The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Skids and The Ramonas; Concorde 2 30/10/2021
The Skids are a Scottish punk rock and new wave band, formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1977 by Stuart Adamson (guitar, keyboards, percussion and backing vocals), William Simpson (bass guitar and backing vocals), Thomas Kellichan (drums) and Richard Jobson (vocals, guitar and keyboards). Their biggest success was the 1979 single “Into the Valley” and the 1980 album The Absolute Game.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Back in Brighton
The Scots punk veterans, The Skids, were back in Brighton 30 October 2021. Let me say first, they put on a terrific performance with original singer Richard Jobson and original bassist William Simpson. They fired up a set full of those loved crowd pleasing anthems from the bands 70s, 80s back catalogue of releases and albums and some of their more recent material from the latest Burning Cities album – which got to number two in the charts.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
As I mentioned before – this was a fabulous mixture of old and new material. A well put together set and perfectly executed. From the get-go Jobson immediately took over the stage, he is a big fella and is captivating, and charming, to watch with his engaging and powerful stage presence. He doesn’t keep still for a second, and wins again the “trickiest person to photo” award, this time for 2021, he previously won this in 2018! I Can’t blame him though – how can you keep still to that music? The crowd, and myself included, joined in and pretty much danced and sang for the whole set! I told him about the award when we last met up in Edinburgh in 2018 and he roared with laughter.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Working For The Yankee Dollar
The Skids hit the stage to a loud and long lasting rapturous reception. Brighton was ready for this. They opened up with Animation and Of One Skin. A cracking start! A couple more songs in and next up was the classic Saints Are Coming. Jobson then pointed out Working For The Yankee Dollar means pretty much the same thing today as it did when it was originally recorded.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band, originally hailing from Dunfermline in Scotland put together some of the most memorable and recognisable tunes of the late 70s. Stuart Adamson, sadly, took his own life in 2001 which Richard Jobson reminded us of with a brief moment of reflection and a warm smile and humour.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Bruce Watson and his son Jamie sharing guitar duties
The Skids reformed in 2007 to pay tribute to Stuart Adamson, with Big Country bandmate Bruce Watson and his son Jamie sharing guitar duties. Great to see this duo back on stage in Brighton tonight. They have played together in Brighton a few times now, the last time was Pre-Covid in the summer of 2018 and was also in Concorde 2. So good to hear those older classics played with such vigour and replicating that distinctive Adamson unique guitar style. Those included The Saints are Coming, Circus Games, Working for the Yankee Dollar, and Masquerade. Sadly no sign of Mike Baillie tonight who I had the chance to spend some time with in Edinburgh.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The fabulous Circus Games rocked us and again those Brighton voices sang out true and loud! Mr Jobson remarked that this gig was the only gig where someone in the crowd shouted “Albert Tatlock” as they walked on stage – and then we were off into the track he told us that was recorded for a laugh TV Stars! The crowd cheered and shouted in time, even drowning out the band at times!
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The gig tonight was perfect, astounding! The sound mix and lighting were spot on from the Concorde 2 team. The band were so tight and energetic from start to finish. Richard doesn’t keep still for a second. Richard Jobson’s chat with us and inter band banter between some of the earlier songs oozed with that warm Scottish charm and humour. There was a “heckler” in the crowd. He may have  been amusing at first with the shouts between himself and Jobson. Mr Jobson was clearly getting a little agitated as he was being constantly interrupted. The crowd surrounding this “fan” were also getting fed up with his fella, Jobson delivered a couple of coup de grâce put-downs and he scurried off eventually. Well handled!
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
With the restrictions eased The Skids are back hard at it and continuing to play live, mixing old and new material. Mr Jobson gave us a heads up for a new album of some of the bands favourite songs from back in the day and its due soon. A couple of those songs from this new album were in the set tonight with Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols) and What Do I Get (Buzzcocks).
Get ready Brighton!
Get ready Brighton! Three storming songs coming up – Jobson now whirling him up into a tornado from ’79 waiting to unleash – hold on tight Brighton its going to get loud! Masquerade, then that bass thumping intro and instantly recognisable, even if Mr Watson did throw in a couple of starts on his guitar for Into The Valley, it lit the crowds fuse! The massive Olympian closed the set.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
“One More Song” and the guys were back to close with Complete Control (Clash).
Triumphant return
A triumphant return indeed for The Skids to Brighton. They smashed it with a top quality live performance, and it was great fun to be there. Well played, and many thanks for allowing me to photo the set and for the set-list! And Leo Sayer once again received a roasting from Richard, hilarious stuff. I dont think he will ever forget Leo Sayes album holding off The Skids album from the coveted number 1 slot.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A great night thank you Mr Jobson and the guys. Plenty more fuel in the tank from these guys so go see em live! And looking forward to that new album Songs from a Haunted Ballroom dropping soon. Hope to see you again soon.
The Skids – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Skids are on the WWW here!
Guests: The Ramonas!
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Ramonas
Tonight saw this all-girl band on stage at Concorde 2. A first for them I think, and they had been touring as guests with The Skids. Initially they were formed as an all-girl tribute to the Ramones. Tonight, yet again they raised the bar and showed what a formidable outfit they really are.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
It was great to catch up before they took to the stage – thank you guys! I have a lot of respect for The Ramonas, and we have met up many times in the past. Always a joy and a pleasure and I just have to say gotta love The Ramonas!
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I have seen them performing their Ramones tribute sets a good few times now and it’s never boring! They are well worth seeing them do it if you get the chance. They really are rather good at it!
If you have seen them before, but are wondering if The Ramonas can write and/or do their own material, let me assure you they can. They have two solid albums out and a third is about to drop any day of self-penned titles. The Ramonas keep that punk flag flying and have sometimes been joined by UK SUBS legend Charlie Harper, who has also contributed to the album releases and features in the bands new video.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The guys took their place, and the band, not using their Ramones nom de plumes, are Scottish singer Lisa. On bass is Victoria, on drums Camille and on guitar duties is Maxine.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Lisa threw herself onto the stage. The Ramonas have built a sizeable following in their own right and with that their confidence has grown. The opening Ramonas salvo was Poser, from their first album. Brillaint! The crowd moved through from the bar area. Cotton Wool, Outer Space and the wonderful Daily Fail were fired at us, almost at a Ramones speed and intensity.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
There was something special going on and clearly the crowd wanted to come and see what was happening. Soon the venue, down at the front, was packed pretty tight as The Ramonas motored through their 30-minute slot. I enjoyed this set and it was great to see Victoria nail down a number relating to Dee Dee Ramone.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I think there were quite a few Brighton, local based fans packing in near the front. The band are seen fairly regularly in and around Brighton. In addition, not a “1-2-3-4” in sight tonight. I can happily confirm The Ramonas really generated up some “steam heat” and pulsed to the “back beat”, they managed to pull everyone in with their enthusiasm and the joyous generated excitement only music can bring. A quality performance.
The Ramonas: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Well played The Ramonas, and I loved the new material presented tonight. Put me down for a copy of the new album!
Keep up to date with The Ramonas here!
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