Beth Ditto, the lead singer of Gossip, has spoken about how she initially had reservations about her band’s song being used in the soundtrack of the cult UK TV show, Skins. The Soulwax remix of Gossip’s song ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ was used in the show’s advertising campaign and is included on the accompanying soundtrack album. Despite this, Ditto has confessed to never having seen the programme. During a recent interview with NME, she recounted that she was originally very reluctant to allow her band to become associated with the show, due in part to her confusion over the name ‘Skins’. She was worried the name referred to skinheads and was initially furious at the prospect of being associated with neo-Nazism. It was only later that she discovered the show was actually about teenagers.
When asked for her thoughts on the recent revival of the indie sleaze scene, Ditto confessed that it made her feel nostalgic. She likened the trend to the way the revival of punk in the ’90s revived interest in bands from the ’70s, like The Slits and The Raincoats. Gossip’s upcoming album, Real Power, is their first release in 11 years. In an interview with NME about the new record, Ditto also discussed the band’s breakup and subsequent reunion. The star was excited to be making music again, particularly as a part of the thriving indie scene.
The Skins soundtrack played a significant role in introducing Gossip to a wider audience. For a band whose reputation was built on their high-energy live shows, the Skins exposure led to a surge in popularity. The show itself, which ran from 2007 to 2013, focused on the lives of a group of teenagers in the UK. It was celebrated for its raw and honest portrayal of adolescence, tackling themes of sex, drugs and partying head-on. The soundtrack, featuring Gossip alongside other well-known acts like The Maccabees and Crystal Castles, played an important role in establishing the show’s iconic status.
The story of Gossip’s involvement with Skins serves as a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are happy accidents. Even Ditto, who initially balked at the chance to be involved, must now be grateful for the opportunity. By allowing her band’s music to become associated with the show, she introduced Gossip’s distinctive sound to a whole new generation
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