This profile was made at Whateverlife.com! :)
Collectively, they’re the most promising band to happen on the country music scene in years. Call it what you will; alt-country, redneck rock n’ roll or Americana --The Skeeters play honest, hard driving ‘country’ music.
Together since 1997, they spent the beginning of their career forced into the obscure alt-country underground by their adversity to corporate generated, mainstream country music. It was there they perfected their craft and lived out the lyrics of their songs. Home-based in Fort Payne, the band cut their teeth playing in Alabama honkytonks and roadhouses. “We have earned our keep the hard way. We chose it and embraced it. We wanted to be real, not the latest thing.”
2002 brought the release of their self titled debut album, drawing high praise from many music industry critics and publications. “The Skeeters” is a rich, colorful and honest project that speaks volumes about the road the band has traveled and those paths they’ve yet to explore. It is roots to the core, while at the same time cutting edge and risk taking. It grabs you by the ears and tells a story, controversial at times, but always raw and honest. The album was produced by music industry icon Johnny Sandlin and recorded near Muscle Shoals, AL. at Duck Tape Studios. An Alabama Music Hall of Famer, Sandlin is credited with many gold and platinum albums from landmark artists and bands such as Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, and Delbert McClinton.
The Skeeters were blessed to have several legendary artists involved in their first project including; Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney and Bonnie), Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver, Donnie Fritts, Scott Boyer (Cowboy) and James Pennybaker (Delbert McClinton, Leroy Parnell and Pam Tillis). “We were so thrilled to be able to work with such fine artists, and honored that they wanted to participate in what we were doing. They sort of took us under their wings and made us feel they genuinely believed in our art. When you look at the talent and what those guys have done in their lives it is overwhelming”
After the release the band continued to burn up the highways, touring hard while building a loyal fan base, drawing an average of 200 to 300 fans to their energetic live shows on a regular basis. Touring also brought them opportunities to spread their music to a larger audience as they shared the stage with such familiar names as Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Dale Watson and The Drive-By-Truckers. The band has a deeply rooted respect for tradition and for the artists and songwriters who axed their way through the constrictive landscape of the mainstream country music scene to make their ‘own kind of music’. The respect and appreciation has been reciprocated and in February of 2003 the band had the honor of touring with the Texas music legend, Billy Joe Shaver in support of his “Freedom’s Child” Tour.
The Skeeters recently set foot in the studio once again to team up with Johnny Sandlin and an A-list of studio musicans, and are currently putting the finishing touches on their second album "Easy For The Takin'" due out later this year. The project is a powerful testament to the band’s commitment to keeping their music, above all else, real. Showcasing the song-writing and vocal talents of Bert Newton, the album delves head on into the depths of despair, love lost, and personal demons while at the same time it celebrates life and the common man's struggle toward making his mark on the world. The distinct Waylon-esque essence of Newton’s voice is eerily familiar in its despair-edged soulfulness -- a legacy undoubtedly left behind by those who were branded ‘outlaws’.
The album offers 14 rock solid tracks, 10 of which were penned or co-penned by Newton. Band hero and mentor Billy Joe Shaver offers his legendary vocals on his own "Mother Trucker". The original ‘honky tonk hero’ also gave the band the previously unrecorded "Alabama Love Song".
The Skeeters evolution continues, as does their musical revolution. They’re serious and they are in this for the long haul. They believe in the music they create and have the passion, attitude, heart and drive to take it anywhere it needs to go. Many believe this will prove to be the album that launches The Skeeters solidly into the national eye. With their debut album the band served notice they were a musical force to be reckoned with, Easy For The Takin’ delivers on that promise.
