"All About The Album - 15 Questions" - a brand new section at the RockUnited site where any recording artist with an recently released CD is confronted with standard questions (15 of them, duh!). If you'd like to have your material up here, email: urban "at" rockunited.com (simply replace "at" with your standard @ )

SKIN: "Breaking The Silence"

SKIN - U.K. hard rockers originally formed in the early nineties as the result of Jagged Edge's demise (there's a swedish connection here, I believe, singer Matti Alfonzetti).  The band broke-up in 1998 after their fourth studio album "Experience Electric" and it wasn't until 2009 when they decided to try and get back together again. The spanking new studio album, "Breaking The Silence", is the result of their reunion, but rumors also says once tours are out the way, Skin will be breaking up again on a permanent basis? Only time will tell, I guess? Here to let us know more about the final? album, Mr. MYKE GRAY...

How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

We made the album with the intention of saying thank you to the Skin fans that stuck by us for 11 years, we didn’t really didn’t have any ambitions beyond that, so to get such a positive reaction from the press has been a real bonus. Our fans seem to like it and the general consensus is that it our best album to date

How long did this CD take to make from start to finish, recording-wise?

We recorded the drums and bass in about five straight days, start to finish, and then we spent the next following eight weekends doing all the rest, it was very fragmented, but because of time constraints it was the only way we could do it.

What kind of 'sound', production wise, did you have in the back of your mind, prior to entering the studio?

We really wanted to capture the energy and rawness that we have live, this is something that we felt we had never achieved before. We transcend to a higher level when we play in front of an audience, so capturing it in a studio has always been difficult, I think this is the closest we have come.

What kind of input did the producer have during the process?

The album was co-produced by Colin Mcleod at his studio in Stockport.
Colin is a very calming influence, and we consider him a musical brother, and his input was invaluable, but it would also be fair to say that this is the first Skin album where the band had total control on the sessions.

And are you pleased with the final outcome? (sound - production wise)

Considering the budget and time constraints we had to work to we are very happy and proud of the album. The whole album cost less than £20,000 including artwork, videos, printing & mastering. A fraction of the cost compared to albums we recorded in the 90s.

Did the producer (you) use any (weird) experimental miking and/or recording techniques?

Because we recorded it at Colins studio, it was an environment that he knew well, so we pretty much left it to him to use techniques that he new worked, I do remember going online and looking up the miking techniques for AC/DC’s Back in Black, I personally think this is the greatest rock album ever made.

How did you go on about capturing your 'live sound' in the studio, or perhaps you didn't

This time round we didn’t think about it too much, we kind of set up an environment that we felt comfortable with and let rip. It was very intense situation. We are driven by an intense raw energy and the dynamic tension between the band members is our fuel.

Please inform us about your favourite songs and lyrical highlights and why?

As I wrote all the songs each one has a significance to me, but if I had to pick out some they would be 'Good to be back', a fairly simple sentiment, it is all about the feeling of the band playing music again and importantly the relationship with our fans. 'Trigger inside', is about the dark side of someone personality and how anger can be a very overwhelming force. 'Born to rock & roll' is about how 3 of the band members chose careers completely outside of music but when you see them on stage it is very obvious what they are meant to be doing. 'Redemption' is about someone seeing the error of their ways and trying to make amends for his their mistakes
'When I'm with you', is dedicated to my wife.

Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?

The underlying theme is very much about the relationship between the band members and the fans, they are the reason that the album was made. It is for them.

Does your vision for coming up with music get affected at all by time?

I write a lot, and I am very affected by what is going on in my life at the time. This was a very happy time for me and I think that comes thru in the writing.

Did the record company interfere with anything on your "sound" and songs?

This time round we were the record company so fortunately we didn't have to deal with any of that.

Are there any 'crazy' behind the scenes anecdotes from these sessions that you can share with us?

This time round there was no time for that, we had a job to do and we were very focused. When you are paying for something yourself you are less inclined to waste time.

How would you describe the sound of your new CD to any potential new fan?

Pure classic rock sung by one of the best rock singers on the planet. Raw, passionate and from the heart.

Who are your influences and heroes? (music-wise)

As a band I would have to say Led Zeppelin, Free, Deep Purple, AC/CD and the Who. Personally, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Michael Schenker, Jimi Hendrix, Edward Van Halen, John Sykes & Gary Moore. I also am a big fan of Paul Gilbert.

If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do:

LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL
Sincerely,
Myke Gray

Interview by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos from the band's website www.alexmasi.com
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