The Slats

In 1999 the experimental indie rock band the Slats first presented their singular style on the Car CD, issued by Tyros Records. Brian Cox handled guitar and vocals as leader of the trio completed by guitarist/vocalist Jon Hansen and drummer Mark Tietjen. Although the members were scattered between Minneapolis and Iowa City, their ensemble precision stayed intact. American Rock arrived the following year, still on Tyros. Pop!Explosion Records released the four-song Another Physical Reaction in 2002. That same year Tyros Records brought out the 13-song The Great Plains of San Francisco, a collection that drew widespread critical acclaim. After further studio work, Latest Flame Records issued the follow-up Pick It Up in 2004. The resulting 15-track set contained more intricate lyrics than its predecessor, among them the provocative “I Believe Timothy McVeigh.”