[kj] OT: the Skids

Tue Jul 6 04:57:12 EDT 2004

good answer...........thanks

-----Original Message-----
From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net]On
Behalf Of Patrick Davies
Sent: 06 July 2004 09:59
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)
Subject: RE: [kj] OT: the Skids

>From Dave Simpson (a fan) - Friday March 12 - 2004 The Guardian
<http://http:/www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,1167615,00.html> 

Innovative and influential guitarist of the post-punk era

Had a memorable riff like an elastic band building to snap: John McGeoch

John McGeoch, one of the most innovative rock guitarists of the past 30
years, has died in his sleep aged 48. The Scotsman - once described by the
Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce as "one of the true good guys" - unleashed his
unmistakable, dextrous guitar sounds within some of the most revered bands
of the post-punk era. 

He was in Howard Devoto's massively influential Magazine; he spent an
enormously productive three years in Siouxsie and the Banshees before going
on to join ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon in PIL. 

While McGeoch's back catalogue is matched by few British guitarists of his
generation, his influence continues to reverberate. A host of young bands -
from The Strokes to The Rapture - owes something to the myriad of sounds
McGeoch pioneered. 

Equally, he has been credited as an inspiration by U2 and most of the
world's biggest rock bands. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante
recently said that he taught himself to play "learning all John McGeoch's
stuff in Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees". 

McGeoch was born in Greenock, Strathclyde, but moved in his teens to
Manchester, where he immersed himself into the fledgling punk scene. In
April 1977, an advert led to a meeting with Devoto, who had just left
Buzzocks and was looking to explore new forms of music beyond three-chord
punk. 

McGeoch proved the perfect foil. The young guitarist's memorable riff - a
sound like an elastic band building to snap - fuelled the band's classic
debut single, Shot By Both Sides, an outsider anthem which reached Number 41
in January 1978 and ushered in the post-punk era. 

McGeoch featured on the band's first three classic albums, Real Life (1978),
Secondhand Daylight (1979) and The Correct Use Of Soap (1980), developing
his trade mark of getting guitars to make unusual but powerful sounds.
However, he quit the band in 1980, disappointed by the lack of commercial
success to match critical acclaim. 

McGeoch had already guested with bands such as the Skids and Generation X,
but now began moonlighting with Magazine colleagues, the bass player Barry
Adamson and the keyboard player Dave Formula in clubland guru Steve
Strange's synthesiser band, Visage, formed with members of Ultravox. 

Although McGeoch saw the band as a joke, smash hits such as Fade To Grey
signposted the era of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. His next projects
would prove equally creatively and commercially rewarding. 

After being asked to join the Banshees, McGeoch featured on, arguably, their
most enduring albums, Kaleidoscope (1980), JuJu (1981) and A Kiss In The
Dreamhouse (1982). The hit singles of the period - particularly 1980s Happy
House and Israel - featured some of McGeoch's most spellbinding work,
hypnotic circular rhythms conjured from icy guitar notes and echo. However,
eventually the stresses of touring and drinking led to a nervous breakdown,
and McGeoch found himself in hospital and out of the band. 

An unsuccessful tie-in with Skids' Richard Jobson (1984-86) in The Armoury
Show was followed by another largely glorious spell with Lydon's PIL, a band
he admired greatly - largely because of Lydon's lyrics - and was reputed to
have been first asked to join in 1984. 

Eventually clambering onboard in 1986, he transformed PIL from a left-field,
experimental outfit into a provocative, marauding rock band. McGeoch moved
to Los Angeles and went on to become PIL's longest-serving member bar Lydon,
staying until the band dissipated in 1992. 

After his return to England, work on more dance-oriented material with
Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory and a projected band, Pacific, with Spandau
Ballet's John Keeble, came to nothing. 

For the first time, the pioneer found himself stranded in another era. He
qualified as a nurse in 1995, but had lately been writing music for
television as subsequent generations of guitarists hailed him. Siouxsie
Sioux once described McGeoch as "my favourite guitarist of all time". He is
survived by his partner Sophie and daughter Emily. 

John McGeoch, guitarist, born May 28 1955; died March 4 2004

iPat

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob [mailto:rob at westwoodassociates.co.uk] 
Sent: 06 July 2004 09:46
To: 'mattdunn at ntlworld.com'; 'A list about all things Killing Joke (the
band!)'
Subject: RE: [kj] OT: the Skids

McGeoch I think it was, tragic - anybody want to name his best work? not
sure the Armoury Show is, maybe some Magazine or Siouxie.................

horbag

-----Original Message-----
From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net]On
Behalf Of mattdunn
Sent: 06 July 2004 01:42
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)
Subject: RE: [kj] OT: the Skids

no, now he is a film director. Has a new film out, something about 15 years
of alcholism which has had good reviews.

at least he is no longer a 'male model'.

Castles in Spain by the Armoury Show is worth checking out. Unless my memory
deceives me it also features the late John Mcgough (i know that's not how
you spell his name, but i've had a lot to drink. On a school night as well).

Who dares gins!

-----Original Message-----
From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net]On
Behalf Of Brian
Sent: 05 July 2004 22:38
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!); vassifer at earthlink.net
Subject: Re: [kj] OT: the Skids

There are two best of CDs. I think the better of the two is called "The Very
Best of The Skids". Its got all the faves plus their version of "All The
Young Dudes" and a one of my faves "Hymns >From A Haunted Ballroom".

Richard Jobson became a presenter on Scottish TV many years ago, and I think
he still is.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Kenneth Dannelley <mailto:kddannelley at sbcglobal.net>  

To: A list  <mailto:gathering at misera.net> about all things Killing Joke (the
band!) 

Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 4:22 PM

Subject: Re: [kj] OT: the Skids

There's a Skids "best of" CD that has a large number of tracks from their
two albums.  Its all good stuff.  I think this best of cd is even budget
priced (I paid around $12.00 dollars for it).  Pick it up.  It's worth a
listen. 

Alexander Smith < vassifer at earthlink.net <mailto:vassifer at earthlink.net> >
wrote: 

Off topic for a tic....

Just was wondering what the Gathering thought of Scotland's SKIDS 
(featuring future-Big Country gent, Stuart Adamson on 
bagpi...er...guitar). I've never owned any of their albums, but the 
clutch of singles I've heard always sounded promising. I *LOVE* the 
production on "Into the Valley"...just got a really chugging, meaty 
guitar sound. Are they worth seeking out full albums by, or should I 
just stick with the odd singles I know?

Just a-wonderin'.

Alex in NYC

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