THE SLANTS

What is The Slants?

The Slants are an Asian American dance-rock band founded by Simon Tam in Portland. The band is known for combining synth-driven music with civil rights advocacy and gained national recognition after winning a unanimous decision at the Supreme Court of the United States that strengthened free speech protections for artists.
 

When was The Slants formed?

The Slants were formed in 2006 as a project focused on both music and challenging racial stereotypes through artistic expression.

What genre is The Slants?

The Slants are primarily a dance-rock band, blending elements of synth-pop, new wave, and electronic rock. Their sound emphasizes high-energy performances, melodic hooks, and socially conscious themes.

Why is The Slants historically significant?

The Slants became part of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled the government cannot deny trademark registration based on perceived offensiveness. The decision is widely viewed as a major victory for First Amendment protections and artistic freedom.

What does the name “The Slants” mean? Where did the band name come from?

The name was intentionally chosen as an act of reappropriation — transforming a term historically used as a racial slur into a symbol of pride, resilience, and cultural empowerment.

Is The Slants still active?

The Slants officially concluded live touring and released their final album in 2023. While the band is no longer performing as a touring act, its members remain active in creative and community work. In addition, the band will sometimes perform for charitable and community events.

Founding member Simon Tam and bandmate Joe X. Jiang continue to engage in public performances, storytelling, and multidisciplinary projects, including compositions for theatre, opera, and film. Several former members also support emerging artists as volunteers and mentors through The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit established by members of the band.

Together, these ongoing efforts reflect the group’s enduring commitment to creativity, advocacy, and cultural impact.

Who is Simon Tam?

Simon Tam is a musician, author, and civil rights advocate best known as the founder and bassist of The Slants. His leadership helped drive a historic legal case that reshaped trademark law and expanded protections for free expression in the United States.

Where is The Slants from?

The Slants originated in Portland, Oregon and built a following through international tours, community engagement, and advocacy work.

Do The Slants support charitable causes?

Yes. The Slants direct 100% of their music royalties to The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit established by members of the band to support artists, advance equity in the arts, and empower underrepresented communities.

This ongoing commitment reflects the group’s longstanding belief that music can serve as a catalyst for social change.

What Supreme Court case involved The Slants?

The Slants were at the center of Matal v. Tam, a landmark 2017 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. The case addressed whether the U.S. government could deny federal trademark registration to names considered disparaging.

The Court ruled unanimously that the disparagement clause of the Lanham Act violated the First Amendment, affirming that speech may not be restricted simply because it is viewed as offensive. The decision is widely regarded as a major precedent protecting free expression and artistic rights in the United States.

The case originated after founding member Simon Tam sought to trademark the band’s name as part of an effort to reclaim a term historically used as a racial slur and transform it into a symbol of cultural pride.

What is Chinatown dance rock?

“Chinatown dance rock” is a term used by The Slants and their fans to describe both the band’s musical style and the cultural philosophy that shaped its work. The phrase draws on the history of Chinatowns in North America — community centers originally shaped by diverse Asian diasporic cultures that became sites of resilience, belonging, and cross‑cultural exchange despite social barriers and stereotype.

While Chinatowns are often seen through tourist imagery that does not reflect their lived diversity, the concept inspired the band’s interest in identity, representation, and empowerment. Musically, Chinatown dance rock blends the rhythmic energy of dance‑rock with influences from 1980s new wave and the edgy attitude of punk and electronic music. For The Slants, the term reflects a commitment to challenging stereotypes, elevating diaspora narratives, and using vibrant, dance‑infused rock to engage diverse audiences.

What is the cultural and legal legacy of The Slants?

The Slants’ legacy spans music, civil rights, and cultural advocacy. The band became central to Matal v. Tam, a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that strengthened First Amendment protections for creative speech and reshaped trademark law in the United States. Their story is widely documented and taught as an example of how art intersects with law and identity.

They are among the few Asian American music acts represented in the permanent collections of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its library and archives, and exhibitions about the band have appeared at institutions such as the National Constitution Center, the First Amendment Museum, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Portland Chinatown Museum.

Beyond these recognitions, the band’s impact continues through creative mentorship, community engagement, and philanthropic investment via The Slants Foundation, supporting artists and expanding access to opportunities in the arts. Together, these elements position The Slants as a group whose influence extends beyond performance into lasting cultural and legal history.