Skintight jaguars
Encyclopedia
Skintight Jaguars are a hard rock/punk band from London
, England
. The current line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Ryan Simmonds, bassist Matt Valentine and drummer J Machete.
The band supported Backyard Babies
on their 2008 tour of the UK.
Music journalist Malcolm Dome
described them as "Decadently apocalyptic" in Rock Sound magazine.
. 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 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.
Guitarist Famus Shamus left the band in early 2005 resulting 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
. These recordings were never released and Niro quit the band to play with London based glam rockers King Lizard
. Niro was replaced by ex-Plastiques bassist Carl Muskel who took over the vacant guitar slot in early 2006.
2006 saw a brief hiatus for the band in a conscious 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 unreleased.
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.
In 2008 they toured the UK with Backyard Babies
and Crucified Barbara
, but by early 2009 singer Kip Legend had left the band and relocated to Oslo
, Norway
.
After auditioning singers the band finally decided that guitarist Ryan would take over vocal duties while continuing to play the guitar. The band currently play as a three-piece.
In October 2010 Skintight Jaguars were announced as the winners of the Relentless Energy Drink band search, in conjunction with Myspace
. This confirmed them as the opening band for the Relentless Energy Drink Sessions Festival on 23 October 2010, supporting rock super group headliners The Damned Things
made up from members of Anthrax
, Fall Out Boy
and Every Time I Die
.
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
, The Damned Things
, and Backyard Babies
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The current line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Ryan Simmonds, bassist Matt Valentine and drummer J Machete.
The band supported Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
on their 2008 tour of the UK.
Music journalist Malcolm Dome
Malcolm Dome
Malcolm Dome has been an English writer and journalist about metal since 1979. In addition to writing books, he has been a journalist for Record Mirror, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and Classic Rock among others. He also co-runs and DJs on the online radio station TotalRock.-Selected books:*Dome, Malcolm...
described them as "Decadently apocalyptic" in Rock Sound magazine.
History
The band originally formed in 2003 under the initial guise of Sneaking Fog after meeting while studying at the Norwich School of Art & DesignNorwich School of Art & Design
Norwich University College of the Arts is a higher education specialist art, design and media university college, based on a single site in the centre of Norwich, in the United Kingdom.-History:...
. 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
The Quireboys
The Quireboys are an English hard rock band formed in 1984 in London, England, with strong ties to Newcastle. When the band formed they were originally known as The Queerboys and later as the London Quireboys in the United States....
.
In late 2004 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
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
based label Wilde Club Records in early 2005. Garnering the band radio play in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and on Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
's BBC Radio 6 Rock show in the UK.
Guitarist Famus Shamus left the band in early 2005 resulting 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
John McCoy
John McCoy may refer to:*John McCoy , British bass guitarist*John McCoy , Irish Progressive Democrats politician 1987-1989*John B. McCoy, CEO Banc One Corporation*John Calvin McCoy, founder of Kansas City, Missouri...
, best known for his work with Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
, Mammoth
Mammoth
A mammoth is any species of the extinct genus Mammuthus. These proboscideans are members of Elephantidae, the family of elephants and mammoths, and close relatives of modern elephants. They were often equipped with long curved tusks and, in northern species, a covering of long hair...
and production duties on the debut album by UK Subs
UK Subs
The U.K. Subs are an English punk rock band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene. They were also one of the first street punk bands.-Career:The U.K...
. These recordings were never released and Niro quit the band to play with London based glam rockers King Lizard
King Lizard
- Biography :The band first formed in 2002, and after extensive line-up changes, took its final form in 2006.Lead singer Flash Roxx started the band aged 19 Sky London joined the band when he thought he could do a better job than the existing drummer. Israeli guitarist Niro Knox was in a band...
. Niro was replaced by ex-Plastiques bassist Carl Muskel who took over the vacant guitar slot in early 2006.
2006 saw a brief hiatus for the band in a conscious 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
Turbonegro
Turbonegro is a Norwegian punk rock band that was initially active from 1989 to 1998, and later reformed in 2002. Their style combines glam rock, punk rock and hard rock into a style the band describes as "deathpunk"....
's Denim Demon
Denim Demon
"Denim Demon" is a single from the Norwegian band Turbonegro from their 1996 album Ass Cobra released on 7" Vinyl in 1995 by Munster Records.The back sleeve shows a pic of Turbonegro's fairly unknown afro wig look. Munster re-issued this single in June 1998 due to public demand....
. This track is unreleased.
Another line-up change resulted in more delays at the end of 2006 when guitarist Carl Muskel relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. 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
Norwich School of Art & Design
Norwich University College of the Arts is a higher education specialist art, design and media university college, based on a single site in the centre of Norwich, in the United Kingdom.-History:...
.
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.
In 2008 they toured the UK with Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
and Crucified Barbara
Crucified Barbara
Crucified Barbara is a Swedish all-female metal band, formed in Stockholm in 1998. Their music may best be described as a cross between heavy metal, Thrash metal and rock'n'roll.-Background:...
, but by early 2009 singer Kip Legend had left the band and relocated to Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
After auditioning singers the band finally decided that guitarist Ryan would take over vocal duties while continuing to play the guitar. The band currently play as a three-piece.
In October 2010 Skintight Jaguars were announced as the winners of the Relentless Energy Drink band search, in conjunction with Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
. This confirmed them as the opening band for the Relentless Energy Drink Sessions Festival on 23 October 2010, supporting rock super group headliners The Damned Things
The Damned Things
The Damned Things are a heavy metal supergroup consisting of Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Josh Newton formally of Every Time I Die The band's name is inspired by the lyrics in Ram Jam's '70s version of...
made up from members of Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
, Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
and Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
.
Since forming they have performed alongside many high profile bands including Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Towers Of London
Towers of London
Towers of London are a Punk Rock n Roll band, fromLondon, England, who formed in 2004. Their music mixes elements of rock and heavy metal music with 1977 style British punk...
, Vice Squad
Vice Squad
Vice Squad is a punk band formed in 1978 in Bristol, England. The band formed from two other local punk bands, The Contingent and TV Brakes. Songwriter and vocalist Beki Bondage was a founding member and is currently with the band, although there was a period of time when the band had a different...
, The Dresdens, The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
, Lords Of Altamont
Lords of Altamont
The Lords of Altamont are a Hard Rock/Garage/Punk/Psychedelic rock band from Los Angeles. The current lineup consists of members of The Bomboras, The Fuzztones and The Cramps. They have released 3 albums and are on the verge of releasing their 4th, "Midnight To 666", in early 2011...
, Zodiac Mindwarp
Zodiac Mindwarp
-Overview:The band is the brainchild of Mark Manning, a graphic artist and editor of London's Flexipop magazine. Deciding to experience the debauchery of life as a decadent rock star, he assumed the alter ego, Zodiac Mindwarp, and formed the Love Reaction in the mid 1980s together with guitarist...
, Young Heart Attack
Young Heart Attack
Young Heart Attack are a high energy rock band from Austin, Texas which formed in 2001. Chris "Frenchie" Smith and bassist Steven T. Hall had previously been in the Sixteen Deluxe and Joey Shuffield in Fastball.-Lineup:...
, The Damned Things
The Damned Things
The Damned Things are a heavy metal supergroup consisting of Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Josh Newton formally of Every Time I Die The band's name is inspired by the lyrics in Ram Jam's '70s version of...
, and Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
.
Current members
- Lead guitar/vocals: Ryan Simmonds (2006-)
- Bass/Backing vocals: Matt Valentine (2003-)
- Drums/Backing vocals: J Machete (2003-)
Past members
- Lead vocals: Kip Legend (2003–2008)
- Lead guitar: Carl Muskel (2005–2006)
- Lead guitar: Niro Knox (2005)
- Lead guitar: 'Famus' Shamus (2003–2005)
Singles
- 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 LicksJuliette and the LicksJuliette and the Licks was an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh and guitarist Emilio Cueto, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss"...
. - The band are frequently known to cover songs by TurbonegroTurbonegroTurbonegro is a Norwegian punk rock band that was initially active from 1989 to 1998, and later reformed in 2002. Their style combines glam rock, punk rock and hard rock into a style the band describes as "deathpunk"....
, 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 SoulflySoulflySoulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, Within TemptationWithin TemptationWithin Temptation is a Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rock band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a...
and Alkaline TrioAlkaline TrioAlkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
on UK radio station Total Rock in February 2006.