The Skids, Robin 2, Bilston - review with picture
Scottish punk originals The Skids, back in action to mark the band's 40th anniversary, thrilled die-hard Black Country fans with a performance that showed just how well the music has lasted.
The Robin 2 was packed to see the group, featuring original singer Richard Jobson and bass player Bill Simpson, power through a set packed with anthemic songs from all of the bands four late 70s and early 80s albums.,
The Skids opened with Animation and Of One Skin and Richard Jobson, sporting a Paul Hollywood look these days, was in fine vocal form and his arms-flailing dancing was just as frenetic and individual as ever.
"Let's blow the roof off this joint," he urged and recalled playing at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in the band's early days as one the group's highpoints.
Some of those fans from more than three decades ago were in the audience clapping, singing along and dancing all through the concert.
There was a huge round of applause in memory of the late Skids and Big Country guitarist Stuart Adamson before the band delivered Scared to Dance.
Throughout Big Country guitarist Bruce Watson and his son Jamie provided the perfect Skids' guitar sound and drummer Mike Baillie was a real driving force.
A superb performance of The Saints are Coming was dedicated to London's firefighters and Working for the Yankee Dollar was played referencing Donald Trump.
As Richard Jobson said, many of the group's songs have stood up to the test of time and are as relevant as ever.
The set finished in blazing style with Circus Games followed by Masquerade and then a final romp through Into the Valley.
With the cheers still ringing The Skids returned to deliver Charade and then, to the delight of everyone, what was described as the band's worst ever song – TV Stars. With Boris Johnson and Theresa May added to the lyrics, the audience joined in the chorus of "Albert Tatlock" with real glee.
The Skids stayed on to play new song A World on Fire from new album Burning Cities before finishing with a repeat of Of One Skin.
Earlier support came from mod legends The Chords. The four-piece group, featuring guitarist and songwriter Chris Pope, delivered a spiky and energetic set containing many of their favourites, including Toots and the Maytals' Pressure Drop, and finished strongly with The British Way of Life and Maybe Tomorrow.
