They’ve got enough energy for maybe a mosh pit or two. Perhaps that’s because Skunkdog band members love high-energy music, whether it’s that of ska, punk or rock, to name a few. “We joke that we’re ‘ADD rock,’” Shea Fabiana,
They’ve got enough energy for maybe a mosh pit or two. Perhaps that’s because Skunkdog band members love high-energy music, whether it’s that of ska, punk or rock, to name a few.
“We joke that we’re ‘ADD rock,’” Shea Fabiana, bassist and singer, said. “We can’t seem to stick to a genre.”
Though that might be the case, guitarist and background vocalist Kyle Duvall did have a name for their method, dubbing it a “hybrid style.”
“It’s a mix of whatever we feel like and have the ability to play,” Duvall said. “Funk, rock, ska, reggae and any other style we can fake or fit into a song.”
Inspired by bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and 311, (the latter of whom they tried to open for on O‘ahu) Skunkdog, named for Duvall’s dog’s nickname, is one of the only Kaua‘i rock bands that has been put into regular mainstream rotation on the radio on Kaua‘i. Such originals the band has written together include “Shot down,” “Time” and “3 m.i.”
The most popular of the songs to date, “Shot down” (played on KQNG, on JAMZ 98.1, Shaka 103 and Kaua‘i Community Radio), is about making shallow connections and failing to remember the little people once fame has hit, Fabiana said.
“Basically it’s about someone who lives in the fast lane and builds friendships with weak foundations just to get to that next level,” he said. “Leaving everyone who would have mattered behind.”
Lyrics just “pop up” to Fabiana, 24, who said he has been writing music since he was 15 years old (though he’s been playing music since he was 8).
Duvall said working to have a good, solid guitar riff is key when it comes to creating music.
“You should be able to sit there and play it 20 and 30 minutes over and again and not even realize it because it’s stuck in your head,” Duvall said.
“We’ve been able to get in a lot of requests (to the radio stations) from people who aren’t friends,” Duvall said. “We’ve got a fan base I think because we try to make it as hook-y as possible.”
As for just who does what when it comes to songwriting, Duvall said it’s a collaborative effort, noting that Fabiana usually works on the melody, and that they “feed off each other.”
The collaboration can be heard on the band’s CD “1.0” (think Microsoft 5.0), a collection that came out in April.
But rather than just downloading the songs on iTunes or hearing them on disc, seeing them live is where all the action is.
“We interact with the audience,” Duvall said. “We’ll joke around sometimes, will jump off stage and almost like dance with the people. We try to make everyone our friend whenever we’re playing. …We’re here to have fun just like everyone else.”
Perhaps Duvall, who comes from a musical background (his father performed with and wrote for Chaka Khan) relates to being just part of the crowd because for much of his life he was a lover of music, not a musician.
“I got my (musical) start when I was 17 or 18 years old,” he said. “My mom wanted me not necessarily to get into the whole music scene and sheltered me from that.”
But once Duvall picked up a guitar, there was no turning back. “Immediately I had everyone’s attention,” he said. “So I locked myself in a room for two years and played every night.”
But while music came late in life for Duvall, for drummer Joey Wray drumming was something he did way back when with 311 drummer Chad Sexton in Drum Corps International. Yet ska was less of an influence than other genres, he said.
“I like a lot of classical music, a lot of grunge, punk, rock and alternative,” he said. “I’m from Texas, but I don’t do country very well.” Such bands that have influenced his drumming include Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Beck, he said.
As for what goals the band has for itself, it’s to keep it fun, Wray said.
“We’re not trying to retire playing music,” he said. “We’re just having fun and playing in front of people.”
Skunkdog will be playing along with Pepper from 6 to 9 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 11, at Kilohana
Get tickets at Big Save, $20 in advance, $25 at the door
The event is open to all ages, and is a fundraiser for Kaiola CanoeClub
Skunkdog’s CD ‘1.0’ is available for purchase at Borders Books,Music & Movies, Hanalei Music’s Strings & Things andiTunes
