That Name

Most people, understandably, assume that the band name comprises the first-name initials of the original band members: Steve, Keith and Pete, that kind of thing.

...and they are wrong.

The band name comes from the first gig that was played way back in 1988. It was at a mental institution in Tooting Bec.

The group, called "Someone Else's Dad" at the time (long story), were invited to play at a birthday party for one of the residents.

The gig was a success but, inevitably, a certain amount of gallows humour ensued from one of the attendants: "So you played a mental institution and they let you out?"

Our reply: "We must be escapees!"

Thus a band name was born and we have been SKP ever since.

Two further gigs ensued at mental institutions: Cane Hill and Nethern Hospital, both near Coulsdon in South London. It seemed "SKP" was the right choice. (Why three letters ? It made the T-shirts easier to print & read!)

The escapee theme
played a part in the
choice of title for
our first album:

Over the Wall.

Looking Back

The original band was a four-piece: Doug on Guitar, Sparky on keyboards, Nick on bass and Kev on drums. The idea of a band stemmed from Doug, Sparky and Nick wanting an excuse to continue their happy student days at Hatfield Polytechnic once their degree courses were complete.

Nick King

Nick was a central
core of the band for
more than 25 years.

It was a great
shock when in
2013 he was
diagnosed with
colon cancer.

Nick, suitably clad at a  Halloween Gig : The Old Surrey Hounds, Caterham.  Nov 01 2014

Nick wanted to play with SKP as long as possible; gigging with his band-mates was, for him, an essential part of his therapy.

However, to take pressure off Nick, Doug and Kev asked Paul Shearing to deputise on bass for those gigs where Nick either could not play or could not manage two sets - he and Paul would do one set each.

Nick passed away in May 2016 and his absence is still keenly felt by all of the band members. He was a remarkable man with an infectious sense of humour, a fabulous father of three, an amazing bass player and a great friend.

The ever-smiling Nick King enjoying a glass, surrounded by family and friends. A garden party at his home. 13 June 2015.