Slick Shoes

Slick Shoes, the Christian punk-pop band from Orange County, California, assembled in 1994 after the breakup of local act Today's Special, which brought guitarist Jackson Mould back together with drummer Joe Nixon. The pair spent the following twelve months crafting material and eventually added bassist Jeremiah Brown. Mould handled vocals at first, yet the arrival of 14-year-old frontman Ryan Kepke completed the group. Within fourteen days they secured a deal with Tooth & Nail, resulting in their self-titled 1997 debut EP. Later that year the full-length Rusty appeared. Second guitarist Dale Yob joined for the 1998 album Burn Out, after which both Mould and Yob left. Greg Togawa stepped in on guitar, enabling Slick Shoes to resume as a quartet and release Wake Up Screaming in mid-2000. A split EP with Cooter, the band soon renamed Autopilot Off, followed quickly on Fueled by Ramen. Tours supporting MxPx and additional dates with Tooth & Nail roster acts Ace Troubleshooter, Calibretto 13, and Rod Laver preceded the self-titled fourth album issued in April 2002. After its recording, further personnel shifts occurred when Brown departed and Kevin Clark assumed bass duties. The two guitar positions were later filled by Jonah Peterson and David Stoltenberg. Far from Nowhere surfaced the next summer via Side One Dummy, followed that autumn by the greatest-hits collection The Biggest and Best. Early 2004 brought additional upheaval when Nixon and Clark were removed from the lineup.