr-Things