Five Questions With Slo’ Tom and the Handsome Devils

We recently had the chance to ask Canadian songwriter, Slo’ Tom, of FURNACEFACE and Slo’ Tom and the Handsome Devils a few questions in our Five Questions With segment. Enjoy!

Care to introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Slo’ Tom.  I’m a Canadian songwriter best known as one third of Canadian legends FURNACEFACE.   I’ve spent the last decade perfecting my rollicking country outfit Slo’ Tom and the Handsome Devils.  My second album “Musta been a Pretty Good Night” was released in October 2012 and my third album “I’m Sick” was released October 2013.  The fourth album “Down in a Government Town” was release October of this year.  This new record includes live favourites such as “One Way Street”, “It’s a Condo Now”, “The Family in the Mansion on Parliament Hill” and the title track “Down in a Government Town”.

So really… who am I?  My story is the stuff of legend.  Raised in white-bread suburbia, I burst upon the 1990’s punk/alternative scene with Furnaceface and soon became a nationally know entity releasing five albums, major label distribution, videos with heavy rotation on Much Music, multiple CMVA awards, and a dozen national tours.  With the demise of Furnaceface, I’ve spent a decade reinventing myself as a songwriter and performer in the genre of my first love – hard core country music.  God help anyone who stands in my way.

Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.

My goal is to write classic country songs in a traditional 1950’s – 1960’s style.  I often use humour in my lyrics and I try to keep ‘em short and hooky – many of my songs are barely 2 minutes.  I’m pretty prolific and I depend on my amazing band (The Handsome Devils) to weed ‘em out…   “separate the wheat from the chaff” you know?  I spend hours and hours on the lyrics trying to make them relatable, memorable and universal.  It ain’t easy.

Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?

We play regularly in the National Capital area.  Our favourite venues are House Of Targ, The Black Sheep Inn, Irene’s and Zaphod Beeblebrox.  Ialso play solo shows across the country.  If you come to our live shows you’ll see a four piece country band at the top of their game – hot guitar licks, soaring vocal harmonies and showmanship, showmanship, showmanship.  We look pretty damn good, too.

If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?

Listen to “One Way Street” from our new record ‘Down in a Government Town’.  Check out the video:

Check it out and listen carefully to my advice. You’d be wise to take heed.

Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?

I love the Canadian songwriter Brock Zeman.  As far as I’m concerned, he sets the bar for songwriting and leads the way in the DIY methods of the modern music biz.  Fantastic writer, amazing performer and hell of a guy.  Love him!