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That drink-sodden conversation was soon forgotten in the apocalyptic hangovers which followed. But that summer, Tim took the chance to recruit the curly-haired Telecaster ace to the cause, convinced as he was, that Cundo - frightened as a small child by Southend's king of the livewire chop, Wilko Johnson - was the only man who would do! A mutual friend introduced original drummer Chris Love and a red-headed, bass-playing Welshman Howard J. Bills. 

Three weeks later, the band had a name - inspired by Howlin' Wolf's "Wang Dang Doodle" - and a set of songs which found its way onto local radio and won them gigs. Constant live work - tours, festivals, colleges, pub and club gigs in London and around the UK - plus many opening slots for name acts (including a sell-out Dr Feelgood UK tour) saw Slim develop an unmistakable style and a staggering reputation as a live act second to none in the years that followed. The band released its debut single "Julie B" in 1983, its first album,"Shoot!" in 1984 and followed through in '86 with "Slim Live!" a stunning set, capturing 'Slims stage act in full flight. The next year yielded the critically-acclaimed "Spoonful EP". The eagerly awaited follow-up album, "He Ain't Heavy... (He's the Singer)"came out in November 1988 and showed the band at its creative best, combining 'Slim originals, old songs and off-beat covers, all revealing an unshakeable commitment to vital, exciting music. The band enjoyed widespread radio exposure, including loads of plays on BBC Radio One's John Peel Show and Radio Two's Paul Jones Rhythm and Blues Show and were even invited to appear on the latter as session guests. 

Drummer Chris Love stood down in 1987 in favour of Irish powerhouse Eamonn Gillen. In July 1989, Eamonn in turn, quit. He was replaced, first by Roy Hodges, then by current incumbent Don Moore. In this guise, the band celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 1992, with a huge party and the release of a retrospective LP of rare, unreleased tracks "10 Years Live Out-takes and Double-takes". The follow-up, "Live 95"- a set of live recordings gleaned from gigs through the year - was recorded and mixed, but sadly, never released. (Some of the "Live '95" material later materialised in digitally-remastered form on the "Growing Old Disgracefully" album.) 

The band continued a hectic touring schedule through the mid-1990s - a highspot was when they opened a huge stadium show for veteran rockers Status Quo before 20,000 punters, during the summer of '95! Then, in the autumn of '98, bassman Howard J Bills announced he felt the time had come for him to hang up his trusty blonde '79 Precision and call it a day. Without a moment's hesitation or debate, Tim, Ian and Don agreed 'Slim without Howard would not be 'Slim - and decided to quit while the legend of 'Slim was considerably ahead of the game... 

For several years after that, the four band members assiduously resisted all offers to reform. They did, however, end up playing a short, impromptu set of old chestnuts at a jam in Chelmsford early on in 2001 "just for the hell of it" - a reunion that prompted talk of a fresh studio session to lay down favourite songs the band never got round to recording. 

The session produced "Growing Old Disgracefully", a great collection of new studio recordings, plus live material from the band's 1995 UK tour, released to mark 'Slim's 20th anniversary in the autumn of 2002... Since then, Tim, Ian, Howard and Don HAVE played the odd gig now and again, for the hell of it (and usually a shitload of money!). 

Two are scheduled for 2006 - see the gigs page. 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 

Tim now gigs regularly with Texas blues outfit THE ROCKIN' ARMADILLOS - check 'em out at www.rockinarmadillos.com  

Ian now records and performs live with his partner, Sheena, in a duo called KUNDALINI DRIVE. Check 'em out at www.kundalinidrive.co.uk  

Howard and Don are enjoying the fruits of retirement - but relishing occasional opportunities to relive 'Slim's glory days

Automatic Slim

Last updated Friday March 30, 2007

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