Skids - Wide Open 12'' EP

Released by Virgin Records in October 1978, "Wide Open" is a highly collectible 12" red vinyl EP by the Scottish punk rock and new wave band Skids. The four-track release is anchored by its legendary lead track, "The Saints Are Coming"—an anthemic punk masterpiece later covered by U2 and Green Day in 2006—alongside the tracks "Of One Skin", "Night and Day", and "Contusion". Driven by Stuart Adamson's signature layered guitar work and Richard Jobson's passionate vocals, this 45 RPM maxi-single perfectly captures the band's transition from raw punk rock to a more sophisticated, driving post-punk sound.

The Skids’ 1978 Wide Open EP is a towering monument of the early post-punk era, masterfully bridging raw garage-punk energy with ambitious, stadium-sized songwriting. At the heart of this four-track release is the legendary "The Saints Are Coming," a blistering anthem defined by Stuart Adamson’s visionary, bagpipe-like guitar textures and Richard Jobson’s fiercely passionate vocal delivery. Supported by the propulsive rhythm section of William Simpson and Thomas Kellichan, the track transcends standard punk tropes, offering a haunting yet triumphant wall of sound. The song's companion on Side A, "Of One Skin," doubles down on this driving, rhythmic intensity, showcasing a young band brimming with urgency and sonic sophistication.

On the flip side, the EP shifts toward darker, more experimental territory, solidifying the Skids as pioneering architects of the emerging new wave scene. "Night and Day" introduces a brooding, atmospheric tension, while the angular rhythm of "Contusion" highlights Adamson’s ability to weave complex, interlocking guitar riffs into tightly wound punk structures. Presented on its iconic translucent red 12-inch vinyl, Wide Open is far more than a vehicle for a hit single; it is a cohesive, high-octane artistic statement. It perfectly captures a brief, magical moment in music history when punk rock broke its own rules to create something truly cinematic and enduring.

Ripped from the 12” red vinyl single to MP3 @ 320kbps
A1. The Saints Are Coming
A2. Of One Skin
B1.  Night And Day
B2.  Contusion