The Skids – Boy, Man & Soldier (1978–1981)
If you’ve followed Now Spinning Magazine for any length of time, you’ll know how much I enjoy diving back into the late ’70s and early ’80s—those wonderfully chaotic, creative years where punk evolved, splintered, and blossomed into something much broader. This time we’re heading north of the border to revisit The Skids, a band I remember vividly from my teens, even if—at the time—I didn’t fully appreciate just how special they were.
Demon Records have put together a new 5-CD set called Boy, Man & Soldier (Skids 1978–1981), bringing together the band’s classic albums, singles and B-sides, alternative mixes, and a crucial chapter of punk/new wave history.
The set comes housed in a slipcase—fairly typical of Demon/Edsel releases—with a fold-out panel design inside that holds the five discs. It’s similar to the Starus Quo Live and Gillan box sets in terms of layout. Each CD sits in a side-accessed pocket with the original album artwork nicely reproduced.
You also get a small booklet containing:
Black-and-white live photos
Single sleeve artwork
Track credits
Basic release information
However, the booklet includes no essay, no band history, no commentary, and no cultural context—which really is a missed opportunity. With a band like The Skids, whose influence ripples through punk, new wave and alternative rock (and includes Stuart Adamson, who would later form Big Country), a strong written overview would have transformed this into something far more archival and authoritative.
The packaging is perfectly serviceable, but the slipcase is on the thinner side. It’s fine on the shelf, but it may pick up wear over time.
The Music: Five Discs of Evolution, Energy and Innovation
Where this set truly shines is the music. And let’s be honest—that’s what really matters.
Each disc clocks in between 60 and 70 minutes, packed with bonus material, alternate mixes and B-sides. And I have to say: they sound thunderously brilliant. Here’s a look at the musical journey across the five discs.
CD 1 – Scared to Dance (1979) + Bonus Tracks
This is The Skids’ big bang. The punk classic. The one with Into the Valley—a song that everyone seems to know whether they realise it or not. Coming back to it in 2025, I was genuinely struck by the urgency and power of the album. It feels even more alive now than it did then.
Back in the day, teenage Phil was off seeing Yes and diving head-first into rock and the emerging New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Punk felt like something from “the other camp.” Hearing it now, that division seems absurd. The only difference really was haircuts and jumpers. Musically, the energy, riffs, melodic instincts and chord structures aren’t a million miles away.
This first disc is a riot—angry, clever, tuneful and filled with youthful fire.
CD 2 – Days in Europa (1979) – Bill Nelson Mix
This is where things start to shift. Bill Nelson (of Be-Bop Deluxe) mixed the original version, infusing it with a rawer, more adventurous edge. Nelson was famously pushing away from guitar-hero expectations at the time, heading toward Red Noise experimentation. His aesthetic fits the band surprisingly well.
The sequencing, tone and atmosphere are noticeably different from the later remix, which makes having both versions a real asset.
CD 3 – Days in Europa (1980) – Bruce Fairbairn Remix
The label later brought in Bruce Fairbairn—known for slick, polished rock productions—to remix the album for broader appeal. The result is cleaner, punchier and more commercially accessible, without losing the band’s identity.
This disc is not just a different mix—it has a different sequencing, a different feel, and different bonus tracks.
Both mixes are fascinating. Neither replaces the other; they simply illuminate two sides of where the band could have gone.
CD 4 – The Absolute Game (1980) + Strength Through Joy
Originally a double LP, The Absolute Game arrived with a bonus disc (Strength Through Joy), both of which are included here. Produced by Mick Glossop—another major name in rock production—this is The Skids at their most ambitious and expansive.
By this stage, the band were pushing into territory that was arguably more progressive than many of the rock bands of the era. Punk had evolved into new wave, and new wave was evolving into something richer, broader and more surprising.
CD 5 – Joy (1981)
Produced by Russell Webb, Joy sees the band travelling even further. Rhythmic, experimental, somewhat darker and more percussive, it completes the journey from raw punk to something far more nuanced.
Throughout all five discs, The Skids retain their identity, defiance and Scottish backbone—but the artistic development is remarkable.
If you’re a fan of The Skids, or you’re curious about this era—where punk collided with new wave and sparks flew—this is an excellent musical document. The remasters sound fantastic, the bonus tracks are generous, and having both mixes of Days in Europa is an absolute gift.
Criticisms?
Just two:
The slipcase is a bit flimsy for something calling itself a “deluxe” package.
The booklet desperately needed an essay or historical overview.
This era deserves storytelling, context, voices from the time, or even commentary from the surviving members. As it stands, the booklet feels incomplete.
But musically? Superb. Truly superb.
For fans, collectors, or those wanting a deep dive into the evolution of Scottish punk and new wave, this box set is a joy—no pun intended.
ORDER THE SKIDS CD BOX SET HERE
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
