Skegss Talks Traveling and New Music Ahead of Southern California Shows
When Skegss frontman Ben Reed appears on a Zoom call for an interview, Australia’s morning sun illuminates his face with a golden hue. In his signature nonchalant tone, he says it’s the middle of a scorching summer, and while it’s the season for good times and relaxation, the band is ready to embark on their next adventure.
"I’m excited to get back to America," Reed says during our recent Zoom interview. "The shows out there have a lot of energy, so those memories are still lingering as if it were yesterday. We’re excited to kick it off in California and hopefully go and have a rinse in the ocean first and then maybe get a taco."
The tour is in support of their third album, "Pacific Highway Music," released October 18. It is the first without their longtime friend, bassist and vocalist Toby Cregan, who left the band in 2023. Skegss’ core group is back down to founding members Reed and drummer Jonny Lani, who formed the band in 2015 out of Byron Bay, Australia. Their hometown friend Kelton Lee, who has been sporadically performing with them to sharpen his skills for the tour, will fill in on bass for their scheduled dates in America and Europe.
"Kelton is a bit younger and hasn’t traveled as much as we have, so he’s really excited for that," Reed says. "It’s nice having his energy around and seeing someone experience new stuff. It’s reignited things a bit for us. We’ve got a pretty good crew of mates right now, and it feels strong. Everyone’s constantly looking forward to the next time we get together. Everyone loves traveling and hanging out."
The new experiences that traveling ushers in are part of the inspiration behind "Pacific Highway Music." Reed and Lani decided to do something different by recording the album without a bass player and outside of Australia in Southern California studios. They recorded at the Village and Topanga Canyon’s Fivestar Studios with producer Paul Butler, who has worked with Devendra Banhart, Michael Kiwanuka, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, and others. The duo also tapped musician and engineer Dave Catching, who’s worked with Queens of the Stone Age and Mark Lanegan, to help them cut "Pacific Highway Music" demos at Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree.
"I like how it came out because it’s just a mellow, easy-listening kind of thing," Reed said. "It’s not the most upbeat and exciting stuff I feel like we’ve made before, but it’s more something that’s part of the catalog now with a different feeling."
Show Information
- The Observatory, 3503 S Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Wednesday, Feb. 26. $18.75-$41.25 at Livenation.com.
- SOMA, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. 7 p.m. Feb. 25. $38.94 at Ticketweb.com.
- The Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. March 9. $34.10 at axs.com.
Conclusion
Skegss is set to kick off their American tour, bringing their unique sound to Southern California. With their new album "Pacific Highway Music" and a fresh perspective, the band is ready to take on the stage once again. Don’t miss out on their upcoming shows in San Diego, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles.
FAQs
- What is the name of Skegss’ third album?
"Pacific Highway Music" - Who will be filling in on bass for the tour?
Kelton Lee - When will the band be performing in Southern California?
February 25 at SOMA in San Diego, February 26 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, and March 9 at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.
