Skids - Days In Europa (2001 Captain Oi! release)

Skids were punk on their debut, but were fronted by a glass-chewing vocalist who dressed alternately as a dandy, cricketer, and marionette member of S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M. It was all rather incomprehensible. But the riffs were good. This time the rhythm section is better (Mike Baillie and Russell Webb had stepped in), and Bill Nelson's production also helps matters. But just what is he like, that Richard Jobson? Here Jobson indulges all his WWII fantasies and somehow convinces his label to release the most Teutonic cover ever. It's 1936 and we're in Berlin. The Nazis are about to inaugurate the Summer Olympics. It's the absolute game they're playing; just that no-one else yet knows how far they are going to take it. Other questionable decisions are made. Synthetic guitar boffin Bill Nelson is brought in to put giant phasers on the drums, everything else goes through the Eventide, then generous reverb. Dance sequencers pulse as though the group was called "Japan". Guitars are run backwards. In one brilliant move an entire song is run backwards! However, there was considerable compensation in the inclusion of the singles "Animation," "Charade," and, in particular, "Working for the Yankee Dollar."

Is this the basis for a stompin' rock album? Well, yes, apparently it is. This is a rock album with a rather unusual aesthetic.

The result is so extreme that the label had to remix the record, clad it in more fashionable garb, and re-issue it before someone noticed.

But this version is fucking amazing.

The 2001 Captain Oi! reissue of Days in Europa marks a definitive historical restoration of the Skids’ sophomore 1979 album. This specific UK release (Catalog Number: AHOY CD 172) famously reinstated the original, highly controversial sleeve artwork featuring an Aryan-style Olympic athlete. Virgin Records had quickly suppressed this original cover in 1979 due to its uncomfortable resemblance to pre-WWII German propaganda posters, replacing it with a tamer band portrait for a 1980 Bruce Fairbairn remix version. By restoring the original Bill Nelson production mix alongside the intended visual design, the 2001 CD allowed fans to experience the album exactly as the Scottish post-punk pioneers had first envisioned it.

Beyond aesthetics, this expanded edition greatly increases information and musical value by appending seven bonus tracks onto the original ten-song lineup. Listeners receive essential contemporary single releases, B-sides, and rarities, including "Masquerade", "Another Emotion", and "Vanguard's Crusade". While purists note a minor historical oversight—the included version of "Out of Town" is actually the 1980 re-recording from The Absolute Game rather than the 1979 single version—the release remains highly praised. It successfully captures the transition of the Skids from raw punk rock into a more polished, synth-infused new wave art rock sound.

The 2001 Captain Oi! reissue of Days in Europa stands as an essential historical restoration of the Skids’ sophomore 1979 album. This specific UK release (AHOY CD 172) famously reinstated the original, highly controversial sleeve artwork featuring an Aryan-style Olympic athlete. Virgin Records had quickly suppressed this visual design in 1979 due to its uncomfortable resemblance to pre-WWII German propaganda posters, subsequently replacing it with a tamer band portrait for a 1980 Bruce Fairbairn remix version. By restoring both the striking original cover art and Bill Nelson’s sharp, original production mix, this CD allows listeners to experience the album exactly as the Scottish post-punk pioneers originally intended.

Musically, the album captures a fascinating artistic evolution as the band transitioned from the raw punk energy of their debut toward a more polished, synth-infused new wave sound. Guitarist Stuart Adamson’s signature, soaring guitar style blends beautifully with Bill Nelson’s sophisticated studio textures, creating a sweeping sonic landscape that was far ahead of its time. Richard Jobson’s dramatic, martial vocals anchor tracks like "Animation" and "Charade," infusing the music with a sense of grandeur and literate ambition. The rhythmic drive of the title track and "Working For The Yankee Dollar" showcases a band completely unafraid to experiment with danceable rhythms and art-rock sensibilities.

This expanded 2001 edition significantly enhances the album's value by appending seven bonus tracks onto the original ten-song lineup. Listeners are treated to essential contemporary single releases, B-sides, and rarities, including "Masquerade", "Another Emotion", and "Vanguard's Crusade". While purists note a minor historical oversight—the included version of "Out of Town" is actually the 1980 re-recording from The Absolute Game rather than the original 1979 single version—the bonus material successfully builds a comprehensive sonic diary of the band's most creative era. The inclusion of the "Aftermath Dub" further highlights their willingness to push the boundaries of the traditional post-punk format.

Ultimately, Captain Oi! delivered a stellar package that remains highly praised by post-punk enthusiasts and collectors alike. It rescues a misunderstood masterpiece from the shadow of its original marketing controversy, contextualising it as a pivotal bridge to 1980s alternative rock. The remastering breathes new life into Nelson's bright production, ensuring that Adamson’s anthemic guitar work sounds as powerful and influential as ever. For anyone looking to understand the roots of melodic, widescreen guitar rock, this specific reissue remains a vital and rewarding piece of musical history.

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Skids; Days In Europa

1.      Animation

2.      Charade

3.      Dulce et Decorum Est

4.      Pros And Cons

5.      Home Of The Saved

6.      Working For The Yankee Dollar

7.      The Olympian

8.      Thantos

9.      A Day In Europa

10.   Peaceful Times

11.   Masquerade

12.   Out Of Town

13.   Another Emotion

14.   Aftermath Dub

15.   Grey Parade

16.   Working For The Yankee Dollar (Single Version)

17.   Vanguards Crusade