Project Description

SKEGSS

+ DUMB PUNTS + LOS SCALLYWAGS

@ THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL

(Live Review)

22/06/18

Reviewer: Melanie D Griffiths

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Skegss

Dumb Punts- Photo by Adrian Thompson

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There is a simplicity about Skegss that is completely disarming. Their brand of surfer indie rock is, at first glance, your typical style of garage rock, leaning heavily on the themes of transition and foreign experiences that all young twenty-somethings go through. Yet where they differentiate from the hundreds of other bands is their ability to deliver glow filled, itchingly catchy songs.

There is also an old adage of, ‘what you give out, is what you get in return’, and if you wanted proof of that, then you only needed to see this sold-out crowd at The Rosemount Hotel. So enthused and joyous, they were literally hanging from the rafters, in between pleading with bassist Toby Cregan and vocalist, guitarist Ben Reed to do shoeys.

It was certainly a different mood compared to the reserved reception friends, and support band, Dumb Punts received, with guitarist Brent Lockhart concluding before launching into another song,

‘’You guys suck at reactions’’.

The trio from Melbourne, including siblings James and Seattle Gallagher, could be described as a diamond in the rough, not that they’d need to be cleaned up. In fact that grubby exterior is probably exactly what they’re going for with their messy garage rock that bubbles with fidgety intensity.

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Skegss

Los Scallywaggs- Photo by Adrian Thompson

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Cracking the set open with Up In The Clouds, Skegss wasted no time in setting the pace of the night. A cluster of young girls had staked out the barriers and side of stage, taken I’m sure by the sunny disposition and looks of Reed who seemed shy when compared to Cregan’s gregarious personality that consistently came to the forefront as he interacted with the crowd with quips and pours of his beer into the mouths of punters.

The crowd loved it all because with songs like Spring Has Sprung and You Probably Won’t Die For A While from 2017’s Holiday Food all your cares are forgotten. All you need to do, according to the lore of Skegss is lie back, let the bad shit wash over you and just exist in the pleasure of right here and right now. Arguably it’s a sentiment that might evolve as the band develops and grows, for now, they are completely owning it.

Perth – the land of dexamphetamine”,

got a conciliatory roar, as did many of their songs including Mustang, and My Face showing off drummer Jonny Lani’s skills in keeping it all together with a lively rhythm. The backyard party vibe continued with a rousing rendition of Slayer, which brought Dumb PuntsBen and Seattle out on stage, clearly, these guys are a tight crew on this tour as they bring the fun to each.

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Skegss

Skegss- Photo by Adrian Thompson

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Closing out the night with New York California, a song displaying a reflective tone not seen in their other material it became a needed palate cleanser before heading into crowd favourites L.S.D and Got On My Skateboard. At show’s end, as some looked for their other shoe on the wet floor, and others hung around debriefing on the night, Skegss had put on a boisterous feelgood set which was bang on what their fans were looking for.

3.5 stars

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