For anyone who doesn't know, The Skints are Jamie Kyriakides (drums, sings), Marcia Richards (keys, sax, flute, melodica, sings), Josh Waters Rudge (guitar and sings) and Jonathan Doyle (bass). They hail from London and their old style ska reggae is taking the UK underground ska scene by storm. I spoke to Josh about what it's like being a member of The Skints and his plans for the forthcoming year.
So last year was pretty busy for you guys. What was the highlight?
Ah, it was a mad one for us. Somewhere between doing a Radio 1 session, going to Europe, playing Reading and Leeds and touring with some of our favourite bands was the highlight.
Over time you've toured with Aggrolites, Slackers, Sublime, Bedouin Soundclash, Capdown, Gogol Bordello, is there any way you can describe what it means to tour with your influences and idols?
Not really. It's the most humbling experience as well being the biggest honour. Emotional times.
They say you should never meet your heroes, is this true?
I'm not sure. I've had a lot of people I've looked up to and loved as a music listener and musician and have been fortunate enough to meet some of those people. Maybe they're talking about getting let down by heroes, but normal people will let you down on a daily basis so go figure haha.
And which other bands would you cite as being huge influences on your musical career and preferences?
There's so many. Seriously like I could be here all day just reading off Jamaican artists that we listen to and love, without even starting on the rest of the world! Our van song selections would probably surprise anyone who likes our band.
What bands have you recently been listening to?
I haven't been listening to many bands from our scene as of late, not really a lot got me proper excited right now. I just bought the new Prince Fatty album which is amazing, and there's a few other records I've just got, the new Ghetts mixtape is great and I'm loving Wiz Khalifa at the moment. Band wise, I would recommend you listen to our boys in Claypigeon every single time though, they are better than any other UK underground band. Period.
How did you get into playing music?
Marcia and Jamie have the most interesting stories here, but they're not here! Gutted. I just started playing guitar because of the music I was listening to you know, same for Jon with the bass. Jamie taught himself the piano when he was a nipper, then guitar, then drums I think. He's just silly. Marcia had pure classical training on the flute and piano as a youth, and will tell you that she only knew classical music until we went to high school, which is true, but I know she loved Mis-teeq when we were in year 5.
What do you think you'd be doing now if you weren't in a band?
I don't like to think about it. I didn't do too well at school so probably in some shit job hating life, or spending dole money on weed. I'd lead a very bleak existence. There is nothing else I know how to do, or feel I'm any good at. I would have to do something music related, which if I wasn't in a band I wouldn't know anyone in the industry anyway, so I count myself lucky. Broke, but lucky.
Is it true that you are working with the other artists in Suicide Bid at the moment to produce another album? And if so when can we expect to be able to hear this?
Jamie, Marcia and myself are featuring on the forthcoming Suicide Bid album longside a selection of other artists. I don't know when the album is planning to be released, as far as I'm aware it isn't mastered yet.
And when can we expect to be able to get The Skints' new album? Is it almost ready or is there a lot more to do on it?
Can't really say to much on our new album I'm afraid, but we're very, very excited.
As well as recording... what are your other plans for 2011?
We're going on tour with the legendary Reel Big Fish in February and March which will take us all over the UK and to Germany, Belgium, France and Holland which is gonna be awesome. That and the record will keep us busy for a bit.
I recently saw JR from Less Than Jake tweeting about you - he said he was listening to your music - how does it make you feel when these kind of 3rd wave ska punk 'legends' express praise about your work?
Rah! I didn't even know that! That's heavy.
Who does your artwork? And why did you go with them?
Chris "Creese" Warsop. Because he's a shotgun badman.
What guitars/equipment do you prefer to use and any reasons as to why you settled on this set up?
Haha, I don't have to large up anyone here because we have no equipment endorsements. I use a Fender Telecaster through a Fender HotRod Deluxe combo amp with a B3 DLY-503 analogue delay pedal for some dubby moments. I settled on this because it sounds old school and boss and I love Telecasters.
What's the best thing about being in The Skints?
Chasing dreams, going on adventures, making music and making people dance and smile with your best friends.
What's been the hardest thing about being in The Skints?
Seeing how much the headline band is getting paid!
And finally has anyone ever said to The Skints that your band has changed their lives or changed how they think politically or how they see the world?
Well we really lucky to have some really, really committed fans and supporters right now - it's a good look. A few people have got The Skints tattoos now, either logos or lyrics and whatnot, so I guess their bodies are changed forever! Big up everyone showing love right now, can't thank you all enough.
