Artist description The Orator is an Australian musician based in London, UK.

Music Style Alternative Rock

Musical Influences Soundgarden, Kyuss, Sepultura, QOTSA, Bowie, Beatles, Misfits

Similar Artists Soundgarden, Kyuss, Sepultura, Alice in Chains, RHCP

Artist History “You’re a hell of a singer, man” – Pete Friersen, guitarist with Alice Cooper The Orator (real name William Smith) is an Australian musician based in London, UK. He has appeared on stage singing lead vocals with guitarist Pete Friersen of the Alice Cooper Band and Les Binks, formerly drummer of Judas Priest. Pete made the above comment after a particularly successful gig in Camden. Playing in London can be good for your rock resume. It was not the first time The Orator has received praise from a musical mentor. One night in January 1994, Soundgarden were in Will’s hometown of Perth to play the Big Day Out. Will was busking in the street with friends. Chris Cornell walked up, offered up his change and stood waiting for a song. Will sang Soundgarden’s ‘Outshined’ for Chris face-to-face and Cornell praised Will’s voice. Pete Friersen’s quote, not Chris Cornell’s, appears above because I can give you Pete’s phone number and you can check for yourself. Alas, I can’t do the same for Chris Cornell. The Orator started out in 1994 in Perth, Australia as lead vocalist and songwriter in the eclectic rock combo Dirtbag. They derived their sound from Seattle influences mixed with the Beatles. The band released a four track self-titled EP to critical acclaim and went on to play the 1996 Big Day Out in Perth alongside Rage Against the Machine, Porno for Pyros and The Prodigy. Dirtbag then moved to Sydney to capitalize on their success but broke up because of the drummer’s drug problems. Will teamed up with Josh Paparo, one of the guitarists in Dirtbag, in 1998 to form Ox Tongue, a heavier project focusing on their Soundgarden and Sepultura influences. The pair released an EP ('Ox Tongue') with Will on vocals, drums and bass. The Sydney rock scene provided good times and loyal fans, but was stiflingly small. Will moved back to Perth in 2000 to relax and revise plans. From there he set off for Europe, adopting the stage name ‘The Orator’. 2001 was an eventful year. Mutual acquaintances brought Will in contact with 'My Dying Bride'. Hamish Glencross, the new recruit on guitar for MDB, asked Will to join him as vocalist in a joint songwriting project. Some record company interest was generated but the two decided to part ways having differing ideas on the direction of the material. Now, in London, in 2002, Will is gigging with his own project, The Orator. Together with Rob Glasner (drums) and Dave Rimmer (bass) he has recorded a self-titled four song EP. The record sweeps from a Soundgardesque distortion of a Bowie-like ballad, to lazy-but-large Grind and rapid Sepultura beats. The EP has been well received by fans and friends in the music business. With more material ready to record and a UK Rock Revival underway, the Orator is more than Optimistic.

Group Members The Orator - Vocals, Guitars Rob Glasner - Drums Dave Rimmer - Bass

Instruments Vox, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Albums 'The Orator' 2002, 'Ox Tongue' 2000, 'Dirtbag' 1995

Location London, England - United Kingdom

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