Fraser Smith recruited as session player

By 1998, keyboardist Fraser Smith had been recruited as a session player to join the band on tour. As a session player, Smith also played keyboards on the new tracks recorded for the Greatest Hits album in 1999. In December 1999, guitarist Paul Banks left the band by mutual consent with Rick Witter citing “musical differences” for the split. During an NME interview about his post-Shed Seven band, The Rising, Banks commented on his departure from the group, explaining that he felt more respected and accepted in his new band. Banks was replaced by original guitarist Joe Johnson in early 2000 while Fraser Smith became a permanent member of the band around the same time. Now officially a five-piece and with a new songwriting team consisting of Witter, Johnson and Smith, the band signed a new contract with Artful Records and in May 2001 went on to release their fourth studio album, Truth Be Told , which was preceded by the lead single “Cry For Help”. That summer the band performed at the festivals T in the Park and V2001.