The Skinner Brothers: Large And In Charge

London-based indie rockers The Skinner Brothers have amassed a passionate critical and fan following for their raw attitude, anthemic choruses and blistering live shows.

On the scene since 2018, the band now has a fresh, new line-up – Joe Fisher on guitar, Perry Meadowcroft on bass, and Alfie Clayton on drums, joining frontman and songwriter Zac Skinner – and is packing out venues and festival stages, ahead of a UK tour and a ton of new music.

We got to chat to guitarist and proud Sheffield boy Joe Fisher, 22, about his start in music, his love for Arctic Monkeys, and how he came to be in one of the most exciting British rock bands of the moment: The Skinner Brothers.

♣︎ ♣︎ ♣︎

Hello Joe. Let's start with the basics. Have you always been into music?

For sure. My dad took me to see Arctic Monkeys on their AM tour in 2013. It was a birthday treat. I hate using the word ‘cool’ – saying it makes me sound like my dad! – but I remember coming out of that gig thinking, ‘That’s the coolest thing I have ever seen.’ I was 14.

I asked for a guitar that Christmas and, as they say, the rest is history.

How long before you joined your first band?

About a year. My first band was The Paisley Royals. I owe a lot to those guys and to that experience. It was sort of like my apprenticeship. But, being 15 at the time, it was daunting. That first gig in front of 10 people in Leeds was my Knebworth!

That band didn’t work out, so I joined a band called Jupiter Moon. Again, I learnt so much from those guys, mainly from the songwriting and recording aspects. But things went quiet during Covid, as happened to so many bands.

I was looking for an opportunity to keep pushing myself, and that’s how I found The Skinner Brothers.

How did you come to join The Skinner Brothers?

Instagram! It’s the way of the modern world. During lockdown, I was sort of doing nothing, just posting the odd guitar video, and I found myself talking to The Skinner Brothers on Instagram. I was a fan, so it was pretty nuts!

Long story short: I got the opportunity to come to London to rehearse with the guys. Everything felt right immediately. They liked me and I liked them, and it just sort of fell into place.

Being in the band has been a really great experience for me. I’ve grown so much as a person and as a musician.

That’s pretty special, going from being a fan to being in the band. Did it seem unreal?

Yes, often! I always try to relate things back to the early days, when I was playing along to Arctic Monkeys in my room after school. Teenage me would never have thought he’d ever do anything more than play in his room.

And now I find myself in a position where I’ve supported The Streets, toured with Kasabian, sold out two Brixton Academy shows! Crazy stuff!

But the real pinch me moments come at our own shows. When we’re selling out venues, packing out festival stages, it’s like, ‘Wow, these people really came for us!’ It’s a great feeling.

Is it that feeling that drives you?

Yeah, you can’t beat that feeling when you’re on stage and the crowd's loving it. I love sharing the music with those people that have always supported me: my family and friends. That definitely keeps me going, because things aren’t always easy with music.

I won’t lie, I also like proving those people wrong that mocked me years ago. ‘What are you doing that for? Do you think you’re going to be famous?’ Every time I’m on stage, it’s like those people can see me and I’m sticking two fingers up at them.

Haters gonna hate. Was it always Artic Monkeys you were playing along to in your bedroom?

Yeah, pretty much. Alex Turner is just different league. My music taste sort of grew from them. They got me onto like Jamie T, Miles Kane, that sort of stuff.

Nowadays I prefer to listen to softer stuff really. I’ve been listening to a lot of Still Woozy the last couple of years. I’m finally seeing him this year with my girlfriend, so I’m buzzing about that.

Tell us about The Skinner Brothers.

Where do I start? There are four of us in the band: me on guitar, Zac’s the frontman, Alfie’s on drums, and Perry’s on bass. We’ve got a great team around us and that really shows when we’re on stage.

I’d definitely say we fit into that indie rock sort of genre, however broad that is. Zac is an amazing songwriter. I’ve no doubt one day he’ll be considered one of the best. He knows his way round a big chorus, perfect for getting everyone involved.

We like to have it big. ‘Large and in charge’ is a common phrase you’ll hear around us. ‘Large and in charge!’ We roll out with a crate of Stella, dish that out to the crowd, and lay down some tunes. 

Our music is personable; you can connect with it. The same goes for everyone associated with the band. We’re not trying to be anything we’re not. What you see is what you get.

What was that first gig with the band like? Squeaky bum time?

The Joiners Arms in Southampton. Some big bands have played there. It’s a venue with a lot of history. That night we were the support act. I had a shocker actually; my amp kept cutting out. I remember it choking out in a section where it was only me playing! But what can you do?

Just to add, there was a guy in the audience that night who became a fan and now follows us around everywhere. It just goes to show how every gig is important, whether it’s big or something more small scale.

Tell us about some of the big shows.

The Kasabian tour we did was huge for us. And our own tour was insane. I remember shows at King Tut's in Glasgow, and the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. Just nuts!

My personal favourites have been recent shows, actually: Y Not Festival and Truck Festival. The crowds were just insane.

What’s next for The Skinner Brothers?

It’s all happening at the minute. Our new single - 'Lonedon' - is out now, and we've got an EP coming later this month. And the ‘Soul Boy II’ vinyl is available to preorder now.

As for live shows, we’ve just played Reading and Leeds, which was insane. Then we’ve got our second UK tour of the year, starting in October. It’s nonstop!

Thanks, Joe. The interrogation is over. Any final thoughts?

Yeah, come to a show!

♣︎ ♣︎ ♣︎

► 'Lonedon' by The Skinner Brothers is out now on Spotify, Apple Music abd elsewhere.

📸 Connor Hill