Skin (British band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Skin was a British hard rock ensemble active during the 1990s, which reunited in 2009 before disbanding once more in 2013.
History
Formed in the early 1990s, Skin originated from former Jagged Edge members Myke Gray (born 12 May 1968, Fulham, London) and Andy Robbins (previously of Tokyo Blade). They were joined by ex-Kooga frontman Neville MacDonald (born in Ynysybwl, Pontypridd, Wales) and drummer Dicki Fliszar, who had played with Bruce Dickinson's touring band as well as Vamp.
Initially called Taste, the group first performed in 1992 under the temporary moniker ‘Harry’s Herberts’, a name borrowed from their tour manager Harry Mohan. After experimenting with various names during their early club gigs, they eventually settled on Skin.
Their initial live shows secured them a management contract with Sanctuary Management—also representing Iron Maiden—and a recording deal with Parlophone. Through Bruce Dickinson’s connections, they linked up with American producer Keith Olsen and recorded their debut album in Los Angeles in 1993. Additional tracks were subsequently produced by Shay Baby.
Prior to releasing their debut album, the band adopted the name Skin and toured the UK supporting Little Angels. Further support slots with Thunder helped broaden their audience. In 1993, they issued The Skin Up EP, followed by singles "House of Love" and "Money", which reached number 18 on the UK charts. Their self-titled debut album Skin climbed to number 9 on the UK Albums Chart. The single "Tower of Strength," featuring live recordings from their 1994 Donington Monsters of Rock performance, peaked at number 19 in the UK.
In 1995, Skin released Live at the Borderline, a limited edition CD containing classic rock covers distributed exclusively with an issue of Kerrang! magazine (only 50 copies were made), later reissued in Japan. To leverage their support slot for Bon Jovi at Gateshead Stadium, they released Take Me Down to the River as a double CD including Borderline tracks. Unfortunately, technical difficulties during the Bon Jovi show hampered their performance.
By 1996, touring keyboardist Colin McLeod appeared in promotional materials for the single "Perfect Day" but remained a part-time member due to his commitment to funk music. Their sophomore album Lucky along with singles "How Lucky You Are" and "Perfect Day" failed to replicate the success of their debut amid evolving British music trends and diminishing mainstream rock popularity. Parlophone dropped them from their roster, though they maintained a contract in Japan.
In 1997, Skin completed their third album Big Fat Slice of Life exclusively for the Japanese market and independently released a two-track single "Degeneration" through their fan club. Their fourth studio effort Experience Electric, released via Snapper Music, was an updated version of the Japanese release featuring reworked tracks; it topped indie charts at number one. The band toured extensively while promoting the album and sought deals with US labels, including discussions with industry figure Jonathan King. Following this period, they announced a farewell tour in 1998.
Their final show at London’s LA2 venue was captured as the double live album Hasta La Vista, Baby! on Reef Records (a Snapper Music imprint). After disbanding, unofficial releases emerged containing rare demos intended for a potential fifth UK album. Notably, both Experience Electric and Hasta La Vista, Baby! were briefly issued in North America without the band's consent.
After a lengthy break, Skin declared a reunion for the Download Festival in 2009 accompanied by warm-up concerts in London and Wolverhampton; an acoustic performance at Pontypridd Muni Hall marked nearly eleven years since their split. The London show sold out rapidly, leading to an additional date being added.
Following positive reception at Download Festival, Skin fully reassembled for a second tour and released Up Close and Personal, an acoustic record revisiting classic tracks alongside two new songs: "Re-United" and "Redemption". They also launched Reunited, a DVD chronicling their comeback. Skin returned to Download Festival in 2010 performing both acoustic and electric sets.
In August 2010, Skin issued their new studio album Breaking The Silence exclusively through their website to favorable reviews. The band announced another breakup following a farewell tour in December 2010 but played their final concert at London’s High Voltage Festival in July 2011 alongside headliners Judas Priest, Dream Theater, and Jethro Tull.
Skin reunited once more to support Little Angels on their 2012 UK tour. Scheduled to appear at Download Festival in February 2013, Neville MacDonald departed for personal reasons before the event. Drummer Dicki Fliszar later confirmed that Skin had permanently dissolved. Myke Gray continued his career as a studio musician and songwriter—including co-writing Right Said Fred's hit "You're My Mate"—and also pursued work as a personal fitness trainer.
Members
- Neville MacDonald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1992–1998, 2009–2011, 2012–2013)
- Myke Gray – lead guitar, backing vocals (1992–1998, 2009–2011, 2012–2013)
- Andy Robbins – bass guitar, backing vocals (distinct from Andy Robbins of Holy Soldier) (1992–1998, 2009–2011, 2012–2013)
- Dicki Fliszar – drums, backing vocals (1992–1998, 2009–2011, 2012–2013)
- Colin McLeod – keyboards, synthesizers, organ, piano (1994–1996, 2009–2011, 2012–2013)
Studio albums
- Skin (1994) – reached No. 9 on the UK charts
- Lucky (1996) – peaked at No. 38 in the UK
- Big Fat Slice of Life (1997)
- Experience Electric (1997) – attained UK chart position No. 72
- Up Close and Personal (2009)
- Breaking the Silence (2010)
Live albums
- Absolutely Live at the Borderline (1995)
- Hasta la Vista, Baby! (1998)
Video albums
- A Big Fat Slice of Live (1998)
- Skin Reunited (2009)
- Alive & Kicking (2010)
EPs
- The Skin Up (1993) – reached No. 67 on the UK singles chart
- The Money (1994) – achieved UK chart position No. 18
- Look But Don't Touch (1993) – peaked at No. 33 in the UK
- Redemption (2010)
Singles
- "Elected" (1992) – featuring Rowan Atkinson and Bruce Dickinson, reached No. 9 in the UK
- "House of Love" (1994) – peaked at UK No. 45
- "Tower of Strength" (1994) – attained UK chart position No. 19
- "Take Me Down to the River" (1995) – reached No. 26 in the UK
- "How Lucky You Are" (1996) – UK chart position No. 32
- "Perfect Day" (1996) – peaked at UK No. 33
- "Degeneration" (1998)
- "Stronger" (2010)
Fanclub albums
- For Your Ears Only (1998)
- Skinny Dipping (1999)
- Lost and Found (1999)