THE SKIDS Scared To Dance (Expanded)

CAROLINE 7/10 Dunfermline punks’ underrated debut Though the reputation of the Dunfermline punk band headed by singer Richard Jobson and guitarist Stuart Adamson (later of Big Country) was boosted when U2 and Green Day covered “The Saints Are Coming” in 2006, their influence is under-appreciated. Crudely speaking, Adamson invented U2; check the pealing guitar on “Of One Skin”. The Skids’ debut, released in 1978, catches them evolving from the pure punk energy of the early single “Charles”. This 3CD set includes a disc of demos, highlighting the influence of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band producer Dave Batchelor on the finished album. He extends the theatricality of the songs, and gives Adamson the freedom to move beyond crude riffing. The singles are the highlights, notably “Sweet Suburbia” and “Into The Valley”, a condensed spiral of punk-pop energy. Jobson’s lyrics are often obtuse, but he has a way with a yobbish chorus, and there’s no denying the pure power of the group on the fine live disc (from the Marquee, London, November 1, 1978). The show includes the first outing for “Into The Valley” and its triumphant B-side, the absurd anthem “TV Stars”, a riotous tribute to Coronation Street’s Albert Tatlock. Extras: None.