The release of the Auckland based duos self-titled full length album in 2018, earned them a ‘Best Rock Artist’ nomination in last year’s Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. A well-deserved nomination if ever there was one. Relentlessly touring up and down
the country over the last few years has ensured one and all get a chance to see them perform, spreading the Hobo magic profusely. That energetic determination keeps on going, with The Lucifer Tour, a 14 date nationwide tour which backs up the Hobos
latest EP.
Every time I hear the Skinny Hobos, it always blows my mind there are only two of them creating powerful, gritty strong rock grooves. Lucifer is 24-minutes of Sam ‘Texas’ Holdom and Alex ‘Elvis’ Ferrier at their finest.
Big riffs, big drums and that cowbell still shine through on Lucifer. It’s big and bold and dynamic.
The opening track Noit Cud Ortni is no more than a prelude, but it sets the tone and creates a grungy, gnarly, distorted introduction to an extraordinary EP. It also made me feel like a beer. Go figure.
There is a nostalgic rock vibe which snakes its way through the tracks, only to end up fair and square at the final track of one of the best covers of Led Zeppelin’s The Immigrant Song I have heard. Now let that sink in. There are only two guys, drums, a guitar and some strong vocals, generating a full rock sound equivalent to a four dude band. This is an impressive achievement and an indication of just how far they will push the boundaries of being a duo.
I totally skipped ahead to the end of this EP in my excitement. Let me back up the bus and tell you how glorious The Internet sounds, how the brand new tracks Lucifer and Bastid, which were only written in the last few months, are beautifully textured tracks incorporating atmospheric rock with nods to slightly head banging influences of the past. Infused with the duos own organic and hard hitting sound.
These guys not only make magical rock together, but also complement each other with perfectly harmonic vocals as well. This is apparent on Lucifer .
You may want to sit back with a beverage and just let the six tracks sink in. Appreciate the big sound, before you throw yourself at the gloriously energetic, grungy rock goodness.
Skinny Hobos have cultivated a full and thumping sound. A tight production of a small but mighty EP.
Go and see them perform live; it is a mesmerizing and energetic experience and Lucifer is yet another outstanding body of work from the Skinny Hobos.
Skinny Hobos are a 2-piece Alternative Rock band from Auckland, New Zealand who make far more noise than any two people should!
The Hobos have quickly earned a reputation for being the hardest working band in town. In 2015, they played more shows than there were weeks in the year, as well as recording their debut album at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios with engineer Nick Poortman (Ekko Park, Jason Kerrison).
They finished off the year with a very successful co-headlined North Island tour with Wellington band Bakers Eddy, and they were also featured in the December/January issue of NZ Musician Magazine.