Skin Alley

Skin Alley were a British progressive rock combo, that existed from 1968 to 1974 and was founded by Thomas Crimble and Alvin Pope. They are best known for their track "Living in Sin". The band was formed in the autumn of 1968 in London. Skin Alley had endured a series of line-up changes until spring 1969 when they settled down with Bob James (vocals, guitar, flute, saxophone, mellotron), Thomas Crimble (vocals, bass), Krzysztof Juskiewicz (vocals, keyboards, mellotron) and Alvin Pope (drums, percussion). With their innovative and fascinated hybrid of rock, jazz, folk and blues influences the group attracted the attention of Clearwater Productions, a West London's new agency specialising in underground music with acts such as High Tide, Cochise and Trees. After several free concerts, as a custom of the London underground of the time, they were noticed by BBC DJ John Peel, who invited them to record a session for his Radio One show "Top Gear". In late 1969 Skin Alley signed to CBS and in November recorded their debut album produced by Dick Taylor (Pretty Things). It was issued in March 1970. During the recording of the 2nd effort in the summer of 1970 Thomas Crimble left to join Hawkwind and was replaced by former Atomic Rooster bassist and flautist Nick Graham. Short afterwards Skin Alley recorded on commission a soundtrack to a film about the German fashion model Veruschka, entitled "Stop Veruschka". It recorded in November 1970, the sessions never became an album because of a failure of the film's release. However in early 1971 was released in Italy a movie "Veruschka - Poesia Di Una Donna" directed by Franco Rubartelli with the soundtrack composed by Ennio Morricone. The results of Skin Alley's summer of recording sessions were released in December 1970 as the album "To Pagham And Beyond". Despite favourable press reviews the sales remained at the debut level. At the beginning of 1971 CBS dropped the band. The drummer Alvin Pope departed to be replaced by ex-Bronx Cheer member Tony Knight. The presence at various prominent gigs in 1971-72 secured them a new recording contract with the independent label Transatlantic Records. In October 1972 it was issued their 3rd album "Two Quid Deal ?". The album came to attention of the legendary US soul label Stax who purchased the license for the American market, making become Skin Alley the 1st white non-American act to be signed to the label. Consequently, a series of live dates in US followed in May 1973 and also a 4th and final album "Skintight" with a sound more funky and commercial. "Skintight" was released in November 1973 and sold poorly. In early 1974 the band disbanded.