History

Who Were Glide?

Singer-songwriter WILLIAM ARTHUR and his band GLIDE were always on the edge. Since their first jaw dropping debut supporting Sydney legends The Clouds at the Annandale Hotel in 1991, GLIDE’s uncompromising approach to recording their searing lyrics and ‘wall of harmony’ trademark guitar sound have set the band up for a roller coaster ride.

Through line-up changes, being touted as ‘the next big thing’ (not for the last time in their career) record company sloth, and a refusal to jump on the retro or punk bandwagons, WILLIAM ARTHUR and GLIDE continued to produce songs and music of a unique lyrical clarity and depth.

The Early Days

Formed in Sydney in 1991 and quickly releasing the EP ‘Pretty Mouth’ it was the much praised second EP “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” in late 1992, which received Australia wide radio exposure and critical acclaim started the GLIDE ride. Waiting for the major record companies to wake up to William and GLIDE’s vision was a painful process but after a third independent release, the catchy and unnerving “Wake”, and after signing a management deal, GLIDE were set for the first album.

The Debut Album

GLIDE set about recording their debut album ‘OPEN UP & CROON’ in late 1994 and was released in Feb 1995 and it found William in sombre mood, recounting the pain of rejection and the fire of perseverance and determination. The release was accompanied by Album of the Week on the national station Triple J and their first Big Day Out appearance. Throughout the two singles from ‘OPEN UP & CROON’, GLIDE toured Australia as a 3 piece (which itself became a subject for journalistic interest and discussion).

The Live Shows

Whether performing on their own national tours or playing with overseas acts, GLIDE always gave audiences plenty to think about. Not a mosh band, yet certainly not a sit-down band, GLIDE produced an environment of wonder as the swirls of sound caress the listeners ear and takes them by it to a different, more reflective, place. GLIDE played with BLUR, THE LONGPIGS (UK), JULIANNA HATFIELD, LUSH (UK), RIDE (UK), THE DAMBUILDERS (US), LIVE, MORPHINE, SWERVEDRIVER (UK), LUNA (US) on their Australian tours and have played the festivals BIG DAY OUT (twice) and LIVID.

That Difficult Second Album

GLIDE recorded their sophomore album, ironically entitled ‘Disappear Here’ in 1996. With lush guitars and the now well-honed sculpted walls of sound and harmony, ‘Disappear Here’ caught most journalists at the wrong angle, not knowing what yardstick to use. The more discerning reviewers found plenty of superlatives for what was, and remains to this day, an Australian recording with only itself as a reference point. Three singles continued GLIDE’s national exposure to an increasingly fragmented Australian market throughout 1996.

The Big Picture

At the beginning of 1997 GLIDE started to tackle the US. A small showcase tour including SXSW and shows in LA and NY saw the first tentative and encouraging steps. Coming back to Australia in May saw the band take their first break in eighteen months. October ’97 saw the addition of second guitarist ANDREW KENTLER and the band released a full length album featuring four new songs plus the songs from the first three, now deleted EP’s, entitled ‘SHRINK WRAPPED REAL THING’ for the domestic Australian market. A publishing deal with MCA was signed in November 1997. The first Synch agreement has already been inked for the use of “Here She Comes” (taken from Disappear Here) for a new Australian film “The Alive Tribe” to be screened on Foxtel’s Showtime in 1999.

The Present

With the sad and untimely death of GLIDE’s singer, songwriter and guitarist William Arthur on the 18th of August 1999, a subsequent and final album ‘Last’, is soon to be released in tribute of the band and more importantly, to recognise the magnificent talents and achievements of William throughout his life. The new material was recorded at Charing Cross Studios and at William’s home, mixed by long time GLIDE fan and friend Wayne Connolly.