KLYAM: SKIMASK has one of the more unconventional set-ups instrumentally speaking. How did you guys decide on this set-up? We haven’t seen any other bands with a similar look/sound.  You are able to have that punk rock and roll sound without having a guitar. 

(Z): A while back our “mouth-bassist” did a one man show where he played drums and hummed into a microphone hooked up to electronics – similar to the minimal set up he has now. I saw this and was blown away. Somehow I convinced him to let me play drums and coming from a punk background of playing in hardcore bands, our two sounds just merged. With the profit growing up on DC hard-core, and never having been in a band before he added this vocal rawness. He would expel these Ian Svenonius-esque lyrics with such raw energy. Adding stage banter and insults to the live show just added to the aesthetic. The lack of guitar was more of an accident then a planned out idea. It simply worked without guitars, so we stuck with that sound. “No strings attached.”

KLYAM: Any key inspirations or influences on SKIMASK?

(Z): JEFF the Brotherhood, Chain and the Gang, Fat History Month, and the Boston/Allston scene in general. If kids can make amazing music, put on house shows, continue doing what they love while working shit jobs and still be able to survive in this expensive city. That is inspiring.

KLYAM: How has your sound evolved over the past few years?

(Z): Not sure if our sound evolved much since we started. We just try and keep it simple. Primitive, and add a small amount of catchiness to the nonsense.

KLYAM: You guys play a prominent role in the Boston underground. What are your thoughts on the local music scene and, in your experience, how far has it come and where do you see it going? Do you think Boston is on its way to receiving wider recognition nationally?

(Z): For the last three/four years it’s been on the up n up. But, as of late, the scene now is in a bit of a lull with Gay Gardens and Whitehaus shutting down. Every September new kids move into show houses and new neighbors move in next door. Some neighbors are cool, but others just don’t dig loud parties or shows on Monday- Thursday nights. Some kids running the houses only do shows a few times a week keeping it on the low. For the houses that host lots of touring bands and have lots of shows each week, the neighbors call the cops with noise complaints, the cops find out what your up to and that’s the end of your house. There will always be more houses popping up that have shows and more warehouse spots.

As for Boston gaining some wide recognition nationally, that is debatable. If you talk to any national touring band that has come through Gay Gardens or Whitehaus chances are they will tell you Boston always has the best shows. If  you ask a touring band that are “bigger” or more “popular” that play House of Blues or the Royale or even Brighton Music Hall, you’ll get the opposite reaction. These venues are stale and therefore it’s hard for people to let loose and have a good time at these venues therefore resulting in a boring audience for the touring band. Boring audience usually equals boring show. Unfortunately in my opinion Boston has traditionally been a city of boring show goers. Also this city can be very corny when it comes to its music publications that are seen nationally. This makes Boston come off to the nation as corny. Again, this is just my opinion.

KLYAM: NOW NOW NOW – let’s talk about Cute Mutant. Congrats! Can you tell us about the recording process/recording length/studio/etc?

(Z): The recording process was the best time. Doug Demay recorded us at his home studio in Cambridge. We recorded in the isolation room in the basement which is separate from the foundation of the house making it totally sound and vibration proof. This room is also where Exusamwa practices which is a trip if you think about the music that they create in there. It was very comfortable, shoes off, stress free and Doug is pretty much the coolest guy on earth. He bought us food every night even  though we put him through hell. We were only in the studio for a weekend, then went back for a few mixing sessions. All in all the process didn’t take long and we are so thankful that Doug was involved every step of the way. Big thanks to him.

KLYAM: You guys have toured the East Coast with JEFF the Brotherhood, how was that experience?

(Z): It was a real trip. JTB are the greatest dudes. They take unknown bands on tour with them because they like them, not because they’ll bring out more people as most bands do. Playing the Bowery Ballroom was insane. Watching JTB from the back was insane; just a couple years earlier I was in the crowd watching them play the same stage. Crazy. They are sweet, kind and we are forever grateful to them for giving us that opportunity. I just wish we could do more with them. Forever my favorite.

KLYAM: Alrighty to lighten shit up, what was the lil Prof$t Mohamed like on the playground?

(Z): God, I don’t think I wanna know. Probably someone who was always doing fun and crazy shit, but that I would have been too intimidated to do stuff with.

KLYAM: Not to promote violence, but if you had to get into a physical altercation with a political figure past or present, who would it be?

(Z): Iggy Pop. He’s a crazy person and would probably fight to the death.

KLYAM: Your music is known to incite some crazy fuckin dancing…do you see SKIMASK having its own associated dance?

(Z): Yeah, it’s called, “Do the crusher” (see The Cramps).

KLYAM: Lastly, anything or anybody you want to plug?

(Z): Every Allston band we’ve played with, too big to list. Every touring band that plays house shows or warehouse spots or secret venues. Everybody who comes to these shows for the music more than to just party and who DONATES to touring bands. And lastly Doug Demay because I know he likes seeing his name over and over again. Just kidding Doug!