King Of The Slums

King Of The Slums

King Of The Slums are a group from Greater Manchester, active from 1986 to the present. They form in the Hulme and Salford areas of Manchester in the mid to late 1980s and become known as a cult post-punk and indie rock act with electric-violin elements.

Line-up

The group includes Jon Chandler, Sarah Curtis, Charley Keigher, and Gary Sparkes. The bio also identifies Charley Keigher as a founder member, lyricist, guitarist, and singer.

Releases and activity

The band release three albums and 10 singles or EPs, and perform more than 200 live shows. Their early work receives support from BBC Radio 1 presenter John Peel, and the music press including NME, Melody Maker, and Sounds reports on their releases and performances favourably. They also appear on BBC television in a live performance, which increases their profile.

Their 1991 album Blowzy Weirdo's is followed by a long period of silence until they record and release The Orphaned Files in 2009 on their first label, SLR Records. The album is also made available through major download sites and sold out three times within its first three months. It is recorded and assembled by Charley Keigher with help from past members and new musicians.

Reception and legacy

King Of The Slums build a following in the underground scenes in Europe and America. Their split happens while they are planning performances in the United States, and the separation is linked to personality problems within the band and to record company, managerial, and publishing issues. The group’s cult reputation continues to grow over time, helped by sustained interest on the web.