Tom Slater played primarily on his own as a solo, acoustic musician in bars and coffeehouses throughout Chicago beginning in the summer of 2000. In December of 2002, he began working with a new back-up band consisting of three great, young musicians from Chicago.

The decision to begin playing with a full, live band was an easy one for Slater. His songs, as good as they are stripped down to vocals and acoustic guitar, would blow people’s minds with a fantastic set of musicians playing them. “My new band mates are as good as any local band I’ve seen,” says Slater. “They not only make the songs sound great, they’re making me a better musician.”

Born in Detroit and raised outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Tom began writing songs when he was just 12 years old and playing guitar when he was 14. He is also a classically trained pianist. He first realized he wanted to be a rock and roll musician when he was 5 years old and his cousins locked him in a darkened room with KISS blaring through the speakers. “I was hooked,” says Slater.

After moving to Chicago in the late 90s, Slater formed his first band, Swell Mental Place. When that group disbanded, he decided to go solo. In July of 2001, he released a 5-song solo, acoustic EP entitled “What’s Underneath.” Chicagogigs.com gave it a glowing review, saying “Slater is a compelling songwriter and musician who has turned in a quality debut recording that displays a songwriting voice worth listening to.”

In April of 2003, Slater’s song “Sweet, Peaceful World” was chosen by National Public Radio’s “All Songs Considered” website to be part of a collection of songs about the war in Iraq. Other artists included John Mellencamp, R.E.M. and Beastie Boys.

On May 15th, 2003, Tom and his band made their television
debut on the WGN Morning News Battle of the Bands. Currently, they are making plans to go into the studio to record a full-length album and play live as often as possible.

BORN: Detroit, MI

DATE: 8/30

FAVORITE ALBUM: Rhythm Of the Saints - Paul Simon

INSTRUMENTS: Piano (studied for 11 years); Guitar (since age 14); Trombone (age 10-17) age 14); Trombone (age 10-17)