Tag Archives: Ben Reed

SKEGSS: Rehearsal.

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Nearly 3 years on from their last record, Skegss are back with a new record that completely justifies why they are one of the most exciting bands around. Rehearsal is a record to do a load of nothing to, and to just have a good time. Play the record in your room as loud as you want, or head out on a long walk blasting this out as loud as you can. Head to the beach and let the waves crash around you; soak up this beautiful record in all ways possible.

Skegss know how to make music that just hits you in the soul; instantly making you feel much better and less worried/stressed out. It’s like they take it all on, and let it all out for you. 5 singles have been released so far from the record, and don’t let that trick you into thinking you’ve heard everything the band has to offer on this record. So far from it. The singles released so far are obviously brilliant, but the record is made up of songs to just really take in and play every single day. Is this record better than their debut, My Own Mess? That’s like asking someone to choose who their favourite kid is or whatever- there’s no comparison here.

I really love that Skegss have such a powerful way of being open with their lyrics. There is this beautiful fragility to Fantasising and it just makes you feel like someone has scooped out all of your thoughts and described them in a more articulate and less scary way. I just love the way Ben has this sleepy tone to his voice, and it kind of feels like a lullaby. It makes you really feel every single word he’s singing and I really can’t get enough of Running From Nothing- it’s such an easy song to relate to. It’s one of those songs that you listen to, and think “oh fuck!” and it just blows you away. They’ve been around for a while now, but they have this sound that makes you feel like you’re listening to them for the first time with every single time. You just can’t get enough of their slick sound.

For me Skegss are like the friend that calms you down when everything is a bit too much. Their sound is utterly soothing; and they’ve really gone above and beyond with this record. These 13 songs deserve all your love, devotion and attention. You just can’t get bored of songs like Sip Of Wine, Picturesque Moment and Valhalla. You just can’t get tired of a record like this, of a band like this. The 3 of them are brilliant musicians, and you can really hear the bond between them all- especially on this record. There’s a tighter sound here, and it’s a real pleasure to listen to.

As someone who’s been a fan of them for a few years, to hear how they’ve developed their sound but always had a strong Punk backbone to their music; you can’t help but feel really proud of them. There’s moments on the record which make me think of In Utero by Nirvana- Curse My Happiness being the main song to liken it to. There’s something so pure about the band, and you just cannot help but become obsessed with them. Wake Up is a song to really listen to when you can feel the world taking its toll on you. It’s like the song is reassuring you that maybe, it’ll be alright. We don’t know when, but it will be. Hopefully.

When you listen to Rehearsal you just know that this record was made to be played live, to be played at 4am when your mind won’t settle- it’ll be your best pal. It’ll be your crutch. It’ll be your world. Skegss are such an exciting band, and Rehearsal is just a taste of how great they are. Grab a beer, and get lost in this delight of a record.

SKEGSS.

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Hailing from Byron Bay, Skegss are one of the most exciting bands you’ll listen to this year and probably, ever. They make music that holds a sunny disposition that just makes you happy, even if you feel the total opposite. They’re definitely one of the best bands around who are making this kind of noise. It’s addictive Surfer Rock that just makes you want to have a good time, all the time.

On Friday, their debut record, My Own Mess will be released. I could have held off and just wrote about it then but this band is way too good for me to wait this one out. I cannot get enough of their feel good songs, and the way they just make you forget all your troubles. I’ve spent most of my morning at work with a migraine thinking I’m going to puke, but as I listen to Skegss on my dinner break- I feel alright!


Skegss make the kind of music that makes you want to just hit the beach and watch the world go by. They have such gorgeous songs that just make you feel so good, you know. Sometimes this is just what the mind, body and soul needs. I am so excited to hear the record on Friday. It’ll be a dinner break well spent writing about it. As I listen to them for the god knows how many time, I can’t get my head round the fact that their debut record hasn’t come out yet. They sound like a band who have been at this for absolutely ages and are about to release their fourth or fifth.
In November they’ll be touring the UK, and are playing one of my favourite venues in Manchester- The Deaf Institute, and get this- Dumb Punts are supporting them! That’s one of the best line-ups this year. Also, my birthday is in November so I’ll treat this as a belated celebration. I love how Skegss can just flip your mind inside out with their infectious songs that just make every part of you feel pretty damn great.
They’ve released a handful of singles and EPs, so if you’ve heard them then you’ll already have had a taste of how exceptional their debut record is going to be. I can’t wait to catch one of their shows in November. They give off such a DIY feel, and I’m pretty sure that their live shows are going to be just as wild as they sound on record. Australia sure knows how to hit us with amazing Surfer/Garage Rock. Skegss are a band that you cannot help but constantly praise. There is something about them that makes you really root for them, and hope they last a long, long time. We need bands like this. We need bands like Skegss to make us feel good especially when the world can be quite cruel at times. Their gentle and freeing sound is so consistent, and it’s definitely most apparent in the gorgeous song, Stranger. This is one of my favourites but to pick just one is impossible. Stranger is such a captivating song that I want to listen to on a loop. It feels like a soothing ray of sunshine. Then you’ve got New York California which is just a sublime song. This is the one that I cannot get enough of, and I really hope they play it in November because I’ve just GOT to see this one live.


I’m super excited to listen to the new record on Friday and to write about it. I’m pretty confident that it’ll be one of the best records we will hear this year. Sure summer may be over for most, but Skegss give us that summer mood in every song. Take some time out, and let Skegss provide the songs to watch the world drift by.

My Own Mess will be out this Friday on Ratbag Records.

Oh, one last thing- just listen to this song, and let it make you feel entirely free and let everything go: