Having survived a soggy Splendour, Byron Bay lads Skegss are towelling-down in preparation for their ‘Fun’ tour.
The stoner punk-rockers were selected as Triple J Unearthed’s Splendour opener, which was a “surreal” experience, according to lead singer Benny. “It was definitely the craziest gig we've ever had. The experience of starting off the day and everyone, just hundreds of people, sprinting down the hill as the gates opened. I was laughing as I was trying to sing.”
Another win that came before Splendour was recording their soon-to-be released EP, '50 Push Ups For A Dollar’, at Converse Rubber Tracks in New York City. The guys were lucky enough to have a management connection come through, which led to them scoring what many bands can only wish for; a free, professional recording session, with full retention of the rights to their tracks. “Something like 400 bands apply each month, and only a couple get selected.
"We were pretty grateful that we got the opportunity, and we made the most it. We busted five songs out, when we thought we would only bust one out.”
The Brooklyn studio had some interesting visitors, as Benny explained how they ended up eavesdropping on Blur. “They had to do an interview, so they kicked us out of the studio. We said g'day to them, we could have met them, but we were just mixing our songs.
"We went into the mixing room and, the guy who was mixing our songs, put the little speaker up and we started listening to the interview – but they didn't know.”
The legendary shoe and fashion brand’s studio was not without awesome perks. “It was sick hanging out there, they've got a fridge stocked with beer and yuppie juices. They hooked us up with some gear – they even had an American flag made out of Converse shoes.”
With members of Dune Rats repping Skegss t-shirts onstage at Splendour, the boys' bonging brotherhood has gone to the next level. Skegss will release '50 Push Ups For A Dollar’ through the Dune Rats’ own Rat Bag Records. “Sometime last year we played two shows with the Dunies, and Brett was telling us how they had negotiated Rat Bag Records as part of their deal. That was just talk, because they were really busy… but it's always been in the pipeline. I'm pretty stoked; I wouldn't want to be with any other label.”
The music video to first single ‘Fun’ documents the lad’s shenanigans on their American tour. “[It was shot] all over the States and Toronto. We take a handy-cam with us and just ask people to film. Toby is a filmmaker outside of the band, so he has a good camera. We played so many fun gigs in California, we even played at a college party. It was sick because there were two kegs there… it just felt like a movie.”
Benny says to expect some different themes and styles to come out of the EP. “There is one song about eating every food in the world; going to every different country in the world and eating all the food. There is a heartache song, with just me and a guitar. It’s pretty versatile.”
Skegss play Title Track's Big Free Pre-Bigsound Party at The Brightside 8 September.
Written by Leisa Howlett
Skegss Tour Dates
Sat 26 Sep - The Foundry (Brisbane)Sun 27 Sep - Sounds Of The Suburbs Festival (Sydney)
Thu 1 Oct - The Grace Darling (Melbourne)
Sun 4 Oct - Yours & Owls Festival (Wollongong)
