Skam In An I.V.
So, earlier this year our Leicester trio Skam gave us the first episode of an album, divided into two sections, working in cahoots to give us an I.V. that we can attach to our arms and sit back and enjoy its contents. The dastardly duo (no Muttley here) of ‘Intra’ and ‘Venous’ have poured petrol over the ever-raging fire of Rock music, blazing a trail that deserves high regard and consideration from the fans and the peers of the industry.
Take a look into these ‘Green Eyes’ and avail yourself a little time to partake and celebrate our friends as they ‘Wake Up’ and smell the coffee of chaos that surrounds us. It is a plea to be alert to the corruption and disaster that is imminent, dissidence may be the only option left. I love the psychopathic killer video for ‘One Track Mind’ it’s right up my street- not the killer I hope, hahaha.
The second CD is ‘Venous’ and we find ourselves still strapped in, as the entertainment continues. The politically charged ‘Fade Out’ see our intrepid lads infiltrate a Tory conference and although it is very funny, the message is deadly serious. Like many bands, this lockdown has given plenty of opportunities for songwriting, politicians and their infuriating attitudes and incendiary policies are the obvious target. Bringing a riff contagion to the masses is ‘I’m Not The Only One’ with its robust and rousing frets and drums, it’s an infection you want to catch. With ‘Deadliest Sin’ we continue with the contemporary sound, it is important for fans to reach out to these bands, they are enterprising and vibrant, progressing at a time when many aspects of our lives have become stagnant.
There is a wealth of extraordinary riffage here that sees Skam finding their place amongst bands that have been established longer, a definitive and decisive presence that ensures trust, and companionship at a time of great uncertainty.
Rocking around since 2011, Skam are Steve Hill – guitar/vocals, Matt Gilmore – bass/backing vocals and Neal Hill – drums and backing vocals, providing a noisy canvas to build their musical journey on, grabbing the industry by the throat and driving their influence to the forefront of the Modern Rock scene. Once you get this inside you, you will have earworms forever in your company. A finale that deserves a standing ovation is ‘The Cure’ a classy ending to an inspirational project.
Now I absolutely hate needles, terrified of them, but this is one I.V. I’ll gladly hook myself up to.
Azra Pathan
SKAM – Intra and Venous out now via X-Ray Records.
For Jojo