Band History
Rogues' Gallery / Archive
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.
Looking Forward
After Nick's passing there was inevitable soul-searching as to whether SKP should fold. However, Nick has stated that he wanted SKP to continue and by this time Paul had learned dozens of songs to the high SKP standard and had established a good rapport with Doug and Kev, both musically and as band-mates.
It was decided to continue.
Paul's playing style is inevitably different to that of the inimitable Nick and there was some readjustment to do but a reborn SKP hit the road in late 2016 to considerable acclaim ... only to hit another brick wall.
In May 2017 Kev started a course of treatment for a long-standing illness and SKP had another rethink. We decided to continue with stand-in drummers. Firstly, young Neemah Wright and then later Bob Johnson stepped in whilst Kev completed his treatment and recovery.
Both Neemah and Bob were outstandingly good and we are very grateful for their tremendous skill and dedication.
By mid 2017 Kev was back on the drum throne and rebuilding his fitness.
The latter part of 2017 saw SKP go from strength to strength with some absolutely blistering gigs and great appreciation wherever we play.
It's early days but with recent upgrades to the drums, bass rig and stage lighting, and with a new PA system in the pipeline, 2018 looks set to be a good-un!
Der Boyz!
Old photos from the archives - just to remind you how beautiful we were...
Nick King
Doug Tait
Kev Gibbons
"Hello Glastonbury!" Er, Hang on. Ok, try again: "Hello Caterham!"
Timewarp! Ladies, you know what to do...
Nick
Hairy Drummist
Canning Road: Sparky!
Canning Road: Deffo The Blues Brothers
The Sennheiser AKH-22 Nose Mike Never Really Caught-On
Canning Road: Sparky
Perfect Labelling
Kev - Yay!
Job Well Done! NYE 2014 at the Old Surrey Hounds
Canning Road: Sooo Young!
The Official SKP Fan-Club! Alison, Caroline, Tanya
The Three Amigos
Canning Road: The Man Himself
Nick - Doug - Kev
Doug
In the Studio - 1st Album
Doug's Wedding
Giving it the beans at Doug's Wedding
It's that Fan-Club Again!
Doug
Doug and Steve - Youthful-Looks Competition
Canning Road: Doug
Canning Road: Note gearbox Grease on T-Shirt
Canning Road: Note gearbox Grease on T-Shirt2
Old Surrey Hounds - Jurassic Era
Old Surrey Hounds - Jurassic Era2
Old Surrey Hounds - Jurassic Era3
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We love having SKP play here. It's always such good fun!
How on earth do they play and sing like that? The bass player Rocks!
What amazed me was the sheer variety of music that SKP play. A real breath of fresh air!
Thank YOU ALL for a great night - the best yet! Lots of fun and great music! Still can't believe the Donna Summer segue!
Well done lads - you've made a lot of friends here!
You guys really rocked the joint! We had a great time.