Slinky Vagabond - The Eternal Return (2025)

Concept band Slinky Vagabond once again emerge from the glitz and glamour of the New York fashion scene to release their second album The Eternal Return. And there is little doubt that this self-described bold and electric art rock band fully lives up to expectations through this collection of songs which lean on some classic musical reference points whilst creating their very own beautifully styled soundtrack for the 21st century.

Slinky Vagabond is very much a concept band which was formed by Keanan Duffty as the worlds of fashion and music inevitably collided. Keanan’s roots can be traced back to the suburbs of Doncaster and the vibrant musical scene in nearby Sheffield as the post punk era took hold and a whole host of musical genres exploded, both building on and challenging many of the classic influences which had gone before. As Keanan developed his skills and a hugely successful career in the world of fashion and the wider trend setting scene, he always found time to craft some of his own music, with a presence in the artistic world that resulted in him being named as one of i-D magazines most important people of the 1980s.

Following a move to New York from his then base in London in 1993, Keanan developed a reputation as an inspiring, entrepreneurial artist and designer bringing together his love of music and fashion, with his status being significantly enhanced by working alongside the likes of David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Buzzcocks. Whilst fashion was undoubtedly his primary passion, Keanan could not resist forming Slinky Vagabond in 2007 as a concept band with guest collaborations at its core. And with initial members such as Earl Slick, Glen Matlock, Clem Burke and Pete Shelley, it is little wonder that they became an integral part of the New York club scene, performing at high-profile celebrations such as Joey Ramone’s Birthday Bash alongside the New York Dolls, Fashion Week’s Gen Art and Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and Marc Bolan’s 30th Anniversary Show alongside Patti Smith, Tom Morello, Joan Jett and Ronnie Spector.

Concept band Slinky Vagabond once again emerge from the glitz and glamour of the New York fashion scene to release their second album The Eternal Return. And there is little doubt that this self-described bold and electric art rock band fully lives up to expectations through this collection of songs which lean on some classic musical reference points whilst creating their very own beautifully styled soundtrack for the 21st century.

Slinky Vagabond is very much a concept band which was formed by Keanan Duffty as the worlds of fashion and music inevitably collided. Keanan’s roots can be traced back to the suburbs of Doncaster and the vibrant musical scene in nearby Sheffield as the post punk era took hold and a whole host of musical genres exploded, both building on and challenging many of the classic influences which had gone before. As Keanan developed his skills and a hugely successful career in the world of fashion and the wider trend setting scene, he always found time to craft some of his own music, with a presence in the artistic world that resulted in him being named as one of i-D magazines most important people of the 1980s.

Following a move to New York from his then base in London in 1993, Keanan developed a reputation as an inspiring, entrepreneurial artist and designer bringing together his love of music and fashion, with his status being significantly enhanced by working alongside the likes of David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Buzzcocks. Whilst fashion was undoubtedly his primary passion, Keanan could not resist forming Slinky Vagabond in 2007 as a concept band with guest collaborations at its core. And with initial members such as Earl Slick, Glen Matlock, Clem Burke and Pete Shelley, it is little wonder that they became an integral part of the New York club scene, performing at high-profile celebrations such as Joey Ramone’s Birthday Bash alongside the New York Dolls, Fashion Week’s Gen Art and Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and Marc Bolan’s 30th Anniversary Show alongside Patti Smith, Tom Morello, Joan Jett and Ronnie Spector.

Anthem exudes a real sense of dramatic intensity as this heartfelt and thought-provoking ballad unfolds with all the class that Bowie showed at his most majestic. Keanan’s impassioned vocals alongside Fabio’s heart-rending guitar solos and Mike Garson’s sympathetic keyboards add further to the emotive feel of the song. Earthman Go Home drives along with a glam stomping rhythm, whilst the weaving melodic interplays within I Can Fly once again cast a shadow back to the classic Britpop era interspersed with psychedelic styling.

The swagger and hard driving rhythm of Perfect World draws out more of their punk influences which is not surprising given that it was co-written with Glen Matlock dating back to an earlier collaboration in a band Keanan and Glen were involved with some 15 years or so ago. End Of The Show closes the album in fine style as it simply radiates with glorious melodies and uplifting chorus lines. This is a song co-written with Earl Slick which finally sees the light of day having been in the band’s repertoire for some considerable time.

Through The Eternal Return, Keanan and Fabio have created another outstanding collection of songs which not only wears their timeless influences very firmly on their sleeves but breathes with a real honesty as their rhythmic explosions and melodic interplays transport us through so many musical genres. Whilst clearly leaning on some classic and essential musical reference points, Slinky Vagabond have created their very own soundtrack for the 21st century.

With Keanan on lead vocals throughout and Fabio recording all the guitar parts, along with many of the bass and keyboard sections, they remain the core focus of the band. But whilst Keanan’s fashion career remains centre stage, with his current involvement in creating educational content for the University of Southern California’s Iovine and Young Academy, there is no doubt that he still has the bug to play live. This was proved last summer when he was invited to be part of the David Bowie Fan Convention in Liverpool where he performed with the house band The Bowie Contingent at St Georges Hall in Liverpool. As such Slinky Vagabond are already looking to come together as a live band and play some shows in New York through the assistance of drummer Christian Dryden, founder of a young New York band The Ritualists, so that is definitely something to look out for in 2025.