Skegss
{{Short description|Australian surf rock band}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Skegss
| image = File:Skegss live at Good Things Festival Melbourne '19.jpg
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Skegss live at Good Things Festival in Melbourne, 2019
| alias =
| origin = Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Surf rock{{cite web |url=http://pilerats.com/music/bands/skegss-release-new-single-spring-has-sprung-just-in-time-for-summer/ |title=Skegss release new single, Spring Has Sprung, just in time for Summer |work=Pilerats |date=9 December 2016 |accessdate=25 June 2020 |author=Davies, Hayden}}
- indie rock
- punk rock{{cite web |url=http://pilerats.com/news/byron-punks-skegss-were-far-from-stoked-with-pauline-hansons-unexpected-election-success/ |title=Byron punks Skegss were stoked with Pauline Hanson's unexpected election success |work=Pilerats |date=4 July 2016 |accessdate=25 June 2020 |author=Underwood, Alex}}
}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Ratbag{{cite web |url=http://howlandechoes.com/2015/07/dune-rats-ratbag-records-skegss/ |title=Dune Rats branch out with Ratbag Records, sign Skegss |date=17 July 2015 |accessdate=1 July 2020 |author=Tait, James}}
- Warner
}}
| spinoffs = Mughead, GREG
| website = {{Official URL}}
| current_members = * Jonny Lani
- Ben Reed
| past_members = * Noa Deane
- Toby Cregan
}}
Skegss are an Australian surf and garage rock duo originally from Byron Bay in 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 ({{abbr|a.k.a.|also known as}} Toby Two String) on bass guitar, Noa Deane on guitar, Jonny Lani ({{abbr|a.k.a.|also known as}} Johnny Layback) on drums and Ben Reed ({{abbr|a.k.a.|also known as}} Ben Ben Bograil) on lead vocals and guitar.{{cite news | url = https://stabmag.com/stabfm/stab-fm-skegss/ | title = Watch: Skegss – "LSD" | work = Stab Magazine | date = 31 July 2014 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }} 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."{{cite news | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170428162144/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/future-is-now-skegss/5974 | url = http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/future-is-now-skegss/5974 | title = Future Is Now: Skegss | last = Nail | first = Jonny | work = Rolling Stone | location = Australia | archivedate = 28 April 2017 | date = 18 April 2017 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }}
Their debut single, "L.S.D." was released in July 2014, at which time they were described by Stab Magazine{{'}}s 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." Cregan explained the track's title, "The song is called 'L.S.D' but not like acid, more like, Live.Sleep.Die." 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."{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/videos/skegss-l-s-d-2014 | title = New Music Video: Skegss 'L.S.D' (2014) | last = Singh | first = Chris | work = theAU.Review | publisher = Heath Media | date = 5 August 2014 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 | archive-date = 24 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202328/http://www.theaureview.com/videos/skegss-l-s-d-2014 | url-status = dead }}
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."{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/music/skegss-rock-n-roll-radio-2014 | title = Single Stream: Skegss 'Rock 'N' Roll Radio' (2014) | last = McBride | first = Paul | work = theAU.Review | publisher = Heath Media | date = 24 October 2014 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 | archive-date = 24 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202401/http://www.theaureview.com/music/skegss-rock-n-roll-radio-2014 | url-status = dead }} 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.{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/abroad/news/aussies-abroad-starlight-theatre-smith-street-the-red-paintings-twin-lakes-courtney-barnett | title = Aussies Abroad: Skegss, Starlight Theatre, Smith Street, the Red Paintings, Twin Lakes, True Vibenation and Courtney Barnett Reveal International Tour Dates! | last = Angeles | first = Jana | work = theAU.Review | publisher = Heath Media | date = 23 April 2015 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 | archive-date = 24 April 2018 | archive-url = 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 | url-status = dead }}
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.{{cite news | url = http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/453868/dune-rats-are-starting-a-record-label-meet-their-first-signing.html | title = Dune Rats Are Starting a Record Label, Meet Their First Signing | last = Moskovitch | first = Greg | work = Tone Deaf | date = 15 July 2015 | publisher = Seventh Street Media | url-status = bot: unknown | archiveurl = 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 | archivedate = 21 July 2015 | df = dmy-all }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dune-rats-race-to-top-of-aria-chart-with-new-album-20170307-gusikv.html | title = Dune Rats Race to Top of ARIA Chart with New Album | last = Mathieson | first = Craig | author-link = Craig Mathieson | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | date = 14 March 2017 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }} 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.{{cite news | url = https://tonedeaf.com.au/byron-bays-skegss-have-had-their-artwork-ripped-off-by-a-us-rapper/| title = Byron Bay's Skegss Have Had Their Artwork Ripped off by a US Rapper | last = Jenke | first = Tyler | work = Tone Deaf | date = 23 April 2017 | publisher = Seventh Street Media }}
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.{{cite journal | date = 1 May 2017 | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160801140021/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20160802-0000/Issue1379.pdf | title = Week Commencing ~ 1st August 2016 ~ Issue #1379 | last = Wallace | first = Ian | journal = The ARIA Report | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue = 1379 | page = 21 | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1379.pdf | archive-date = 1 August 2016 | access-date = 29 November 2020 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 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."{{cite news | url = http://howlandechoes.com/2016/07/skegss-everyone-is-good-at-something-review/ | title = Skegss Distill Punk to Its Essence on New EP Everyone Is Good At Something | last = Tait | first = James | work = Howl and Echoes | editor = Lauren Ziegler | date = 15 July 2016 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }}
Kill Your Stereo{{'}}s 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."{{cite news | url = https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/1085966/skegss-everyone-is-good-at-something | title = Skegss – Everyone Is Good at Something | last = Bernhardt | first = Peyton | work = Kill Your Stereo | editor = Alex Sievers | date = 17 July 2016 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }}
The group issued their next single, "Spring Has Sprung", in December 2016, which theMusic.com.au{{'}}s 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."{{cite news | url = http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2016/11/30/skegss-lock-down-%E2%80%98spring-has-sprung%E2%80%99-single-tour/ | title = Skegss Lock Down 'Spring Has Sprung' Single Tour | website = theMusic.com.au | publisher = Street Press Australia | date = 30 November 2016 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 | archive-date = 29 December 2018 | archive-url = 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/ | url-status = dead }} They followed with another five-track EP, Holiday Food, in April 2017.{{cite news | url = 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/ | title = Skegss Announce Holiday Food Tour Dates, Drop Vid Featuring Aaron Gocs | work = theMusic.com.au | publisher = Street Press Australia | date = 4 April 2017 | accessdate = 23 April 2018 | archive-date = 29 August 2018 | archive-url = 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/ | url-status = dead }} 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.{{cite journal | date = 1 May 2017 | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170507140118/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20170508-0001/Issue1418.pdf | title = Week Commencing ~ 1st May 2017 ~ Issue #1418 | last = Wallace | first = Ian | journal = The ARIA Report | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue = 1418 | page = 21 | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1418.pdf | archive-date = 7 May 2017 | access-date = 29 November 2020 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
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."{{cite news | url = https://www.therockpit.net/2017/skeggs-drop-new-track-got-on-my-skateboard/ | title = Skegss drop new track 'Got On My Skateboard' | last = Massie | first = Andrew | work = The Rockpit | location = Australia | date = 28 February 2017 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }} They undertook a headlining tour, in June, to promote the album's release.{{cite news | url = https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/skegss-no-future-is-here/3229043/ | title = Skegss' No Future Is Here | work = The Northern Star | publisher = News Corp Australia | date = 28 September 2017 | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }} "Got on My Skateboard" was listed at No. 39 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2017.{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/17/countdown/1-100/ | title = 1–100 Hottest 100 2017 | date = 11 November 2017 | publisher = Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) | accessdate = 24 April 2018 }}
=2018–2023: ''My Own Mess'', ''Rehearsal'' and Cregan's departure=
File:Skegss.jpg Bendigo, 2023]]
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.{{cite news |url= https://www.ariaawards.com.au/News/2019/2019-ARIA-Award-Winners-Announced |title= 2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced| website= Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |date= 27 November 2019|accessdate= 5 March 2020}}
In August 2019, it was announced that Skegss has signed with Loma Vista Recordings in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/skegss-sign-loma-vista-recordings/|title=Skegss sign with US label Loma Vista Recordings |website=The Music Network|date=August 2019|access-date=14 November 2024}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/skegss-to-release-early-recordings-vinyl-first-time-2764066|title=Skegss to release early recordings on vinyl for the first time |website=NME|date=29 September 2020|accessdate=29 November 2020}} 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.{{cite news |title=Rockers shake and make up |work=The Sunday Mail |date=20 September 2020 |issn=1039-4192}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/skegss-score-first-aria-1-album-with-rehearsal|title=Skegss score first ARIA #1 album with Rehearsal|website=ARIA|date=2 April 2021|access-date=3 April 2021}}
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.{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Alex |title=Skegss Bassist Toby Cregan Is Leaving the Band |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/skegss-bassist-toby-cregan-leaving-band/ |website=Music Feeds |publisher=Evolve Media |access-date=21 April 2023}}
=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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenote.com.au/news/skegss-new-album-single-out-of-my-head|title= Skegss Announce New Album and Share "Out of My Head"|website=The Note|date=16 August 2024|access-date=17 August 2024}}
Band members
- 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."{{cite web |url=http://www.mixdownmag.com.au/skegss-0 |title=Skegss – Interview |work=Mixdown Magazine |date=12 September 2018 |accessdate=25 June 2020 |author=James Young, David}} Life Without Andy said the band has a "youthful energy and [an] infectious sense of humour".{{cite web |url=https://lifewithoutandy.com/news/news/premiere-skegss-drop-a-food-filled-video-for-new-single-eat-it/ |title=Premiere: Skegss drop a food-filled video for new single 'Eat It' |work=Life Without Andy |date=1 October 2015 |accessdate=30 June 2020}} Time Out described the band as "DIY, beer-drinking and self-producing maniacs from the surf coast",{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/perth/things-to-do/skegss-everyone-is-good-at-something-tour-at-amplifier |title=Skegss "Everyone is Good at Something" tour at Amplifier |work=Time Out |date=30 July 2016 |accessdate=1 July 2020}} whilst James Tait of Howl and Echoes has described them as "just three fun-loving dudes from Byron Bay who enjoy a cold beer."{{cite web |url=http://howlandechoes.com/2015/09/bigsound-interview-skegss/ |title=Bigsound Interview: Skegss |work=Howl and Echoes |date=16 September 2015 |accessdate=1 July 2020 |author=Tait, James}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+List of compilations, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS |
|---|
| scope="row"| Holiday Food/Everyone Is Good at Something
|
| 17 |
=Extended plays=
=Footnotes=
{{notelist-ua|notes=
{{efn-ua|name=A|The EPs Everyone Is Good at Something and Holiday Food were released on vinyl as a compilation on 7 April 2017. This was re-released on vinyl as a 12" album (double EP) in November 2020.}}
{{efn-ua|name=B|Everyone Is Good at Something did not enter the ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart, but peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart.}}
}}
=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.
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2019
| {{Nom}}
|
|-
| 2021
| Chris Collins for Rehearsal by Skegss
| {{nom}}
| {{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=The Music Network |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}
{{end}}
=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |title=Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event |work=The AU Review |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=5 March 2021 |author=Barnes, Amelia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174029/http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2022
| Rehearsal
| Best Record
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}