This Friday an interesting concert is expected in the Arena Campus Sava in Ptuj. The legendary English rock group Slade will perform on the Slovenian stage. And that’s not all! For the guests at the performance, they chose Slovenian guests. And these are neither random nor anyone. Namely, the group Get back will perform with Slade. Slovenian rockers who also perform successfully abroad and whose songs are played by radio stations in several foreign countries.
That is why it is absolutely necessary to ask the legendary Brits about the Slovenian band. “It’s always great when you play with different bands and colleagues at concerts abroad. Get back is a very good band. It’s also very nice to hear when they say that they are our fans and that they also looked up to Slade as idol. We are looking forward to performing with them in Ptuj,” Slade lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Hill told us.
Branko Potočnik from Get back confirms that it is true that they were also inspired by Slade on their way. “For example, I have been following them for a long time and they are truly legends. They have been on the scene for 54 years, so I know their music well. All I can say is hats off,” he says. Get back are not the only musicians who were inspired by their British colleagues. “Some of the biggest rock bands in the world have told me that they started playing guitars and decided to play music because they liked our music. We are a band that has worked hard for success. We created our own music. We also had a fantastic producer, Chas Chandler, who helped us succeed. That’s what we’ve always said,” adds Hill.

Without privileges
Slade have already celebrated 50 years on stage, but there is no indication that they are thinking about saying goodbye. Quite the opposite. They say that they are far from having the last say and that despite the journeys, which have become more strenuous over the years, they are anything but tired. What are their challenges? What will happen in the future? “For me personally, even after 50 years, music is still a challenge, either for the band or for me. I am also creating a solo album, which is definitely a unique challenge. If you ask me about the future, the future is always unknown. But there is no doubt that I will always be in music. With the group’s compositions and also with solo album. It will be something new and different. I hope the fans will like it,” says Hill.
Fifty years is a long period of joint activity for any group. Even in Slade, the membership changed, from the founding members only Hill is still in the group today. The last member of the current line-up, Alex Bines, joined the band in 2020. How difficult is it to coordinate between two members with such different mileage? Are any problems? “Not at all. We are an amazing band with great guys. We do very well together in this composition. And, what is very important or most important, we also sound great in the compositions,” he explains. Although, according to fans, Hill is a chief in the group, he says that this is not the case. But does he have any privileges? “Unfortunately, no, none, haha, but I wouldn’t say no if there is a chance to get them,” he replies.
Romantic Christmas rockers
The band’s reputation for romantic rock genre has also been sticking to the band for a very long time. Do they see themselves that way? “We are a strong rock band with great rock songs. Our rock ballads, clothes and everything else are the basis for excitement and fun even today. Especially in the 1970s, those were really glamorous times,” he recalls. But they are also a very interesting rock band. Their most famous composition is Christmas-themed, Merry Christmas. A paradox? “The 1960s and 1970s were a fantastic time to be in a band and make music. We worked by trying something else as well. But always as a group. The rest is a coincidence related to the audience,” he explains.
What about the new Slade? Is there already any successor? What is the perspective of young people? “Today, times are completely different. Today we live in a world of technology. No matter what the world is like, there are new groups even today. Quite a few are also very good. Many of them were also inspired by our music. There will always be new bands, new musicians and new music. That’s how this world is made and that’s how life is,” he believes.

Family is happy place
Once popular gramophone records are making a comeback. More and more musicians decide to record and release something on them. How about Slade? “I grew up with vinyl records. I think it’s wonderful that they’re coming back. They still sound great, of course with the right turntable. Also, Slade has re-released some albums from the past on vinyl, so they are available to fans,” he announced to fans. But what is the private life of the most recognizable member of Slade? “Now it will be 60 years since I have been performing and it is still a pleasure for me. My happy place is family. I enjoy being away from work whenever I can. Family is first and will always be the most important thing in my life, above everything else.” And finally, what about Slovenia and Slovenian fans? Any message for them? “Of course! Keep on Rockin’! Best regards to the concert.”
Photo: personal archive