EP Review: Skegss ‘Everyone Is Good At Something’

Breaking out with their debut EP ‘50 Pushups For A Dollar’ last year, Skegss have returned with their follow up EP ‘Everyone Is Good At Something’. Following the path of their label owners Dune Rats, Skegss channel the beer-skulling, surfy vibes we’ve all come to know and love while blending them with their own punk-rock style.

Slayer is a killer opener that’s gonna get your head banging before the verse even kicks in. It opens with a classic punk riff and charges it’s way in with chugging power chords and crashing cymbals. Vocalist Ben Ben Bograil’s commanding style is reminiscent of the great Joey Ramone, with less ‘stick it to the man’ and more ‘keen for a beer man?’. The chorus is bound to have crowds screaming nationwide as the trio spell out the track’s title, “s-l-a-y, E-R!”.

Mustang is a less-intense track than its predecessor but still presents a pounding backbeat (bestowed upon us by drummer Johnny Layback) that’s complimented by a slower strumming pattern. The flamboyant, cymbal packed chorus further shows the punk vocal ability of Bograil as he soars to a more boisterous level. A beachy breakdown chills the mood out before the track rockets back into that chorus that’ll stick in your head better than sand does to wet feet.

“New York California starts off sounding like the band has just woken up from a big night on the bevvies…”

Next up is the EP’s lead single My Face, which rises the party level back to 10. With hints of both 90s grunge and a little of The Strokes, the track has more of a murmuring vocal style and chirpy, fuzzy guitar work. I’ll admit that on my first listen through I thought all of the EP’s tracks were extremely similar, but on closer inspection they each present their own stand out, well-refined punk qualities. My Face’s hazy, stoner vibes make you feel, despite the influx of colds, like it’s summer in July.

New York California starts off sounding like the band has just woken up from a big night on the bevvies with Bograil’s drowsy vocals, single guitar strums, and a simpler rhythm. This quickly fluctuates in the chorus where we finally get some penetrating albeit scratchy screams. Despite only using the line “I’m going down to New York, Califronia/ I got my Coca-Cola and I got my cigarettes” throughout the three-and-a-half-minute tune it’s still a great song with some stimulating dynamics.

On a side note, despite not having any stand out moments on the EP, bassist Toby Two-String doesn’t falter throughout the seven tracks, strongly supporting Bograil’s guitar melodies and Layback’s rhythms.

Skegss yet again use the effective three-chord formula in Van Halen, although it may be getting a little dry, still sounds as groovy as ever. There’s no similarity to the band Van Halen, but the song’s very similar to Slayer, with the only distinct variation being the use of distorted vocal effects. It’s a track for the fans, showing the band’s punk chemistry and unblemished method. The mixture of both strumming and lead work by Bograil works perfectly, and his solo during the breakdown copies the melody of the track impeccably.

“…the seven tracks the fellas show off their party spirit as well as some lyrical depth, backed by tasty guitar work, groovy bass lines, and thrashing rhythms.”

It’s a close tie between My Face and the next track Stranger for my favourite song on the EP. Stranger is an oddly beautiful ballad, and parades Skegss’ ability to diverge from their predominantly punk style. Trading drumsticks for brushes, and distortion for a cleaner tone, this harmonious song is Bograil’s sincere thoughts on life on the road. Stranger is a song to be played as you ponder life while watching the sun set over the ocean’s horizon.

Wake The Fuck Up undeniably awakens anybody from the chill vibes of Stranger. The first line, “I’m gonna get some booze ‘cause I wanna get wasted/ Don’t know what to choose, something I haven’t tasted” is a classic conundrum and sets the tone for the tune. It’s a sweet mix of both their intense punk style and their calmer, surf vibes, both of which were displayed across the previous six songs. The fresh use of ukulele (I think?) for some lead work is something rarely heard, let alone in punk tracks, and it further adds to the surf atmosphere they so accurately convey.

Having never listened to Skegss prior to this EP, ‘Everyone Is Good At Something’ clearly shows how the Byron Bay trio have garnered so much popularity at such a fast rate. Over the seven tracks the fellas show off their party spirit as well as some lyrical depth, backed by tasty guitar work, groovy bass lines, and thrashing rhythms. At times it feels there’s a bit of musical recycling, but overall it’s an impressive punk release.

Check out the video for My Face and Skegss’ upcoming national tour dates below!

Skegss National Tour Dates

THU 11 AUG
Rocket Bar, Perth
FRI 12 AUG
Players Bar, Mandurah
SAT 13 AUG
Amplifier, Perth
SAT 20 AUG
Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (U18)
SAT 20 AUG
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
THU 1 SEP
Newtown Social Club, Sydney
FRI 2 SEP
The Brightside, Brisbane
SAT 3 SEP
Foundry Records, Brisbane (U18)
SAT 17 SEP
Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay

Get Tickets HERE