Words by Steve Shelverton
Skegss amplify the background music of people I love and care about, music that is inextricably woven together in a vivid river of glossy core memories and great tunes. It’s with certainty I state that ‘Pacific Highway Music’ (to be released Friday, October 18th 2024) has added 11 more reasons to support a continuation of this for both of us.
My first Skegss gig retraces to the (marginally) post-covid-era of Feb 2022 at the FMH, with my close friend Mitch. We shared a particularly difficult time together at that point, and Stranger Days had become our unofficial anthem, it unified our solidarity to support each other through mateship and music. Experiencing Skeggs performing Stranger Days live was quite the moment for us to share together.
Due to covid restrictions, surprises arrived in bulk that night, commencing with an impromptu pop-up by Ruby Fields. Sadly, supports Pist Idiots, were trapped in NSW by border restrictions. In their place was none other than my favourite band DZ Deathrays! I was caught off guard yet eternally grateful to Skeggs for the line-up swapsies, enabling this musical transaction therapy to transpire at a time when I was anaemic from live music withdrawal effects. Mitch continues to imitate my shock and awe at the time- “That’s..DZ!..That’s DZ!!!” (exclaimed in a manner of holding an electric fence). After the show I purchased my favourite DZ shirt Golden Retriever and gifted Mitch a signed Stranger Days vinyl single, as an expression of thanks for his mutual support and friendship (even with the occasional piss taking). This is the first of several experiences of Skegss under-promising and over-delivering in sentimental value.
This gig was also the first opportunity to meet one of the most beautiful humans in the music industry – David “Bunny Man”- Herington. I’ve been fortunate to get to know Dave through music journalism, and I share the admiration and respect of his undying support to the creme of Aus music. Skegss capture their gratitude in a lovingly dedicated song to him – Bunny Man. Dave was also present at the final Zoo show.
Reflecting on the last show at The Zoo headlined by Skegss, who furthered the emotional load with a tear-invoking setlist, including a smattering of tracks from the soon-to-be-released album. Benny farewelled the sold-out crowd with cheer, as the last notes of live music waywardly drifted down to be preserved in time on the sticky Zoo floorboards forevermore. Post-show Dave Herrington gifted me one of Benny’s guitar picks, shortly before Benny came out to meet and greet fans, all while the PA boomed a solid mix-track of favourite artists from over 32 years of Zoo legacy, and punters salubriously toasted the occasion with $5 drinks.
This album review is appropriately timed, with the recent announcement of the reincarnation of The Zoo, which will be renewed as Crowbar Brisbane.
So yeah, Skegss give me emotional tingles, proper goosebump feels every time. I’m certain this new album ‘Pacific Highway Music’ as a revised duo of Benny Reid and Jonny Lani will too… Let’s do it!
Trade Winds: The album starts off like a winding coastal road trip, perhaps reminiscent of well-travelled roads of the Byron East coast connection, with familiar jangles of surf-rock and tambourine bending to a positive perspective of the road ahead. It is reflective of the past with gritty anticipation of the future “One day, I’m going to get out of my own way.”
High Beaming: Benny’s voice has evolved since the distant vocals of ‘L.S.D’ in 2014; the proximity of the vocal arrangements is directly up front in a continuation of travel-themed tunes. I enjoy the carry of the lyrics, almost bent like the refraction of light in the line; “I love the way your positivity shines”, adding further weight to what is a positively charged album.
Think I Can Fly: I have found my favourite track. The percussion is a proper treat, with a galloping blue grass effort. It’s a fun cruising diddly with an overlap of acoustic and electric, giving it the sense of a campfire medley that tore its way through an Aus punk garage on a “Deadly Treadly” with Benny steering and Jonny holding on for dear life on the footpegs.
Brain On The Highway: This track is well placed on the album; it’s like a split-screen VW Kombi, complete with a faulty fuel line and overloaded by surfboards, cruising on a late afternoon drive home from the beach. The way it idiosyncratically surges back and forward, picking up speed going downhill with your arms flailing out the window in rejoice of the exhilarating chorus. The journey enables you to be lost in contemplation with your own thoughts as you cruise into the night.
Stuck In Cheyenne: Guitars so highly strung they are going to burst in your face to greet you in the intro. The experimentation within this album is invigorating; I visualise this as a by-product of being on endless tours and… dreaming of going to Japan.
Spaceman: Alright, Zoo faithful. This takes me back to that fun-filled set. Be prepared to hear this track blaring down the triple j airwaves this summer. The bouncing bass opener and twisting of the lyric to be “I’m so far from Space-man” is a clever semi-homophone twist in the Skegss storytelling technique.
Batten Down The Hatches: Contently preparing for a storm with a bottle of grappa and a loved one. It sounds more like pure joy rather than a storm warning. Perhaps this is inspired by happy memories of covid? Enabling a stripped-back simplicity in daily routines at the time, with an appreciation of the slowed-down moments with those deeply in love, despite the storm brewing outside.
Aeroplane Heart: Travel themes continue! In that constant Skegss theme of relationships and the distances between them. Three-quarters through the song, an old-school rock guitar solo appears out of nowhere. It’s going to be a scorcher live!
Out Of My Head: I can have more than one favourite, right? Hearing this track, you will as well. I love the pace, the percussion, and the chugging motion of the chorus. This is top shelf Skegss “gotta..get out of my Head…forget about it” fat chance Skeggs! This earworm is truly planted in my mind. I love the rhythm, or I should say energetic algorithm in positive thinking. Listen out for the cheeky chimes at the end!
It Is: This track highlights the positivity of Skegss, exemplified as Benny stretches his voice like a slinky transcending a stairwell, to quote “It is So God Damn Beautiful!” – It truly is.
Kelly Heroes: With this “Pacific highway music…specific highway music”, who is the real hero? I am certainly curious. Drummers, prepare to dissect the variated experimental percussions on this track with glee. It is immersed within borrowed themes of a woozy surf-country vibe, best served with a cold Young Henrys and a fresh Byron Bay spliff.
Will You enjoy ‘Pacific Highway Music’? If you are willing to kick back and travel on this textured reflective journey, yes, indeed. It’s not breakneck pace in comparison to others within the Aus Punk-Surf Garage rock genre, but then, it doesn’t have to or need to be.
It’s a mature, smooth cruise approach with comfort liberally applied in intimate lyrics, bolstered by experimental percussion. Benny‘s craftsman-like vocals emphasises the story-telling of love, gratitude and optimism with confidence. I, for one, intend on riding this ‘Pacific Highway Music’ all summer long.
Thanks to Virgin Music Group
