Smith helped co-found The Pop Group in 1977 and would play with them until they disbanded in 1981.[1] Smith was also part of the line-up when the band re-formed in 2010.[2][3]
While the Pop Group was still active, Smith also joined The Slits in 1979, replacing Budgie, and would play with them until they disbanded in 1981.[1]
After the Pop Group and the Slits, Smith teamed up with Adrian Sherwood and performed with the New Age Steppers and various other acts on Sherwood's On-U Sound Records label. He married Neneh Cherry, who was also involved with the New Age Steppers, during this period. Smith and Cherry then went on to form Rip Rig + Panic with former Pop Group guitarist Gareth Sager. This band performed from 1981-1983.[4][5]
In 1986 Smith joined PiL for the tour to support their Album release and became a permanent member of the band, playing on their next two studio albums Happy? and 9.[6] Smith left PiL in 1990 a few years before the band broke up. However, Smith re-joined the band when John Lydon reformed it in 2009.[7]
In addition to working with his regular bands, Smith has also done a lot of session work, recording with artists such as Sananda Maitreya, The The and Björk.[4][6][8][9]
