Skegss

Skegss are an Australian surf music and garage rock trio originally from Byron Bay, New South Wales. Their line-up includes Toby Cregan on upright bass, Jonny Laneway on drums and Ben Reed on lead guitar and synth.

Skegss
Background information
OriginByron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
Associated actsDune Rats
Websiteskegss.com
Members
  • Toby Cregan
  • Jonny Lani
  • Ben Reed
Past members
  • Noa Deane

They have released several extended plays and toured both nationwide and internationally. Skegss made headlines after accusing US rappers Reese and Lil Yachty of copying the cover art for that collaboration's single, "Do It", from the band's 2015 EP, 50 Push Ups for a Dollar.[5]

Their debut studio album, My Own Mess, was released in September 2018 and peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Charts. In October 2020 the group re-released 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

Skegss were formed in Byron Bay in 2014 as a surf music and garage rock quartet by Toby Cregan (a.k.a. Toby Two String) on bass guitar, Noa Deane on guitar, Jonny Lani (a.k.a. Johnny Layback) on drums and Ben Reed (a.k.a. Ben Ben Bograil) on lead vocals and guitar.[6] 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."[7]

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."[6] Cregan explained the track's title, "The song is called 'L.S.D' but not like acid, more like, Live.Sleep.Die."[6] They followed with a set of performances in Sydney and southern Queensland in August.[8] 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."[8]

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."[9] 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.[10]

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.[11][12] 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.[13]

Skegss' next EP, Everyone Is Good at Something, with seven tracks was released in July 2016.[14] It peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart.[15] 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."[14]

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."[16]

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."[17] They followed with another five-track EP, Holiday Food, in April 2017.[18] 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.[19]

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."[20] They undertook a headlining tour, in June, to promote the album's release.[18][21] "Got on My Skateboard" was listed at No. 39 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2017.[22]

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.[23]

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.[24] Both debuted and peaked within the ARIA top 20.

Band members
Current members[25]
  • Ben Reed – lead vocals, lead guitar (2014–present)
  • Jonny Lani – drums (2014–present)
  • Toby Cregan – bass guitar (2014–present)
Past members
  • Noa Deane – guitar (2014–April 2015)

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."[26] Life Without Andy said the band has a "youthful energy and [an] infectious sense of humour".[27] Time Out described the band as "DIY, beer-drinking and self-producing maniacs from the surf coast",[28] whilst James Tait of Howl and Echoes has described them as "just three fun-loving dudes from Byron Bay who enjoy a cold beer."[29]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
My Own Mess 2
Rehearsal -

Compilation albums
List of Compilations, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
Holiday Food/Everyone Is Good at Something
  • Release: 7 April 2017[upper-alpha 1]
  • Label: Ratbag/ Warner (RATBAG012LP)
  • Formats: LP
 17[32]

Extended plays
List of EPs, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
Skegss —
3 Songs We Recorded with Adam When We Were in Melbourne
  • Released: February 2015[35]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
50 Push Ups for a Dollar
  • Released: 16 October 2015[36]
  • Label: Ratbag, Warner Music
  • Format: digital download, streaming, LP (2020)[37]
 4
Everyone Is Good at Something
  • Released: 15 July 2016[38]
  • Label: Ratbag, Warner Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 —[upper-alpha 2]
Holiday Food
  • Released: 7 April 2017[39]
  • Label: Ratbag, Warner Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 —

Footnotes
  1. The EPs Everyone Is Good at Something and Holiday Food were released on vinyl as a compilation on 7 April 2017.[upper-alpha 3][upper-alpha 4] This was re-released on vinyl as a 12" album (double EP) in November 2020.
  2. 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
List of singles, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"L.S.D"[40] 2014 Skegss
"Rock'n'Roll Radio"[41]
"Fun"[42] 2015 50 Push Ups for a Dollar
"Eat It"[43]
"My Face"[44] 2016 Everyone Is Good at Something
"Mustang"[2]
"Spring Has Sprung"[45] Holiday Food
"Got on My Skateboard"[46] 2017
"Up in the Clouds"[47] 2018 My Own Mess
"Smogged Out"[48]
"Here Comes Your Man"
(Triple J Like a Version)[49]		 2019 Non-album singles
"Save It for the Weekend"[50]
"Under the Thunder"[51] 2020 Rehearsal
"Fantasising"[52]
"Wake Up"[53]
"Valhalla"[54] 2021

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 My Own Mess Best Rock Album Nominated

References
  1. Davies, Hayden (9 December 2016). "Skegss release new single, Spring Has Sprung, just in time for Summer". Pilerats. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. Moskovitch, Greg (26 July 2016). "Skegss unveil new single 'Mustang' as tour continues to sell out". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. Underwood, Alex (4 July 2016). "Byron punks Skegss were far from stoked with Pauline Hanson's unexpected election success". Pilerats. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. Tait, James (17 July 2015). "Dune Rats branch out with Ratbag Records, sign Skegss". Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. Jenke, Tyler (23 April 2017). "Byron Bay's Skegss have had their artwork ripped off by a US rapper". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. "Watch: Skegss – "LSD"". Stab Magazine. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  7. Nail, Jonny (18 April 2017). "Future Is Now: Skegss". Rolling Stone. Australia. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  8. Singh, Chris (5 August 2014). "New Music Video: Skegss 'L.S.D' (2014)". theAU.Review. Heath Media. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  9. McBride, Paul (24 October 2014). "Single Stream: Skegss 'Rock 'N' Roll Radio' (2014)". theAU.Review. Heath Media. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  10. Angeles, Jana (23 April 2015). "Aussies Abroad: Skegss, Starlight Theatre, Smith Street, the Red Paintings, Twin Lakes, True Vibenation and Courtney Barnett Reveal International Tour Dates!". theAU.Review. Heath Media. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  11. Moskovitch, Greg (15 July 2015). "Dune Rats Are Starting a Record Label, Meet Their First Signing". Tone Deaf. Seventh Street Media. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. Mathieson, Craig (14 March 2017). "Dune Rats Race to Top of ARIA Chart with New Album". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  13. Jenke, Tyler (23 April 2017). "Byron Bay's Skegss Have Had Their Artwork Ripped off by a US Rapper". Tone Deaf. Seventh Street Media.
  14. Tait, James (15 July 2016). Lauren Ziegler (ed.). "Skegss Distill Punk to Its Essence on New EP Everyone Is Good At Something". Howl and Echoes. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  15. Wallace, Ian (1 May 2017). "Week Commencing ~ 1st August 2016 ~ Issue #1379" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1379): 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  16. Bernhardt, Peyton (17 July 2016). Alex Sievers (ed.). "Skegss – Everyone Is Good at Something". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  17. staff writer (30 November 2016). "Skegss Lock Down 'Spring Has Sprung' Single Tour". theMusic.com.au. Street Press Australia. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  18. staff writer (4 April 2017). "Skegss Announce Holiday Food Tour Dates, Drop Vid Featuring Aaron Gocs". theMusic.com.au. Street Press Australia. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  19. Wallace, Ian (1 May 2017). "Week Commencing ~ 1st May 2017 ~ Issue #1418" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1418): 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  20. Massie, Andrew (28 February 2017). "Skegss drop new track 'Got On My Skateboard'". The Rockpit. Australia. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  21. "Skegss' No Future Is Here". The Northern Star. News Corp Australia. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  22. "1–100 Hottest 100 2017". Triple J (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  23. "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  24. "Skegss to release early recordings on vinyl for the first time". NME. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  25. Ogier, Melissa (19 October 2015). "50 Pushups for a Dollar: The Skegss Interview". The Garbwire. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  26. James Young, David (12 September 2018). "Skegss – Interview". Mixdown Magazine. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  27. "Premiere: Skegss drop a food-filled video for new single 'Eat It'". Life Without Andy. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  28. "Skegss "Everyone is Good at Something" tour at Amplifier". Time Out. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  29. Tait, James (16 September 2015). "Bigsound Interview: Skegss". Howl and Echoes. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  31. Skegss Announce New Album, ‘Rehearsal’. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  32. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  33. "Skegss Glow in the Dark". discogs. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  34. "Skegss - L.S.D - Skegss - EP". covermytunes. July 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  35. "3 Songs We Recorded with Adam When We Were in Melbourne". BandCamp. February 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  36. Tait, James (16 October 2015). "Review: Skegss are off to a ripping start with debut EP '50 Pushups for a Dollar'". Howl and Echoes. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  37. "50 Push Ups for a Dollar (Limited Edition Blue Vinyl) at JB Hi-Fi". JB Hi-Fi. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  38. Likoski, Steve (27 June 2016). "Skegss release video for 'My Face' and announce 'Everyone Is Good at Something' Tour". Eat This Music. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  39. Massie, Andrew (4 April 2017). "Skegss announce the Holiday Food EP Tour & drop new video". The Rockpit. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  40. "L.S.D – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  41. "Rock'n'Roll Radio - single by Skegss". BandCamp. October 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  42. "Fun – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  43. Tait, James (1 October 2015). "Skegss serve up an entree for their debut EP with new single 'Eat It'". Howl and Echoes. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  44. Tait, James (14 June 2016). "Skegss announce sophomore EP, lead with new single "My Face"". Howl and Echoes. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  45. "Spring Has Sprung – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  46. Wilson, Zanda (4 April 2017). "Skegss announce national tour, unveil clip for 'Got on My Skateboard'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  47. "Up in the Clouds – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  48. "Smogged Out – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  49. "Here Comes Your Man (triple j Like a Version) – Single by Skegss on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  50. Carr, Debbie (2 October 2019). "Watch Skegss waste their days away in alternate cowboy reality, 'Save It For The Weekend'". Triple J. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  51. Newstead, Al (24 June 2020). "First Spin: Skegss return with 'Under the Thunder', a song that began as an AC/DC gag". Triple J. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  52. Langford, Jackson (16 September 2020). "Skegss unleash summery new single 'Fantasising'". NME Australia. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  53. Bruce, Jasper (10 December 2020). "Listen to "Wake Up", the new single from Skegss". NME Australia. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  54. Skegss Announce New Album, ‘Rehearsal’. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
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