SKINGAME
Interview for
CHAOTIC CRITIQUES

A) Skingame's music is a combination of different styles. We not only combine elements of techno and electronica with rock, but we also layer and inter-twine these elements on different levels. This is what makes us unique. You could listen to a song once through and think it was a pretty straight ahead rock song, then listen to it again and find a whole new world of sounds and beats you may have missed the first time through.

Q) What would you say is the driving force that inspires the band to play in the way that it does?

A) There is a certain sound that Scott (vocals) and I set out to achieve from the beginning, and that the band as a whole has agreed upon. It's the core of our sound. Any new material must fit in those guidelines. Not to say that we are limiting ourselves we just want to have a consistent sound.

Q) Is there a prevalent philosophy behind the band musically, politically, spiritually, or otherwise? Is there ever any disagreement between band members in this

A) I think this ties in with the previous question. We always want the music to be representative of the original idea. Having said that, I also think that the styles of the other members of the band complete the sound. Their influences become our influences. We work very well together as a song writing team. We may disagree from time to time but the thing that really dictates what is right or wrong is the song. If something sounds good in a song, or if a part sounds wrong, we all know it. It's out there for all of us to hear, and the part is either incorporated into the song or dropped.

Q) How would you describe SKINGAME in a live setting?

A) Skingame live is a monster. That seems to be the first word that popped into my head. There is just so much energy and aggression. Scott is a very commanding performer. I think he must have an extra performance chromosome. Mark is a master on guitar. I really have alot of respect for him musically. Somehow he manages to sound great even though he's jumping around the stage like a mad man. On more than a few occasions I've seen blood running down his pick guard. Dustin (bass) is the same way. He and I are usually on the same side of the stage and frequently slam heads accidentally. Finally, Steve (drums) ...well Steve has a very big drum set. It's only a five piece but the drums themselves are huge. He has a 28 inch kick. His floor tom is as big as most peoples kick drums. He's a slamming drummer. Rock steady. He hits his drums so hard it's scary. I'm usually next to Scott, trying to figure out new ways to mash my keyboards. I have a pretty elaborate rack of samplers and sound modules on stage with me, but I really like the Prophet that I use live. It's old and has lots of knobs. I can make the most heinous sounds with it and usually have one hand on it at all times. We all work very well together on stage and try to keep the sound tight and consistent. A booking agent in New York City said she couldn't believe that we pulled off the sound of the CD live. We pride ourselves on being able to reproduce everything on the CD on stage. At the same time, I think we transcend the recorded sound. Skingame is hard to contain on a CD. Our sound is so big and aggressive that it's best to see it live to believe it.

Q) What is the strangest show that you have ever played?

A) Each show we play seems to have some unique feature to it. Probably the one that sticks in my mind was when we were playing at Mama Kin in Boston. It's a club owned by Aerosmith. It's actually a very cool club. It's has a nice big room and a great sound system. We had a great gig there. The room was packed and people were going nuts. Right up against the stage, in front of the mosh pit, a group of girls were grooving to the music. They were having what looked like an outrageous dance competition. All of us on-stage were watching while playing. They seemed to be trying to out dance, or out do each other. Then, as if it was part of a dance move, they faced us and lifted up their shirts. This lasted until we finished the set. I don't know what it is about our music but we always seem to attract a large contingent of women.

Q) If you could pick one song that best represents what SKINGAME is all about, what would it be, and why?

A) I used to think that "Swollen Tongue" was a good representation of the band. It blends the rock and the techno elements together pretty well, along with the smooth melodies. Now, I think that there are a few sides to Skingame that we highlight from song to song. We will always have that blend, but I think in the future, we may let certain elements breath a little more than others, depending on how the song develops.

Q) Why did you decide to include the four radio edits? Do you think in the future you might try some industrial or techno remixes of your songs, as a lot of other bands do?

A) We do get into remixes. We just haven't recorded any as of yet. We are constantly reworking tunes or using ideas in new songs. I think you will hear more of this in the future. The reason for the radio edits is simple. We didn't have enough money to release them separately to the radio stations. Fall Dead, Godfreak, Slodeath, and Trip the Kiss have been getting alot of airplay. There are words in some of those songs that by FCC (federal communications commission) law can't be played on US radio. When we printed our CD, we were hoping that we would get airplay, so we made "clean" versions so there wouldn't be any problems.

Q) What lyrical topics are addressed? Are there any lyrics that take on a personal significance?

A) All the lyrics are of personal significance. Usually they pertain to the two sides of any dominant emotion in a serious situation.

Q) What are some of the best and worst features of being an underground act? A) Respect and lack of respect. Freedom and no money. There is a dichotomy to being an underground band. People think the band is cool because it's new and fresh, but at the same time it's hard to do certain things because you are fairly unknown

Q) A biography for another hard rock band stated that the band members were "bored with the constraints of commercial music". I see SKINGAME taking a similar view

A) I've heard that from a number of people [that we push the envelope of the accepted pop/rock formula] when I think we are just a heavy pop band. So I guess it takes other people to show you that your own perception may be different. Of course the pop formula will always re-invent itself. Our use of electronics is just our way of expressing our take on pop or rock.

Q) It has often been said that the use of electronics takes the humanity out of music - how would you respond to this?

A) Electronics extend the latitude a band has which in turn increases the ability for the band to express itself. I think it adds to the emotion and creativity. Sounds and samples have as much feeling as "organic" instruments depending on how each is used.

Q) Any closing comments?

A) Well...just check out our CD, listen to it a few times through. There's many layers in there that evoke different emotional responses. And, if you can come out and see us live. We have a great time playing.