Skin (UK band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Skin

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Img_capt = Skin promotional shot, circa 1997
Img_size = 250
Landscape = No
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = United Kingdom
Genre = Hard rock
Years_active = 1992 - 1998
Label = Parlophone Snapper Music
Associated_acts = Schism Deccatree Kooga Jagged Edge
URL = [http://www.skindex.co.uk/ The Skin Archive]
Current_members = Neville MacDonald (Vocals/Guitar) Myke Gray (Guitar) Dicki Fliszar (Drums) Andy Robbins (Bass)
Past_members = Colin McLeod (Keyboards)
Notable_instruments =

Skin were a UK hard rock band active during the 1990s.

History

Skin were formed in the early 1990s by ex-Jagged Edge members Myke Grey and Andy Robbins (also formerly of Tokyo Blade & Shogun) along with former Kooga 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 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 have remained in dissolution since 1998.

Members

* Neville McDonald (vocals)
* Myke Gray (guitar)
* Andy Robbins (bass)
* Dicki Fliszar (drums)
* Colin McLeod (keyboards) - 1994-1996

Discography

tudio albums

* "Skin" (1994)
* "Absolutely Live at the Borderline" (1995) - Ltd Edition
* "Lucky" (1996)
* "Big Fat Slice of Life" (1997) - Japanese only release
* "Experience Electric" (1997)
* "Hasta la Vista, Baby!" (1998)

ingles 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
** Features: "Degeneration"; "Big Fat Slice of Life"

Trivia

* Andy Robbins of Skin is not the same Andy Robbins of the Christian rock band Holy Soldier.
* 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 1997 UK General Election.

External links

* [http://www.skindex.co.uk Official Skin Archive]