SKIVES - Actions Speak Louder ! (Crust-Punk - Interview with Eric)
Please introduce yourself and let me know how it all began with the band ?
Eric, guitarist. We are all from around the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. Skives grew out of the ashes of a fallen project. Chip, JL and myself decided instead of dropping out completely from our project we’d shift gears and work on a new project with similar elements.
How did you meet/team up ?
Myself, JL and Chip wanted to continue making music together. I was in other bands with our homie Doug, we all know Doug for a long time so we were hyped Doug wanted to come on board.
So what's the current line-up ?
JL- vocals, Eric - guitar, Chip - drums and Doug - Bass
Your past band experiences ?
There’s a lot so here is a few :
Controller - Eric and Chip are current members,
Ok Buddy and Subservient Dominance - Doug is a current member in Okay Buddy and Subservient Dominance is his power electronics project.
Take Shelter - with Eric, Chip and JL..
Also and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band SKIVES ?
JL - We wanted to make music and vocalize issues that are important to us, to use our platform to make space for spreading awareness.
Describe your sound :
A blend of late 2000 melodic crust punk, D beat with some hardcore elements.
Tell me why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
We want people to listen and think about the issues we are living in from day to day. We want to remind people that they have the power within them to change things around them for the better.
Lyrical and musical inspiration influences?
Doug : His Hero Is Gone, Gather, Earth Crisis, Cryptopsy, Deicide...
Eric : His Hero Is Gone, Catharsis, Wolfbrigade, Clearcut...
JL : Clearcut, Punitive Damage, Lagrimas, Habak, In Contend...
Chip : Cold World, Alice In Chains, Dead Kennedys, Backtrack...
How important are the lyrics for you?
JL - Lyrics are important to me because I want to be able to connect with others and speak out about the injustices in the world. For me it’s important to talk about these injustices that both humans and animals experience. I believe we have the ability to change things by connecting with each other and working towards something bigger than ourselves, building collective consciousness together.
Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics?
There are a lot of terrible things happening in the world, don’t turn away from them. In order for things to change the system has to be dismantled completely for another world to be built.
About your latest release?
Our EP dropped in May. Our message is straight forward and to the point, Total Liberation. We had a fun time making this album and we are already starting to write more songs.
Where/when was it recorded?
It was recorded through Capture Records in Northampton, Pa. Shoutout to Jared Stimpfl for recording us and being awesome at what he does.
Content - artwork - what are the available formats and how to get it ?
Doug, bassist - I provided the artwork for the release. I knew from the start obviously something related to animal liberation/the ALF was needed. There’s plenty of infamous photos of the animal liberation front floating around but I decided to make the design from a more personal standpoint. Knowing both our vocalist and guitarist are parents to multiple rabbits it seemed like the appropriate choice.
The EP has been out for a few weeks streaming on all platforms, Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp….etc. CDs just dropped, via Mutual Aid Records, cassettes coming real soon... I’d say the cassettes should be available by mid-July via Avarice Records.
The CDs and cassettes in hand we will throw some up on our Bandcamp page to order for sure but the best way to grab one, if you’re able, is to come to one of our shows.
Future plans ?
Keep playing music, keep writing, keep speaking out.
Your most insane dream with the band would be?
We’d like to do a small tour. Everyone is super busy with other bands and projects so we hope to make this happen soon. 
Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why?
We’ve only played a few shows but they have all been great! I think our best show was outside on a pier at Walmart Beach in Philadelphia. Shoutout to Salt from Yarga Presents for booking us.
Next live-appearance(s)?
We have a benefit show for Homies helping Homies with some friends in other bands and we’re psyched on it! July 20th in Philadelphia.
Some words on your local scene ?
Our local scene has been starting to pick up thanks to Laura the vocalist from Controller. She’s making them moves!
Bands you're friends with and you'd like to name?
Controller, Okay Buddy, Wipes, Disappearances, Negative Charge (hey - you can read an interview with that band here - Ed.), Pain Strike, Buzzherd ...
Last words are yours :
Make music, make art, believe in yourself and always support your community and the music scene you’re a part of.
Credits :
Band photos : Rosalie Wetze
Live photo : Mahesh Kaladar
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