N: Basically start by introducing yourselves, who’s in the band and what do they do? Any nicknames?
S: Skram formed in 2021 with founding members Henry, Felix and Lee. Born out of a love of life, friendship and fun, Skram quickly started writing and releasing energetic, epic jams and touring around Aotearoa. The friendship the team shares creates an insane bond that comes out onstage and in their music.
Henry Ashby – Lead Singer/Guitarist
Felix Nesbitt – Drummer/Backing Vox
Lee “The Fire” Pryor – Bass/Keys
Tane Butler – Bass/Guitar
Leroy Paton-Goldsbury – Sound Engineer
Billy Miskimmin – Various Instruments
N: Where does the name Skram come from?
S: Skram? Well. You can Skram a Skram, or you could find a Skram Skramming. If you Skram, you skram, ya know? Lee and I (Henry) came across a boat when we were walking in a field of Sunflowers one day. It was bright pink and there was a gentle glow humming off the hull. We stepped onto the bow and saw a small Octopus looking up at us with a playful twinkle resting in the darkest part of his right eye. Lee picked up the Octopus and stared deep into its eyes, then he turned to me and said “Skram.” At that moment, I just knew. I could feel the name whispering on the wind of electric gigs and explosive fun times filled with romance, friendship and truth. That’s the story I currently remember as being where the name came from.
N: If you could build your festival lineup of 10 artists, who are they?
S: Tash Sultana, Coldplay, Harry Styles, L.A.B, London Grammer, Jacob Collier, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Walk The Moon, Pale Lady, Can I put Skram in here too? SKRAM. 10,000 years of Skram.
N: Where do you see your music going in the next five years?
S: This is such a tricky question to answer!!! It could go anywhere, our influences are kind of all over the place, we just love music and people! I think it’ll most likely end up heading in a more passionate direction, which is an insane thought considering how passionate our music currently is! I hope we can find a strong connection with our Skramily and share our music with as many people as possible singing along. One thing I can say for certain is there will be heaps! Album one is almost finished and releasing soon, but we’ve already been working super hard on Album two!
N: How did you find your sound? What is your sound?
S: We found our song mostly through jamming together and writing together! The more we spent time together, the more excited we became about developing our sound. It’s hard to explain but it’s kinda epic and poppy, super high energy, but definitely rocky too. We’ve been described as Indie Surf Pop Rock before. There is definitely some Aotearoa beach energy embedded in our sound. Lot’s of delayed, glittery guitar parts, memorable melodies, ocean vibes and hectic rhythms too. Our intention is to make people happy and energised, feeling really positive – I think this is reflected in our music.
N: With such a colourful aesthetic presence through your branding, do you think it’s a good reflection on your music?
S: Beyond the pinkest shadow of a doubt, for sure. I (Henry) wear as much pink on stage as possible as well! Our music is full of happiness, love and fun! We chose Pink and Blue as our primary colours to showcase our electricity and energy. The brightness of our palette is reflected in the bubbly dynamics of our music.
N: Where is your dream venue to headline?
S: So many hectic crazy fun time options! Can we say deep beneath the Ocean? Or like on a planet sized whale? We’re super keen to play in a stadium though, and also any Festival that will have us…Splore! Anywhere and everywhere planet wide – we wanna make people happy with our music everywhere!
N: What should we expect from Skram in the near future?
S: On April 15th we release the Living Our Lives Remix by Tiki Taane – Following this we have an album – Walk Into The Sun which releases in May. We are hitting the road for an Album release tour of Aotearoa as well, dates incoming!
N: Last question, what’s everyone’s favourite snack?
Henry – Pinky Bar? Is Aglio Olio Pasta a snack? COFFEE THOUGH
Felix – Hundreds and Thousands – Felix always orders two drinks too – Iced Coffee and a Banana Smoothie, Henry has started copying him because of all the yum yum.
Leroy – Fantastic Original Rice Crackers and Lisa’s Pumpkin and Kumara Hummus
Lee – Salt and Vinegar Kettles
Tane – Bananas
