Tag Archives: Skunkmello

A Chat With, Blues, Indie, Interviews, New Music, Rock and Roll

A Chat With : Skunkmello

 

Following the release for their new album ‘ Hot Chicken’ today we decided to have a chat with Skunkmello to see what makes them tick.

When did you form your band?

Early 2012.

How did you decide what style/ Genre of music you wanted to do?
I’ve always been a huge fan of rock and roll and old blues and roots music so I tend to write songs in that vein, and the songs I bring to the band generally dictate the style we ultimately run with. It’s an amorphous vibe that kind of changes a bit from tune to tune, but always grounded in solid rock and roll.
What inspired you to make music?
Everything, really. All the great tunes out there, the grit and grind of everyday existence, high-proof distillations, and the whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers…

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
White knuckled chaos, good-timing debauchery, and tenuous survival careening on the edge of almost certain doom. We like Whiskey too.
Could you briefly describe you music-making process?
We don’t have much of a process. I may come up with a song, for whatever reason, and bring it in to the band for some run and gun electric rocket-fire.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
We often take a bender a bit too far around the curve, winding up in some precarious situations where fast talk and burnt nerves won’t always walk you back. We don’t overcome as much as we overdo, but once you get into something like this you got to take out to it’s fiery conclusion.

What is your Favourite song to perform live and why?
We dig em all, that’s why we play them, and my favorite tends to shift with my mood. Right now I guess it’s a tune called “Sweet Delight” off of our new record, Hot Chicken, because it’s got that big fiery finish you can really get in to.

So far what are your favourite and least favourite venues that you have played ?
We like them all as long as the crowd is right and the taps are flowing.

What’s the most bizarre thing to happen while you were on stage?
Well, we did a show recently where we had some naked folks dancing around, some spinning from the ceiling and others spinning fire. We thought that was pretty cool.

Who has been your favourite support act so far?
There are a number of local bands we like to play with, including The Silks, Scantron, and Cropdust.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to get around, get into some mountains, get into some waves, or get just vibe off somewhere quiet with a book and a guitar. I also enjoy raucous burner at the pub, depending on my mood.

Any Plans to come to Ireland in the future?
Hopefully soon, I love Ireland and have had many a wild time over there. Good people down for a good time.

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own band?
If you dig it, do it. If you really dig it, do it twice.

Stream ‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ below

 

Album Review, Alt Rock, Blues, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll, Uncategorized

Skunkmello ‘Hot Chicken’

Brooklyn-based rock and roll band Skunkmello have released their new album ‘Hot Chicken’ today. Matt Bartlett (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Ed Cuervo (guitar, vocals), Jay Holt (bass,vocals) and Jono Ori (drums, vocals) have created their sound which blends the influences of classic rock and blues artists, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Towns Van Zandt and The Rolling Stones. The group’s three previous releases, Whiskey & Oatmeal EP (2012), 2013’s Lowlife Dreams EP which were produced by the band and mastered by Grammy Award‐winner Brian Lucey,( The Black Keys’ Brothers and El Camino albums) and 2014’s Stars & Stripes, have all met with critical acclaim and ‘Hot Chicken’ follows with in the same manner.
‘Hot Chicken’ pulls together the best of classic rock and roll with country twangs and refreshing blasts of blues to make a solid smooth album full of swagger. ‘Cardboard Box Disguise’ kicks things off in a true rock and roll style with husky vocals, luscious guitar twangs and a sick drum beat that pulls you to the dance floor. With it’s catchy chorus this fun upbeat track is infectious and starts the album off on a high with added cowboy “woooh” mid guitar solo its full of 50s rock and roll swagger.
‘Ridin’ The River’ follows with a heavier sound to start. The country twang features strongly again while the song takes a swing persona as the harmonica becomes predominate. The bridge is finger clicking and foot tappingly good. Its feel good vibe is infectious and makes this track so easy to listen to.
‘Prime Time Hero’ takes a blues form with a sensual sway/strut effect. The guitar plays a light springy melody to soft bouncy beats. Skunkmello take blues and make it light and fun in this track. The chorus is simple with “wooo yeah” lyrics and trust me you will be singing by the end. This track is full of sass in a smooth seductive style.
‘Rhinestone Shady’ brings us a rock and roll blues with heavier beats and stronger vocals full of attitude. With a crisp slick guitar solo and clever lyrics this song is energetic and yet a true narrative telling a story relative to their lives.
‘Highway 17’ slows the tone down a little with a country almost whiskey drowned ballad. It is beautifully melodic and smooth and gives a driving on a hot summers evening feel. Its full of nostalgia and melancholy tones with lush sweet harmonies in backing vocal, while the main vocals are slightly animated and emotional.
‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ brings back that “turn it up loud” rock and roll feel while ‘ Alligator Coat’ gives us some distorted sliding guitars and shakes up their sound a little. ‘Cash Flow Blues’ deals with the problem of money or lack of, which we can all relate to. Skunkmello deal with this problem in an upbeat manner full of humour and an almost speaking vocal in the middle. This song is full of clap along beats and definitely is one to get an audience up and dancing.
‘Sweet Delight’ closes the album in a raunchy blues style. The steamy guitars and soft beat gives a longing sway vibe to the track. While the vocals become rough and husky in places. With “ohhh” feature on vocals that begin soft and build to become intense and louder up to the massive guitar solo and an almost shout in vocals and roll on drums. This softens until the guitar plays us out with a kick ass solo and pounding drums to a sudden end. Leaving you wanting more.
Stream ‘Slaughterhouse Blues’ and ‘Highway 17’  below