King of the Slums

Dawn sent in this: "King of the Slums recorded 3 three albums and 10 singles. They broke up in 1991. They kind of reformed under the bands original name of SLUM CATHEDRAL USER, and did some gigs in europe. The tale ends there until recently... All the bands music is now available on download sites like i tunes etc, there seems to have been a renewed interest in this band over the past two years or so, and "you tube "has quite a few rare videos of the band. Some bbc radio station are starting to play their old albums, and saying how wonderful and unique they were...according to the web a new collection of songs is apparently being released in 2008. They formed in Hulme in Manchester, a book is going to be published this year telling more of the band. They were a cult Manchester band, and seem to have retained a certain avid cult following through the years.Some of the band members now seem to live in NEW YORK, and some have apparently died tragically in the years following the band's demise, according to my infomation, one is serving life in a Cuban jail, two died of heroin addiction, one is now a Doctor in Sweeden, and the singer paints portraits of churches in Argentina!!! A bizzare collection of people... i have become aware of all of the above because i was one of those avid fans. But I am far from a looony, trust me. They were a truly unique, gifted band, and a very powerful force and i am, amongst, a few other, mancunians, am incredibly curious as to if this new collection of songs/album is real....according to Stuart Maconie on the BBC, it is true.... Well, i cant wait.......i just hope its crap, and that they will remain special and a secret... If anyone does read this, and is interested, there are also Three bootleg albums of the band, two LIVE ALBUMS, one is crap in Paris, and one is awesome in Berlin, performing as SLUM CATHEDRAL USER. There is also a bootleg of 27 early storysongs recorded in their flat in Hulme, Manchester, it's incredibly funny because they keep getting interupted by smackheads walking in and hilarious arguments starting, but some of the songs are incredibly brilliant and simple, as John Peel said, "you just dont know what these people have been listening to"... Charley was one of, if not the best lyricist in Manchester, just ask Morrissey. They were the most secret and special band in Manchester... (Submitted 04.08.08) Can anyone confirm the whereabouts of the members? ...From Mark Burke (on 27.02.13) Hi, I did the picture on the back of the dandelions album and was good friends with 2 members of the band. Gary sparkes and James Cashen both born and bred in Irlam and Cadishead which is where I’m from. Gary moved to Australia a few years ago and James still lives in Irlam. Gary went on to play in a band called “Delicious”. Mark Burke (Flag of convenience – Jeep)