Gig Review Skids supported by Spear of Destiny (1 reply)
I was particularly looking forward to this one. I had seen both bands previously. The Skids in 1980 at the old Plymouth Polytechnic and Spear of Destiny supporting U2 in 1987. After the 1980 Skids gig, I bumped into Richard Jobson afterwards, and he invited me in for a drink and to meet the band, a great memory. This time it was Exeter Phoenix for both of them!
This was a particular crowd. Lots of Killing Joke , The Damned, Stranglers T Shirts including a Balaam and the Angel shirt!
The lights dimmed and we had the theme from the Sweeny. Then straight into Land of Shame. This was the first of two tracks off Outland. One Eyed Jacks and World Service were their best two albums in my opinion and the second track was the brilliant Rocket Ship from the latter.
With no breaks between songs, we were then into Rainmaker from One Eyed. Then again straight into the next one, (staying with One Eyed Jacks), Young Men - complete with a bit of Dixie! Still no introductions, but next was Spirits the only track played off Radio Radio.
Then we had a brief introduction to Waster, (Ghost Population). Then a return to no talking. Playground of the Rich was next, which went down a storm. (The 3rd track played off One Eyed Jacks).
We returned to Outland for the second and final track off that album, and the excellent You’ll Never Take Me Alive.
Judas and Soldier Soldier followed. It was clear there were some technical difficulties on stage and although it didn’t spoil the sound, it was clear that the band were struggling. I wonder if this was the reason that there was very little chatter between tracks.
The title track off World Service was next, which included audience participation. I think this was one of my favourite songs of the set. Staying with the same album, the anti war song Micky was the penultimate track. Of course the set was rounded of with the superb Liberator.
Musically they were right on it, and Kirk’s voice was excellent. It was a shame there was very little interaction, however at the end of the set - he did thank everyone for their support, and seemed a bit emotional when doing so.
Overall a very good set across their discography.
The stage was reset ready for the Skids. Their tour has been set around their second album The Days of Europa. It’s 45 years since its original release (1979). I say original, because it was withdrawn and re-released in the following year.
Apparently John Peel didn’t like the cover and the gothic type style similar to the Germans in the Second World War. Also the original cover had an image of what was described as an Aryan looking woman placing a laurel headdress on a man. The design was similar to posters of the 1936 Olympics.
Out of context it did look odd, however none of the songs supported that ideology at all. It made more sense when you realise the original name of the album was going to be Olympian. Of course in 1979 pushing and provoking barriers was the “thing!”
In the re-make, Pros and Cons was dropped and Masquerade was added - which I still think is one of their best tracks.
The set started with Animation and Thanatos. Next was the superb Charade, much to the delight of the audience. Richard Jobson was properly on form. The previous time I saw them, he played rhythm guitar. However this time there was only one guitarist and Jobson only sang. He is 64, and is fit as a flea. He bounced around the stage like he was 20 again!
We then had a break from the Europa album and they played Another Emotion. This was the B side to Masquerade. Got to admit, it was a pleasant surprise.
Then back to Europa and the popular Working for the Yankee Dollar. As Richard Jobson said, just as valid lyrics today as it was in 1979. Next Olympian, was originally going to be the title track as mentioned previously. My favourite track Masquerade was next, which really did go down well with the crowd. To finish the featured album selection, the title track followed - A Day in Europa.
Richard then told the story that he keeps getting asked why he plays a U2 and Green Day cover! He explained that he gets rather cross, because it’s his track! The Saints Are Coming which is off their first album, Scared to Dance. I have read elsewhere that when U2 and Green Day recorded it, a charity single, Jobson was invited to the recording to make sure he was happy with it.
Into the Valley, same album, followed - which of course everyone knows. If you bought the single, you’ll know the B side.
RB introduced it by saying he was pleased that no one had shouted ALBERT TATLOCK at them, so we were clearly a sophisticated audience. He said what a pile of rubbish it was and that they weren’t doing TV Stars. They then went into TV Stars! (Of course, because it is popular!) ALBERT TATLOCK!
Then there was a lovely tribute to Stuart Adamson who of course was one of the founding members of the band. Jobson explained that his driving guitar gave the Skids “sound” but more than that, his song writing skills was a major part of who the band were. He added that Circus Games was one of the last songs he wrote before leaving. That was performed next.
The main set finished with a fantastic version of Woman in Winter. It began fully stripped back and was really effective when the band fully joined in. The track was written about Jobson’s experiences in Germany in 1979, when the wall was still there.
The band left the stage to a brilliant reception. They returned and someone shouted for Melancholy Soldiers, which I would have liked! Jobson said, do you think that were a request band? You can have this instead. Hurry on Boys from the first album. A good choice, with good audience participation. The evening was completed with Charles, the first track they wrote. A fantastic setlist, absolutely loved it.
After the gig I bumped into Richard Jobson, deja vu! I asked if he remembered me from 1980, being the laugh he is, he said yeah. I recounted the story. Anyway got a selfie and that was the evening done. Definitely would go and see them again.
This was a particular crowd. Lots of Killing Joke , The Damned, Stranglers T Shirts including a Balaam and the Angel shirt!
The lights dimmed and we had the theme from the Sweeny. Then straight into Land of Shame. This was the first of two tracks off Outland. One Eyed Jacks and World Service were their best two albums in my opinion and the second track was the brilliant Rocket Ship from the latter.
With no breaks between songs, we were then into Rainmaker from One Eyed. Then again straight into the next one, (staying with One Eyed Jacks), Young Men - complete with a bit of Dixie! Still no introductions, but next was Spirits the only track played off Radio Radio.
Then we had a brief introduction to Waster, (Ghost Population). Then a return to no talking. Playground of the Rich was next, which went down a storm. (The 3rd track played off One Eyed Jacks).
We returned to Outland for the second and final track off that album, and the excellent You’ll Never Take Me Alive.
Judas and Soldier Soldier followed. It was clear there were some technical difficulties on stage and although it didn’t spoil the sound, it was clear that the band were struggling. I wonder if this was the reason that there was very little chatter between tracks.
The title track off World Service was next, which included audience participation. I think this was one of my favourite songs of the set. Staying with the same album, the anti war song Micky was the penultimate track. Of course the set was rounded of with the superb Liberator.
Musically they were right on it, and Kirk’s voice was excellent. It was a shame there was very little interaction, however at the end of the set - he did thank everyone for their support, and seemed a bit emotional when doing so.
Overall a very good set across their discography.
The stage was reset ready for the Skids. Their tour has been set around their second album The Days of Europa. It’s 45 years since its original release (1979). I say original, because it was withdrawn and re-released in the following year.
Apparently John Peel didn’t like the cover and the gothic type style similar to the Germans in the Second World War. Also the original cover had an image of what was described as an Aryan looking woman placing a laurel headdress on a man. The design was similar to posters of the 1936 Olympics.
Out of context it did look odd, however none of the songs supported that ideology at all. It made more sense when you realise the original name of the album was going to be Olympian. Of course in 1979 pushing and provoking barriers was the “thing!”
In the re-make, Pros and Cons was dropped and Masquerade was added - which I still think is one of their best tracks.
The set started with Animation and Thanatos. Next was the superb Charade, much to the delight of the audience. Richard Jobson was properly on form. The previous time I saw them, he played rhythm guitar. However this time there was only one guitarist and Jobson only sang. He is 64, and is fit as a flea. He bounced around the stage like he was 20 again!
We then had a break from the Europa album and they played Another Emotion. This was the B side to Masquerade. Got to admit, it was a pleasant surprise.
Then back to Europa and the popular Working for the Yankee Dollar. As Richard Jobson said, just as valid lyrics today as it was in 1979. Next Olympian, was originally going to be the title track as mentioned previously. My favourite track Masquerade was next, which really did go down well with the crowd. To finish the featured album selection, the title track followed - A Day in Europa.
Richard then told the story that he keeps getting asked why he plays a U2 and Green Day cover! He explained that he gets rather cross, because it’s his track! The Saints Are Coming which is off their first album, Scared to Dance. I have read elsewhere that when U2 and Green Day recorded it, a charity single, Jobson was invited to the recording to make sure he was happy with it.
Into the Valley, same album, followed - which of course everyone knows. If you bought the single, you’ll know the B side.
RB introduced it by saying he was pleased that no one had shouted ALBERT TATLOCK at them, so we were clearly a sophisticated audience. He said what a pile of rubbish it was and that they weren’t doing TV Stars. They then went into TV Stars! (Of course, because it is popular!) ALBERT TATLOCK!
Then there was a lovely tribute to Stuart Adamson who of course was one of the founding members of the band. Jobson explained that his driving guitar gave the Skids “sound” but more than that, his song writing skills was a major part of who the band were. He added that Circus Games was one of the last songs he wrote before leaving. That was performed next.
The main set finished with a fantastic version of Woman in Winter. It began fully stripped back and was really effective when the band fully joined in. The track was written about Jobson’s experiences in Germany in 1979, when the wall was still there.
The band left the stage to a brilliant reception. They returned and someone shouted for Melancholy Soldiers, which I would have liked! Jobson said, do you think that were a request band? You can have this instead. Hurry on Boys from the first album. A good choice, with good audience participation. The evening was completed with Charles, the first track they wrote. A fantastic setlist, absolutely loved it.
After the gig I bumped into Richard Jobson, deja vu! I asked if he remembered me from 1980, being the laugh he is, he said yeah. I recounted the story. Anyway got a selfie and that was the evening done. Definitely would go and see them again.