Skid Roper (born Richard Banke, October 19, 1954, in
National City, California
National City is a city located in the South Bay region of the San Diego metropolitan area, in southwestern San Diego County, California.
The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is t ...
, United States) is an American musician, most active in the 1980s and early 1990s. He has recorded with several groups including the surf band
The Evasions
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...
, but is best known for his work with
Mojo Nixon between 1985 and 1989.
With Nixon, Roper served mainly as an instrumentalist. He commonly played instruments such as the
washboard and the
mandolin
A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...
. Since parting ways with Nixon in 1989, Roper has released three solo albums. The first two albums had a much stronger
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, whil ...
influence, and were considerably less raucous than his work with Nixon. Roper also formed a surf band called Skid Roper and the Shadowcasters.
Roper's latest CD, ''Rock and Roll Part 3'', was released in 2010.
Ten years in the making, Roper plays guitar, mandolin, organ, harmonica, percussion and whistling, sings each track and wrote all but one song.
In 2012 Roper contributed new music to volume ten (''One Way Ticket to Palookaville'') and in 2013 to volume eleven (''Hells Basement'') of the compilation album series ''Staring at the Sun''. In 2012 Roper became a member of the Hi-Tones, the backing combo for Andy Rasmussen, playing drums and mandolin on the 2013 album ''High & Lonesome: The Rise and Fall of Hilo''.
Discography
Solo
* ''Trails Plowed Under'' (1989)
* ''Lydia's Cafe'' (1991)
* ''Rock and Roll Part 3'' (2010)
With The Evasions
* ''Son of Surf!'' (1981)
With Mojo Nixon
* ''
Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper'' (1985)
* ''
Get Out Of My Way!'' (1986)
* ''
Frenzy'' (1986)
* ''
Bo-Day-Shus!!!'' (1987)
* ''Root Hog Or Die'' (1989)
* ''Unlimited Everything'' (1990)
With Action Andy and the Hi-Tones
* ''High and Lonesome: The Fall and Rise of Hilo'' (2013)
Charting singles
References
External links
Skid Roper official web site*
Skid Roper All Music Guide Entry
1954 births
Living people
People from National City, California
American multi-instrumentalists
American country musicians
Cowpunk musicians
Psychobilly musicians
{{US-musician-stub