Keanan Duffty is John Mggiore’s guest for this week’s interview. Keanan is a Bowie collaborator who sits at the intersection of fashion and music. A
We are included in the legendary Japanese Music Mag Top 50 albums for 2025. We sent Cookie Scene founder the Slinky Vagabond albums and The Eternal
featuring : Ava Cherry - Mike Garson- David Torn - Dave Formula- Erik Stein Slinky Vagabond return with Acoustic Neu Romantic, a richly textured and deeply personal new album that will be released digitally on 10 July 2026 across all major streaming platforms.
The thirteen-track collection sees founding member Keanan Duffty, and Fabio Fabbri reinterpret the Slinky Vagabond catalogue through an acoustic lens, while introducing new material that reflects the duo’s continuing evolution as songwriters and collaborators. The album features a striking cover of Spandau Ballet’s “To Cut a Long Story Short,” a reimagining of the David Bowie classic “Ziggy Stardust”, brand-new original compositions from Duffty and Fabbri, and acoustic reworkings of songs drawn from the band’s first two albums.
Remaining true to the collaborative spirit that has defined Slinky Vagabond since its inception, “Acoustic Neu Romantic” boasts an impressive cast of guest musicians.
The album features vocals from David Bowie alumna Ava Cherry, piano from legendary Bowie collaborator Mike Garson, electric guitar from Bowie guitarist David Torn, piano and keyboards by Dave Formula(Magazine/Visage), and additional piano contributions from Erik Stein from the acclaimed UK electronic duo Cult With No Name.
Following the release of the band’s second album, The Eternal Return, and 2021’s King Boy Vandals, Duffty and Fabbri once again draw upon their shared passion for punk, glam, art rock and sophisticated songwriting. The result is an intimate yet expansive body of work that balances reverence for their influences with a fearless commitment to musical exploration.
Originally formed in 2007 featuring Keanan Duffty, Earl Slick, Glen Matlock, and Clem Burke, Slinky Vagabond was built with guest collaborations in mind. Structured like hip hop bands that construct songs on features, early tracks featured a veritable slew of collaborations including the late, great aforementioned Pete Shelley who sang backing vocals on the David Bowie cover “Boys Keep Swinging.” A fixture on the NYC club scene, Slinky Vagabond was a celebrated guest on celebrations as Joey Ramone’s Birthday Bash (2007) alongside the New York Dolls, Fashion Week’s Gen Art and Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp (2008) and Marc Bolan’s 30th Anniversary Show (2007) alongside Patti Smith, Tom Morello, Joan Jett, Ronnie Spector, and more.
The idea of developing the band beyond just live performances came when Duffty met Fabio Fabbri at a lecture he was hosting alongside Glen Matlock in 2017. Fabbri – a guitarist, producer and songwriter – and Duffty started sharing ideas and a co-writing partnership was born.
But Slinky Vagabond’s wouldn’t be the Slinky Vagabond’s without a few guest names and they came in the shape of Midge Ure (Ultravox/Visage/Live Aid co-founder), Dave Formula (Magazine/Visage), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses/Psychedelic Furs), David Torn (David Bowie/David Sylvian), Tony Bowers (Durutti Column/Simply Red) and Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) and the results ended up becoming their debut album ‘King Boy Vandals’.
‘The Eternal Return’ continues the bands story and ethos. Again, the songwriting of Duffty/Fabbri has produced rock and punk tracks that wear their influence on their sleeve but remain quintessentially them.
These tracks have attracted collaboration with a plethora of incredible musicians who have played and continue to play with some of the world’s most admired musicians such as Mike Garson (David Bowie pianist),Percy Jones (Brand X,Brian Eno),Ava Cherry (David Bowie,Luther Vandross),Dom Beken (Saucerful of Secret,The Orb),Earl Slick (David Bowie and John Lennon guitarist),Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols).