🎤 SKINDRED – “Nobody Gets Out Alive… Unless You Dance First” 🔊

🌱 ORIGINS: DUB WAR TO WORLD DOMINATION

  • Skindred was formed in 1998 by Benji Webbe, the charismatic frontman of Dub War – a critically acclaimed but short-lived reggae-metal outfit from Newport.

  • After a label dispute ended Dub War, Benji didn’t miss a beat. With Jeff Rose and Martyn “Ginge” Ford (both ex-Dub War) and Dan Pugsley (bass), Mikey Demus (guitar), and later Arya Goggin (drums), Skindred was born – heavier, weirder, and totally unstoppable.

🎶 MUSICAL STYLE: GENRE-MASH MASTERCLASS

  • Skindred is famous for their genre-blending madness:

    • 🖤 Metal (Pantera, Korn-style heaviness)

    • 💛 Reggae & Dub (deep basslines & rhythmic grooves)

    • 🔴 Punk Rock & Hip Hop (raw energy, urban vibes)

    • ⚡ Electronic & Jungle (modern chaos)

  • This sonic cocktail has become known as “Ragga Metal” – and nobody else does it like Skindred.

💿 ALBUM DEEP DIVE

Album Year Highlights
Babylon 2002/2004 “Nobody,” “Set It Off” – Their breakout U.S. hit.
Roots Rock Riot 2007 Heavy and defiant, with a bigger UK impact.
Shark Bites and Dog Fights 2009 Tighter production, huge choruses.
Union Black 2011 Introduced more electronic sounds.
Kill The Power 2014 The title track is a live beast!
Volume 2015 Personal, reflective themes.
Big Tings 2018 Lean, hooky, and radio-friendly.
Smile 2023 Their most emotional and polished album yet. Features “Gimme That Boom.”

🎪 LIVE SHOW LEGEND STATUS

  • Skindred has owned stages across the globe: Download, Wacken, Hellfest, Reading, Slam Dunk, and Ozzfest.

  • Benji Webbe is widely hailed as one of the greatest frontmen in the world – commanding crowds with jokes, politics, Welsh banter, and pit-starting power.

  • Their gigs are more like parties – with everything from the “Newport Helicopter” to reggae interludes mid-mosh.

🏆 ACHIEVEMENTS & RECOGNITION

  • Kerrang! Devotion Award (2011)

  • Multiple Top 40 UK chart albums

  • Synced on games like WWE SmackDown vs Raw, Need for Speed, and movies like Captain America: Civil War (Benji sang on a version of “War Machine”).

❤️ CULTURAL IMPACT

  • One of the most important diverse acts in UK rock, they’ve smashed barriers for black artists in metal and brought working-class Welsh identity to the world stage.

  • Never afraid to speak out on racism, inequality, or political injustice.

🦅 THOSE DAMN CROWS – “We Rise as One!” 🏴

🪨 BORN IN BRIDGEND: FROM PUBS TO PLANET ROCK

  • Formed in 2014, Those Damn Crows are five best mates from Bridgend who turned late-night jam sessions into a full-blown rock uprising.

  • Inspired by bands like Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry, Foo Fighters, and Alter Bridge, they mixed heartfelt lyrics, powerhouse riffs, and Welsh fire.

  • The early days saw them gig relentlessly, building a DIY fanbase that’s now one of the most loyal in the UK.

🎸 THE LINEUP

  • Shane Greenhall – Vocals & Keys (emotional powerhouse and fan fave)

  • Ronnie Huxford – Drums (the band’s heart and driving force)

  • David Winchurch – Lead Guitar (riffs with soul)

  • Ian “Shiner” Thomas – Rhythm Guitar (stage energy king)

  • Lloyd Wood – Bass (low-end wizard and fan favourite)

💿 ALBUM DISCOVERY

Album Year Highlights
Murder and the Motive 2016 / 2018 Originally self-released – then reissued by Earache. Brought in fans with “Blink of an Eye” & “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Dead.”
Point of No Return 2020 Crashed into UK Top 20 Albums. Emotionally raw and stadium-ready. Tracks like “Set in Stone,” “Sin on Skin.”
Inhale/Exhale 2023 Their most dynamic album to date – full of radio hits and dark introspection. “Wake Up,” “This Time I’m Ready.”

📣 LIVE SHOW ENERGY

  • Their Steelhouse Festival appearances (especially 2018 and 2022) are legendary – where the mountain crowd literally sang them into headliner status.

  • Toured with Monster Truck, The Glorious Sons, Skindred, and massive UK headline runs.

  • Fans call themselves “The Crows Family” – and the band genuinely treats them like one.

🌍 IMPACT & IDENTITY

  • Champions of mental health awareness, men’s emotional wellbeing, and being open about vulnerability in rock.

  • Never afraid to be emotional on stage – their music speaks to loss, grief, hope, and personal growth.

  • Embody the message: “Small town? Big dreams? Let’s f*cking go.”

🏅 RISING STARDOM

  • Featured regularly on Planet Rock, BBC Radio Wales, and Classic Rock Magazine.

  • “This Time I’m Ready” made waves in mainstream circles for its message about saying goodbye to loved ones.

🐲 FROM WALES, WITH RIFFS: WHAT BINDS THEM TOGETHER

Skindred Those Damn Crows
Newport legends Bridgend icons
Genre-busting fusion Modern hard rock revival
Over 25 years of world touring New wave UK rock heroes
Fronted by Benji Webbe – a rock icon Fronted by Shane – raw, real, and rising
Known for party-starting gigs Known for emotional power
Pioneers in diversity Champions of mental health
Main stage veterans Future headliners in the making

Both bands own who they are, proudly fly the Welsh flag, and prove you don’t need London money or LA polish to make it in rock.

🎸 FINAL VERDICT – CYMRU’S FINEST

If Skindred is the firestorm that shows no genre can cage you, Those Damn Crows are the phoenix that rose from heartache to harmony. Together, they show us:

From the valleys to the venues, the moshpits to the mountains – Wales is loud, proud, and ready to rock forever.