Tim Skold: Then and Now

Before there was Crashdiet...

Before there was Vains of Jenna...
Before there was Hardcore Superstar...

There was Shotgun Messiah. Formally Kingpin, the band moved from Sweden to Los Angeles in the early 1980s and changed their name to Shotgun Messiah. From the beginning, bassist Tim Skold was the star of the band, but he wasn't the original singer -- that was reserved for Zinny J. Zan.

After the debut, Zinny J. Zan left the band and Tim Skold took over singing duties. It was during this era that the band released the album Second Coming. After this album, the band -- and especially Tim Skold -- moved in a more industrial direction. A handful of years later, Skold found himself working with Taime Downe of The Newlydeads, and later in his current gig with Marilyn Manson.

Here's the most successful single from Second Coming: "Heartbreak Blvd."

Now, I ask you: how does such a beautiful, blonde man chop his hair and decide to go goth? Is Skold chasing trends, or is this another example of true musical evolution?

Tim Skold never had a glam voice in the vein of Sebastian Bach or even Bret Michaels. Rather, he was always more closely aligned with Taime Downe. Perhaps the gritty voice opened the doors for a successful industrial - and later - goth career?

For my money, Tim Skold did his best work with Shotgun Messiah, but that doesn't mean I don't think he's a talented musician. In fact, he's a great producer and he can play multiple instruments. Plus, there are some good qualities to Marilyn Manson, but it's just not my cup of tea.

Here's Tim Skold with Marilyn Manson:"This is The New Shit" from the album The Golden Age of Grotesque.

So, do you prefer Tim Skold with Shotgun Messiah or Marilyn Manson?

Comments

[danny]

It's good that he has released Skold vs KMFDM. This will build up his brand (Skold) and make it easier for him to release new records.
If only he could realize that he needs to get Harry Cody back in the production. I don't know what happend between those two guys (Skold and Cody), if they are still friend or not.
But I do know this, both of them are desperate for making a living on music, brining in the monthly salary, paying their bills.
Then why not take the Skold brand and mix it up with some vampires (twilight etc), some quality input from Harry Cody, and some smart marketing...
The fans are out there.
Yes you need some PAMF or LIVING WITHOUT YOU or SEX song, that is just that, an easy listening hit!!!
Do it with long term planning, with reachable objectives, step by step.
Shotgun Messiah were the best!!! But it's time for evolution....
SKOLD+CODY= SYNERGY

[Grant]

skold hasn't been on one project so far that i didnt like(that i know of) however i feel some of his best work is his solo album released in 96, along with kmfdm albums like symbols adios and attack and the mdfmk album. the mdfmk album was my first introduction to skold as an artist so i guess ill always enjoy that kmfdm sound a bit more than the rest.

[alilyinthevalley]

Shotgun Messiah was good, no argument there, but to say it is Tim's best work is to cut him off at the knees. It was a great start for him, but he only got better from there.

As a vocalist, he was far more impressive on his solo album Skold (and his stolen demo/promo Dead God) and with KMFDM/MDFMK (Anarchy, Missing Time, Torpedoes and Skold vs KMFDM are all fine examples). His work with Manson on both guitar and bass was also great and I think with songs like Putting Holes in Happiness and Just a Car Crash Away, Tim proved that you don't have to shred to be an amazing guitarist. I listen to those two songs on a regular basis, not because of Manson, but because of Tim's guitar.

He's a superb musician, no matter how you slice, dice or cut it, really. His new solo album should be a real treat.

Here's to another round, Tim!