The Skinner Brothers, Baring Their Soul, Boy

 “Soul Boy” Zak Skinner. Photo: Liz Kieran

On Wednesday 12 November, I saw a fantastic band at Leeds Wardrobe called The Skinner Brothers, and omg, what a breath of fresh air these guys are! They came onto my radar 6 months ago on Spotify, a popular streaming service, and from the first guitar riff I was hooked. 

Before the tour, the lead singer, "Soul Boy," posted an appeal on Instagram for anyone attending their gigs with access requirements to contact them directly to ensure their experience was inclusive. Soul Boy is also raising money for the National Autistic Society as his brother is severely autistic. If you'd like to donate, here's the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/the-skinner-brothers-1

These utter trailblazers are taking the music scene by storm; their music ranges from indie to rap to northern soul and everything in between. Yet, music magazines are failing to promote this incredible group. Why? Because no one is paying them to do so. The band have been around since 2018, have got over 75,000 followers on Instagram and over 760,000 plays on Spotify, yet no one seems to want to give these guys any credit. Last week, they even made it to number 5 on Official Album Downloads Charts, which "blew their head off!"

I just don't get it!

Last week, The Skinner Brother's "Sick, Sick, Soul - Vol 1" landed at number 5 on the Official Album Downloads Charts

Zak, aka Soul Boy, opened up on Instagram about feeling “boxed in”: “What we’re doing here… this weird and wonderful SB Family tree we’re growing… it’s about freedom. 

“For years I felt boxed in.. told what “lane” I had to stay in, what kind of songs I should make, what influences were acceptable.

“I hid parts of what I loved because I thought that’s what I had to do to survive.”

Not only are The Skinner Brothers fully independent, they run their own gigs, merch, and security team. In my opinion, they have the biggest and most welcoming community I’ve ever seen in the music industry. Soul Boy's wife only recently had a baby, and she manages the band, the bookings, emails and social media messages all by herself! 

Despite their lack of publicity, it doesn't change what the bad has done for me. I came for the music, I stayed for the community.