Donald Ross Skinner
Encyclopedia
Donald Skinner is a guitarist
, songwriter
and producer
born in Edinburgh, UK
primarily known for his work with Julian Cope
. Skinner is commonly known by the name Donald Ross Skinner with the addition of the middle name of Ross attributed to him by Cope after Glenn Ross Campbell
, the pedal steel player from The Misunderstood
.
)and Freight train.
, Skinner visited him on a number of occasions at the singers home and was invited to join Cope's band, at the age of eighteen, to play on a Kid Jensen radio session. Skinner played on the Fried
album and was Cope's main collaborator on the 4 albums subsequently released on the Island label.
For the Peggy Suicide
and Jehovahkill
albums Skinner switched to bass and keys, whilst Cope played lead guitar, and is also credited as co-producer. Both of these albums are regarded as high points in the singers solo career.
A disagreement between Cope and the guitarist meant that the 1994 album Autogeddon
was the last time they collaborated on record (although Skinner is credited on the 20 Mothers
album).
Skinner returned to play on two further tours with Cope first with the pair backed by a drum machine in 2000 and in a full band line up in 2004.
but was passed over in favour of Doggen
who has played guitar as a member of Cope's band. During 2000 Skinner played live in the band Fiji with Jamie Hince (Scarfo
/The Kills
). Since then he has been a member of a number of bands including Prolapse
and Kiosk
and received production credits working with Salad
, Tiger
, DC Fontana, Strangelove
and Cud
.
He has lately appeared on releases by David Holmes
(bass on The Holy Pictures
), The Enemy
(bass and guitar on Hugo Nicolson
's remix of 'This Song' 2008), Yellowhammer
, Claire Nicolson and My Toys Like Me.
Skinner is currently playing guitar with Love Amongst Ruin
, the band formed by ex-Placebo
drummer Steve Hewitt
.
He also writes and plays with Amp
and Paul Kennedy, ex of Salad
.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
born in Edinburgh, UK
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
primarily known for his work with Julian Cope
Julian Cope
Julian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
. Skinner is commonly known by the name Donald Ross Skinner with the addition of the middle name of Ross attributed to him by Cope after Glenn Ross Campbell
Glenn Ross Campbell
Glenn Ross Campbell born in 1946, is a child prodigy steel guitarist, most noted for being lead guitarist of cult band, The Misunderstood. The Misunderstood were a psychedelic rock band originating from Riverside, California in the mid-1960s...
, the pedal steel player from The Misunderstood
The Misunderstood
The Misunderstood were a psychedelic rock band originating from Riverside, California in the mid-1960s. The band moved to London early in their career, and although they recorded only a handful of songs before being forced to disband, they are considered highly influential in the then-emerging...
.
Pre-Cope career
Skinner played in a number of Tamworth bands including The Fretz, DHSS (named after the Department of Health and Social SecurityDepartment of Health and Social Security
The Department of Health and Social Security was a ministry of the British government in existence for twenty years from 1968 until 1988, and was headed by the Secretary of State for Social Services.-History:...
)and Freight train.
Julian Cope Band
Whilst Julian was living in Tamworth, following the split of The Teardrop ExplodesThe Teardrop Explodes
The Teardrop Explodes were an English post-punk/neo-psychedelic band formed in Liverpool in 1978. Best known for their Top Ten UK single "Reward" the group originated as a key band in the emerging Liverpool post-punk scene of the late 1970s, the group also launched the career of group frontman...
, Skinner visited him on a number of occasions at the singers home and was invited to join Cope's band, at the age of eighteen, to play on a Kid Jensen radio session. Skinner played on the Fried
Fried (album)
Fried is the second solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Fried was released just six months after Cope’s debut solo album, 1984’s World Shut Your Mouth Cope retained guitarist Steve Lovell Fried is the second solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Fried was released just six months after Cope’s...
album and was Cope's main collaborator on the 4 albums subsequently released on the Island label.
For the Peggy Suicide
Peggy Suicide
Peggy Suicide is the seventh album by Julian Cope. It is generally seen as the beginning of Cope's trademark sound and approach, and as a turning-point for Cope as a maturing artist.-Background:...
and Jehovahkill
Jehovahkill
-Track listing:All tracks composed by Julian Cope; except where indicatedPhase 1# "Soul Desert" - 3:53# "No Hard Shoulder to Cry On" - 2:44# "Akhenaten" - 2:52# "The Mystery Trend" - 4:17# "Up-Wards at 45°" - 5:46# "Know " - 3:19...
albums Skinner switched to bass and keys, whilst Cope played lead guitar, and is also credited as co-producer. Both of these albums are regarded as high points in the singers solo career.
A disagreement between Cope and the guitarist meant that the 1994 album Autogeddon
Autogeddon
Autogeddon is an album by Julian Cope released in 1994 via The Echo Label. According to the album's sleeve notes, written by Cope, it was "inspired by Heathcote Williams' epic poem of the same name and a little incident concerning my pregnant wife and £375,000 of yellow Ferrari in St...
was the last time they collaborated on record (although Skinner is credited on the 20 Mothers
20 Mothers
20 Mothers is a 1995 album by Julian Cope. The sub-title is "Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness".-Track listing:-Poetic notes:The album includes a booklet with descriptions of the music and a number of poems:...
album).
Skinner returned to play on two further tours with Cope first with the pair backed by a drum machine in 2000 and in a full band line up in 2004.
Post-Cope career
Skinner auditioned to play in Spiritualised alongside Cope keyboard player ThighpaulsandraThighpaulsandra
Thighpaulsandra is a Welsh experimental musician and multi-instrumentalist known mostly for performing on synthesizers and keyboards. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth...
but was passed over in favour of Doggen
Doggen
Doggen is the pseudonym of the Nottingham born guitarist Tony Foster .Doggen is presently playing lead guitar, piano and organ with Jason Pierce's Spiritualized.- References :...
who has played guitar as a member of Cope's band. During 2000 Skinner played live in the band Fiji with Jamie Hince (Scarfo
Scarfo
Scarfo were a British rock band, formed in Andover, England in 1994, by former art college students Jamie Hince , Nick Prior , and Al Saunders . Scarfo was the culmination of several other bands and line ups involving Hince and Saunders including "Remember the Rabbitts" , and "Electric Turkey Land"...
/The Kills
The Kills
The Kills is a rock band formed by American singer Alison Mosshart and British guitarist Jamie Hince . Their first three albums, Keep On Your Mean Side, No Wow, and Midnight Boom, have garnered much critical praise...
). Since then he has been a member of a number of bands including Prolapse
Prolapse (band)
Prolapse were a musical group formed in Leicester, England, UK active from c.1992 to c.2000. The group's sound was a mixture of punk rock, krautrock and shoegazing styles....
and Kiosk
and received production credits working with Salad
Salad (band)
Salad were a UK-based pop music group formed in London in 1992, that included Dutch vocalist/keyboardist Marijne van der Vlugt, bassist Pete Brown, drummer Rob Wakeman , and guitarist Paul Kennedy...
, Tiger
Tiger (band)
Tiger were an indie band from Princes Risborough and London who were formed in 1996.Tiger quickly got British press attention after their debut single "Shining in the Wood" was played on BBC Radio 1. The musical climate of the time was dominated by Britpop and retro bands influenced by Oasis...
, DC Fontana, Strangelove
Strangelove (band)
Strangelove were an English alternative rock band, formed in Bristol in 1991 and led by singer Patrick Duff. They released three albums before splitting up in 1998.-History:...
and Cud
Cud (band)
Cud are a British indie rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1987, consisting of vocalist Carl Puttnam , guitarist/keyboardist Mike Dunphy , bassist William Potter , and drummer Steve Goodwin .Though an indie rock band, their music incorporated elements of funk...
.
He has lately appeared on releases by David Holmes
David Holmes (musician)
David Holmes is a Northern Irish DJ, musician and composer.-Career:Holmes began djing in Belfast from the age of 15. His first hit was the song "DeNiro", with Ashley Beedle, in 1992. In the early to mid 1990s he ran two club nights in the Belfast Art College known as Sugar Sweet and Shake Yer Brain...
(bass on The Holy Pictures
The Holy Pictures
The Holy Pictures is a Choice Music Prize-nominated studio album by David Holmes.The track "Love Reign Over Me" is featured on Series 3 episode 5 "Freddie" of the U.K. version of Skins. The track "Holy Pictures" is featured in football video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2010...
), The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
(bass and guitar on Hugo Nicolson
Hugo Nicolson
Hugo Nicolson is a record producer and engineer who has worked on records for artists including Primal Scream, Embrace, David Holmes, Shack and Julian Cope....
's remix of 'This Song' 2008), Yellowhammer
Yellowhammer
The Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It is common in all sorts of open areas with some scrub or trees and form small flocks in winter....
, Claire Nicolson and My Toys Like Me.
Skinner is currently playing guitar with Love Amongst Ruin
Love Amongst Ruin
Love Amongst Ruin are a London rock band, led by ex-Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt.-Beginnings and formation:Upon his dismissal from Placebo after the conclusion of their Meds tour in September 2007, Steve Hewitt had a vision "to create a new band, a new album and a new sound"...
, the band formed by ex-Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
drummer Steve Hewitt
Steve Hewitt
Steven James Hewitt is the singer and guitarist in Love Amongst Ruin, having previously been the drummer for Placebo between mid-1996 and October 2007.-Personal life:...
.
He also writes and plays with Amp
Amp (band)
Amp is an electronic space rock band formed in London by Richard F. Walker in 1992, after collaborating with David Pearce on the The Secret Garden and the Distance projects...
and Paul Kennedy, ex of Salad
Salad (band)
Salad were a UK-based pop music group formed in London in 1992, that included Dutch vocalist/keyboardist Marijne van der Vlugt, bassist Pete Brown, drummer Rob Wakeman , and guitarist Paul Kennedy...
.
Albums with Julian Cope
- 1984 FriedFried (album)Fried is the second solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Fried was released just six months after Cope’s debut solo album, 1984’s World Shut Your Mouth Cope retained guitarist Steve Lovell Fried is the second solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Fried was released just six months after Cope’s...
(UK #87) - 1987 Saint JulianSaint Julian (album)Saint Julian is the third solo album by Julian Cope. It has a very strong pop sound, compared to other Cope releases, and spawned several of his best known tracks ....
(UK #11) - 1988 My Nation UndergroundMy Nation UndergroundMy Nation Underground is the fourth solo album by Julian Cope. It produced three singles including "Charlotte Anne" ....
(UK #42) - 1989 SkellingtonSkellingtonSkellington is the fifth solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Skellington was recorded in just two days at the end of the sessions for Cope's 1988 album My Nation Underground. It was inspired by Cope's frustration with the work on My Nation Underground, which he had lost faith in even as he...
- 1990 DroolianDroolian-Background:Droolian was recorded against the background of Cope's disagreement with Island Records, the record label to which he was contracted at the time. During this time, Cope was discovering that the recordings he made on a low-budget, one-take approach were more pleasing to him than the...
- 1991 Peggy SuicidePeggy SuicidePeggy Suicide is the seventh album by Julian Cope. It is generally seen as the beginning of Cope's trademark sound and approach, and as a turning-point for Cope as a maturing artist.-Background:...
(UK #23) - 1991 Peggy Suicide Radio Sessions (Japan)
- 1992 JehovahkillJehovahkill-Track listing:All tracks composed by Julian Cope; except where indicatedPhase 1# "Soul Desert" - 3:53# "No Hard Shoulder to Cry On" - 2:44# "Akhenaten" - 2:52# "The Mystery Trend" - 4:17# "Up-Wards at 45°" - 5:46# "Know " - 3:19...
(UK #20) - 1993 RiteRite (album)Rite is an ambient album by Julian Cope and Donald Ross Skinner, released in 1992. It is the first album in the Rite series and has been described as "a series of lengthy, mostly instrumental jamming freakouts influenced by both Krautrock and psychedelic funk."-Track listing:#"The Indians Worship...
credited to Julian Cope and Donald Ross Skinner - 1993 Ye Skellington ChroniclesSkellingtonSkellington is the fifth solo album by Julian Cope.-Background:Skellington was recorded in just two days at the end of the sessions for Cope's 1988 album My Nation Underground. It was inspired by Cope's frustration with the work on My Nation Underground, which he had lost faith in even as he...
(an expanded version of Skellington along with the sequel Skellington 2) - 1994 AutogeddonAutogeddonAutogeddon is an album by Julian Cope released in 1994 via The Echo Label. According to the album's sleeve notes, written by Cope, it was "inspired by Heathcote Williams' epic poem of the same name and a little incident concerning my pregnant wife and £375,000 of yellow Ferrari in St...
(UK #16) - 1995 20 Mothers20 Mothers20 Mothers is a 1995 album by Julian Cope. The sub-title is "Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness".-Track listing:-Poetic notes:The album includes a booklet with descriptions of the music and a number of poems:...
(UK #20) - 2004 Live Japan '91
- 2006 Jehovahkill: Deluxe Edition, re-released with a disc of extra material
- 2011 The Jehovacoat Demos