Cocktail Slippers Bring High-Energy Rock with New Live Release

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

The Cocktail Slippers are kicking off 2025 with a bang, dropping a new two-song live release, Live at Blaker Festival Norway. This Norwegian all-female garage/pop-rock powerhouse has been setting stages on fire for years, and now fans get a taste of their raw, electrifying energy straight from a festival stage.

Featuring two beloved live staples—"You Do Run" from their 2009 album Saint Valentine’s Massacre (produced by none other than Stevie Van Zandt) and a blistering cover of "Gloria"—this release captures the essence of a Cocktail Slippers show. And according to guitarist Stine Bendiksen, the decision to release these tracks came about almost by chance.

“It was pouring rain through our entire set, but the crowd didn’t care—they danced in the summer rain and brought incredible energy. We had an absolute blast!” Bendiksen recalls. “After the show, the sound engineer told us he had recorded the concert and asked if we wanted the tapes. We thought, hey—why not? So here you go—enjoy!”

For Bendiksen, music has been a lifelong calling. Raised in a musical family, she first picked up the drums at age seven before transitioning to guitar at nine. “I practiced to John Bonham, but I could never be John Bonham,” she laughs. “So I picked up the guitar, and that felt much easier.” Self-taught and heavily influenced by ‘60s and ‘70s rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, she found her sound early.

Before joining Cocktail Slippers, Bendiksen was part of various bands, including a stint as a vocalist in a death metal group at just 14. But it was her move to Norway at 17 that set her on the path toward the band she would ultimately call home. “I met the girls through another band, the Barbarellas. When that ended, we knew we wanted to keep playing together, and that’s how Cocktail Slippers was born.”

The band’s name wasn’t a quick decision—it took six months and a locked-room brainstorming session. “We were sitting there going through vintage ‘50s and ‘60s magazines, trying to come up with something,” Bendiksen explains. “Then we found this little black-and-white ad that said, ‘Cocktail Slippers for Each and Every Occasion.’ We thought, yep—that’s us!”

The Cocktail Slippers aren’t slowing down anytime soon. They are currently in the studio working on their sixth album, but before that, they’ll be tearing up stages around the world. In May, they’re bringing their high-voltage sound to Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise in Miami, sharing the bill with legendary acts like Social Distortion, The Hellacopters, L7, and Rocket From The Crypt. “It’s surreal,” Bendiksen admits. “You definitely have those ‘pinch me’ moments.”

With a close working relationship with Stevie Van Zandt, the band has had incredible opportunities over the years. “He’s such a great guy—so down to earth and passionate about keeping rock & roll alive. We’ve worked closely with him on several songs, and his input is invaluable,” Bendiksen says.

Fans in Norway can also catch them at Tons of Rock in June, where they’ll share the stage with some of the biggest names in rock.

With their infectious energy, powerhouse vocals, and unfiltered rock & roll spirit, Cocktail Slippers are proving once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with. If you can’t catch them live, their new release Live at Blaker Festival Norway is the next best thing. “These songs have been fan favorites for years,” says Bendiksen. “Now, people can finally hear them the way they were meant to be heard—live.”

Stream Live at Blaker Festival Norway now on all major platforms, and keep an eye out for their upcoming tour dates. If one thing is certain, the Cocktail Slippers are here to keep rock & roll alive—and loud.