Skegss Explained
Skegss are an Australian surf and garage rock duo originally from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, who formed in 2014. The band's line-up consists of Jonny Lani (drums) and Ben Reed (vocals, guitar, bass).
Their debut studio album, My Own Mess, was released in September 2018 and peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Album Charts. In October 2020 the group re-released their EP 50 Push Ups for a Dollar on vinyl, which reached number 4. They followed with a double EP as a vinyl compilation album, Holiday Food/Everyone Is Good at Something, re-released in November 2020, which reached number 17.
Career
2014–2017: Formation and early EPs
Skegss were formed in Byron Bay in 2014 as a surf music and garage rock quartet by Toby Cregan (Toby Two String) on bass guitar, Noa Deane on guitar, Jonny Lani (Johnny Layback) on drums and Ben Reed (Ben Ben Bograil) on lead vocals and guitar.[1] Lani and Reed were childhood friends and reconnected in 2014, the pair began "playing shows for a hundred bucks and a couple of beers wherever [they] could."[2]
Their debut single, "L.S.D." was released in July 2014, at which time they were described by Stab Magazines writer as, "A band without complex. It's just as you hear, a slack rock band, that remind you of walking bare feet, being sunburned with stiff hair thanks to sea salt."[1] Cregan explained the track's title, "The song is called 'L.S.D' but not like acid, more like, Live.Sleep.Die."[1] They followed with a set of performances in Sydney and southern Queensland in August. Chris Singh of AU.Review opined fans could expect, "a sound which is deceptively casual; a well-crafted ode to those with a more laid-back approach to life."[3]
Their second single, "Rock 'n' Roll Radio", was released in October 2014, which Singh's associate Paul McBride observed, "shows you how easy it is to make a simple and laid-back rock and roll track."[4] By April 2015 Deane had left Skegss to concentrate on his surfing career. The group continued as a trio. They commenced a tour of North America at the end of that month taking dates in California, New York City and Toronto.[5]
Upon return to Australia, in June 2015, they were signed with Ratbag Records, run by Brisbane-based surf musicians, Dune Rats, and distributed by Warner Music.[6] [7] Skegss first EP for the Ratbag label, 50 Push Ups for a Dollar, appeared in October 2015, with a track, "Fun", issued as a single in July.[8]
Skegss' next EP, Everyone Is Good at Something, with seven tracks was released in July 2016. It peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart.[9] James Tait of Howl and Echoes felt, "they look to push their career to further heights with the release of their sophomore EP... [they] happen to be fantastically talented at making punk rock: three honest chords on sun-bleached guitars, chugging rhythms and lyrics reflecting both the debauchery and uncertainty of themselves and the young crowds they manage to wow over on an almost nightly basis."[10]
Kill Your Stereos Peyton Bernhardt rated it at 75 out-of 100 and explained, "[it] plays out as an existential crisis that an indie rock aficionado may have amid a quintessentially Australian social setting... [they] are the Pharrell Williams of Aussie beach-rock, spreading the happiness around like a contagious virus that you'd be goddamn lucky to catch."[11]
The group issued their next single, "Spring Has Sprung", in December 2016, which theMusic.com.aus staff writer opined, "[it] is everything you could want from a raw, DIY punk anthem, with angst-fuelled sing-alongs imminent as we approach festival season."[12] They followed with another five-track EP, Holiday Food, in April 2017.[13] The group combined both recent EPs as Holiday Food/Everyone Is Good at Something and issued it as a compilation double EP in the same month. It reached the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart at No. 12.[14]
Its lead single, "Got on My Skateboard", was issued a month earlier, with Andrew Massie of The Rockpit, expressing the view, "Wrapped in driving drums with an instantly memorable hook that'll earworm you for days, [it] bleeds nostalgia of years gone by and the notion that you should take advantage of being young to make sure you don't ever regret things you didn't do, rather than those that you did."[15] They undertook a headlining tour, in June, to promote the album's release.[13] [16] "Got on My Skateboard" was listed at No. 39 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2017.[17]
2018–2023: My Own Mess, Rehearsal and Cregan's departure
In September 2018, the band released their debut studio album My Own Mess, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA charts. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, My Own Mess was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Rock Album, losing out to Amyl and the Sniffers by Amyl and the Sniffers.[18]
In late 2020, Skegss re-released early EPs on vinyl for the first time, starting with 50 Push Ups for a Dollar in October and the double EP Holiday Food / Everyone Is Good at Something in November.[19] Both debuted and peaked within the ARIA top 20.
On 16 September 2020, the band released the single "Fantasising". Following its release, Skegss were accused of music plagiarism, with various commentators likening the guitar riffs in the song to "By the Way" by Adelaide punk rock duo Teenage Joans. Skegss later apologised to the duo and called the similarities unintentional.[20]
On 26 March 2021, Skegss released their second studio album Rehearsal, which had been preceded by five singles. The album peaked at number 1 on the ARIA Charts.[21]
In April 2023, the band announced that bassist and vocalist Toby Cregan would be exiting the band following a final show at that year's Splendour in the Grass.[22]
2024: Pacific Highway Music
On 16 August 2024, the Skegss released " Out of My Head" and announced their third album Pacific Highway Music will be released on 18 October 2024. It'll be the first as duo of Reed and Lani.[23]
Band members
Current members[24]
- Ben Reed – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar (2014–present)
- Jonny Lani – drums (2014–present)
Past members
- Noa Deane – guitar (2014–2015)
- Toby Cregan – bass guitar, backing and lead vocals, guitar (2014–2023)
Public image
In an interview with Skegss, David James Young of Mixdown Magazine said the band "come across as standard loose-unit garage rockers with thrashing manes."[25] Life Without Andy said the band has a "youthful energy and [an] infectious sense of humour".[26] Time Out described the band as "DIY, beer-drinking and self-producing maniacs from the surf coast",[27] whilst James Tait of Howl and Echoes has described them as "just three fun-loving dudes from Byron Bay who enjoy a cold beer."[28]
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Extended plays
Singles
Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Skegss have received one nomination.
! |-| 2019 | My Own Mess | Best Rock Album | ||-| 2021 | Chris Collins for Rehearsal by Skegss| Engineer of the Year | | [60]
Rolling Stone Australia Awards
The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[61] ! |-| 2022| Rehearsal| Best Record| | [62] |-
Notes and References
- News: Watch: Skegss – "LSD" . Stab Magazine . 31 July 2014 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: https://web.archive.org/web/20170428162144/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/future-is-now-skegss/5974 . Future Is Now: Skegss . Nail . Jonny . . Australia . 28 April 2017 . 18 April 2017 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: New Music Video: Skegss 'L.S.D' (2014) . Singh . Chris . theAU.Review . Heath Media . 5 August 2014 . 24 April 2018 . 24 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202328/http://www.theaureview.com/videos/skegss-l-s-d-2014 . dead .
- News: Single Stream: Skegss 'Rock 'N' Roll Radio' (2014) . McBride . Paul . theAU.Review . Heath Media . 24 October 2014 . 24 April 2018 . 24 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202401/http://www.theaureview.com/music/skegss-rock-n-roll-radio-2014 . dead .
- News: Aussies Abroad: Skegss, Starlight Theatre, Smith Street, the Red Paintings, Twin Lakes, True Vibenation and Courtney Barnett Reveal International Tour Dates! . Angeles . Jana . theAU.Review . Heath Media . 23 April 2015 . 24 April 2018 . 24 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135629/http://www.theaureview.com/abroad/news/aussies-abroad-starlight-theatre-smith-street-the-red-paintings-twin-lakes-courtney-barnett . dead .
- News: Dune Rats Are Starting a Record Label, Meet Their First Signing . Moskovitch . Greg . Tone Deaf . 15 July 2015 . Seventh Street Media . bot: unknown . https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150721215300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/152679/20150722-0753/www.tonedeaf.com.au/453868/dune-rats-are-starting-a-record-label-meet-their-first-signing.html . 21 July 2015 . dmy-all .
- News: Dune Rats Race to Top of ARIA Chart with New Album . Mathieson . Craig . Craig Mathieson . . . 14 March 2017 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: Byron Bay's Skegss Have Had Their Artwork Ripped off by a US Rapper . Jenke . Tyler . Tone Deaf . 23 April 2017 . Seventh Street Media .
- 1 May 2017 . https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160801140021/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20160802-0000/Issue1379.pdf . Week Commencing ~ 1st August 2016 ~ Issue #1379 . Wallace . Ian . The ARIA Report . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 1379 . 21 . 1 August 2016 . 29 November 2020 .
- News: Skegss Distill Punk to Its Essence on New EP Everyone Is Good At Something . Tait . James . Howl and Echoes . Lauren Ziegler . 15 July 2016 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: Skegss – Everyone Is Good at Something . Bernhardt . Peyton . Kill Your Stereo . Alex Sievers . 17 July 2016 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: Skegss Lock Down 'Spring Has Sprung' Single Tour . theMusic.com.au . Street Press Australia . 30 November 2016 . 24 April 2018 . 29 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181229232743/https://themusic.com.au/news/all/2016/11/30/skegss-lock-down-%E2%80%98spring-has-sprung%E2%80%99-single-tour/ . dead .
- News: Skegss Announce Holiday Food Tour Dates, Drop Vid Featuring Aaron Gocs . theMusic.com.au . Street Press Australia . 4 April 2017 . 23 April 2018 . 29 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180829061856/http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2017/04/04/skegss-announce-%E2%80%98holiday-food%E2%80%99-tour-dates,-drop-vid-featuring-aaron-gocs/ . dead .
- 1 May 2017 . https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170507140118/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20170508-0001/Issue1418.pdf . Week Commencing ~ 1st May 2017 ~ Issue #1418 . Wallace . Ian . The ARIA Report . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 1418 . 21 . 7 May 2017 . 29 November 2020 .
- News: Skegss drop new track 'Got On My Skateboard' . Massie . Andrew . The Rockpit . Australia . 28 February 2017 . 24 April 2018 .
- News: Skegss' No Future Is Here . . . 28 September 2017 . 24 April 2018 .
- Web site: 1–100 Hottest 100 2017 . 11 November 2017 . Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) . 24 April 2018 .
- News: 2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 27 November 2019. 5 March 2020.
- Web site: Skegss to release early recordings on vinyl for the first time . NME. 29 September 2020. 29 November 2020.
- News: Rockers shake and make up . . 20 September 2020 . 1039-4192.
- Web site: Skegss score first ARIA #1 album with Rehearsal. ARIA. 2 April 2021. 3 April 2021.
- Web site: Gallagher . Alex . Skegss Bassist Toby Cregan Is Leaving the Band . Music Feeds . Evolve Media . 21 April 2023.
- Web site: Skegss Announce New Album and Share "Out of My Head". The Note. 16 August 2024. 17 August 2024.
- Web site: 50 Pushups for a Dollar: The Skegss Interview . The Garbwire . 19 October 2015 . 30 June 2020 . Ogier, Melissa.
- Web site: Skegss – Interview . Mixdown Magazine . 12 September 2018 . 25 June 2020 . James Young, David.
- Web site: Premiere: Skegss drop a food-filled video for new single 'Eat It' . Life Without Andy . 1 October 2015 . 30 June 2020.
- Web site: Skegss "Everyone is Good at Something" tour at Amplifier . Time Out . 30 July 2016 . 1 July 2020.
- Web site: Bigsound Interview: Skegss . Howl and Echoes . 16 September 2015 . 1 July 2020 . Tait, James.
- Web site: Discography Skegss. australian-charts.com. 27 January 2019. Note: lists the compilation album re-released in late 2020 as Holiday [EP]
- Web site: Skegss Announce New Album, Rehearsal. Rolling Stone Australia. 27 January 2021. 27 January 2021.
- Web site: Skegss score first ARIA #1 album with Rehearsal. Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 April 2021. 2 April 2021.
- Web site: Skegss Glow in the Dark. discogs. 29 November 2020.
- Web site: Skegss - L.S.D - Skegss - EP. covermytunes. July 2015. 29 November 2020.
- Web site: 3 Songs We Recorded with Adam When We Were in Melbourne . BandCamp. February 2015. 29 November 2020.
- Web site: Review: Skegss are off to a ripping start with debut EP '50 Pushups for a Dollar' . Howl and Echoes . 16 October 2015 . 30 June 2020 . Tait, James.
- Web site: 50 Push Ups for a Dollar (Limited Edition Blue Vinyl) at JB Hi-Fi . . 16 October 2020 . 24 October 2020.
- Web site: Skegss release video for 'My Face' and announce 'Everyone Is Good at Something' Tour . Eat This Music . 27 June 2016 . 30 June 2020 . Likoski, Steve . 30 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200630065848/http://eatthismusic.com/2016/06/27/skegss-videotour/ . dead .
- Web site: Skegss announce the Holiday Food EP Tour & drop new video . The Rockpit . 4 April 2017 . 30 June 2020 . Massie, Andrew.
- Web site: L.S.D – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 31 July 2014 . 5 March 2020.
- Australia. 2024. single. 28 June 2024.
- Web site: Rock'n'Roll Radio - single by Skegss . BandCamp. October 2014 . 29 November 2020.
- Web site: Fun – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 15 July 2015 . 5 March 2020.
- Web site: Skegss serve up an entree for their debut EP with new single 'Eat It' . Howl and Echoes . 1 October 2015 . 30 June 2020 . Tait, James.
- Web site: Skegss announce sophomore EP, lead with new single "My Face" . Howl and Echoes . 14 June 2016 . 30 June 2020 . Tait, James.
- Web site: Skegss unveil new single 'Mustang' as tour continues to sell out . Tone Deaf . 26 July 2016 . 30 June 2020 . Moskovitch, Greg.
- Web site: Spring Has Sprung – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 9 December 2016 . 5 March 2020.
- Web site: Skegss announce national tour, unveil clip for 'Got on My Skateboard' . . 4 April 2017 . 13 May 2020 . Wilson, Zanda.
- Web site: Up in the Clouds – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 24 April 2018 . 5 March 2020.
- Web site: Smogged Out – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 11 July 2018 . 5 March 2020.
- Web site: Here Comes Your Man (triple j Like a Version) – Single by Skegss on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 17 May 2019 . 14 May 2020 . 23 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123220019/https://music.apple.com/au/album/here-comes-your-man-triple-j-like-a-version-single/1463481546 . dead .
- Web site: Watch Skegss waste their days away in alternate cowboy reality, 'Save It For The Weekend' . . 2 October 2019 . 24 June 2020 . Carr, Debbie.
- Australia. single. 2023. 7 May 2023.
- Web site: First Spin: Skegss return with "Under the Thunder", a song that began as an AC/DC gag . . 24 June 2020 . 24 June 2020 . Newstead, Al.
- Web site: Skegss unleash summery new single "Fantasising" . . 16 September 2020 . 25 September 2020 . Langford, Jackson.
- Web site: Listen to "Wake Up", the new single from Skegss . . 10 December 2020 . 12 December 2020 . Bruce, Jasper.
- Web site: First Spin: Skegss' "Bush TV" is a fit primer for the release of new album Rehearsal. Triple J. 25 March 2021. 26 March 2021. Fuamoli, Sose.
- Web site: Bunny Man - Single. Apple Music. 5 November 2021. 5 November 2021.
- Web site: Stranger Days - Single. Apple Music. 1 February 2022. 6 February 2022.
- Web site: SKEGSS Return With ‘Spaceman’ Single. Rock Sound . 24 May 2024 . 26 May 2024.
- Web site: ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge . . 20 October 2021 . 24 October 2021 . Kelly, Vivienne . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ . 20 October 2021 . live.
- Web site: Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event . The AU Review . 5 December 2011 . 5 March 2021 . Barnes, Amelia . https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174029/http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event . 8 August 2016 . dead.
- Web site: Have Your Say in This Year's Rolling Stone Australia Reader's Choice Award. au.rollingstone.com. 17 January 2022. 17 February 2022.
