The Slackers are a seven piece band that hails from New York City. Formed in 1991, the band has been experimenting with mixes of ska, reggae, soul, swing, garage rock, and jazz for over 10 years. By following their muses of the Skatalites, the Beatles, Bob Marley, Lee Perry, Bob Dylan, and Curtis Mayfield, the Slackers have created a niche all their own in contemporary music.

Their first full length recording, Better Late Than Never (1996), featured a raw, direct sound that drew inspiration from Jamaica and brought it into New York in the 1990's. The New York Times was quick to declare that the Slackers are part of "The Sound of New York."

Upon signing with Tim Armstrong's, Hellcat Records, in 1997, the band released Red Light, which saw them evolving to a smoother, more melancholy and soulful sound. The runaway hit from this album was "Watch This" which received extensive college radio airplay and was featured on the Give Em the Boot compilation which sold over 200,000 copies.