The Skiff Skats were a North London band, founded by brothers Robert and Pete 'Pigmeat' Smith. They played just about every London venue and appeared on the Old Grey Whistle Test and Tonight. Their style was Hillbilly/Country played frantically and enthusiastically. The band released an album and a single throughout their time. After the band split, Roberts brother Pete went on to have a career as a blues guitarist, but sadly passed away in 1999. After the demise of the Skiff Skatts, Robert concentrated on his Landscape gardening business for a few years, before deciding on a radical career change. Robert took a law degree and qualified as a solicitor. In 2015, after much nagging by friends, Robert got the band together for a series of reunion gigs, the highlight being at The 100 Club, where they were joined on stage by a whole bunch of well known London musicians including members of Madness. In 2019, Robert sadly died of cancer.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was enthusiastic about the band's music in the mid-80's and saw them perform at the No Work All Play Event in 1984 at Kirkby Town Football Club. He had the group do two sessions for his shows.
Sessions[]
SKIFF SKATS John Peel 16th May 1984
1. Recorded: 1984-05-16. First Broadcast: 23 May 1984. Repeated: 07 June 1984, 16 July 1984
- Cripple Creek / Hickory-Holler / Long Tall Texan / Maybelline / Jingle-Night Time Radio One (Parody Of 'Relax')
2. Recorded: 1985-02-12 First Broadcast: 26 February 1985. Repeated: 18 March 1985
- Split Personality / Hill Billy Boogie / Glendale Train / Barefoot Nelly
Other Shows Played[]
- 1985
- 09 January 1985: Cripple Creek (Cassette – Raging Spool) NME
- 23 January 1985: Cripple Creek (v/a cassette album - Raging Spool) New Musical Express
- 28 January 1985 (BBC World Service): Cripple Creek (v/a cassette album - Raging Spool) New Musical Express
- JG Tape 6 Peel February April 1985: Romp & Stomp (album - Skiff Skat Stuff) Making Waves
- 13 March 1985: Barefoot Nellie (album - Skiff Skat Stuff) Making Waves