Skin (UK band)
Encyclopedia
Skin are a UK hard rock
band active during the 1990s who reformed in 2009, only to disband again in 2010.
vocalist Neville MacDonald and drummer Dicki Fliszar, formerly from Bruce Dickinson
's touring band and band Vamp. Originally called Taste, they went through a number of names (Obsession, Bad For Good, Phoenix) as they played a smattering of small club dates throughout 1992. The band showed enough quality on these dates to be offered a management deal with Sanctuary Management, who also handled Iron Maiden
and, ultimately, a record deal with Parlophone
. Through Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, the band came to the attention of noted American producer Keith Olsen
who offered to produce their debut at his 'Goodnight LA' Studio. During 1993, the band flew to LA and began recording. Once the sessions were finished, the band listened to the finished product and decided more was needed so another three songs were recorded with Shay Baby producing.
Prior to the release of the album, the band finally decided upon the name Skin (someone had written it down on a wall) and embarked upon a 14 date UK tour supporting Little Angels
. Another support tour, this time with Thunder
helped swell their growing fan base and, in 1993, they released their debut single The Skin Up EP. This was followed by House of Love before their first UK chart single "Money", which peaked at no 18. The debut album, entitled Skin
sold even better, breaking into the top 10 and peaking at no 9. Another single from the album, Tower of Strength which was backed with live material from their Donnington Monsters of Rock appearance, also broke into the top 20 and reached no 19.
1995 saw Skin consolidating their fan base by recording and releasing Live at the Borderline. A very limited edition CD of classic rock cover versions given away free with Kerrang! magazine, only 50 were available and it has become one of the most prized collectors items among Skin fans although a Japanese import version was released shortly after. In order to capitalize upon their appearance at Gateshead Stadium supporting Bon Jovi
, the band also recorded and released Take Me Down to the River as a double CD along with some of the Borderline cuts. The Bon Jovi
appearance marked a high and low point in the career of Skin. A gig that would potentially give excellent exposure was marred by a fault with the band equipment as a voltage converter was incorrectly installed to USA settings by a stage tech which resulted in blowing Myke's guitar amp and Colin's hammond organ.
1996 marked the first time that touring keyboard player Colin McLeod was featured in promotional artwork as well as the music video for single "Perfect Day". Despite this, Colin was a part time member as he wanted maintain a funk
orientated direction he was continuing at the same time. Neither the second album, "Lucky" or the two singles, the first being "How Lucky You Are" and "Perfect Day" achieved the chart success of the debut album. The progression of British chart music at this time, along with the lack of backing for rock music in the mainstream media, led to the band being dropped by Parlophone. Despite this, Skin still held a Japanese record contract and the third album "Big Fat Slice of Life" was finished and released in 1997. Awaiting a UK release, the band released a self-financed two track CD single "Degeneration" that was distributed through the fan club. Later that same year they released their fourth, and final, studio album Experience Electric
on Snapper Music
. "Experience..." marked a revised version of the Japanese release with several tracks being reworked. "Ride The Blue Wave" evolved into the title track from the album, but "Big Fat Slice..." and "Degeneration" were omitted due to the fan club release. The album went on to top the indie charts at number 1. During this period, Skin toured relentlessly. The albums was shopped to several American record companies, and met with mogul Jonathan King
. Following the culmination of the tour to promote the album, skin announced they would be emabarking on their farewell tour in 1998.
The final Skin concert at the LA2 in London, was recorded and released as a double live album Hasta La Vista, Baby! on Reef Records (a subset of Snapper Music
). Since the band's demise, a number of un-official releases have been issued featuring rare and unreleased tracks. These tracks combined of what would be the fifth UK album, and a large collection of demos that didn't make it on the debut. An odd twist of irony was that after the final gig, both "Experience..." and "Hasta..." were released in North America for a limited time, and unknown to the band themselves. Despite this, Skin remained inactive from 1998, until it was announced on the 16th March 2009 that Skin would be playing their first live show since 1998 at the Download Festival
2009, UK. Warm up shows in London and Wolverhampton were announced, with Myke and Neville playing an acoustic set at Pontypridd Muni Hall to start it off, almost 11 years to the day that the band split up. The London show quickly sold out and a second London warm up show was added.
After Skin's successful appearance at the Download Festival
the band decided to reform properly. A second tour followed later in the year, along with the release of 'Up Close and Personal' an acoustic CD album (featuring reworkings of classic Skin songs and two new tracks 'Re-United' and 'Redemption'), and 'Reunited', a DVD of their re-forming. Skin were again asked to play the Download Festival
2010 and played 2 sets, an acoustic set on the Saturday of the festival and an electric set on the Sunday.
A new studio album 'Breaking The Silence' was released in August 2010 to critical acclaim exclusively through the official website. The band however announced on their website that they would once again disband following a farewell tour in December 2010. They are playing the High Voltage Festival on 23/24 July 2011. Skin operated under the moniker of 'Taste', and formed the backing band for Bruce Dickinson
and Mr Bean who covered Alice Cooper
's "Elected" for the 1992 UK General Election. Other names Skin used before settling on the name were, Phoenix, Bad 4 Good, Taste and Obsession
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band active during the 1990s who reformed in 2009, only to disband again in 2010.
History
Skin were formed in the early 1990s by ex-Jagged Edge members Myke Gray and Andy Robbins (also formerly of Tokyo Blade & Shogun) along with former KoogaKooGa
KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester....
vocalist Neville MacDonald and drummer Dicki Fliszar, formerly from Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
's touring band and band Vamp. Originally called Taste, they went through a number of names (Obsession, Bad For Good, Phoenix) as they played a smattering of small club dates throughout 1992. The band showed enough quality on these dates to be offered a management deal with Sanctuary Management, who also handled Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and, ultimately, a record deal with Parlophone
Parlophone
Parlophone is a record label that was founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch was formed in 1923 as "Parlophone" which developed a reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. It was acquired in 1927 by the Columbia Graphophone Company which...
. Through Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, the band came to the attention of noted American producer Keith Olsen
Keith Olsen
Keith Olsen is one of the most prolific and successful music producers in the industry.-Career:With over 120 albums produced netting a 1 in 4 Gold or better ratio, of which more than 24 are Platinum or better, and more than 14 are multi-Platinum, sales from Keith Olsen’s work exceeds 110 million...
who offered to produce their debut at his 'Goodnight LA' Studio. During 1993, the band flew to LA and began recording. Once the sessions were finished, the band listened to the finished product and decided more was needed so another three songs were recorded with Shay Baby producing.
Prior to the release of the album, the band finally decided upon the name Skin (someone had written it down on a wall) and embarked upon a 14 date UK tour supporting Little Angels
Little Angels
Little Angels were a hard rock band of the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s.-History and members:Little Angels formed in Scarborough, England in 1984, under the name Mr Thrud. The founding members were Toby Jepson , Mark Plunkett , Dave Hopper and the brothers Bruce John and Jimmy Dickinson...
. Another support tour, this time with Thunder
Thunder (band)
Thunder were an English hard rock band, who originally formed in 1989 when the band Terraplane broke up, leaving lead singer Danny Bowes and guitarist/main songwriter Luke Morley to form a new group, namely Thunder...
helped swell their growing fan base and, in 1993, they released their debut single The Skin Up EP. This was followed by House of Love before their first UK chart single "Money", which peaked at no 18. The debut album, entitled Skin
Skin (Skin album)
The debut album from UK hard rock band Skin.-Track listing:# Money # Shine Your Light # House of Love # Colourblind # Which Are the Tears # Look But Don't Touch...
sold even better, breaking into the top 10 and peaking at no 9. Another single from the album, Tower of Strength which was backed with live material from their Donnington Monsters of Rock appearance, also broke into the top 20 and reached no 19.
1995 saw Skin consolidating their fan base by recording and releasing Live at the Borderline. A very limited edition CD of classic rock cover versions given away free with Kerrang! magazine, only 50 were available and it has become one of the most prized collectors items among Skin fans although a Japanese import version was released shortly after. In order to capitalize upon their appearance at Gateshead Stadium supporting Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, the band also recorded and released Take Me Down to the River as a double CD along with some of the Borderline cuts. The Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
appearance marked a high and low point in the career of Skin. A gig that would potentially give excellent exposure was marred by a fault with the band equipment as a voltage converter was incorrectly installed to USA settings by a stage tech which resulted in blowing Myke's guitar amp and Colin's hammond organ.
1996 marked the first time that touring keyboard player Colin McLeod was featured in promotional artwork as well as the music video for single "Perfect Day". Despite this, Colin was a part time member as he wanted maintain a funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
orientated direction he was continuing at the same time. Neither the second album, "Lucky" or the two singles, the first being "How Lucky You Are" and "Perfect Day" achieved the chart success of the debut album. The progression of British chart music at this time, along with the lack of backing for rock music in the mainstream media, led to the band being dropped by Parlophone. Despite this, Skin still held a Japanese record contract and the third album "Big Fat Slice of Life" was finished and released in 1997. Awaiting a UK release, the band released a self-financed two track CD single "Degeneration" that was distributed through the fan club. Later that same year they released their fourth, and final, studio album Experience Electric
Experience Electric
-Track listing:#"Experience Electric"#"The Only One"#"Blow My Mind"#"Shine Like Diamonds"#"Pleasure"#"Love Like Suicide"#"Tripping"#"Soul"#"Falling"#"Winners And Losers"#"Bittersweet"#"Aphrodite's Child"#"B.F.S.O.L."...
on Snapper Music
Snapper Music
Snapper Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by former head of Castle Communications Jon Beecher, Dougie Dudgeon and funded by the late Mark Levinson from Palan Music Publishing. In 1999 Snapper broke away from its parent company in an MBO in association with ACT and CAI venture...
. "Experience..." marked a revised version of the Japanese release with several tracks being reworked. "Ride The Blue Wave" evolved into the title track from the album, but "Big Fat Slice..." and "Degeneration" were omitted due to the fan club release. The album went on to top the indie charts at number 1. During this period, Skin toured relentlessly. The albums was shopped to several American record companies, and met with mogul Jonathan King
Jonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
. Following the culmination of the tour to promote the album, skin announced they would be emabarking on their farewell tour in 1998.
The final Skin concert at the LA2 in London, was recorded and released as a double live album Hasta La Vista, Baby! on Reef Records (a subset of Snapper Music
Snapper Music
Snapper Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by former head of Castle Communications Jon Beecher, Dougie Dudgeon and funded by the late Mark Levinson from Palan Music Publishing. In 1999 Snapper broke away from its parent company in an MBO in association with ACT and CAI venture...
). Since the band's demise, a number of un-official releases have been issued featuring rare and unreleased tracks. These tracks combined of what would be the fifth UK album, and a large collection of demos that didn't make it on the debut. An odd twist of irony was that after the final gig, both "Experience..." and "Hasta..." were released in North America for a limited time, and unknown to the band themselves. Despite this, Skin remained inactive from 1998, until it was announced on the 16th March 2009 that Skin would be playing their first live show since 1998 at the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
2009, UK. Warm up shows in London and Wolverhampton were announced, with Myke and Neville playing an acoustic set at Pontypridd Muni Hall to start it off, almost 11 years to the day that the band split up. The London show quickly sold out and a second London warm up show was added.
After Skin's successful appearance at the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
the band decided to reform properly. A second tour followed later in the year, along with the release of 'Up Close and Personal' an acoustic CD album (featuring reworkings of classic Skin songs and two new tracks 'Re-United' and 'Redemption'), and 'Reunited', a DVD of their re-forming. Skin were again asked to play the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
2010 and played 2 sets, an acoustic set on the Saturday of the festival and an electric set on the Sunday.
A new studio album 'Breaking The Silence' was released in August 2010 to critical acclaim exclusively through the official website. The band however announced on their website that they would once again disband following a farewell tour in December 2010. They are playing the High Voltage Festival on 23/24 July 2011. Skin operated under the moniker of 'Taste', and formed the backing band for Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
and Mr Bean who covered Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
's "Elected" for the 1992 UK General Election. Other names Skin used before settling on the name were, Phoenix, Bad 4 Good, Taste and Obsession
Members
- Neville MacDonald (vocals)
- Myke Gray (guitar)
- Andy Robbins (bass) (Not the same Andy Robbins of the Christian rockChristian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band Holy SoldierHoly Soldier-Background:The band was originally formed in early 1985 by bassist Andy Robbins and guitarist Jamie Cramer. The band gained a strong local following before signing. Holy Soldier was initially noted for their strong evangelical focus, although they regularly played to secular audiences. For a time...
) - Dicki Fliszar (drums)
- Colin McLeod (keyboards) - 1994-1996, 2009 onwards
Studio albums
- SkinSkin (Skin album)The debut album from UK hard rock band Skin.-Track listing:# Money # Shine Your Light # House of Love # Colourblind # Which Are the Tears # Look But Don't Touch...
(1994) - Absolutely Live at the Borderline (1995) - Ltd Edition
- Lucky (1996)
- Big Fat Slice of Life (1997) - Japanese only release
- Experience ElectricExperience Electric-Track listing:#"Experience Electric"#"The Only One"#"Blow My Mind"#"Shine Like Diamonds"#"Pleasure"#"Love Like Suicide"#"Tripping"#"Soul"#"Falling"#"Winners And Losers"#"Bittersweet"#"Aphrodite's Child"#"B.F.S.O.L."...
(1997) - Hasta la Vista, Baby! (1998)
- Up Close And Personal (2009) - Acoustic Album - Ltd Edition
- Breaking The Silence (2010) - Ltd Edition
Fanclub albums
- For Your Ears Only (1998)
- Skinny Dipping (1999)
- Lost And Found (1999)
Singles and EPs
- The Skin Up EP; Parlophone 1993
- 12" features: "Look But Don't Touch"; "Shine Your Light"; "Monkey"
- House of Love; Parlophone 1994
- 12" and CD feature: "House of Love"; "Good Good Lovin"; "This Planet's on Fire"; Take It Easy"
- The Money EP; Parlophone 1994
- CD 1 features: "Money"; "Unbelievable"; "Express Yourself"; "Funktified"
- CD 2 features: "Money"; "Unbelievable"; "All I Want"; "Down, Down, Down"
- Tower of Strength; Parlophone 1994
- CD 1 features: "Tower of Strength"; "Money" (live); "Shine Your Light" (live); "Colourblind" (live)
- CD 2 features: "Tower of Strength"; "Tower of Strength" (live); "Look But Don't Touch" (live); "Unbelievable" (live)
- Look But Don't Touch (EP); Parlophone 1993
- 12" Single features: "Look But Don't Touch"; "Should I Stay or Should I Go"; "Pump It Up"; "Monkey"
- CD single features: "Look But Don't Touch"; "Should I Stay or Should I Go"; "Hangin on the Telephone"; "Dog Eat Dog"
- Take Me Down to the River; Parlophone 1995
- CD 1 features: "Take Me Down to the River"; "Rock and Roll" (live); "Ain't Talking Bout Love" (live); "Rock Candy" (live)
- CD 2 features: "Take Me Down to the River"; "Radar Love" (live); "Come Together" (live); "My Generation" (live)
- "How Lucky You Are": Parlophone 1996
- 7" picture disc features: "How Lucky You Are"; "Spit on You"; "Sweet Mary Jane"
- CD 1 features: "How Lucky You Are"; "Spit on You"; "I Believe"
- CD 2 features: "How Lucky You Are"; "Back Door Man"; "Sweet Mary Jane"
- "Perfect Day": Parlophone 1996
- 7" Red Vinyl features: "Perfect Day"; "The Muppet Song (Mah Na Mah Na)"; "Silly Thing"; "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"
- CD 1 features: "Perfect Day"; "The Muppet Song (Mah Na Mah Na)"; "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"; "One Way"
- CD 2 features: "Perfect Day"; "The Muppet Song (Mah Na Mah Na)"; "I Got You"; "Silly Thing"
- "Degeneration": self financed CD single 1998
- Features: "Degeneration"; "Big Fat Slice of Life"
- "Stronger": MP3 Download via official web shop 2010
- Features: "Stonger"; "House Of Love (Live)"; "Take Me Down To The River (Live)"; "Look But Don't Touch (Live)"