Slum Summer features two exiled British musicians and two native Californians. Hugh J. Noble grew up in England, where he played drums in an early incarnation of The Wave Pictures (Moshi Moshi Records), before moving on to writing and recording his own songs, self-releasing several records and touring in the UK and USA under various names. On moving to San Diego, he used Craigslist to recruit DJ Anderson on drums, Jen Edwards on guitar, and Scotland’s own Grant Stewart on bass, all occasionally joining in on backing vocals.
Their debut album ABABO was recorded at local Ursa Polaris studio, with additional tracking done at different members’ homes over the following weeks. It was released in January 2019 via Jigsaw Records.
Hugh J. Noble's other band, Séance Weather, released an album in October 2019. "It's a little different from Slum Summer," he told the Reader, "more electronic and droney in places, intended for Halloween listening, with lots of weird old samples and creepy textures."
Their sophomore album Living in Milk was released via Jigsaw Records in August 2022, along with a video for the title track.