The Skids

The Skids are Richard Jobson, Bill Simpson, Mike Baillie, Bruce Watson & Jamie Watson, who first formed in 1977 in their home town of Dunfermline, Scotland. After releasing an independent single, the band were played by John Peel, supported The Clash in concert and then were signed to Virgin Records in 1978. Their first singles were Sweet Surburbia, The Saints are Coming and Into the Valley – the latter reaching the UK Top Ten in early 1979.

Their seminal debut album Scared to Dance came out in 1979 and was followed by two chart singles – Masquerade and Working for the Yankee Dollar. The album also featured new member Rusty Egan of Rich Kids & Visage fame, after the departure of Tom Kellichan. The band released two more albums The Absolute Game (1980) and Joy (1981) before splitting.

Previously The Skids briefly reformed to celebrate the band's 30th Anniversary, with concerts in their native Scotland at T in the Park and in their hometown of Dunfermline in 2007.