The Skids

Infobox musical artist | Img_size =
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Name = The Skids


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Origin = Dunfermline, Scotland, UK
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Genre = Punk rock Pop punk New Wave
Occupation =
Years_active = 1977 - 1982, 2007
Label = No-Bad, Virgin Records
Associated_acts = Big Country, The Armoury Show Slik The Zones
URL = [http://www.theskids.com/ Official site]
Current_members =
Past_members = Richard Jobson Stuart Adamson William Simpson Thomas Kellichan Rusty Egan
Mike Baillie Russell Webb
Notable_instruments =

The Skids were an art-punk/punk rock and new wave band from Dunfermline, Scotland, founded in 1977 by Stuart Adamson (1958 - 2001, guitars / backing vocals / keyboards / percussion), William Simpson (bass guitar / backing vocals), Thomas Kellichan (drums) and Richard Jobson (vocals / guitar / keyboards). Their biggest success was the single "Into the Valley" in 1979. It is still used as a theme song for fans of Dunfermline Athletic F.C. in the Scottish First Division and Charlton Athletic F.C. in the (English) Football League Championship. "The Saints Are Coming" was formerly heard before Southampton F.C.'s home games.

Career

They played their first gig on 19 August 1977, at the Bellville Hotel in Pilmuir Street, Dunfermline, Scotland.Within six months they had issued the "Charles" EP on the No Bad record label, created by Sandy Muir, a Dunfermline music shop owner and then manager. The record brought them to the attention of national BBC Radio 1 DJ, John Peel. This led to a local support slot for The Clash. Virgin Records then signed up The Skids in April 1978. The singles "Sweet Suburbia" and "The Saints Are Coming" both made commercial inroads, before "Into the Valley" reached the UK Top 10 singles chart in early 1979. The band also released their debut album "Scared to Dance" in 1979. It was recorded at Air Studios in London, England with production and keyboards by David Batchelor. Adamson walked out towards the end of sessions before all the guitar overdubs were completed, but the album does showcase his unique guitar style which was later to come to prominence in the band Big Country. Session guitarist Chris Jenkins was brought in to complete it. In the meantime Adamson returned to Scotland while the recording was finished. He rejoined the band for the live concert tour promotion of the album. The record also featured the song "The Saints are Coming", it was also later recorded as a charity single by U2 and Green Day.

Despite criticism of Jobson's lyrics as pretentious, the Skids enjoyed a further year of chart success as "Masquerade" and "Working For The Yankee Dollar" reached the Top 20. Both came from their second album, also released in 1979, "Days in Europa", with the record's production and keyboards by Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe, Red Noise, Channel Light Vessel and solo artist). Nelson played an important role in polishing the Skids sound and in encouraging the development of Jobson's lyrics. Just before recording of the album commenced, Kellichan left the band and was temporarily replaced on drums by Rusty Egan (ex-Rich Kids, later with the band Visage, and a New Romantic 1980s dance DJ at the Blitz club). Egan played on the album, and later on the live concert tour. Keyboard player Alistair Moore also temporarily joined the band to perform live with them. He had been recruited to play Bill Nelson's keyboard parts from the record. Some of Jobson's lyrics, and the album cover caused controversy. It showed an 'Olympian' being crowned with laurels, by an Aryan-looking woman, and the lettering was in Gothic script. Somewho felt that this glorified Nazi ideology and it was presumed that the imagery was copied from the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Germany. After the original version of the album had already been released, Canadian record producer Bruce Fairbairn was brought into the project. The original cover and the track "Pros and the Cons" were removed. The sleeve was completely redesigned and the song "Masquerade" added. The album was also remixed and the tracks re-sequenced. This second version was released in 1980.

Simpson and Egan were replaced by Russell Webb (bass guitar / backing vocals / keyboards / percussion / guitar) (Slik, PVC2 and The Zones) and Mike Baillie (drums / backing vocals / percussion) (ex Insect Bites) respectively for the recording of the third album. "The Absolute Game", released in 1980, and produced by Mick Glossop, proved to be the band's most commercial release. It reached the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart and contained the minor hit "Circus Games". A few of the tracks on the album also included a collection of fourteen adult and child backing vocalists, along with a lone didgeridoo player. Initial copies of "The Absolute Game" came with a free limited edition second album entitled "Strength Through Joy", echoing the band's previous controversial themes. Jobson claims to have got the title from Dirk Bogarde's autobiography.

Soon after the release and live concert tour of "The Absolute Game" Baillie left the band and was followed soon after by Adamson (although Adamson did stay around long enough to play on one more song for the next album "Joy", called "Iona"). Baillie moved back to Scotland to live and Adamson went on to launch his new band, Big Country. This left Jobson and Webb to write and record the band's fourth and final album "Joy", which Russell Webb also produced. The pair played multiple instruments on the album, and also invited a collection of seventeen musical friends to perform on various tracks with them. The Skids dissolved in 1982, with the album "Fanfare" posthumously issued by Virgin. It was a mixture of greatest hits and unreleased tracks.

Jobson and Webb then went on to form a new band called The Armoury Show. The group recorded just one album, "Waiting for the Floods" in 1985 before splitting up. Jobson went on to pursue a solo career as a poet, songwriter, television presenter and most recently a film director, He released albums on the Belgian record label Les Disques du Crepuscule, and the UK's own Parlophone Records. Webb proposed a solo career, according to Armoury Show fan page, later joined Public Image Ltd. in 1992, but playing their last tour, and is now a videogame designer.

In 2007 Richard Jobson, William Simpson and Mike Baillie, along with Bruce Watson (guitar / backing vocals), Jamie Watson (guitar), Brian Jobson (backing vocals) and Jane Button (backing vocals), got together to play three gigs. They were to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the group's formation, and as a final tribute to Stuart Adamson, who died in 2001. The shows on 4 July and 5 July were at Dunfermline's Glen Pavilion (where they were supported by Rosyth band, The Draymin), outside of which The Skids had previously played only their second gig, according to Jobson, and on 7 July, at the T in the Park festival.

Line up changes

A considerable number of musicians have played for, or with, the Skids. The official website only lists eleven "Original and Main Members of the Skids". [ [http://www.theskids.com/members.php Member information on official website] ] (Their contributions and others are detailed below). According to information from the original first edition vinyl record album sleeves, there were only ever six permanent band members: Richard Jobson, Stuart Adamson, William Simpson, Thomas Kellichan, Russell Webb and Mike Baillie. [ [http://www.geocities.com/intothevalley/itv.html Into the Valley website] Here's how to navigate to the reference information needed: Click on "Song lyrics". You will then see images of the four The Skids studio albums (Days in Europa, Scared to Dance, The Absolute Game & Joy). Click on one of the album images were you will then see the track listing, lyrics, and at the bottom the musicians who played on that album]

Personnel for Scared to Dance (1979)

*Richard Jobson — vocals / guitar
*Stuart Adamson — guitars / vocals
*William Simpson — bass guitar / vocals
*Thomas Kellichan — drumsWith:
*Chris Jenkins — guitar
*David Batchelor — keyboards
*Producer — David Batchelor

Personnel for Days in Europa (1979 & second version 1980)

*Richard Jobson — vocals
*Stuart Adamson — guitars / vocals / keyboards
*William Simpson — bass guitar / vocalsWith:
*Rusty Egan — drums
*Bill Nelson — keyboards
*Producer — Bill NelsonSecond Version ONLY
*Thomas Kellichan — drums on "Masquerade" ONLY
*Producer — Bruce FairbairnLive concert performances ONLY
*Alistair Moore — keyboards
*Rusty Egan — drums
*Mike Baillie — drums

Personnel for The Absolute Game (1980)

*Richard Jobson — vocals / guitar
*Stuart Adamson — guitars / vocals / keyboards / percussion
*Russell Webb — bass guitar / vocals / keyboards / percussion
*Mike Baillie — drums / vocals / percussionWith:
*Jude Nettleton — vocals
*Julius Newell — vocals
*Andrew Sigsworth — vocals
*John Sigsworth — vocals
*Alison Pipkin — vocals
*David Pipkin — vocals
*Hannah Yeadon — vocals
*Esther Marshall — vocals
*Chloe Dymott — vocals
*Marlis Dunklau — vocals
*Gracie Benson — vocals
*Sally Nettleton — vocals
*Harriet Bakewell — vocals
*Mary Volke — vocals
*Derek Wadsworth — didgeridoo
*Producer — Mick Glossop

Personnel for Joy (1981)

*Richard Jobson — vocals / guitar / keyboards
*Russell Webb — bass guitar / vocals / guitar / keyboards / percussionWith:
*J J Johnson — drums / percussion
*Paul Wishart — saxophone / flute / keyboards / percussion / vocals
*Alan Darby — guitar
*Stuart Adamson — guitar
*Mike Oldfield — keyboards
*Dave Duncan — bodhrán
*Tim Cross — keyboards / flute
*Alan Rankine — guitar
*Billy MacKenzie — vocals
*Ken Locke — cello / vocals
*Virginia Astley — flute / vocals
*Frances Lynch — vocals
*Nicky Holland — vocals
*Debbie Mitchell — vocals
*Nick Griffiths — vocals
*Carey Taylor — percussion
*Producer — Russell Webb

All personnel for album and single recordings, live concert performances, and live radio and television performances

Richard Jobson, Stuart Adamson, William Simpson, Thomas Kellichan, Chris Jenkins, David Batchelor, Rusty Egan, Bill Nelson, Alistair Moore, Russell Webb, Mike Baillie, Jude Nettleton, Julius Newell, Andrew Sigsworth, John Sigsworth, Alison Pipkin, David Pipkin, Hannah Yeadon, Esther Marshall, Chloe Dymott, Marlis Dunklau, Gracie Benson, Sally Nettleton, Harriet Bakewell, Mary Volke, Derek Wadsworth, J J Johnson, Paul Wishart, Alan Darby, Mike Oldfield, Dave Duncan, Tim Cross, Alan Rankine, Billy MacKenzie, Ken Locke, Virginia Astley, Kenny Hyslop, Frances Lynch, Nicky Holland, Debbie Mitchell, Nick Griffiths, Carey Taylor, Midge Ure, Billy Currie, John Mcgeoch, Steve Severin, Kirsten Adamson, Carol Laula, Callum Adamson, Bruce Watson, Jamie Watson, Jane Button, Brian Jobson, Brian Docherty, Lisa Macgregor, Maria Marshall

Miscellanea

* Manic Street Preachers' 1991 single "Motown Junk", samples The Skids' track, "Charles".
* In 2006, U2 and Green Day released a cover of "The Saints are Coming". It reached the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
* Thomas Kellichan now runs a music bar in Tenerife.
* "Into the Valley" was used in a UK TV commercial for Maxell audio tapes.
* All guitars on Skids recordings and live performances were tuned down a tone (2 frets), to accommodate Richard Jobson's voice. Many of the band's songs were played with an open string "drone" note.Fact|date=August 2008

Discography

ingles

* "Charles" / "Reasons" / "Test-tube Babies" (March 1978: No Bad, NB1)
* "Sweet Suburbia" / "Open Sound" (September 1978: Virgin, VS 227, also white vinyl) # 70 UK Singles Chartcite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages=
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5]
* "Wide Open" EP featuring "The Saints Are Coming" / "Of One Skin" / "Confusion" / "Night & Day" (October 1978: Virgin, VS 232, red vinyl - also released as a 12 inch single) UK #48
* "Into the Valley" / "T.V. Stars" (February 1979: Virgin, VS 241, also white vinyl) UK #10
* "Masquerade" / "Out of Town" (May 1979: Virgin, VS 262, also released as a double single) UK #14
* "Charade" / "Grey Parade" (September 1979: Virgin, VS 288) UK #31
* "Working for the Yankee Dollar" / "Vanguard’s Crusade" (November 1979: Virgin, VS 306, also released as a double single) UK #20
* "Animation" / "Pros & Cons" (February 1980: Virgin, VS 232) UK #56
* "Circus Games" / "One Decree" (July 1980: Virgin, VS 359) UK #32
* "Goodbye Civilian" / "Monkey McGuire Meets Specky Potter Behind the Lochore Institute" (October 1980: Virgin, VS 373, also picture disc) UK #52
* "Women in Winter" / "Working for the Yankee Dollar (live)" (November 1980: Virgin, VSK 101) UK #49
* "Fields" / "Brave Man" (August 1981: Virgin, VS 401, also released as a 12 inch single)
* "Iona" / "Blood & Spoil" (October 1981: Virgin, VS 449)

Albums

tudio albums

* "Scared to Dance" (February 1979) # 19 UK Albums Chartcite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages=
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5]
* "Days in Europa" (October 1979; Remixed & re-issued with a new sleeve design in 1980) UK #32
* "The Absolute Game" (September 1980) UK #9
* "Joy" (November 1981)

Live albums

* "BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert" (February 1992)
* "Masquerade Masquerade" (2007, mixed in 2006. Live album featuring tracks from two concerts. They were Hammersmith Odeon in 1980 & Glasgow Apollo in 1979.)

Compilation albums

* "Fanfare" (May 1982)
* "Dunfermline: A Collection of The Skids' Finest Moments" (July 1987)
* "Sweet Suburbia: The Best of The Skids" (January 1995)
* "The Very Best of The Skids" (2003)
* "Into the Valley: The Best of The Skids" (2005)
* "" (2007)

ee also

* List of British punk bands
* List of musicians in the first wave of punk music
* List of New Wave bands and artists
* List of Peel sessions
* List of performers on Top of the Pops
* Music of the United Kingdom (1970s)

References

General reference

* The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3

External links

* [http://www.theskids.com/ Official site]
*
* [http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skids.htm The Skids] on www.punk77.co.uk
* [http://punkmodpop.free.fr/skids_pic.htm The Skids] on Punkmodpop
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/s/skids/ The Skids] BBC Radio 1 John Peel Sessions