King of The Slums, a much talked about but ultimately not much heard mid-to-late 80s Manchester band. The electric violin prevented them from being an easy listen, setting them apart from their contemporaries and the songs seemed to be powered by speed rather than E. They had tunes to spare and a frontman who had something to say, who also had a winning way with song and album titles- Vicious British Boyfriend, Barbarous English Fayre, Fanciable Headcase, Bombs Away On Harpurhey, Once A Prefect and Unfit Mother to name a few (while the group's original name was Slum Cathedral User). Mark E Smith may have been an influence. This clip is from BBC2's Snub TV, shot live in Manchester and causing mayhem.
There's a King Of The Slums track somewhere upstairs, not this one. That violin makes a splendid racket.
ReplyDeleteThey were good but hard work
ReplyDeleteI like their name
ReplyDeleteTravelled down to The George Robey in London to watch them circa 90. A splendid racket indeed. Bear Wiv me, Joy and Once a prefect were favourite s of the time. We even named our 5 aside team after them. We stood out from Real Ale Madrid, Co-op and Leicester boys. We renamed ourselves Timperley Big Shorts the next year. Anyway great post and blog as ever.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting I play 5a side with someone who played for Timperley Big shorts.
ReplyDeleteSwiss Adam