Skintight jaguars

Infobox musical artist
Name = Skintight Jaguars
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = London, England, UK
Genre = Alternative rock
Punk rock
Years_active = 2004 – Present
Label = Hustler Squad Records
MSKL Records
Wilde Club Records
Zodiac Killer Records
URL = [http://www.hustlersquad.co.uk/skintight/ www.skintightjaguars.com]
Current_members = Kip Legend
Ryan Simmonds
J Machete
Matt Valentine

Skintight Jaguars are a hard rock/punk band from London, England. The current line-up consists of vocalist Kip Legend, guitarist Ryan Simmonds (often known as Jean), bassist Matt Valentine and drummer J Machete.

It has recently been announced that the band will be embarking on a tour of the UK in support of Backyard Babies.

Music journalist Malcolm Dome described them as "Decadently apocalyptic" in Rock Sound magazine.

History

The band originally formed in 2003 under the initial guise of Sneaking Fog [ [http://www.rockdetector.com/artist,59468.sm] History of Sneaking Fog at Rockdetector ] after meeting while studying at the Norwich School of Art & Design. What started off as a joke quickly became an ever increasing career prospect due to high profile support slots with The Darkness and The Quireboys.

In late 2004 after internal conflicts, the name was changed to Skintight Jaguars, and the first demo under the new name was released - "Black Russian" b/w "Lowdown Downtown". This was swiftly followed up with a single release of an old Sneaking Fog track "Thunderbone" on the independent Norwich based label Wilde Club Records in early 2005. Garnering the band radio play in Italy, Denmark and on Bruce Dickinson's BBC Radio 6 Rock show in the UK [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/bruce_dickinson/tracklisting_20050730.shtml] Bruce Dickinson's BBC Radio 6 Rock Show] .

Apparent substance abuse and problems with guitarists coming and going in early 2005 resulted in a lengthy downtime for the band. After months of auditioning guitarists, the band finally settled on Israeli born guitarist Niro Knox who became the next full time member of the band.

Six new tracks were recorded with guitarist Niro in late 2005, overseen by producer/bassist John McCoy, best known for his work with Gillan, Mammoth and production duties on the debut album by UK Subs [ [http://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/john_mccoy.htm] Interview with John McCoy by Joe Geesin] . These recordings were never released and Niro quit the band just a few months later to be replaced by ex-Plastiques bassist Carl Muskel who took over the vacant guitar slot.

2006 saw a hiatus for the band in a concious effort to start something fresh musically. This resulted in a dramatic change in sound with something more akin to the members' punk influences, taking on a preferred ‘wall-of-noise’ sound and the use of simplistic chord structures in reference to The Ramones and Motörhead. After months of working on this new sound, the "Start The Fight" EP finally surfaced on their own independent label Hustler Squad.

During this time the band also recorded a version of Turbonegro's "Denim Demon." This track is - as yet - unreleased but as of March 2008 can be streamed on the bands official website.

Another line-up change resulted in more delays at the end of 2006 when guitarist Carl Muskel relocated to Los Angeles. Ryan ‘Jean’ Simmonds was already on standby and immediately recruited into the band as guitarist. Ryan had previously played in an early formation of the band called Electrobitch in 2003, and was also another ex-graduate of the Norwich School of Art & Design. The band then spent the next 6 months crafting new songs for a full length album.

In 2007, Skintight Jaguars released their debut album "The Curse" on MSKL Records, (Later re-released in May 2008 on Zodiac Killer Records), which also featured some remastered/remixed tracks from the "Start The Fight" EP.

Since forming they have performed alongside many high profile bands including Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Towers Of London, Vice Squad, The Dresdens, The Vibrators, Lords Of Altamont, Zodiac Mindwarp, Young Heart Attack, and Backyard Babies.

Skintight Jaguars have just completed a debut tour of the UK and are currently writing new material for a 2009 release.

Current Members

* Vocals: Kip Legend
* Bass/Backing vocals: Matt Valentine
* Lead guitar/Backing vocals: Ryan Simmonds aka "Jean"
* Drums: J Machete

Past Members

* Lead guitar: Carl Muskel aka "The Plower" (2005-2006)
* Lead guitar: Niro Knox (2005)
* Lead guitar: 'Famus' Shamus (2004)

Discography

Albums

* "The Curse" (2007) Re-released in USA (2008).

EPs

* "Start The Fight" CD (2006)

ingles

* "Thunderbone" 7" Vinyl (2005)
* "Black Russian b/w Lowdown Downtown" CD (2004)

Extra Information

* Matt Valentine and Kip Legend can both be seen in the 2005 music video "You’re Speaking My Language" by Juliette and The Licks.
* The band are frequently known to cover songs by Turbonegro, Dead Boys, The Dwarves and Motörhead at live shows.
* Promo only single "Dead From The Face Down" received B-List rotation airplay alongside bands like Soulfly, Within Temptation and Alkaline Trio on UK radio station Total Rock in February 2006 [ [http://www.coprorecords.co.uk/DisplayReview.asp?ID=1409] Total Rock Radio playlist for week commencing 27/02/2006] .

Notes

References

* [http://www.nemesis.to/lordslive.htm Nemesis To Go, Dec 2006 - Live Review]
* [http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/81672/Skintight_Jaguars.html Tourdates & tickets at Ents24]

External links

* [http://www.skintightjaguars.com Skintight Jaguars official band website]
* [http://skintightjaguars.wordpress.com Skintight Jaguars official blogsite]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skintight-Jaguars/9041653089 Skintight Jaguars on Facebook]
*MySpace|skintightjaguars|Skintight Jaguars
*MySpace|zodiackillerrecords|Zodiac Killer Records