1,124 THE SKIDS, Borrowed Time, Gloucester Guildhall Arts Centre, Saturday 23 February 2019

The Skids 40^th Anniversary “live” odyssey continues, but also shows signs of winding down… Having seemingly been “on the road” ever since their June 2017 sole-intended 40^th Anniversary London Roundhouse date turned into a tour, and then another tour, then another (!), my early teenhood anthemic punk rock faves announced a further clutch of gigs to welcome in 2019, albeit with the accompanying warning that these may be the last electric band dates for the foreseeable future. So, following the cancellation of their January Swindon MECA gig, I thought I’d better grab “One Last Chance” to high-kick, Jobbo style, until my knees cried “enough”, and sing these cherished choruses loudly and lustily. Gloucester Guildhall was the closest, so I relished the chance to bounce to The Skids on one of the springiest dancefloors I’d ever been on!

Strapped my knees up (still sore after Thursday’s Brand New Friend gig!) and hit the road at 7.15, with some road closures in Gloucester throwing some diversions into my planned route, nonetheless not keeping me from my usual Gloucester car park (free after 6. Yay!). Noise was already emanating from the upstairs hall as I entered; I’d got the timings all wrong, with doors at 7 not 8, and support Borrowed Time already halfway done. I chatted to friendly merch guy Gordon, set up by the hall doors, discovering from him that the Swindon cancellation wasn’t at The Skids’ request, they were just told about it. Hmmm… Popped in for the last couple of Borrowed Time’s set, a couple of buzzsaw formulaic leather and studs numbers to round off what seemed a crowd-pleasing set from this gang of local punks. Not my cup of Pasti-Chron-Partizan Discharge though…

Had a chat with some fellow punters, before getting a tap on my shoulder just before The Skids were due on… “are you David Rose?” I sure am, I replied, as I happily – and finally! – met up with Simon, a Gloucester native who for a few years had been commenting on my blog under the (surely Aardvark-inspired!) name of Cerebus 660. Great to meet him at last! We were front and centre for The Skids’ entry onstage at 9, as usual to the backwards loop of “Peaceful Times” and a roar from the full and enthusiastic crowd. Gloucester were representing in style, no messing… The low rumble of “Animation” segued in perfectly to open proceedings,  moshpit breaking out, forcing me and my dodgy knees back to its’ periphery. Vocalist Richard Jobson, as ever, was in fine, voluble fettle, remarking, “Gloucester! It’s been 38 years! You’ve aged well… I can see more hair, so you’re either younger or you’re all wearing wigs!”, then, after another preamble about The Forest Of Dean (“my brother moved there 35 years ago and I’ve not heard from him since!”), he introduced the staccato riffery of “Charade” with, “let’s raise the roof! Really.. we want to nick the lead, as we’re thieving Scots!”

Once again this was a superb rock performance by a practised and finely-honed band in absolute top form, and loving every moment. The perma-grin across the shadow-boxing, wise-cracking Jobbo’s face, the solid base of bassist Bill Simpson and drummer Mike Baillie, and the deft, synchronised interplay of the excellent duelling guitar duo of Bruce Watson and son Jamie. What a band. In the last 2 years “live”, they’ve had few peers and no superiors. “Yankee Dollar”, more so pointedly relevant now than ever, “Woman In Winter” both mournful and triumphant at the same time, “Circus Games” racy and rambunctious, and the classic “Into The Valley”, causing the old dancefloor to take on trampoline proportions as the mosh bounced along. “Out Of Town” closed out a set which seemed barely minutes long, but the encores were utterly magnificent; “Albert Tatlock” (which saw Jobbo wave a laminated pic of the man, handed up from the crowd!), a rampant run-through “Pretty Vacant” then “What Do I Get” in homage to Pete Shelley, a brilliantly snaking, sinister and creepy “Scared To Dance” to mark the 40^th Anniversary of their debut album’s release (today!), then an unexpected and reverential reading of Bowie’s “Heroes” (“something we’ve never done before!” quoth Jobbo), before a rampaging “Of One Skin” reprise took us right up to the curfew, and a huge ovation to close the night.

Waited outside awhile, catching my breath and reflecting on the gig before a swift drive back topped with a Penhill layby kebab (!) for a (very) late supper. As I’d remarked to Gordon on the way out, if this is The Skids winding down “live” shows, they’re going out on fire. And honestly, it’s been one of the greatest pleasures of my gigging days to accompany them on this odyssey. Songs I’ve cherished for 40 years, songs which until 2 years ago I never thought I’d hear “live”. And for that, boys, you have my sincere and heartfelt thanks.