THE SKIDS
“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 recently, “ I was a kid when I joined the band in 1977 – 16 years old. By the time the adventure had run aground, I was a dazed and confused young man. We were fearless in the beginning, always trying new things and not afraid to be different in a musical world that was beginning to sound very derivative and safe. Contrary to the reports from people who were never near the centre of the band, Stuart Adamson and I got on very well – in fact for a long time we were very close. I enjoyed writing with him – he was generous and incredibly adaptable to my unmusical ideas. The Skids were not just another punk band – we were creatively ambitious as well as being close to the core beliefs of our hard-won fans. But most importantly we loved playing live. 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.”
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.
The 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.
#CURRENT TOUR DATES
JANUARY 2024
Fri 5th Rockaway Beach PAUL ASPEY
Sat 6th Corby stomper promotions PAUL ASPEY
Thur 18 Victoria Hall, Settle PAUL ASPEY
Fri 19 Gillingham, Glassbox Theatre AGMP pb/pa
Sat 20 Cambridge, Corn Exchange Special guests to From The Jam
Thur 25 Reid Hall Forfar
Fri 26 Edinburgh, Queens Hall Special guests to From The Jam
Sat 27 Perth, Concert Hall Special guests to From The Jam
MARCH 2024
Sat 16 Norwich, UEA LCR Special guests to From The Jam
Fri 29 Cardiff, The Great Hall Special guests to From The Jam
Sat 30 Llandudno, Venue Cymru Special guests to From The Jam
APRIL 2024
Fri 5 Lincoln, Engine Shed Special guests to From The Jam
Sat 6 Manchester, o2 Ritz Special guests to From The Jam
Sun 7 Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre SOLD OUT
Mon 8 Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre
Thu 11th - Paul Aspey
Fri 12 Leeds, Beckett University Special guests to From The Jam
Sat 13 Nottingham, Rock City Special guests to From The Jam
THURSDAY 18TH TO TUESDAY 23RD NICK UNAVAILABLE
Fri 26 Aberdeen, Music Hall SSpecial guests to From The Jam
Sat 27 Glasgow, Barrowlands Special guests to From The Jam
Sun 28 Day off
Mon 29 Fly to Hong Kong
Tue 30 Hong Kong
MAY 2024
Wednesday 1 - Fly to Brisbane
Thursday 2 – Brisbane Triffid Australia
Friday 3 – Sydney Manning Bar, Australia
Saturday 4 – Melbourne Max Watts, Australia
Sunday 5 Day off in Melbourne
Monday 6 Fly to New Zealand
Tuesday 7 San Fran, Wellington New Zealand
Wednesday 8 Power Station Aukland New Zealand
Thursday 9th Depart New Zealand for Adelaid
Friday 10th – Adelaide Gov, Australia
Saturday 11 – Perth Rosemount, Australia
Sunday 12 - Fly Home
Fri 17 Liverpool, Eventim Olympia Special guests to From The Jam
Sat 18 Belfast, Limelight Special guests to From The Jam
JUNE 2024
Saturday 15th Nick Unavailable
Friday 21st The Bungalow Paisley Class of 78
Saturday 22nd The Bungalow Paisley Class of 78
AUGUST 2024
Friday 2nd - Paul Aspey
Saturday 3rd - Paul Aspey
Friday 23rd W Fest Belgium (Erik De Ridder)
SEPTEMBER
Friday 27th - Paul Aspey
Saturday 28th - Paul Aspey
Sunday 29th - Paul Aspey
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
PETER BARTON
T 07712 628 366
email peterbartonmanagement@gmail.com