Skinny Lister - Exciting Folk Punk at the Bristol Fleece!!!

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Folk Punk that turns it up to eleven

Skinny Lister first formed in 2009 in South London and have been going from strength to strength ever since, selling out countless venues all over the country. With lead vocalists Lorna and Dan (along with the rest of the band to be fair) possibly having some of the most energy I think I have ever seen from an act in quite a long time. In fact, I think Lorna spent almost as much time dancing with the crowd as she did on the crowded stage of The Fleece in Bristol.

The stage isn’t the only part of the venue that’s crowded either, with pretty much all the tickets having been sold and everyone packing into the front of the stage. For those that have not seen them before, Skinny Lister live is more of an experience than a simple gig. But I am pleased to say that it is always a positive one, pretty much from the moment they start, to the end you can’t help but feel energised and up for pretty much anything.

Their new alum is called ‘Shanty Punk’ and that’s a pretty good description of their music, with tight shanty like harmonies and some full-on Folk Punk that I am sure the recently departed Shane McGowan would have been proud to have been part of. If truth be told, I am sure he would have been happy to hand the Folk Punk mantle over to these, verging on crazy, but insanely addictive musicians. So it is nice that they play tribute to him tonight, with a cover of his Christmas classic 'Fairytale in New York'.

It is a bit of a family affair, with Lorna being married to Dan and her brother Max also on squeezebox duty. Also, tonight she was joined by Dad (Party) George for the song he wrote and sang ‘William Harker’. Their party piece, if you like, is their version of the traditional Folk tune ‘John Kanaka’ (Fisherman's Friend) with the refrain “Too rye Ay” come loudly from both stage and floor alike.

Other notable moments include being joined by two of the Longest Johns, a Bristol based shanty band, for ‘Damn the Amsterdam’ also joining them on stage was the famous flagon of unknown liquid. Having made a post Covid return to the set, people free to partake or not of course. The whole set feels like we are being conducted to have a party together, even slightly more laid back songs like ‘Colours’ are almost being conducted by the band to crowd for a mass sing along.

This is something I have always noticed in this genre, Frank Turner being similar, Folk Punk acts have very committed fans, it seems as if nearly everyone in the room knows every lyric to every song. They race through about 20 songs in just over an hour with familiar tracks like ‘Trouble on Oxford Street’ and ‘This is War’ making an appearance nearer the end. All too soon is over. We’re all excited, breathless and hoarse from singing, but can’t wait until they come back next time.

Review by Jon Cooper and Photos by Steve Owen (Icarus Photography)

Skinny Lister - Setlist
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Wanted
George's Glass
Tragedy in a Minor
Rattle and Roar
Unto the Breach
Colours
Cathy
William Harker
Arm wrestling in Dresden
Mantra
Geordie Lad
Damn the Amsterdam
Bold as Brass
John Kanaka (Fisherman's Friend Cover)
Rollin' Over 
This is War
What can I Say
Company of the Bar
Trouble on Oxford Street
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Fairytale of New York
Six Whiskies

Check Out! the Video for 'Damn the Amsterdam' Feat. The Longest Johns' Below...