The band that rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s is looking for someone to replace current singer Mal McNulty and Perth’s own Devlin has been named as an obvious choice.
The call for a new frontman was put out last month after McNulty announced he was looking to step back from the role originally held by rock legend Noddy Holder, who quit the band in 1991.
In an interview with the Birmingham Mail, original band member Dave Hill said McNulty felt it was time for a younger frontman.
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READ NOW‘As you get a bit older, it’s a tougher job on vocals,’ he said.
‘I would like somebody 40-ish who knows the period.
‘There’s a guy in Australia who sounds just like Noddy, but that’s not really very practical.’
That guy was 50-year-old Devlin and he has since been approached by Slade’s manager to see how practical it might be.
Devlin, who fronts northern suburbs tribute band Almost Slayed, said while he knew they was looking for a new frontman, it was not something he had thought about before.
‘It’s mind blowing but I’m feeling a bit confused ” there’s lots of decisions to be made and like Dave Hill said, it could be complicated,’ he said.
‘Maybe 20 years ago (it would have been a dream come true) but nowadays I would only do it for a couple of reasons ” one being the love of the music and, of course, to make a living.
‘People that know me would know I wouldn’t be in it for the fame or glory ” many times I have been asked to go on shows like The Voice but that is definitely not me.’
Devlin has been performing with wife Carol and band members Leroy Cleaver and Joe Rentuza for more than four years as Almost Slayed, doing solo shows and supporting bands like The Sweet.
While many have commented on Devlin’s striking resemblance to Noddy Holder, with an English company even recording his voice for an advert because they sounded so similar, Devlin believes no one could compare to Holder.
‘What a lot of people don’t know about Noddy is he sings as high as Robert Plant or Freddie Mercury but he has a lot of bottom end grunt in his voice,’ Devlin said.
‘Everybody is different in their own right ” we are similar in the fact that we’re both rockers, easy going and like a bit of a laugh.’
But many people around the world are getting behind Devlin, with fan groups encouraging him to take the position and with more than half of the comments on the Birmingham Mail interview with Hill suggesting Devlin as the obvious replacement.
‘I feel very humbled and overwhelmed,’ Devlin said.