Sunday Music Vids: BAND OF SKULLS (Take 2)

Sunday Music Vids: BAND OF SKULLS (Take 2)

: Published on Sunday, April 29 2012; Written by Katie Marzullo

(Yes, I know I've featured them before, but I decided I did not do them enough justice last time, sooooo...)

Last year’s Coachella was the first time we got to hang out with indie rock group Band of Skulls, at the time still trying to make their presence known outside of their native Great Britain. They had hit paydirt when one of their songs, “Friends”, was included on the soundtrack for Twilight: New Moon. And as we all know, once your music serves as atmosphere for Bella, Edward, and/or Jacob, your iTunes sales are going to see a significant boost.

Though they haven’t exactly blown up to epic proportions in the ensuing years, their gaining momentum landed them back at Coachella this year – and on the Main Stage no less! Not too shabby. We invited them to chat with us in the YH Studio in between Coachella weekends, and they performed a stripped down version of their latest single off their latest album, “Sweet Sour” -- stay tuned for that on YHN!

What I love about Band of Skulls is their simplicity. Nothing crazy-fancy, just good old rock. Their music is reminiscent of the classic late-‘70s/early-‘80s garage Brit-rock, with an edge of contemporary emo power behind it. In particular, I could totally see vocalist/bassist Emma Richardson jamming out with the likes of The Runaways or, hell, even The Ramones!

Their music videos maintain their simplistic appeal, more often than not just featuring the band performing live overlaid with a stylized motif. A small handful of their vids, however, attempt some sort of story or offbeat aesthetic. So, for this week’s rebooted Sunday vids, I bring to you FOUR Band of Skulls clips – one that goes the plain, live performance route (“The Devil Takes Care of His Own”), and three that go a bit outside the box. The first of those, “Fires”, features nothing more than several middle-aged people who’ve spent too much time in the sun and not enough time in clothes (or the gym). The second, “Sweet Sour”, is sort of a Charles-Dickens-in-the-21st-Century piece, with a group of spazzy street urchins creating havoc in a rundown neighborhood. Lastly, “Bruises” shows the bandmembers taking in a bowling competition between some regular Joes and a group of rowdy luchadores. (Honestly, who hasn’t been in that situation?) Enjoy!