Lead singer wants group to bow out in the Highland city he has come to love
Iconic punk band aim to play their last gig in Inverness

By susan welsh
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1572383

Published: 22/01/2010

Legendary punk band The Skids are re-forming only to play their last gig – in Inverness.

Lead singer Richard Jobson revealed exclusively to the Press and Journal that he chose the Highland capital because of his long-standing love of the city.

It’s not the first time Mr Jobson, who has gone on to achieve fame in other fields, including as a film director, has put the city in the spotlight.

Last year the world premiere of his sex trafficking docu-drama, The Journey, with Emma Thomson, was held at Inverness Film Festival, and this spring he will shoot scenes for his latest movie, Helter Skelter, in the hills above Loch Ness.

In March, he is being honoured as part of The Fifer Festival, a week of events celebrating and showcasing his illustrious career, which culminates in a Skids reunion at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline.

Mr Jobson said: “The Dunfermline gig is pretty much sold out, so I’d been requested to do a couple of other shows.

“As I’ve become a big pal of Inverness, I said I’d do it, but only if we could play there.

“I’ve been coming here for years and love the city.

“The people are quite laid back and gentle and it has a vibrant arts and music scene.

“On our last visit my wife and I looked for locations for Helter Skelter, and were blown away by the scenery.

“We’ll be filming on the hills surrounding Loch Ness, with some scenes at the Falls of Foyers as it’s a spectacular location,” said Mr Jobson.

Helter Skelter tells the story of two men carrying out a deadly duel across Highland hills and calls for some dramatic landscapes.

Reforming The Skids was something he thought long and hard about before agreeing to. The Dunfermline-band, which were at the forefront of the punk movement, was founded in 1977 by the late Stuart Adamson.

After having a string of hits such as, Into the Valley and Working for the Yankee Dollar, the band split, but reformed last year to play a one-off gig for the Homecoming Event in Glasgow.

“It felt good to be singing again, and the songs still sounded relevant, so it wasn’t just another heritage concert,” said Mr Jobson.

The Skids will play the Ironworks, Academy Street, Inverness, on Sunday, March 7, with tickets going on sale on Monday, January 25.

“There are so many other things happening in my life this will definitely be the last time The Skids play, but it won’t be the last time I’m in Inverness,” said Mr Jobson.