The Slants

Last updated

The Slants
The Slants by Gage Skidmore.jpg
The Slants performing in September 2016.
Background information
Also known asSlants
OriginPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Genres
Years active2006–present
LabelsIndependent
Members
Website www.theslants.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Slants are an American dance-rock band composed entirely of Asian Americans. The band was formed in Portland, Oregon, by Simon Tam in 2006. The band went through a number of early lineup changes, but had a core lineup for its albums and tours by 2009 consisting of Aron Moxley (vocals), Tam (bass, keys), Jonathan Fontanilla (guitar), and Tyler Chen (drums, backing vocals). After experiencing some transitions, the core lineup consisted of Tam, lead singer Ken Shima, and guitarist Joe X. Jiang by 2015, until the band retired from touring in 2019. The band's name originates from an effort of reappropriation and was the source of a protracted legal battle that took them to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case Matal v. Tam . [1]

Contents

Influenced by 1980s bands such as Depeche Mode and New Order, as well as modern acts such as the Killers and the Bravery, the Slants refer to their sound as "Chinatown Dance Rock". [2] The band have released five studio albums, two EPs, and a feature-length film, The Slants - Taiwan Tour. The group performed across four continents, including special tours with the Armed Forces [3] and performing at Taiwan's Spring Scream festival. [4]

The Slants are deeply involved with the Asian American community and racial justice work. This includes raising money for causes such as funding research into disparate rates of cancer for Asian American women, [5] bridging divides, [6] fighting bullying, [7] and building community centers. In 2018, the band launched their own nonprofit organization (The Slants Foundation) to support other artist-activists working to address racial inequities. [8]

In late 2019, the band took an indefinite hiatus from live touring to primarily focus on their nonprofit work. [9] The group continues to compose music and perform, but only for special events to raise money for charitable causes. [10]

Formation and name

The band was originally formed after posting ads to local classifieds, Craigslist and online ads. The process took two years to finalize the initial line-up. [11] Over the years, the lineup has evolved with different members stepping into the role, all with the common thread of identifying with Asian American culture.

Speaking on the band's name and the sources from which it was derived, founder/bassist Simon Tam stated that, "['The Slants'] sounds like a fun, '80s, New Wave-kind of band. And it's a play on words. We can share our personal experiences about what it's like being people of color—our own slant on life, if you will. It's also a musical reference. There are slant guitar chords that we use in our music." [12] The band's name also serves as a reference to the band members' ethnic identity (see epicanthic fold). [13]

Supreme Court case

Due to the connection between the Slants' name and the use of "slant" as a pejorative in relation to Asian people, the group's efforts to register the name as a trademark were the subject of a protracted legal debate. [13] After the band's request to register their trademark was first denied in 2010, they unsuccessfully appealed to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In December 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned a previous ruling that upheld the United States Patent and Trademark Office's rejection of the band's application by striking down part of a law that allowed the government to reject trademarks it deemed offensive or disparaging to others. [14] The majority opinion stated, in part, that "[w]hatever our personal feelings about the mark at issue here, or other disparaging marks, the First Amendment forbids government regulators to deny registration because they find speech likely to offend others." [13] The case was later heard by the Supreme Court of the United States in Matal v. Tam , who ruled unanimously in the band's favor. [15] Tam explained that while the First Amendment should protect the band's right to use the name regardless of their reasons, they had chosen the name in order "to undercut slurs about Asian-Americans that band members heard in childhood, not to promote them." [16]

In 2019, Washington University in St. Louis published an extensive study on reclaiming identities based on the Slants' name and found that, "Reappropriation does seem to work in the sense of defusing insults, rendering them less disparaging and harmful". [17] That same year, trademark law expert Elizabeth Squires wrote that, "Simon Tam's successful attempt to infuse meaning into a term by trademarking it was brilliant. He and other newly minted trademark holders have been unleashed to kick-start a new era of free speech and cultural reclamation, where we as market participants have a voice. Now, more than ever, what we have to say and what the market thinks matters. Society should take note from The Slants® and we should be sure to speak loud enough and proud enough for the lexicographers to hear." [18]

Studies conducted after the court case have also affirmed that the Slants' efforts in reappropriation was helpful in neutralizing disparaging words. [19] Researchers have noted that, "When a group is seen as taking control of a historically disparaging term, it can indeed neutralize the insulting content of the term...and it does so among the group that is the target of the insult, as well as among members of the majority group. Reappropriation does seem to work in the sense of defusing insults, rendering them less disparaging and harmful". [20]

Musical style

The Slants describe themselves as "Chinatown Dance Rock" and plays synth-pop music similar to groups such as CHVRCHES and I AM X while incorporating some rock sounds like Bleachers and The Killers. Their influences include 1980s groups such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Duran Duran, and Joy Division. [21]

The band has been grouped with various genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, new wave, synth-pop, and pop rock.

History

2006–2009: Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts

The Slants were founded in Portland, OR by Simon Tam in 2006. Within a few months of their first show, the band released their debut album, Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts. The album was listed in the top 5 Asian-American albums of 2007 by AsiaXpress [22] and has won accolades such as "Album of the Year" from the Portland Music Awards, [23] Willamette Week, RockWired, and others. The Slants were cited as the "Hardest Working Asian American Band" [24] The Slants were named the world's first Asian American Fender Music spotlight artist. [25]

In 2008, the Slants competed in Bodog Music Battle of the Bands for the opportunity to be featured on the Fuse TV reality show and win a $1 million recording contract. [26] The band consistently placed first in every round of the competition. However, when they learned that they would be required to sign a 73-page non-negotiable contract in order to continue the competition, they dropped out. The band reasoned: "This was just not the right fit for our band at this time – or any band, really." This was one of several recording contracts that the band rejected. That same year, founder Simon Tam rejected a $4 million recording contract who wanted to replace the lead singer with someone who was white. [27] The following year, the Slants were featured in a SXSW showcase and launched several more tours spanning North America.

During this time, the band shed several of its short-term members, including both on-stage keyboardists, and solidified its lineup with Tyler Chen (drums) joining original members Simon Tam (bass), Aron Moxley (vocals), and Jonathan Fontanilla (guitar). They also were becoming a fan-favorite due to frequent appearances at anime conventions, with NPR writing that, "The Slants' songs about Asian-American alienation don't seem to have hurt their appeal to white teenagers. If anything, they resonate with kids whose geeky adoration for anime makes them outsiders in their own way." [28]

2009: Slants! Slants! Revolution

In 2009, the band released a collection of Dance Dance Revolution-styled remixes of their debut album, Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts, called Slants! Slants! Revolution and donated 100% of the profits to cancer research for Asian women because they experience higher rates of cancer than any other ethnic group. [29] The production of the remixes was led by former band member Michael "Gaijin" Pacheco and Justin Cooper (under the name Son of Rust). [30]

2010–2012: Pageantry

In 2010, the Slants released their third album, Pageantry. Pageantry featured a number of local icons including Cory Gray (The Decemberists), Krista Herring, Mic Crenshaw, and Gabe Kniffin (Silversafe). Thai Dao also joined the band as keyboardist and guitarist after the release of the album. From Pageantry, the band released two music videos, including "How the Wicked Live" and "You Make Me Alive." During this time, the band was also advised to register their name as a trademark. However, the application was rejected under Section 2A of the Lanham Act, under the claim that the band's name was disparaging to persons of Asian descent. The band appealed.

In 2011, the Slants were featured on the front page of the Oregonian for fighting the United States Patent and Trademark Office over the right to protect their name. [31] Despite several appeals, the Trademark Office continued to refuse registration. That same year, The Slants was added to the Armed Forces Entertainment roster and invited to perform for active troops serving overseas. [32] [33]

The band's extensive touring led to them sharing the stage with acts such as apl.de.ap (of The Black Eyed Peas), Vampire Weekend, Girl Talk, Girugamesh, M.O.V.E and Boom Boom Satellites. [34]

2012–2014: The Yellow album

After returning their European tour, the Slants returned to the studio to write and record The Yellow Album (2012). [35] The album was recorded and engineered by Simon Tam (House of the Rising Sun), Tyler Chen (Chen Mountain Studios), and Scott Craig (Ripcord Studios). It was mastered by Adam Gonsalves (Telegraph Mastering).

The Yellow Album featured several singles and the band greatly expanded their collection of music videos at this time. This included music videos for the songs "Love Letters From Andromeda" and "Misery" as a collaboration with films Tai Chi Zero and Tai Chi Hero, starring Tony Leung, angelababy, and action choreography by Sammo Hung. The band also debuted their video for "Just One Kiss" on Conan O'Brien's Team Coco, filmed at Otakon. [36]

Following multiple national tours in support of The Yellow Album, longtime members Fontanilla (guitar) and Moxley (vocals) left the band. Will Moore of The Adarna stepped in as lead guitarist and occasional vocalist during this time.

2014–2017: Something Slanted This Way Comes

Ken Shima joined the band as lead singer, replacing vocalist Aron Moxley, in 2014. [37] Shortly after, Joe X. Jiang became the band's guitarist, with Dao and Moore stepping down from the role. The band quickly organized a national tour, called "Slantsgiving" to introduce Shima and Jiang to fans and to promote their upcoming album release and a new smartphone designed by Neoix. [38] The band released Something Slanted This Way Comes, a compilation album of their previous hits re-recorded featuring the vocals of new lead singer Ken Shima. Power of Pop described it as "Parlaying a dynamic affinity for 80s synth-pop/new wave, the Slants combine danceable rhythms with catchy pop tunes that immediately grab the listener's attention. Lyrically, the band highlight their Asian roots and provide a rare insight that other bands might not be equipped for." [39]

During this time, the band also continued appealing for their trademark registration and eventually argued in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with support from the American Civil Liberties Union. On December 22, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favor of the Slants, striking down a portion of Section 2A of the Lanham Act as unconstitutional. [40] The United States Patent and Trademark Office appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case. [41]

In 2016, the band worked with Rukus Avenue in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to release a song in support the #ActToChange anti-bullying movement. The song, From the Heart, made headlines for speaking directly to the Trademark Office's oppressive actions that eventually led the band before the Supreme Court. [42] During this time, longtime drummer Chen retired from the band to move to Seattle, WA. The band recruited Yuya Matsuda as a temporary replacement and began working on a new record.

2017–2019: The Band Who Must Not Be Named EP

On 11 January 2017, the band released The Band Who Must Not Be Named, one week before their appearance at the Supreme Court. The title is a "jab at the Trademark Office" from "the anti-racist band that the government calls racist". [43] For this release, the band worked with Track Town Records in Jiang's hometown of Eugene, Oregon. The EP's main single, a fully completed version of the song "From the Heart," was quoted in multiple stories about the band's legal journey.

After returning from Washington, DC, the band launched an ambitious national tour, with over 70 appearances in 60 days, which included multiple speaking engagements by Simon Tam, sharing legal insights from their case at law schools, bar associations, and advocacy organizations. [44] [45]

On 19 June 2017, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in the Slants' favor. [15]

The band continued touring nationally using fill-in drummers, including Randy Bemrose of Radiation City. In 2018, they collaborated with WNYC Studios for a single called "18 21" to be included in a More Perfect series, joining the likes of Dolly Parton and Devendra Banhart.

2019: The Slants EP

In 2019, the Slants released a self-titled EP, the final album featuring Ken Shima as lead singer of the group. That same year, the band started a nonprofit organization, The Slants Foundation to fund and mentor artists-activists of color, [46] and eventually expanded their philanthropic efforts. The band announced an indefinite hiatus from touring.

On 2 and 4 November 2019, the band performed their final shows in Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The shows featured nearly every former member of the band, including longtime vocalist, Aron Moxley. Shortly after, the Portland Monthly published a piece on the legacy of the Slants, saying, "Yes, they're the Trademark Band (sorry, guys). And yes, they're Chinatown dance rock. But after the lights fade from the walls of the Doug Fir Lounge, they're the band that hangs back to say hi. They're the band that signs [things for longtime fans] 10 years later."

2023: The Band Plays On

In 2022, the Slants announced they were writing songs for a new record that would highlight voices across their community. Joe and Simon wrote and composed the music, but most of the playing/singing would feature other AAPI artists, new and classic. [47] In March 2023, they announced the album's title, The Band Plays On. On July 24, 2023, they announced the new album would be released Oct. 10, with 3 reunion release shows featuring special guests Bao Vo, Edson Choi, Surrija, Darro, and Krost. [48] [49]

Activism and philanthropy

Since its origins, the Slants have been involved with social justice organizations across the country to bring more attention to issues pertaining to marginalized communities. On a local level, the band worked with groups like the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) to build a new community center, revitalize a neighborhood through economic prosperity initiatives, and voter registration campaigns. [50] Internationally, the band helped raise money to rescue North Korean refugees through Liberty in Korea.

In 2009, they released a special remix album where 100% of profits were donated to help fund research on the disparities faced by Asian women in cancer research. [51]

In 2011–2012, the band toured military bases for troops serving overseas to highlight diverse experiences shortly after the high-profile suicide of Danny Chen. [33] In addition, they were invited by the Oregon State Penitentiary's Asian Club to perform for inmates. [52] [53] In 2017, they were invited to participate in President Barack Obama's Act to Change campaign by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to aid in the campaign against bullying. The compilation album released as a result ironically included the band's single, From The Heart, which served as an "open letter to the Trademark Office", released one month before the band appeared before the Supreme Court. [54]

In 2019, the band released the single "Anthem" as to highlight issues of police brutality. The band gave the song free to anyone willing to donate to an organization working on issues of racial justice. [55] They have also produced other music videos to highlight issues around social justice and civic engagement.

The Slants started their own nonprofit organization, The Slants Foundation, to provide mentoring and scholarships to aspiring artist–activists of color. [56] It is a volunteer-driven organization that is working to create a community that is "dedicated to providing unique perspectives to social issues – their own 'slant' on the world." [57]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, The Slants Foundation responded to the rise in attacks on the Asian American community and impact on the artists by funding projects that sought to create meaningful connections rooted in empathy. The "Countering Hate with Art" campaign helped fund numerous works in music, poetry, and film. [58] [59]

In 2021, members of the band helped launch CPOC Music, the first U.S-based music business conference for and by artists of color. [60]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia (band)</span> English rock band

Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful lineup was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes and drummer Carl Palmer. Their self-titled debut album released in 1982, remains their best-selling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cure</span> English rock band

The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member, though bassist Simon Gallup has been present for all but about three years of the band's history. The band's current line-up features Smith and Gallup alongside longtime members, Roger O'Donnell (keyboards), Perry Bamonte (guitar), Jason Cooper (drums) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement (band)</span> American indie rock band

Pavement is an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California, in 1989. For most of their career, the group consisted of Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums), and Bob Nastanovich. Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full-length albums and ten EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour, followed by another international tour from 2022 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Oregon</span>

The music of Oregon reflects the diverse array of styles present in the music of the United States, from Native American music to the contemporary genres of rock and roll, country, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, electronic music, and hip hop. However, throughout most of its history, the state has been relatively isolated from the cultural forces shaping American music. Much of modern popular music traces its roots to the emergence in the late 19th century of African American blues and the growth of gospel music in the 1920s. African American musicians borrowed elements of European and Indigenous musics to create new American forms. As Oregon's population was more homogeneous and more white than the United States as a whole, the state did not play a significant role in this history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Malkmus</span> American musician (born 1966)

Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an American musician best known as the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Pavement, The Hard Quartet, and as a solo artist.

<i>Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo</i> U.S. trademark law case

Pro-Football, Inc. v. Harjo, 415 F.3d 44, is a case in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia considered the decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) to cancel the registration of the Washington Redskins football team, based on the claim that the name was disparaging to Native Americans. The Court of Appeals did not actually reach the merits of the TTAB's decision; it sent the case back to the trial court for consideration of a procedural issue.

Disparagement, in United States trademark law, was a statutory cause of action which permitted a party to petition the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to cancel a trademark registration that "may disparage or falsely suggest a connection with persons, living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols, or bring them into contempt or disrepute". In 2017, the Supreme Court struck down the disparagement provision as unconstitutional in Matal v. Tam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reappropriation</span> Valuing a formerly pejorative term in esteem

In linguistics, reappropriation, reclamation, or resignification is the cultural process by which a group reclaims words or artifacts that were previously used in a way disparaging of that group. It is a specific form of a semantic change. Linguistic reclamation can have wider implications in the fields of discourse and has been described in terms of personal or sociopolitical empowerment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly A. Moore</span> American judge (born 1968)

Kimberly Ann Moore is an American lawyer and jurist serving as chief United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Collins</span> British-Canadian musician (born 1976)

Simon Philip Nando Collins is a British-Canadian drummer and the former lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Sound of Contact. Collins is the son of English drummer and singer Phil Collins and Collins' first wife, Andrea Bertorelli. He is the brother of actress Joely Collins and paternal half-brother of actress Lily Collins. Reviewers have compared his vocals to those of his father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratt</span> American heavy metal band

Ratt was an American glam metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s, with their albums having been certified as gold, platinum and multi-platinum by the RIAA. The group is perhaps best known for hit singles such as "Round and Round" and "Lay It Down", tracks that ranked on Billboard's top 40 at No. 12 and No. 40, respectively, as well as other songs such as "Wanted Man", "You're in Love" and "Dance". Along with bands such as friendly rivals Mötley Crüe, Ratt has been recognized as instrumental in the formation of the early 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene, also known as "hair metal" or "pop metal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Perry Moore III</span> American musician

William Perry Moore is an American musician best known as the frontman for the Jet City Rock band The Adarna and as the former lead guitarist for The Slants. A dance-rock band composed entirely of Asian Americans.

Simon Tam is an American author, musician, activist, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the bassist and founder of the Asian American dance-rock band, the Slants, who won their case against the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office at the United States Supreme Court. The case, Matal v. Tam, was a landmark legal battle that clarified First Amendment rights in trademark law. The court ruled unanimously in Tam's favor, holding that trademark registrations may not be rejected under the Disparagement Clause of the Lanham Act (1946) since that would be considered viewpoint discrimination; this includes, as in Tam's case, trademarks using such language filed by members of minority groups who wish to reclaim slurs that would have been previously denied.

Bao Vo, also known as BAO, is a Vietnamese American musician, singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer based in Los Angeles, California.

<i>Lo-Fantasy</i> 2014 studio album by Sam Roberts Band

Lo-Fantasy is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock musician Sam Roberts, and the second released as "Sam Roberts Band". The album debuted at number 3 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 5,800 copies during its first week. The album was nominated for "Rock Album of the Year" at the 2015 Juno Awards.

Amanda Blackhorse is a social worker and member of the Navajo people who is known for her work as an activist on the Washington Redskins name controversy. She is the lead plaintiff in Blackhorse v. Pro-Football, Inc.

The Washington Redskins trademark dispute was a legal effort by Native Americans to define the term "redskin" to be an offensive and pejorative racial slur to deprive the owners of the NFL's Washington Redskins of the ability to maintain federal trademark protection for the name. These efforts had primarily been carried forward in two cases brought before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). While prevailing in the most recent case in which the trademarks were cancelled, petitioners withdrew for further litigation now that the legal issue has become moot due to a decision in another case which found the relevant portion of the trademark law to be an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of speech.

Matal v. Tam, 582 U.S. 218 (2017) is a Supreme Court of the United States case that affirmed unanimously the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that the provisions of the Lanham Act prohibiting registration of trademarks that may "disparage" persons, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols with the United States Patent and Trademark Office violated the First Amendment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderpussy</span> American rock band

Thunderpussy is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2014. The group is composed of vocalist Molly Sides, guitarist Whitney Petty, bassist Leah Julius, and drummer Lindsey Elias. The band draws inspiration from the sound of 1970s rock. Their debut EP, Greatest Tits, was released digitally on February 23, 2018. Thunderpussy released their eponymous debut studio album on May 25, 2018. The album was produced by Sylvia Massy. Thunderpussy began a tour in support of the album on May 11, 2018.

Iancu v. Brunetti, No. 18–302, 588 U.S. ___ (2019), is a Supreme Court of the United States case related to the registration of trademarks under the Lanham Act. It decided 6–3 that the provisions of the Lanham Act prohibiting registration of trademarks of "immoral" or "scandalous" matter is unconstitutional by permitting the United States Patent & Trademark Office to engage in viewpoint discrimination, which violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.

References

  1. ↑ Grow, Kory (June 20, 2017). "Inside Asian-American Group the Slants' Supreme Court Free-Speech Win". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ↑ Brickner, Sara (June 6, 2009). "Live Music Roundup: Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Operation Gratitude: The Slants bring APIA rock to Sarajevo". aapress.com. Asian American Press. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "The Slants go to Taiwan for new music video!". TaiwaneseAmerican.org. October 6, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "new slants remix album: slants! slants! revolution". Blog.angryasainman.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  6. ↑ McElhiney, Brian (May 10, 2017). "The Slants aim to bridge divides in Bend". The Bulletin. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Jeremy Lin, President Obama join celebrity-filled anti-bullying album". NBC News. December 30, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  8. ↑ Nguyen, Linh (September 10, 2020). "Simon Tam Offers A New Angle On Artistry". Character Media. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ Heupel, Shannon (July 10, 2019). "'Troublemaker' talk: Simon Tam of The Slants bringing new book, music to Montgomery". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Celebrities to Rock Against Hate May 6 in free virtual concert". asamnews.com. April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ Chobot, Jessica (April 2, 2008). "Super Happy Fun Write: The Slants". IGN . Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  12. ↑ Steinmetz, Katy (October 23, 2013). ""The Slants" Suit: Asian-American Band Goes to Court Over Name". Time . Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 Peralta, Eyder (December 22, 2015). "Government Can't Deny Trademarks Over Offensive Names, Appeals Court Rules". NPR. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  14. ↑ Gardner, Eriq (December 22, 2015). "Rock Band Wins First Amendment Appeal Over "Disparaging" Trademarks". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  15. 1 2 Chappell, Bill (June 19, 2017). "The Slants Win Supreme Court Battle Over Band's Name in Trademark Dispute". NPR . Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  16. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (December 22, 2015). "Ruling Could Help Washington Redskins in Trademark Case". The New York Times . Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Toward a more civil discourse". The Source. November 14, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Can Social Good Come from Trademarking Bad Words?". Knowledge@Wharton. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  19. ↑ Gibson, James L.; Epstein, Lee; Magarian, Gregory P. (2020). "Taming Uncivil Discourse". Political Psychology. 41 (2): 383–401. doi:10.1111/pops.12626. S2CID   208192816.
  20. ↑ "Toward a more civil discourse". The Source. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  21. ↑ "About The Slants". Sonicbids. 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  22. ↑ Nguyen, Joe (January 9, 2008). "Top five albums of 2007: The Slants". AsiaXpress. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  23. ↑ "2012 Portland Music Awards". Portland Arts Foundation. 2012. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  24. ↑ Chau, Adam (December 20, 2007). "Hardest Working Asian American Indie Band Done Good". Slant Eye for the Round Eye. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Fender Artists - The Slants". Fender . 2008. Archived from the original on July 2, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Asian Rock Band The Slants Sweeps Northwest Semi-Regional Finals in Bodog Music Battle of the Bands to Secure Place in TV Series". Anime News Network. February 2, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  27. ↑ "'The Slants' Rejected $4 Million Offer to Replace Lead Asian Singer with 'Someone White'". NextShark. May 20, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  28. ↑ Baer, April (June 11, 2008). "The Slants: Trading in Stereotypes". NPR.org. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  29. ↑ "The Slants Get Remixed For Cancer". antimusic.com. November 18, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  30. ↑ Yu, Phil. "new slants remix album: slants! slants! revolution". Angry Asian Man. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  31. ↑ White, Ryan (March 25, 2011). "Portland band the Slants and the United States government ask: What's in a name?". OregonLive.com . Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  32. ↑ "The Slants - Funkytown Meets Chinatown". Armed Forces Entertainment . October 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  33. 1 2 "Operation Gratitude: The Slants bring APIA rock to Sarajevo". aapress.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  34. ↑ "The Slants". AnimeCons.com. 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  35. ↑ Horton, Jay (November 7, 2012). "Album Review: The Slants". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  36. ↑ "The Slants". teamcoco.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ The Slants [@theslants] (November 4, 2014). "Get to know The Slants: Ken Shima, lead singer. Ken is a Japanese American and the newest member of the band..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 27, 2019– via Twitter.
  38. ↑ The Slants (November 21, 2015). Road to Slantsgiving: Kikoricon & Boise video blog (Videotape). Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2019– via YouTube.
  39. ↑ "Album Review: The Slants - Something Slanted This Way Comes". Power of Pop. July 8, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Case: 14-1203". United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  41. ↑ Liptak, Adam (September 29, 2016). "Law on Disparaging Trademarks Gets Supreme Court Review". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  42. ↑ Lovelace, Ryan (December 8, 2016). "Asian-American rock band sings about its Supreme Court case". Washington Examiner . Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  43. ↑ Harris, Kyle (May 5, 2017). "The Slants Are the Anti-Racist Band the Government Calls Racist". Westword. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  44. ↑ "The Slants: The Band Who Must Not Be Named". Reason.com. March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  45. ↑ Nott, Lata. "Podcast: The Band Who Must Not Be Named | Freedom Forum Institute" . Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  46. ↑ "The Slants Foundation". The Slants Foundation. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  47. ↑ "The Band Plays On". theslants.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  50. ↑ "A Sit Down with the Slants". APANO. January 25, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  51. ↑ "New Slants Remix Album: Slants! Slants! Revolution". blog.angryasianman.com. November 19, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  52. ↑ Markovich, Colin (April 21, 2015). "An array of visions at TEDxUCR". The Highlander. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  53. ↑ TEDx Talks (July 24, 2015). How to Talk with a White Supremacist Simon Tam TEDxUCR (Videotape). Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2019– via YouTube.
  54. ↑ "Jeremy Lin, President Obama join celebrity-filled anti-bullying album". NBC News. December 30, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Anthem". theslants.com. January 21, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  56. ↑ Davis, Zuri (August 31, 2018). "The Slants Know What it Takes to Win a Supreme Court Case - Hit & Run". Reason . Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  57. ↑ "The Slants Foundation". The Slants Foundation. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Countering Hate". The Slants Foundation. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  59. ↑ Lyam, Paige (July 25, 2020). "Comic-Con Is Online, and So Is the Artist Alley". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  60. ↑ "Music Tech Alum to Present at CPOC Music Conference | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.