Now jump out and do a quick poll on who thinks the Skids would not just be back with a new album in 2018, but also touring to critical acclaim.
The results would be a shared laugh, a loud braying ‘get outta here’ laugh from everyone asked, but who would be laughing now?
The last album was way back in 1981, and for me it ended the band on a less than auspicious note. To be brutally honest I couldn’t find the joy in ‘Joy’, but then again sometimes alternative endings, or even new beginnings, are not to be sniffed at, and that seems to be the case with the current approval ratings for Jobson and co.
So with my less that glowing memories of the demise of The Skids mk1 left behind me, and giddy on the word of mouth praise from mates who had caught the dates at the tale end of 2017, there I was in King Tuts Wah Wah Hut with my mate Dennis to check them out myself.
Dennis was one of the many who had been singing the bands praises, and I have no problem in saying he was right. He hit the nail on the head with his unstinting praise. The Skids are, to use a time worn trope, on fire.
The gig was unofficially sold as an introduction to Burning Cities, but on the night the band only played three songs from their current release, and gifted the lions share of the set to blasts from the past.
A good call on their part.
It's doubtful anyone would have been complaining about the set lists as the new album wouldn't have been in the hands of the many at that point, and for those who did have it, they would still be in the bedding in period of listening to the new material.
So with that being the case it very obviously a no brainer to go for the recognisable songs.
In response the audience of mainly middle aged men, of which I am one, were unstinting in participating in a cardio vascular workout to show their appreciation.
Nostalgia sells hard. Possibly harder than an overdose of viagra.
Or maybe the exuberance was really in response to Jobsons trade marked out of time pin wheeling aerobic performance and the gig was just an expensive gym work out with a better than usual play list to sweat to.
Who cares! At the end of the day the band was painting smiles on lots of faces, and that’s what a good night out is all about.
A personal highlight was the updated version of TV Stars with the roll call of modern day media darlings. That moment is going to sit as the quality bar of the year so far. Now let's see how long that lasts.
So with my less that glowing memories of the demise of The Skids mk1 left behind me, and giddy on the word of mouth praise from mates who had caught the dates at the tale end of 2017, there I was in King Tuts Wah Wah Hut with my mate Dennis to check them out myself.
Dennis was one of the many who had been singing the bands praises, and I have no problem in saying he was right. He hit the nail on the head with his unstinting praise. The Skids are, to use a time worn trope, on fire.
The gig was unofficially sold as an introduction to Burning Cities, but on the night the band only played three songs from their current release, and gifted the lions share of the set to blasts from the past.
A good call on their part.
It's doubtful anyone would have been complaining about the set lists as the new album wouldn't have been in the hands of the many at that point, and for those who did have it, they would still be in the bedding in period of listening to the new material.
So with that being the case it very obviously a no brainer to go for the recognisable songs.
In response the audience of mainly middle aged men, of which I am one, were unstinting in participating in a cardio vascular workout to show their appreciation.
Nostalgia sells hard. Possibly harder than an overdose of viagra.
Or maybe the exuberance was really in response to Jobsons trade marked out of time pin wheeling aerobic performance and the gig was just an expensive gym work out with a better than usual play list to sweat to.
Who cares! At the end of the day the band was painting smiles on lots of faces, and that’s what a good night out is all about.
A personal highlight was the updated version of TV Stars with the roll call of modern day media darlings. That moment is going to sit as the quality bar of the year so far. Now let's see how long that lasts.
The album is now currently sitting a few feet away from me with the turntable beckoning. Reviews have been positive from the mainstream music press, but less so from fans who are claiming that the excellent production job helps cover a less than impressive lyrical content.
The jury is indeed out, but some thoughts will be shared soon on here.
That is the first gig of the year done and dusted, and plenty more to come. 2018 let’s be ‘avin you.
No comments:
Post a Comment