Skids 'live' : following up on the buzz - and 'Burning Cities'

SKIDS – ‘LIVE’ (photo: Steve Gunn)

Following up the ‘buzz’…. and 'Burning Cities'

Richard Jobson, Bill Simpson, Mike Baillie, Bruce Watson & Jamie Watson.

“Memories fade, but some linger for a reason. The Skids was the definitive part of my early life. A brilliant adventure into the world of creativity and adulthood”, reflected Richard Jobson prior to the bands’ first tour in almost 40 years, earlier this year. “Taking these memories and replanting them into 2017 has not been easy. How do you do it? How should it sound? Are we little more than a heritage band? These were the questions rattling around my head as I tried to find a way to celebrate the bands 40th anniversary. The answers ended up being very simple – Don’t over think it – Just do it. Enjoy every minute of it. Play the songs like it might be the last time. Give it everything. And then…….there’s the new stuff!!! The beginning of something new rather than the end of something old.”

And so it was. With a new album r- 'Burning Cities' - ecorded and ready to go , the response to the bands gigs has been phenomenal:

“The buzz generated by the return of the Skids to the nationwide tour circuit has created enough electricity to power a small town. An immense, stunning performance -the same as every date on this tour it seems”. (Ged Babey, Louder Than War)

A decade since they last reformed in 2007, the new record is due for release on January 12 and will re-unite founding members Richard Jobson, Bill Simpson and Mike Baillie. Singer Jobson said of the record:

“I’m incredibly excited about this album. This music is at the heart of everything our band is about: truth, revolution, loud guitars and a refusal to keep quiet as the establishment tries to smother chances for anyone other than its own.”

SOMETHING OLD… The Skids formed in 1977 in their home town of Dunfermline, Scotland by Richard Jobson, Stuart Adamson, Bill Simpson & Tom Kellichan. After releasing an independent single the band were played by John Peel, supported The Clash in concert and then were signed to Virgin Records in 1978. Their first singles were ‘Sweet Surburbia’, ‘The Saints are Coming’ and ‘Into the Valley’ - the latter reaching the UK Top Ten in early 1979.

Their seminal debut album ‘Scared to Dance’; came out in 1979 and was quickly followed by two chart singles – ‘Masquerade’ and ‘Working for the Yankee Dollar’. Both singles were taken from the Bill Nelson (Be Bop Deluxe) produced second album ‘Days in Europa’. The album also featured new member Rusty Egan of Rich Kids & Visage fame after the departure of Tom Kellichan. The band released two more albums ‘The Absolute Game’ (1980) and ‘Joy’ (1981) before splitting. Stuart Adamson went on to have worldwide success with his new band Big Country.

Skids briefly reformed in 2007 to celebrate the band's 30th Anniversary with concerts in their native Scotland at T in the Park and in their hometown of Dunfermline.

Skids are: Richard Jobson, Bill Simpson, Mike Baillie, Bruce Watson & Jamie Watson.

JANUARY 2018

Wednesday 10th King Tuts, Glasgow (DF Scotland) 272A St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5RL 0141 221 5279 www.kingtuts.co.uk 8.30pm £34.70+ Fees

Thursday 11th King Tuts, Glasgow

Friday 12th The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (DF Scotland) Address: 5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT www.aberdeenperformingarts.com 01224 641122 8pm £30.25 inc b/f

Thursday 18th Georgian Theatre, Stockton (JC) Green Dragon Yard, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1AT 01642 606525 https://georgiantheatre.co.uk (SOLD OUT)

Fri 19th NORWICH, Waterfront (AGMP) 139-141 King St, Norwich NR1 1QH 01603 632717 https://thewaterfront.ticketabc.com/ 7pm £28 inc B/Fee

Sat 20th COVENTRY, The Empire 151 Far Gosford St, Coventry CV1 5DU 024 7627 4564 www.coventryempire.co.uk/

Sun 21 PRESTON, Guild Hall Lancaster Rd, Preston PR1 1HT 01772 804444 www.prestonguildhall.co.uk/shows/

FEBRUARY

Friday 9th Glen Pavilion Dunfermline, Scotland https://www.ents24.com/dunfermline-events/the-glen-pavilion/the-skids/5067817