The Castrators and early Slits

The Castrators and Early Slits

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The Castrators. All I know is that Tessa Pollit was the bassist in this lovely named band . They were interviewed by the News Of The World along with The Slits in '77 as one of their shock horror pieces on the dreadful new women as punk rockers ! Funnily enough it was the feature in the paper that made The Slits seek Tessa out after unsuccessfully advertising in the music press for a "bass guitar heroine." (out of 4 answers three of them were men !) and failing to secure Gaye Advert's services.

Gaye..She could have been a Slit.

Initially The Slits featured Suzi Gutzy on bass who left to form The Flicks. Kate Korus (real name Korris) thought up the name 'The Slits' and was on guitar for the first gig at the Harlesden Coliseum with The Clash 11/3/77 and at the Roxy Club. Viv Albertine was to be second guitarist but Kate left two weeks before The Clash White Riot tour.

Early picture of the Slits with Suzi Gutzy and Kate Korus rehearsing under Crystals and Sarah's of Moreon Fanzines fame flat.

Tessa, Palmolive, Ari & Kate at the Harlesden Coliseum. Photo Ian Dickson. Subway Sect on stage in background

Kate was present at the first interview The Slits did with Lucy Toothpaste from the fanzine The Jolt.

"Lucy: Were you angry about The News Of The World Interview ?

Slits: Yes. The woman who came to interview us was so stupid, so stiff and posh. She just wanted drugs, sex & violence, so that's what we gave her. We were just taking the piss out of her."

Arri, Palmolive & Kate at The Roxy. Photo.Erica Echenberg

Kate would re-appear on the set of the Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle in 1979 meeting Jane Crockford and from this the Modettes would be born. Kate is the one circled below in the picture of the Modettes.

Kate as Modette

To clear some misconceptions . Neither Kate Korris nor Suzy Gutzy were in the Castrators nor was it Kate Korris who bit Shane McGowans ear at the Clash gig It was another Modette Jane Crockford.

Any more information on Suzi Gutzy or on Kate Korris between the Slits & The Modettes required.