Skank attack

Skank Attack were active proponents of the New Zealand alternative music scene in the mid to late 1980′s and were well known for their live performances and support of New Zealand bands and musicians.
They formed in the winter of 1985, when Phil ‘Scrub’ Simpson and Jeff Eden were freezing in a drafty Wellington flat. They had soon written a handful of songs, recruited drummer Steve Cochrane and Skank Attack was formed.
They soon played their first gig, a private party, appearing alongside the Primates. Dave Nendick made his debut on vocals, but upon his departure soon after, Simpson took over and the band continued as a three piece, quickly gaining a reputation for the energy and enthusiasm of their live shows.
Simpson and Eden remained the creative force of the band, refusing to play anything but originals. Cochrane exhibited a flair for promotion and set the group a grueling schedule of gigs, which meant that they evolved quickly into a tight unit.
Inspired by UK bands of the day, they set out to create a sound that relied on a driving, propulsive beat, overlaid with a rhythmic dynamic between the instruments and their intelligent lyrics. A live review described their sound:
"the songs were built up layer by layer, until it was almost difficult to believe that only three people were responsible for such an overpowering aural assault".
Skank Attack were interested in creating strong visual elements to their performances and were soon known for projecting abstract visuals over the stage. Eden’s developing interest in graphic design led to some striking poster designs.
Despite a loyal following, their music was ultimately too intense for mainstream audiences and too ‘arty’ to be accepted by many in the post-punk, Wellington music scene. Their time came however, when they began embarking upon national tours, trolling around the country in a huge ford impala, affectionately known as ‘The Skankmobile’.
Audiences in other cities welcomed them with interest and Auckland’s BFM were particularly supportive. A strong camaraderie developed with fellow musicians in the city, like Fish for Life, the Warners and cicada.
In the spirit of self reliance, with assistance from a small Arts Council Grant to cover some of the recording costs, the band released a self titled E.P under their own ‘Skank Records’ moniker, which received critical acclaim from influential figures like Colin Hogg.
Skank Attack were always supporting other musicians and Simpson championed local music on his weekly New Zealand music show on Radio Active. Cochrane released a compilation of Wellington bands entitled ‘Where The Wind Blows’, again on the ephemeral Skank Records label. The two date release party organized by the group (this time operating under the tongue in cheek 'organisation' ‘Skank Undertakings’) broke attendance records at ‘The Cricketers’ venue.
Nick Roughan of The Skeptics became crucial in shaping the group’s sound and by 1988 the group had evolved into a tight professional outfit, providing support for international acts like Hunters and Collectors at Wellingtons Union Hall. The group relished the opportunity to play through a powerful sound system to an audience of thousands rather than hundreds and despite initial heckling they won the crowd over with a totally committed performance. It was one of the last times the band played together.
Before going their separate ways a number of sessions took place at ‘Writhe Recording’, which was jointly owned by Skeptics and Bailter Space. The bands sound was finally captured in a way that did it justice.
Local filmmaker Grant Lahood shot a promotional video for the track ‘Limbs Akimbo’, but sadly the group’s momentum and cash had run out (Roughan now had it all) and while the video was screened on Radio With Pictures (a pre-MTV music video show on New Zealand television) the recordings it was intended to promote were never properly released. Until now!
The band recently unearthed the multitrack tapes from their last recording session and are currently working with respected New Zealand music producer Nick Roughan to mix the best songs for release in 2011.
Where are they now?
Phil Simpson
Works as a professional photographer in Auckland, New Zealand. During many years working in London he shot influential musicians including Catatonia, Super furry animals and Velvet Underground cofounder and all round legend John Cale. Since his return to NZ in 2006 he has worked for leading U.S music magazines Spin and XXL and has photographed respected New Zealand musicians including Tiki Taane, Shayne Carter, Julia Deans and Liam Finn. Phil recently shot a set of cinematic promotional images for New Zealand techno stalwarts Pitch Black. To view his work visit http://www.phillipsimpson.com
Jeff Eden
Jeff designed many of the great posters that gave Skank Attack a strong visual edge back in the day and has worked as a graphic designer in London for the past 18 years.
He is currently playing and recording with U.K band Acetate who have just released the EP Enough is Never Enough. In addition to forays into short film making and photography, Jeff recently had his remix of Harmonia by Pitch Black included on their Harmonia Pt2 EP.
Steve Cochrane_Is still based in Wellington where he has managed and played in numerous bands.
Discography
Where The Wind Blows_LP Compilation_Skank Records_1987_SKANK001
This record marked the beginning of Skank Records, an independent label formed to promote Wellington bands and featured Skank Attack, Number Nine, The Glass, The Primates, The Wild Poppies, Wazzo Ghoti and The Chosen Ones.
Skank Attack_Self Titled EP Skank Records_1987_SKANK002
*http://skankattack.com
*http://thebigcity.co.nz/artists/s/skank-attack

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