Skegss take the wheel: how a coastal highway, synths, and punk spirit drove the duo’s new album into uncharted territory.
Words: Steven Loftin.
Photos: Daniel Topete, Jack Moran.
Australian duo Skegss have been on a journey. It’s why, these days, they are all about motion. Their third album, ‘Pacific Highway Music’ – released on Loma Vista Records – pertains to a long coastal stretch of road that connects Australia’s bustling metros of Sydney and Brisbane. It’s 621 miles long, and filling the vacuous space between them takes something special. It’s where the raucous Aussie duo have spent many an hour pondering and listening to music and podcasts. But, most importantly, it’s what’s informed their latest effort.
This time they were aiming to create the soundtrack for such a journey. One that inhabits the contemplative nature of such a stretch, so the now-duo set about crafting some tracks. First, they went to LA and The Village Studios, where the album began to come to fruition. But, feeling dissatisfied with the way of life, it was out in the wilds of Topanga Canyon, at Five Star Studios, a world away from the seedy industry-laden city of LA, they cobbled together what would be the majority of ‘Pacific Highway Music’. Throughout the album are tracks that embody momentum; ‘Tradewinds’, ‘I Think I Can Fly’, ‘Brain On The Highway’, and ‘Aeroplane Heart’. As is their nature, Skegss are steadfastly moving, rarely looking backwards.
It’s also as introspective as the group have got, with Ben penning missives that get joyously inward-facing. Opener ‘Tradewinds’ finds Ben declaring, “One day I’m going to get out of my way,” while on the stripped-back ‘Spaceman’, he gets more contemplative as he croakily ponders, “I am, so far from space, man.” Even ‘Batten Down The Hatches’ came from an idea Ben had been germinating for a while. “I knew I wanted it to be like a narrative,” Ben explains. Deciding now was the time, “I wanted to tell that… I was picturing being on a ship and feeling a little bit lost at sea.” But it’s these ruminations that help Skegss feel like a shining beacon, one covering that coastal highway with rambunctious punk jams that, as per their recent single ‘High Beaming’, “I love the way your positivity shines, putting my wild mind at ease.” It’s Skegss’ world, and with ‘Pacific Highway Music’, we’re just living in it.
Getting to this checkpoint requires a bit of background info. Skegss formed in Byron Bay in 2014 by guitarist and vocalist Ben Reed and drummer Jonny Lani, alongside former guitarist Noa Deane and bassist Toby Cregan – who left last year. Since then, Skegss have made a solid name for themselves in their homestead. Their 2018 debut album, ‘My Own Mess’ hit Number 2 on the Australian charts with its garage punk framework exploring the laidback lifestyle key to an Aussie upbringing. Its follow-up, 2021’s ‘Rehearsal’, doubled down on all fronts, climbing to the top spot in the charts. Suffice it to say that Skegss know their way around a tune.
Jonny laughs when recalling their creative technique, “All the thought goes into the writing.” While he acknowledges his strengths lie less in keeping things tight – instead letting the free spirit lead his punk tub-thumping – there’s a connection between the pair. It’s one that decidedly lets the other live in their individuality, with the two gelling to create Skegss’ riotous brand of lo-fi punk.
‘Pacific Highway Music’ is their first outing as a duo, which means the pair have to adjust to Toby’s absence. Recalling the process of creating an album as a twosome for the first time, they mention that it felt odd not having the bass be an integral part of the process. But now, they have Kelton Lee taking Toby’s place live. They initially felt like an inherent element was missing during the studio sessions (with Kelton already proving to be a worthy replacement on the road), but that just means there’s a chance for them to try a little something different. Where their previous efforts were wholeheartedly spirited by surf tunes and a lo-fi laidback attitude, ‘Pacific Highway Music’ feels full-bodied, reaching deep into its melodies, even exploring the bare bones at times, fully launching this new era of Skegss into the world.
However, this time has been all about testing future waters. With the toying of synthesizers, and metronomes for timing (much to Jonny’s chagrin), Skegss have been embracing this new time of theirs. But it doesn’t take long for them to admit, “This one, it’s like, I’ve got that out of the system now, and I feel complete with it,” says Ben. With the guitarist always tinkering away at tracks, he professes it “never gets old” when finding a creative spark that he can then fire over to Jonny. It’s why they’re just as pumped for the next chapter in their story as Ben offers that next time, “We can go a bit rogue; nothing has to make sense.” But, before getting carried too far into the future, ‘Pacific Highway Music’ has to do its duty, just as the namesake road has for the pair over the years.
Indeed, there’s a confidence that’s grown with the pair over the course of their journey, even if they still don’t seem to quite exude it. “I still get gee’d up before a show,” Ben says gleefully, at how they’ve grown, but, nodding to the drinks laid out in front of them, a bit of liquid courage, and the pair let loose with the reckless abandon that’s seen them in good stead.
The ability to know how and when to shake things up is key. For all the subtle studio-side changes this time, they’re keeping the live show as fittingly loose as possible. Even as an official duo, they still have irresistible charm, careening around their tracks with urgency, with a hurry to get onto the next one to join the party. This is all part of the Skegss appeal that’s seen them go from strength to strength, which, for all intents and purposes, is necessary. Back home, things have been a bit wonky.
The industry in Australia has seen multiple festivals cancelled. The chief suspect for this is the global rising cost of living and touring expenses becoming fast unaffordable; most bands aren’t making the trip down under. The growing list includes Splendour In The Grass, a right-of-passage fest for burgeoning bands where Skegss themselves once pulled a crowd of 20,000. The future isn’t as bright as it has been in past years for Aussie exports, and Skegss see themselves as fortunate sons of a time when the spotlight was burning. Along with the likes of The Chats, Amyl & The Sniffers, and Dune Rats, they’ve established themselves outside of those pesky algorithms that enjoy lumping Aussie bands together. It’s why Skegss are so joyfully embracing being out and about these days. They’re overcoming adversity on all fronts, which is giving them cause for celebration.
Skegss are all about bringing the party to the people. Even today, they’re deep into daiquiris and beers after a show at a brewery the previous night. They exude the picture of the fun-loving band they’ve claimed to be. “Having the conversation, making friends, getting their feedback” is what their journey has been about and continues to be. As Ben declares, “You’ve got to really embrace that,” as a pivotal aspect of how and why Skegss have maintained and built upon a solid foundation. Indeed, the pair make for laidback company, often relishing in in-jokes and quips either nonchalantly drops.
As for if the album fits the bill for being an ideal soundtrack on that Pacific Highway, they’ve given it its run out, and it’s a resounding affirmation from the pair. The physical road that’s served Skegss well for so long has readily carried them into an exciting new chapter, and they’re raring to see what lies at the end of it.
Skegss’ album ‘Pacific Highway Music’ is out now. Follow Upset’s Spotify playlist here.
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