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At the height of the U.K.-imported punk movement, the United States answered with its own Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band. Along with support singers the Rootettes, Root Boy Slim (aka Foster MacKenzie III) was both a tongue-in-cheek parody of the generally unkempt punk rock scene and the leader of a fairly well-received and established blues bar combo. Their renown up and down the Atlantic seaboard was nothing short of a guide to low-brow humor and the "frat boy" lifestyle as espoused by the likes of 1978's Animal House. Throw in a heapin' helpin' of proto-redneck sensibilities and voila. Listeners are served up classic originals, notably the leadoff track, "Boogie 'Til You Puke" -- a cross between a command from Root Boy Slim and an alcoholic's rendition of the Twist. And they're just getting warmed up, as the remainder of the combo's entrée follows with a similar hard-livin' and harder-lovin' sentiment. These include an ode to underage sex, "I'm Not Too Old for You," that is as unappealing as the title intimates. In the spirit of David Peel and the antics of his Lower East Side assemblage, "I Used to Be a Radical" is an upbeat rocker with lyrics such as "I drove a truck/Full of ice cream/Had to try to hit Spiro Agnew at 80 miles per hour/Just to see if the sucker had time to scream." There is no better predilection for the "Me Generation" than the self-absorbed instant gratification paean "I Want It Now," which is a funky little stomper with one helluva groove. Ever topical for the mid-'70s, "Mood Ring" is typical of the pounding barroom blues that the Sex Change Band quickly became infamous for. Another sendup of concurrent pop music is "Too Sick to Reggae," with a slightly tropical melody and another descriptive bout of lyrics. Root Boy returns to native soil with "Country Love," singing about old-fashioned shackin' up in the unforgettable lines "Over in the tractor shed/Usin' a feedbag for a bed/It is somethin' we was bred to do/'Cause our mamas and papas wuz [sic] country too." Of course, Warner Bros. Records were not exactly sure how to market Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band in 1978. Were they comedy, blues, or punk? They found remarkable success throughout Europe and issued several more albums before Foster MacKenzie III passed on June 8, 1993, at the age of 48. ~ Lindsay Planer
Root Boy Slim is hard to describe, maybe ''blues based mayhem'' is a start. He has been compared to Captain Beefheart and Dr. John. One thing for sure, he has a hardcore cult following. His most popular (and probably his best) album is Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band, which was originally issued on Warner Brothers Records in 1978. It features the underground hit 'Boogie 'Til You Puke'. This album is making its worldwide CD debut on Wounded Bird Records. 11 tracks. 2003.
Originally released on Warner Brothers Records.
Personnel: Root Boy Slim (vocals, harmonica); Cherie Grasso, Katherine Russell, Micki Lee Jonnie (vocals); Walt Andrews, Ray Lancaste, Ernie E. Lockeroom, E. Locker Room Lancaster, Cosmo Greek (guitar); Cosmo Creek (steel guitar); Ron Holloway (saxophone, tenor saxophone, horns); Marshall Keys (horns); Winston Kelly (keyboards); A. King Fu Bashor, Tommy Ruger (drums); Felix "Flaco" Falcon, Flaco Pedron, Flaco (percussion).
Unknown Contributor Roles: Drach Kaka; Cherie Anita Pixx.
Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band Music
Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band Songs
Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band Music
Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band Music Review
Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)    List All 6 Reviews Great Party Music
Had this album in college, got the CD after 20 years and it's as great as ever. Root's backing band is excellent, boogie woogie guitar and sax that stand on their own while framing his off-kilter and hilarious lyrics and singing. A tremendous antidote to and sendup of the pablum of mainstream music. You'll be tapping your feet and laughing at the same time, can't beat it.
Submitted by lexijdog (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 
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 A Cult Classic back in print at last!
RootBoy Slim points out the the absurdity of the post-Disco lifestyle of the late '70s with this, his debut album. The Sex Change Band (with The Rootettes) provide tight, catchy rhythm and back-up vocals behind RootBoy's tales of over-indulgence (Boogie 'Till You Puke) and Disco-era fashion (Mood Ring, My Wig Fell Off),all in the name of getting laid (I'm Not Too Old For You). Produced by Gary Katz (Steely Dan)
Submitted by fryguy54 (East Hampstead, New Hampshire, USA)
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Still Fresh
This stuff is still hot. The Sex Change band are a tight unit that mixes good ole boogie music with blues, jazz, and rock n roll. With the wildman Root boy Slim at the helm.
It's timeless, and funny. It's classic Boogie, so "come on ya'll, let's Boogie till ya puke."
Submitted by kdogg38 (Tucson, AZ, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Rock On Rootboy
Rootboy Slim is one of the most underated rockers of all times. He lived all his songs. In my opinion his best work was done in "Left For Dead", another one of his great lps. Lets not forget "Dog Secrets". Thanks Rootboy!
Submitted by drsaone (Pacific Northwest)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Clone the man!
Root used to rock like nobody's business in the 70's and 80's. And yeah, in the end he lived the life of a shattered artist. The last time I saw him live was in Chapel Hill at The Cat's Cradle in the late 80's. Root was so drunk he couldn't remember any of the words to all the songs we'd come to sing with him. He freakin'fell right off the stage and flat on his face in front of all of us! After we got him up I asked him what in the hell happened to him. His glazed-over stare told me all I needed to know. Root Boy was history, even then. This album, as good as it is, was far from his best work which I think happened later on Dog Secrets. Still, Country Love is pure Root and never fails to makes me smile. And the Heartbreak of Psoriasis, please, where were the awards for that? The man was an amazing writer besides being a seriously talented musician. But Root Boy fans everywhere must surely remember "Cowboy out in the Sun too Long" and lament the unavailability of Dog Secrets on cd. Death Star? Mrs. Paul? Inflatable Doll? Don't Tell Your Mother? Come on people, if you're going to do reprints at least print the best work the artist did! Root Boy was prime theater during a time when we didn't have much to laugh about. Hey, I could go and on about Root Boy and I will if you Don't make me Stop. Ha! Live some Root! And print Dog Secrets!
Submitted by seasawwriter (Morehead City, NC, USA)
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