The Story So Far…

Slyder Smith’s critically acclaimed debut solo album ‘Charm Offensive’ released in August 2022 attracted plenty of media attention with rave reviews in magazines including Powerplay, Fireworks & Emerging Rock Bands plus all 3 singles released from the album received extensive radio airplay on BBC Radio2 (Friday Rock Show) , Planet Rock, BBC Music Introducing, BBC radio Somerset, Radio Caroline and many more plus thousands of streams were amassed on Spotify.

Following the release Slyder & his band the Oblivion Kids toured the UK extensively including an 11 date run as special guests to the Sweden’s groove rock legends Electric Boys plus the band’s own headline shows and numerous festival appearances.

The year climaxed with a special Christmas Show ‘The NeverEnding Xmas Story’ at The Water Rats Theatre London, celebrating the end of a triumphant year & the release of the 3rd single a re-imagined rocked up cover version of Limahl’s electronic smash hit NeverEnding Story. Recent live performances have turned the heads of even the most devout rock fans – with Slyder challenging the audience to clap & sing along before winning them over completely for an anthemic rendition of the famous chorus line.

December also saw Slyder sign an agency deal with Morningstar Bookings & a 7 year publishing deal with Cherry Red Music.

2023

In Spring 2023 Slyder relocated to rural Scotland and other than a few festival appearances for both Oblivion Kids electric shows & solo acoustic shows he has dedicated most of his time setting up his home studio to start writing & record demos for forthcoming acoustic & electric releases planned for autumn 2023 & spring 2024.

‘I’m very excited about the new material, I’ve already been chatting to a couple of producers for both electric & acoustic records, I’m keeping things under my hat for now but suffice to say I will be continuing to stretch myself musically in trying new styles, directions & so on, I can’t wait to get started on  the recording!’ - Slyder

More live shows are planned in UK for August, October & December plus a tour of Spain in November and UK club & festival dates are already planned for 2024.

A Bit Of History… / Charm Offensive

Slyder Smith first swaggered onto the stage as lead guitarist with glam-tinged power popsters, Last Great Dreamers. After releasing four studio albums and one live album on Ray Records, Slyder has toured extensively throughout the UK & Europe with LGD headline shows and special guest slots to The Quireboys, The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, The Darkness, Enuff ZNuff, and more.

Slyder now takes centre stage leading his new power trio, Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids (featuring Tim Emery on bass and drummer Carl Donahue) in an honest outpouring of grit, glamour and emotion.

Stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, the self-confessed ‘frustrated lead singer’ has been forced to delve deep into his own psyche, carefully crafted lyrics and melodies that speak from the heart. Slyder’s emotive vocals are powerful, yet melancholic, the perfect balance of light and shade sitting effortlessly within the sonic landscape of his varied rhythm guitar sounds and highly melodic & anthemic lead lines.

‘Produced by Pete Brown (George Harrison, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Marc Almond, The Smiths, Sam Brown), ‘Charm Offensive’ is a chocolate box of sonic melodic rock sensations with diverse pop smarts that offers up a little something for everyone.’

The debut album from Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids is no ordinary guitar-based rock album. Together with legendary producer Pete Brown (George Harrison, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Marc Almond, The Smiths and Sam Brown), Slyder has allowed the songs to dictate the direction they have gone in; discovering melodies and hook lines along the way. Making use of Hammond organ and piano with the help of Neil Scully (Richard Davies & the Dissidents), a 1950s Phillicord organ, lap steel guitar and even a bit of banjo.

‘Charm Offensive’ is offers up a little something for everyone – from heavy riffage with walloping drums akin to AC/DC to the anticipated sleaze rock shades of Hanoi Rocks.

However, this band is not afraid to step away from their rock roots, instead, with nods to the likes of The Doors, Velvet Underground, The Stranglers and The Kinks from the past and the alternative rock sound of Manic Street Preachers, The Oblivion Kids have reimagined an 80s synth pop classic and mastered singalong pop, gothic, dark Americana, and dare we say it, funk rock?!

There are a few firsts for Slyder on here too in the form of an instrumental track with a western feel to a duet featuring the ethereal vocals of Nina Courson (Healthy Junkies). The result is an idiosyncratic 14-track album of outstanding versatility that takes risks but at the very beating heart of this new album is a love of music and a passion for songs.

“This album has been a real labour of love for me, I’ve really put my heart & soul into it. Over the last year or so I’ve been working very hard developing my guitar playing, music & lyric writing pulling myself in all sorts of directions, and really stretching myself. I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do, create songs from the heart in no specific genre & perform them to the best of my ability on the record. I guess for years I have been a frustrated lead singer so I have relished the opportunity to showcase what I can do vocally too.” – Slyder Smith.

Charm Offensive by Slyder Smith & the Oblivion Kids is out now via Ray Records on 12” black vinyl, digipak CD and all streaming platforms and is distributed worldwide via Cargo Records.