It’s hard to imagine Doug and the Slugs without charismatic frontman Doug Bennett who passed away in 2004, but the surviving Slugs (keyboardist Simon Kendall, guitarists Richard Baker and  John Burton drummer John ‘Wally Watson and bassist Steve Bosley, ) were “making it work,” at Average Joes, Sept. 24 with new frontman Ted Okos.

But “Ted” and the Slugs brought a good sized crowd back to the band’s early ’80s skinny tie and suits, handheld keyboard heavy, carefree heyday as they ran through  a variety of the band’s hits  including “Day By Day,” “Who Knows How,” ”I’m the One,” “Tom Cat Prowl” “Same Old Story,”  a cover of “Born To Be Wild,” and a couple reggae tinged monster hits including “Too Bad” which ended the set before they were called back for an encore.

Okos had the moves down, nailed Doug Bennett’s vocals, sounded a little like Trooper frontman Ra McGuire, while looking like “Doug’s love child with Meatloaf.”

 They were so happy to be on stage, and their music so relentlessly upbeat, that is was impossible to have the blues on that night. 

 They were impressed with  the dancers all over the dance floor. Okos remarked on how everybody was ready to get down and was pleased to  be playing  in the home of Pilsner beer.

They retained their trademark sense of  humour throughout as well as the vocal melodies and upbeat, positive life affirming ’80s feel of their music while they took some time to remember Bennett and his musical contribution to the band.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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