THE SKINNER BROTHERS | INTERVIEW

 

Carl Marsh checks in on Zac Skinner, frontman of these lairy Libertines-approved lad-rock Londoners, about his band’s chequered journey to here, with their new EP Iconic out this week.

 

Prior to the release of your EP, I read a bold statement: you said that whatever you release, EP or LP, you’re not going to have any filler on them.

Zac Skinner: I make a ton of tracks, man – sometimes I get three or four good ones in a row. I don’t allow myself to do bad melodies, but sometimes it just won’t all add up. There might be good melodies rolling in the tune, but they might not fit my voice 100%. It might be a tiny bit American or something, but it might just not be the one, and you can’t explain it, can you? And if you could, then everyone would be billionaires right now.

It’s just something that clicks, and you’re like, “that’s the one”. It’s a numbers game: you keep hitting it, and you’ll get more of a chance.

 

It sounds like you’ve got lots of songs recorded to choose from, then?

Since I came to London, I’ve got so many. I’ve got tons on this stupid memory stick thing since I started recording them – just so many, man. I used to be all over the place with genre and that, but now I’m more honed in. 

 

I agree you’ve honed your skill, and found your musical niche. Your new track, Iconic, sums up the journey you’ve been on these last eight years, wouldn’t you agree?

Yeah, pretty much, man, as it seems to wrap up quite nicely. It’s mainly about my voice, because I’ve tried everything with it over the years to see where it fits best. It’s not that versatile, my voice – I’m not a great singer, but I’m just trying to keep it authentic and English.

On this record, I think I’ve married a couple of styles together, which is unique without saying it’s like an experimental record or something. It is pushing a little bit of ground, I think.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkFuEbPv17g

 

So with that eight-year period in mind, are you now at the point where you can say you’re ready?

You know what, man, I feel ready. Like before, when we did a tour with The Libertines in 2017, and that was before we had released any records under this current band name. Yet even then, I felt I was not ready. I just thought something magical would happen, like this big pot of money at the end of the rainbow. I’d do those shows, and then no one cared [laughs].

I’m more ready now, but I’ve become a bit of a miserable bastard over the years, having dealt with managers and stuff like that. I used to be way more buzzed about things – I’ve still got the buzz, but I can’t explain it really… before, I used to be up for anything. Whereas now I’d be thinking, “oh, that sounds shit, I’m not doing that”. I know where my boundaries are. I know where I am going to sound shit.

 

You know the boundaries with your music. What’s the story about the clothing you wear… all Fred Perry, judging by the press pics. Have you always had an interest in this fashion style?

Man, I was wearing fucking platform boots five years ago. I don’t give a fuck [laughs]. I think that’s more ballsy than anything! I jumped ship when I saw what the football guys were wearing even though I didn’t know anything about football. And I still don’t. 

 

And are you avoiding all the excesses that rock’n’roll can offer?

I think I’ve had all the pitfalls [already], so I run the ship quite rigidly, even down to the fucking amount of drinks you drink. Because I know when it goes wrong: you get offered a drink by a fan – who’s come to see you – or a promoter, and you find yourself five beers down. And then there might be a problem.

I know that doesn’t sound rock’n’roll, but I’m not fucking this up. You see many older school rock’n’roller guys: they don’t get on it anymore because it’s not possible. You can’t remain in this business doing all that stuff for too long. 

 

The Skinner Brothers’ Iconic EP is out now on Blagger. Info: Facebook / Instagram

words CARL MARSH photos CONNOR HILL