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Biography
Vocalist, Benji Webbe created the band Skindred with Daniel Pugsley who has remained the bass player since their formation in 1998. The band was fortunate enough to strike a deal with Lava Records and released their debut album “Babylon” in July 2002. The album made the number one spot of the US Reggae chart and number 11 in the US Heatseekers chart. The single “Pressure” made it to number 30 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 2005, and then the single “Nobody” peaked at number 14 on the mainstream rock tracks chart.
The band’s second album “Roots Rock Riot” was released on Bieler Bros Records. It peaked at number 6 on the Heatseekers chart and impressively number 22 on the top independent albums chart. Their third studio album “Shark Bites and Dog Fights” was released on September 21st 2009, which included the song “Electric Avenue”, a cover of the hit single by Eddy Grant. The single “Stand for Something” was released on August 11th 2009. Their fourth album “Union Black” released on April 25th 2011, made it to number 8 on the UK Independent chart, marking the band’s first appearance on a UK Chart. This album was released on the major label BMG. Their album “Kill the Power” was released on January 27th 2014, and became the band’s highest charting album in the UK yet, making it to number three on the UK Metal Chart.
The band has appeared at a numerous amount of festivals over the years, having embarked on many world tours visiting an array of countries in all of the continents. It is no wonder that they have won so many awards in their time.
Live reviews
So I've been wanting to see Skindred for a good while now and had been contemplating enduring a Steel Panther gig next March to get to see this energetic, fusion band.
Then Songkick pinged up they were playing just down the road from me. So, 1st November saw me crammed into the small but perfectly formed Warehouse 23 in Wakefield with around 600 other metalheads ready to experience the Skindred live phenomenon.
Local band Inlaze opened the show with a very spirited performance. Next up were Glamour of the Kill and their extra time in the business shone through with a polished support slot with tracks from their burgeoning discography.
With the crowd nicely warmed up the time had come, would the energy of their recorded sound live up to my expectations of this band that I'd come to love and listen to repeatedly?
As we were in and around Halloween we were greeted with a Night of the Living Dred themed show - and what followed was 90 minutes of brutal riffs, rhythms, beats and viciously delivered lyrics and enough noise to raise the dead. Combine this with some of the most energetic crowd bouncing I've ever witnessed at a gig not a single person left that gig without being wet through from the energy they expended, bouncing, dancing, singing and collaborating with one of metal's most unique experiences.
Running through some of the many highlights of their recent catalogue we were treated to Pressure, Kill the Power, Ninja, Nobody, Union Black and many many more of their unique blend of reggae, beats and metal.
Holding it all together is the man mountain, Benji Webbe, whose confrontational egging on of the crowd achieved the desired response. Simply refusing to accept any participation that didn't meet his standards he worked the seething sweaty thronged masses into a frenzy, building throughout the show to the highs of Kill the Power and Nobody.
A unique, sweaty, breathless show of power, determination, entertainment Skindred are a phenomena in metal. You should definitely try to catch them in sub-1000 capacity venue. That intimacy only serves to enhance the brutality and viscerality of the experience.
A total recommendation to have Skindred on your gig bucket list!
mark-skeet
A Skindred show was one of the first gigs I ever went to as a kid (at least without my parents) when growing up in Exeter. I caught them not long after Welsh frontman Benji Webbe had formed the ‘ragga metal’ outfit – following the demise of his first cult band, Dub War – at The Phoenix in Exeter. They were damn incredible in the flesh, especially considering this was sometime before the release of their first album. Around the release of that debut, Babylon, I saw them a bunch of times (their own gigs, festivals and supporting slots, including Soulfly in London). For years they remained a painfully underappreciated live metal band; surely Webbe is one of the greatest UK frontmen of the 21st century! He has such a unique presence and vocal range, prowling and barging around the stage while he switches between melodic singing, reggae rapping and guttural growling. No matter where they are playing or what time their set is, Webbe always manages to evoke moshing and mass sing-a-longs.
I most recently saw them in Belgium at Dour Festival and they were one of the weekend’s highlight. The nu metal-tinted riffs of ‘Warning’ and ‘Nobody’ had people bouncing, while the dancey metalcore drumming of fellow Exonian Arya would’ve made the Enter Shikari drummer weak at the knees. But, of course, it was Benji who was the focal point – as is now customary at Skindred gigs, Benji got the whole crowd to whip an item of clothing around their heads during the memorable ‘Newport Helicopter’ mosh. Exhilarating.
cliverozario
Skindred are incredible live: they are one of the most energetic and powerful bands that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing live. The Welsh band are a heavy combination of nu metal and reggae rock and have won countless awards, most notably for their style of performance which are always incredibly high energy. Skindred put on one hell of a show. They combine head thrashing guitar riffs with powerful lyrics and violent beats to really energise and pump the crowd, keeping up this energy all night with their heavy style. One of the best things about the band is the way they blend different genres, experimenting with rock and reggae in conjunction with metal. The whole crowd was dripping in sweat by the end of the night from dancing, dancing that reached dizzying new heights when power tracks ‘Nobody’ and ‘Kill the Power’ were played. Skindred also performed hits such as ‘Pressure’ and ‘Union Black’, both of which drove the crowd wild. The entire night was a huge success.
sabraziz
Amazing gig. We were latenin getting to the venue so missed one band but was still definitely one of my favorite gigs so far. Hed PE, followed by Crossfaith then Skindred. I loved how at least one or two lead singers of each band came out into another bands set. Hed PE were a new band to me but definitely a band to see live. Amazing. But Skindred were brilliant as always, no comparison. Definitely a band to see at least once in your lifetime.
jobbykat27
I've seen Skindred live a few times, at festivals and small venues all the way to Wembley and they never disappoint. It's a high energy show and Benji always goes that extra mile. Even if you're not a huge fan, this a band that needs to be seen
clare-wood-1
The gig was amazing as ever! Second time this year I saw them and again, was brilliant! Would definitely go see them again in a heart beat!! Venue was great and wasn't too hot either (which was a bonus!)
jordan-clow
Super concert and great combination of metal with reggae to create a funky groove. Singer Benji Webbe was quite charismatic and a flashy showman sporting several different pairs of sunglasses!
renee-mirsky
Amazing every time although they deserved better staging at this venue! Good set list of most of the big songs! Shame the venue took forever letting people in so my friends were late.
tammie-stewart
Absolutely fantastic! I love Skindred so much! Benji has a way with the crowd that I've never seen with another band. Touching yet crazy I would love to see them again very soon.
calum-menzies
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