The Skooks
"The Skooks" are a folk/folk rock band created by Richard Plesnarski and Eric Thompson. The group was created from humble beginnings in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania where both Richard and Eric were employed at the Lowe's home improvement center. The songwriting duo was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and many other folk and rock artists of the late 60's, although many influences and MusicAL cues are taken from traditional American folk, blues and jazz musicians as well.
The band
- Eric Malcolm Thompson – Harmony vocals, Guitar, Piano, Zither, Ukulele, Mandolin, Banjo, Accordion, Sitar and various other instruments.
- Richard Plesnarski – Lead vocals, Harmonica, Percussion, Fiddle, Dobro.
History
The name “Skooks” is a tribute to the county in which the band was formed, Schuylkill County, PA. The two founding members of the Skooks both worked at the Lowe's home improvement center in the Lawn & Garden center. Here, while shirking responsibilities and duties of the job, Eric and Richard wrote and compiled many ideas and songs found on their first album, The Skooks Play Their Greatest Hits. The focus of many songs involved coworkers and caricatures of said coworkers, most famous of which is the song “Billy Gober” which describes a cowardly infantryman who is repeated in every US military engagement. This song was lost, however, probably thanks to another Skook character, Billy Weikel. In addition to their first studio album, the Skooks have many singles and live incarnations of original hits, soon to be compiled into a second album, due out in late 2009.
Studio albums
The Skooks Play Their Greatest Hits
"The Skooks Play Their Greatest Hits" / Eric Thompson & Richard Plesnarski
1. Reflection
2. Black Man's Boots
3. Indian Summer
4. So Long, So Long
5. Happy Holidays
6. Lewd Lou
7. The Carts Keep Coming
8. I Don't Have to Go