Review | Skinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea: 'Family, friends and booze. What more could you need?'

Skinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul WindsorSkinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul Windsor
Skinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul Windsor
SKINNY Lister were last in these parts when they played a barnstorming set at Wickham Festival back in the summer.

Since then there have been some amicable personnel changes – bringing in super-sub Tom Hillsdon full-time on the drum stool, and Sam Brace departing on guitar– so they've slimmed from a six to five-piece.

With the loss of a second guitarist, yes, they sound slightly different, but it doesn’t diminish what’s on offer.

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From the off, they set out their stall with Wanted – lively folk-punk with singalong choruses and a band determined to have a good time and drag everyone – quite willingly as it seems – with them.

Skinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul WindsorSkinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul Windsor
Skinny Lister at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, on December 1, 2022. Picture by Paul Windsor

Singer/guitarist Dan Heptinstall and Lorna Thomas trade lead vocals, while Max Thomas is a lively figure on melodeon and mandolin, and double-bassist Scott Milsom is prone to swinging the enormous instrument over his head. The energy level is rarely than volcanic.

Geordie Boy, an ode to a dearly missed friend, is on this occasion renamed Pompey Boy and dedicated to old pal of the band, local musician/producer, Tristan Ivemy.

Lorna and Max's dad 'Party’ George is in the house and comes on stage to help sing a song of his own, William Harker. It’s clear to see the apples didn’t fall far from the tree, as musicians or in their outgoing disposition, and dad milks his moment for all he’s got to huge cheers.

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Family – as in blood-relations and in the wider community sense – has always been important to the band, and the ballad-like Bonny’s Eyes, dedicated to Dan and Lorna’s toddler daughter is a touching moment.

We also get a smattering of new songs – Arm Wrestling in Dresden is a great addition to their tradition of songs on Germany-based drinking mishaps.

Company of The Bar is another newie, and in pre-Covid times may have been the point where the band passed their famed flagon of rum around the audience. Now, Lorna brings a tray of shots to the front row instead, which all vanish in seconds.

They finish the set with encores Hamburg Drunk (Germany and boozing again!) and a pleasingly chaotic Six Whiskies, which sees support acts, Tom Jenkins and Berries, plus Party George joining in. It’s a fitting finale combining, family, friends and booze. What more could you need?

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