Band of Skulls have always been one of the hardest working bands in modern rock. As bassist and vocalist Emma Richardson admits ‘It’s very hard to get yourself heard these days. You can never let your guard down, you’ve always got to be thinking of the next thing”.
And so, after two years of relentless world-wide touring, the three-piece have finally taken a break. Of course this doesn’t mean they’ve been taking it easy, instead launching straight into the recording of their fourth studio album By Default.
Written in a Baptist Church in their home town of Southampton, with the vicar bringing them tea and biscuits between takes, By Default ventures into elements of surf-rock, 50s rock n roll and disco among other genres not normally associated with Band of Skulls ferociously heavy, riffy style.
Richardson points out that this was an organic, but conscious decision. “The first three records were a bit of a whirlwind, so we wanted to take a bit more time with this one… there was a feel of hip hop, more electronic, some world music happening there, and then trying to filter all that through our three-piece rock band was really interesting”.
With over one hundred songs written during the sessions, the 12 songs featured on the album rose to the top like the cream on a fresh pail of rock n roll milk. “It became obvious over a period of weeks which songs might work together, we wanted to show a more diverse sound on this record, and it just felt natural for these twelve to sit together as a team”.
There’s a light hearted sense of fun amongst these tracks that hasn’t made an appearance in previous releases, tracks like ‘Back of Beyond’, with its boogie-woogie upbeat rhythm, and ‘So Good’, with its funky disco-pop groove that would sound at home on any Preachers album.
But it’s not just the tracks themselves that are so diverse. The production style shifts with the vibe of each song, accentuating and highlighting the nuance of their differences.
Produced by Gil Norton, who has worked with the likes of Pixies, Foo Fighters and Patti Smith, this is perhaps the most ‘classic-rock’ Band of Skulls have ever sounded. “Gil Norton is a great producer to work with; I think he brought a lot out of us. He creates a great environment to work in.” One stand out feature of the production is the big, airy room-sound.
[include_post id=”409063″]This big natural reverb lends a tangible authenticity to the sound of the album, a kind of live feel reminiscent of the rock n roll greats of yesteryear. “We wrote this album in a church, so that sound was integral to the record, and we really wanted to keep that feel.”
While the influences were clearly there in previous albums, never before have this indie-rock trio ventured into such retro-rock territory. ‘Little Momma’ with its rockabilly chorus and ‘Tropical Disease’ with its surfy, Hawaiian rhythm are just two such examples. “We’re big fans of ’50s Rock n Roll, and there has always been a bit of underlying surf-guitar on our records, so there’s that definite sort of nod”.
Conversely, the newest Single ‘Killer’ is Band of Skulls at their most modern; with a heavy and brooding, but danceable groove that brings you right down before a huge, uplifting chorus with an attitude worthy of Alison Mosshart.
As if this stylistic apartheid wasn’t enough, title track ‘In Love By Default’ is guitar-driven hip hop, with a funky breakdown that takes the listener by surprise before dropping back into its atmospheric hip hop strut. “‘In Love By Default’ is a great song to shock people with, and people are really getting into it live”.
“I think we’re all thinking about the next record already”.Genre-bending in its variety, this eclectic release feels like the start of a new journey for Band of Skulls, every song is different, and not only that, but every song rocks in its own way. Still heavy, with a totally booty shakin’ groove and with plenty of wailing, screeching guitar solos courtesy of Russell Marsden, By Default certainly doesn’t disappoint. In fact it hits you where it really counts, in a pleasantly confusing way.
When asked what’s next for Band of Skulls, Richardson responds with a conspiratorial giggle “I think we’re all thinking about the next record already”.
Band of Skulls are touring both Europe and the US this year, but will always have time for their antipodean fans. “We’ll be back in Australia early next year I think, we’re really looking forward to it”.
Band of Skulls’ new LP By Default is out today via Liberator Music/ BMG Recordings.
