August 2015, UK rock band Skellums strikingly lit ears with their EP, Clarion Call. It was a release awakening a new horde of fresh and eager ears to the band’s alternative rock sound as well as finding strong radio support from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. Now the Liverpool band has raised the ante with their new double A-sided single Art Of Dying Young / Do Me Wrong; a pair of songs which alone reveal new maturity in the band’s sound and temptation.
Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Cal Roberts, bassist Crichton, guitarist/vocalist Seery, and drummer Courtney, Skellums takes barely the first half minute of Art Of Dying Young to reveal something bigger and bolder about their sound. From its first breath, bass and drums align in a thick wall of rousing enticement entangled in spicy tendrils of guitar. It grabs ears with ease, that persuasion only increasing in strength as a lull around the first syllables from Cal sparks a rich infection of melody within the rhythmic swagger subsequently driving the song. Casting an Arctic Monkeys meets The Jackals air to its own unique personality, the song has feet dancing and the spirit leaping along with its increasingly addictive swing. There is also more of a garage rock essence to its contagion compared to previous offerings, another appealing hue in the more expansive body and adventure of the track.
That new depth and imagination continues with Do Me Wrong where again it needs only the first nag of riffs and ear clipping beats to suggest new imagination at play in songwriting and music. It is only confirmed as the song shares its pop and punkier exploits, all offered with a creative mischief which is almost The Monkees like in its fun and pop catchiness. A rock snarl adds to the great unpredictability equally shaping the excellent encounter, it all colluding for another slice of new and distinct Skellums invention.
Being impressed by Skellums is becoming a highly agreeable habit but fair to say that both Art Of Dying Young and Do Me Wrong leave anything before firmly in the shade. Things are looking very rosy for Skellums and in turn our ears.
Art Of Dying Young / Do Me Wrong is released April 26th on the band’s own Rent & Debt Records @ http://skellums.bandcamp.com/
Upcoming Live Dates:
May 12 – Focus Wales Festival (Saith Seren)
May 13 – Focus Wales Festival (Rewind)
May 20 – Zanzibar, Liverpool
June 18 – Chester Live Festival
http://www.skellums.com/ https://www.facebook.com/skellums https://twitter.com/skellumsmusic
Pete RingMaster 26/04/2016
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