1. Skeleton was born in 2014, why did you decide to create the band? Why did they choose the name Skeleton? Does coexistence between brothers get along well within the band?
- David and I grew up playing music together and wanted to form this band to create the most extreme and crushing riffs we could. Skeleton is about an even 50/50 split between us as for writing the music. Of course when you have a creative vision and try to share it with others you will not always agree, but we have done this now together for so long we have a good process of working together. This band would not sound like it does if we were not brothers. We have almost exactly the same ear for what we like and don't like stylistically and share a similar vision. I think this fact is what makes the band unique and really comes through in our music.
As for the name, there's nothing really more to it than a straight to the point, one word name. People say, "there's so many bands named Skeleton..." And they also say, "I can't believe no one has used the name Skeleton before..." We don't care because it's ours now, it's definitive.
2. Skeleton in its beginnings offered a more punk sound, a style that is still present today, but with less weight, since nowadays there is a greater presence of black, thrash or speed elements in their sound. How do you think this change of register in your sound has been taking place over the years, has it been something conscious, premeditated or has it arisen in a spontaneous way due to the band's own need?
- We did start off in the more "punk" world because that's what we were surrounded with. Our friends had bands we would go see and in 2010 it was pretty exciting to be around. However, more than the style of music, it was the extremity of it that I realize we were attracted to. In the world of extreme music, we were exposed to punk first. I was also into some noise and industrial type music as well which has always played an influence. In going to shows what I wanted was to feel scared and see the band playing with a focused intention on intensity. This quest quickly started pushing a lot of bands aside as the path lead into black metal and then to death metal. Naturally as we were exposed to more and more music, our own sound developed as well and this is the progression you hear if you look over our discography. It is natural and true to our seeking in ourselves to write the hardest songs possible.
3. It is true that throughout these years you have released a lot of material in EP format, until the arrival of your first album, do you feel that now you have reached maturity as a band and it was time to seal it with your first album? I miss calling the album "Skeleton" is it a way of vindicating you?
- Most of the EP's we released were made past tours we have done. Our recent LP has been a long time coming and we are proud to finally have it released. We recorded it I believe 3 years ago now! So many factors have played into the delay of it and our previous releases being only EPs, but nothing we are ashamed of. Our relationship with 20 Buck Spin is amazing and we could not be happier. Everything happens for a reason.
The album being self titled is just classic and in good taste.
4. Your last album has a very classic sound, it brings together the ingredients that later gave rise to style like black, we can appreciate elements of hardcore, thrash or speeed almost like proto black metal, how would you describe the album sound? And what bands have inspired the final sound of "Skeleton"?
- Thank you, we wanted to have a "classic" sounding album sonically. We would flip back and forth between well produced Swedish death metal and raw black metal demos, hoping ours fell somewhere in-between. As far as our sound musically, even though we draw influence from many places, I would say thrash/speed/heavy metal/USDM/1st wave BM all have little to no direct influence on us. We won't place limits on what genre we are or what we can do. We are on our own path we have created for ourselves and will stay true to it.
5. How was the composition and recording process for the new album? What have you changed with respect to previous recordings? What brands of instruments do you use to record and how do they differ from those used for concerts?
- The recording process was great and we were very happy to work with Chico Jones. He had recorded a local band's album that David and I always revered as a "perfect" sounding record. We always knew we would go to him for this album and we're pleased to have him agree to work with us. Then sending it to Sasha Stroud for mastering really put the album over the top, she did an amazing job.
We recorded this album I believe 3 years ago so I hardly remember what we played on as far as equipment. I think we basically went in with what we use live. I used to care about equipment but lost most of my interest as long as it has a sound quality pleasing to my ear. Dave loves that stuff though and can talk on it.
6. The lyrics that “Skeleton” are not very broad, but they do reveal a theme far removed from what is considered conventional in the genre, does this have to do with your more punk origins? Why do you consider important the themes you deal with in your texts?
- The themes are honest to me and I am not concerned about them "fitting in". I prefer to write one word or one line that inflicts the emotion I am seeking over writing a couple of paragraphs. With the amount of power I put into each word in performance, I can't say many words or say them fast anyways. I really actually don't care about saying any words most of the time anyways... I don't think I necessarily need lyrics to portray the idea or feeling I want to get across.
If maybe by "conventional" you mean Satanic, this is something we will never write about. The very simple reasoning for this is we are neither a Satanic or Black Metal band. I say this with complete respect for these ideas, and it is precisely that respect why we would not do something so stupid. Fuck all these poser bands today that are trying to falsely identify to something they know nothing about.
Most of our songs consist of strength, revenge, or magical themes.
7. You have always been very involved with the Austin music scene. What can you tell us about city bands? How do you feel part of the scene? Do you consider yourself a reference for bands that are starting out?
- We feel very deeply connected to not only the Austin music scene but Texas as a whole. The state absolutely has the best bands, in every genre, in the world and we are very proud to be a part of it. My dad brought us up playing music as he has been a long time working musician in the community as well. A few, of many, bands readers should look into from texas would be: Recide, Seclusion, Blank Hellscape, Skourge, and Frozen Soul.
8. How were your beginnings in music: first albums you bought, first concerts you attended? What did you do in your lives that made you want to be musicians?
- My parents had drum sticks in my hands before I could even speak. Music is another language for me that I can't conceive of being without. I know nothing else but to use it, same as my brother. As far as any extreme music goes, early influences and gateways were Recide, Throbbing Gristle, Total Abuse, and Dystopia.
9. The album has been released on digital, CD, cassette and vinyl. As a listener, what format do you feel most comfortable with when listening to music? Is cassette a format that is making a comeback little by little?
- They are all worthy and have there place. I think when we heard it back on vinyl for the first time was the best we had ever heard it sound. Tapes are special in their own way of course too.
10. The issue of Covid-19 has meant the cancellation of most of the concerts with the consequent loss of income and contact with fans, how has it affected you as a band? And what have you done to keep the fans satisfied during this time?
- We have stayed very active within the band and have recorded our next full length LP. We aren't very interested in doing some sort of live stream compromise. We will be back on the road in absolute full force as soon as possible.
11. What album defines the essence of black metal for you? What was the last album you bought? What album should be a must listen?
- Black metal is another world and experience one should quest on lead by their own light. Then, daring to extinguish your own flame and immerse yourself in total Darkness, you will find yourself in our company.
12. What future plans do you have for the band, regarding upcoming releases, editions, etc ...?
- We have the next full length LP recorded that will come out again on 20 Buck Spin. If anyone liked the last album this one is many times harder x darker and full of riffs from start to finish. We will be releasing in the next couple of months a promotional EP for the upcoming record that consists of 2 exclusive songs to the ep and 2 songs that will be on the album. We have a lot of new merch that will be available online soon and touring will start hopefully in the near future.
13. Thank you very much for the time dedicated to Black Metal Spirit, if you want to add something for the followers of Skeleton this is the place. I hope the questions have been to your liking.
- Thank you for your thoughtful questions and support. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon!
Best,
Victor Skeleton
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Malum / Insane Vesper – Luciferian Dimensions 18,99 €
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