Skin (musician)

Last updated

Skin
OBE
Skin Eska Music Awards.jpg
Skin at the 2011 Eska Music Awards
Background information
Birth nameDeborah Ann Dyer [1]
Born (1967-08-03) 3 August 1967 (age 56)
Origin Brixton, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1994–present
Labels
Website skinmusic.net

Deborah Anne Dyer OBE (born 3 August 1967), known mononymously by the stage name Skin and often erroneously as the name of her band Skunk Anansie, is a British singer, songwriter, and electronic music DJ. She is the lead vocalist of British rock band Skunk Anansie, a band often grouped as part of the Britrock movement in the UK, and has gained attention for her powerful, wide-ranging soprano voice and striking look.

Contents

In 2015, she joined the judging panel of the Italian version of the talent show The X Factor for one season, and in 2016 she was on the cover of the UK lesbian magazine Diva. After releasing new music and touring with Skunk Anansie, in 2018 Skin was featured as one of the cover stars of Classic Rock magazine's special "She Rocks" issue and was honoured with the Inspirational Artist Award at the Music Week Awards ahead of celebrating 25 years of Skunk Anansie. She also appeared on the cover of Kerrang! magazine in November 2018.

Mavis Bayton, author of Frock Rock, stated that "women like Skin, Natacha Atlas, Yolanda Charles, and Debbie Smith are now acting as crucial role models for future generations of black women". [2]

Early life

Deborah Ann Dyer was born on 3 August 1967 in Brixton, London, to Jamaican parents. Her father was in the Royal Air Force and later worked on oil rigs. Her mother was a nurse before taking a government position in the environmental department. She describes her parents as "very strict, very Jamaican". At the age of 6, she moved into a two-up two-down in Acre Lane, with her grandfather, who ran a nightclub in the basement, in which she mentions there was "always music and rum" and posters of Bob Marley and Muhammad Ali, which inspired her. As a child, she wanted to be a pianist. At the age of 14, she read Macbeth , later stating that she loved the "intricacy and complexity of Shakespeare's play". [3]

Skunk Anansie

After forming in 1994, the band released three albums, Paranoid & Sunburnt , [4] Stoosh [5] and Post Orgasmic Chill , which sold more than 4 million copies worldwide;[ citation needed ] their biggest hit was the single "Weak".[ citation needed ] The band disbanded in 2001, after which Skin embarked on a solo career, and reformed in 2009. As of 2019 they are still recording and touring. Skunk Anansie have been unapologetic in their reluctance to alter their substance or aesthetic to satisfy others around them since their inception in 1994. Their early singles established the tone. First, an anti-fascist anthem, Little Baby Swastikkka. The sequel, Selling Jesus, is a critical examination of organized religion and corporate avarice. The band hit it off right on, releasing six studio albums and touring with David Bowie, U2, and Lenny Kravitz. [6]

Solo career

Skin performing in 2003 Deborah Anne Dyer aka Skin.jpg
Skin performing in 2003

After Skunk Anansie split, Skin released her debut solo album Fleshwounds . The album was toned down from her Skunk Anansie days and did not gain the same acclaim from Skunk Anansie fans. She even ditched her trademark bald look and grew her hair into a boyish crop. While the album was not a massive success in the UK, two singles were released from it: "Trashed" and "Faithfulness". "Lost", a double A-side with "Getting Away with It", was a planned third single but was pulled shortly before release;[ citation needed ] promo CDs were sent out to radio stations but it received no airplay. Elsewhere in Europe the album's success was greater. For example, in Italy it peaked at number 6 in the album chart and in Germany at number 18.[ citation needed ]

After releasing Fleshwounds, Skin went on to perform various solo gigs around Europe. She was also support for the European leg of Robbie Williams' and Placebo's world tours.

Soon after touring she began to record her second album, Fake Chemical State , which was released for sale on 20 March 2006, preceded by new single "Just Let the Sun" two weeks earlier. The first single actually issued from this album was "Alone in My Room", a download-only track released on 7 November 2005. "Alone in My Room" was also the name given to Skin's first solo tour in two years, which commenced in Berlin in November 2005. For this album she shaved her head bald again, returning to the look she had in her Skunk Anansie days.

Skin's next solo outing was a small promotional "Fake Chemical State" tour. It started in Glasgow on 17 March 2006. She went on to perform many festivals around Europe including Rock Werchter in Belgium and the Southside/Hurricane festivals in Germany. She performed on the main stage at most of these festivals.

In February 2008, she announced that she was working with Timo Maas and Martin Buttrich on a side project called "Format-3". Her 2008 song "Tear Down These Houses" was released as a part of the soundtrack to Parlami d'Amore, directed by Silvio Muccino.

She sings in the opening musical piece "Renaissance", in Medici: Masters of Florence , a Netflix original series released in October 2016. [7]

Skin has always had a love of electronic music and she moved into the genre when her friend Damian Lazarus gave her a mixer in 2009. Going under the moniker D-Dyer she made her first steps into the DJ world which she has now been doing for the past decade. She plays Techno, Tech House and Minimal all over the world at classic venues such as Output in New York, Sound Nightclub in LA and Fabric in London.

In 2015 Skin collaborated with techno icon Nicole Moudaber and they released the Breed EP on Nicole's Mood Records. It features five tracks including "Don't Talk To Me I'm Dancing". In 2016 she DJ-ed at Carl Cox's Revolution in Ibiza, Coachella and also released Techno music under the guise of Juvenal through Mood Records.

In 2020, Skin participated in the UK version of The Masked Singer , appearing as Duck. Her identity was revealed in episode six, when she was eliminated. A memoir, It Takes Blood and Guts, co-written with Lucy O'Brien, was published by Simon & Schuster in September 2020. [8] [1] On 18 October 2020, Skin began presenting a Sunday-night radio show titled The Skin Show on Absolute Radio. [9]

Personal life

Skin graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Interior Architecture & Design from Teesside Polytechnic in 1989 and received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Teesside University in 2000. [10] Skin is openly queer. [11] In 2013, she entered into a civil partnership with Christiana Wyly, daughter of American billionaire Sam Wyly. [12] The couple split in 2015. In September 2020, Skin announced her engagement to Rayne Baron. [13] In June 2021, the couple announced they are expecting their first child. [14]

In January 2021, Skin assumed the role of Chancellor at Leeds Arts University in Leeds, England. [15]

Since the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum in 2016, Skin has talked against Brexit and its effect in terms of rise in racism, labour shortage and impoverishment of British culture in numerous interviews. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to music. [21]

After the results of the 2022 Italian election were announced, Skin said that she was disappointed that the Italian people voted for Giorgia Meloni and said that Italy was "sinking towards fascism" once again. [22]

Discography

Solo studio albums

Guest appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skunk Anansie</span> British rock band

Skunk Anansie are a British rock band whose members include Skin, Cass, Ace and Mark Richardson.

Little Angels were an English hard rock band predominantly active between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The band reformed on 8 June 2012 to play the Download Festival.

<i>Paranoid & Sunburnt</i> 1995 studio album by Skunk Anansie

Paranoid & Sunburnt is the debut studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1995 via One Little Indian Records. It was re-released in 2005 with a DVD featuring the videos to the singles. This album was recorded with the band's original drummer, Robbie France, but he is not featured on the cover. The album, featuring a mix of controversial protest songs, peaked at number 8 in the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Stoosh</i> 1996 studio album by Skunk Anansie

Stoosh is the second studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, released on 7 October 1996.

<i>Post Orgasmic Chill</i> 1999 studio album by Skunk Anansie

Post Orgasmic Chill is the third studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1999. Two album covers exist: the European version with the band lounging in an oceanside apartment, and the American version with the band standing on the Atlantic City boardwalk. It was a complete departure from their previous two albums, which had elements of punk rock and alternative rock, towards a new harder sound with elements of hard rock and alternative metal. It took eleven years for the group to release their next album, Wonderlustre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army of Me</span> 1995 single by Björk

"Army of Me" is a song by Icelandic musician Björk for her second studio album, Post (1995). It was released on 24 April 1995 by One Little Indian as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Björk and Graham Massey, who helped her in producing and writing the majority of her third album. Lyrically, the song was inspired by the damaging behavior of Björk's brother, and in the lyrics she tells him to stand up to regain control of his life. It was well received by music critics, who noted its darkness compared to her other material. "Army of Me" was a commercial success her first single Björk to enter the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Richardson (musician)</span> British musician

Mark Richardson is an English drummer, known for being a member of the English rock group Skunk Anansie and formerly of Little Angels and Feeder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skunk Anansie discography</span>

The discography of Skunk Anansie, an English rock band, consists of six studio albums and twenty-four singles, including one re-issue. The band's members include Skin, Cass, Ace and Mark Richardson. The group formed in 1994 and disbanded in 2001; they re-united in 2009. Skunk Anansie are named after the West African folk tales of Anansi the Spider-man, with "Skunk" added to "make the name nastier".

Skin is the lead singer of Skunk Anansie and a solo artist. She has released two albums as a solo artist and featured on several other artists albums. For Skunk Anansie's full discography, see Skunk Anansie discography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faithfulness (song)</span> 2003 single by Skin

"Faithfulness" is a song by Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin, released in September 2003 as the second single from her debut solo album Fleshwounds. It reached No. 17 in Italy and in Spain, No. 64 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 99 in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can Dream</span> 1995 single by Skunk Anansie

"I Can Dream" is a song by British rock band Skunk Anansie, released as their second single in June 1995. The song was taken from their debut album, Paranoid & Sunburnt (1995), and reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart. The CD single features two B-sides and a live recording of "Little Baby Swastikkka".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weak (Skunk Anansie song)</span> 1996 single by Skunk Anansie

"Weak" is a song by British rock band Skunk Anansie, released as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Paranoid & Sunburnt (1995), on 15 January 1996. The song is one of Skunk Anansie's well known releases, and often a favourite at festivals. Skin performs a slower, more ballad-like version at many of her solo gigs. The song has also been covered by Rod Stewart on his 1998 album, When We Were the New Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want (Skunk Anansie song)</span> 1996 single by Skunk Anansie

"All I Want" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as the first single from their second album, Stoosh. It was released in September 1996 and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twisted (Everyday Hurts)</span> 1996 single by Skunk Anansie

"Twisted (Everyday Hurts)" is a song by British rock Skunk Anansie, released as their second single from their second album, Stoosh (1996). It was released in November 1996, reaching number 26 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)</span> 1997 single by Skunk Anansie

"Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)" is a song by British rock group Skunk Anansie. It was released in January 1997 as a single from their second album, Stoosh (1996). The song reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in February 2019 for sales and streams exceeding 200,000. It also proved to be a top-10 hit in the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. In Iceland, the song peaked at number one. It is regarded as one of Skunk Anansie's most known singles and was a popular choice at concerts. Skin performs a version of the song at many of her solo gigs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Big Potato</span> 1999 single by Skunk Anansie

"Charlie Big Potato" is the first single taken from British rock band Skunk Anansie's third studio album, Post Orgasmic Chill (1999). The single came after the band switched record labels moving away from the independent label One Little Indian onto Virgin Records. It was released on 1 March 1999, almost two years after their previous single. The reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Len Arran</span>

Len Arran is an English composer of film scores, and songwriter for Skunk Anansie and solo artist Deborah Dyer (Skin).

<i>Wonderlustre</i> 2010 studio album by Skunk Anansie

Wonderlustre is the fourth studio album by the British rock band Skunk Anansie. It was the band's first full studio album since Post Orgasmic Chill in 1999. It was released on 13 September 2010 in Europe on V2 Records, earMUSIC and Carosello Records and was preceded by the single "My Ugly Boy", which was released on 16 August 2010. The album is available digitally, as a single CD, a 2 CD tour edition set, a CD/DVD digipack and as a 12" double LP.

<i>Black Traffic</i> 2012 studio album by Skunk Anansie

Black Traffic is a fifth studio album by English alternative rock band Skunk Anansie. It was released on 17 September 2012 through 100% Records, earMUSIC and Carosello Records. The first single from the album is "I Believed in You" which is about people being disappointed in their politicians.

<i>Anarchytecture</i> 2016 studio album by Skunk Anansie

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References

  1. 1 2 Chandler, Mark (3 February 2020). "Simon & Schuster scoops Skunk Anansie star Skin's debut memoir". The Bookseller. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  2. ↑ Bayton, Mavis (1998). Frock Rock: Women Performing Popular Music . Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.  191. ISBN   0-19-816615-X.
  3. ↑ Philby, Charlotte (7 November 2009). "My Secret Life: Skin, singer, 42". The Independent . Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  4. ↑ "Skunk Anansie – Paranoid & Sunburnt". Discogs. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Stoosh – Skunk Anansie". Genius. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ↑ Segalov, Michael (6 September 2020). "Skin: 'I refused to play the game'". theguardian.com. Daily Guardian. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  7. ↑ Giangrasso, Caterina (5 October 2016). "I Medici – ecco la sigla scritta da Paolo Buonvino con Skin". Cinematographe (in Italian). Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  8. ↑ "It Takes Blood and Guts Hardcover – 24 Sept 2020". Amazon (company) . Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Skunk Anansie lead singer Skin joins Absolute Radio". 30 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "Musical Link for Two Teesside Graduates". Teesside University. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  11. ↑ Romano, Tricia (30 November 1995). "Skin and no bones about it". The Online Daily of University of Washington. The University of Washington Student Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 February 2007.
  12. ↑ Gubbins, Teresa (9 April 2018). "Kimbal Musk and Wyly heiress celebrate wedding at Dallas restaurant". CultureMap. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  13. ↑ "Skin annuncia il matrimonio con la fidanzata Ladyfag: "È ciò che ho sempre voluto"". Huffington Post (Italian edition). 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "Skin and Ladyfag are expecting a baby: Soon we will be three". Italy24 News Entertainment. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "Leeds Arts University announces Skin as its first Chancellor | Leeds Arts University". www.leeds-art.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Pingitore, Silvia (10 July 2021). "Skunk Anansie's Skin: a politically incorrect interview". the-shortlisted.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Skunk Anansie's Skin: "Racism has grown since Trump came to power and the U.K. voted for Brexit"". NME. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  18. ↑ "Skunk Anansie's Skin: "Brexit Is A Disaster"". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  19. ↑ Griffin, Louise (20 October 2020). "Skunk Anansie's Skin says 'racism has grown' since Trump was elected and Brexit". Metro. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  20. ↑ October 2020, Paul Brannigan19 (19 October 2020). "Racism has grown since Trump came to power and the UK voted for Brexit, says Skunk Anansie's Skin". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 15 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "No. 63377". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2021. p. B11.
  22. ↑ [ dead link ]
  23. ↑ "Taratata". Mytaratata.com (in French). Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  24. ↑ "Mark Knight - Nothing Matters ft. Skin (youtube)" . Retrieved 2 November 2022– via YouTube.

Sources

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