Slow Fresh Oil

The history of Slow Fresh Oil goes back to 1997 when Brent Oliver (bass, drums, keys) had some extra recording studio time at the mighty CJSR FM88 in Edmonton. After inviting Lyle Bell (guitar, bass) to come “fuck around”, the two completed White Trash on Black Lacquer in a matter of weeks. The lo-fi material was released in 1998 on LP and drummer Gravy was recruited to fill out the live line-up. After a number of Alberta shows, the group self-recorded & released the 40 song masterpiece Post Operative Socket Management – the title referencing Oliver losing an eye in a hockey accident in 1999. The band toured extensively with the likes of the smalls, FUCK, King Cobb Steelie, Veal and many other late 90s Canadian indie rock outfits. In addition to touring, SFO found success on MuchMusic with the D-Lux directed video for “Squeezin’ The Bale”. Burnout, booze, and anxiety led to an initial split in 2001, with the group reforming for the closing of the Rev Cabaret in early 2003. With renewed optimism, the band recorded 12 songs with Nik Kozub (Veal, Shout out out out out) for the doomed and unreleased Divided We Stand. A handful of shows and tours later and the band permanently dismantled with Lyle & Gravy focusing on stripped down rock duo Whitey Houston, and Brent on a career in live music management and raising a gaggle of children.

Since 2003’s crash and burn, the group performed one 25 minute surprise set for Brent’s Winnipeg bon voyage party in 2011 to a packed Black Dog Freehouse in Edmonton. For those who weren’t there, the band didn’t lose a single step, flying through the unreleased tracks, and favorites off the first two albums.
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