iSound

Rock music must evolve, or risk becoming dull and trite. When the fusion of styles yields innovative and contagious new music, it is an explosive event. The band creating this explosion is Skindred, a four-piece heavy rock n’ reggae outfit hailing from the UK. Skindred’s upcoming Lava Records debut, scheduled for release in the summer of 2004, is entitled Babylon, and it will undoubtedly be considered one of the most impressive rock releases this year. Hailing from South Wales, Skindred is the project of eclectic, energetic vocalist Benji Webbe and fellow bassist-programmer, Daniel Pugsley. The two joined musical forces following the demise of Benji’s first band, Dub War. Skindred’s lineup also features axe-man Mikey Dee and drummer Dirty Arya who joined the band in December 2002 and have been blowing the roof off ever since. “Skindred is dancehall; it’s punk; it’s metal, it’s who we are,” Pugsley proclaims. Call it what you want, but it’s that cohesive nether-region where Bounty ...