Live Report: Skinner's funky sound rocks Whelan's main stage

Skinner took the main stage at Whelan's last Friday. Upgraded from the upstairs venue due to demand, the crowd was packed and eager to listen.

Opening the night was three-piece punk band, Spit. Their fast, punchy drums created a thick wall of sound. The audience tossed their bodies like rag dolls, with many listeners headbanging along. Their droning vocals would frequently delve into animalistic screeches, exciting the crowd for the main act.

Spit supporting Skinner at Whelan's. Copyright Patrik Meier

With clear inspiration from no-wave and post-punk, Skinner delivered an energetic performance. Immediately, lead vocalist Aaron Corcoran began banging on a set of bongos. The dynamic sound introduced their opening song ‘New Wave Vaudeville,’ the title track of their debut album released last January.

With a consistently captivating bass and heart-thumping melodies, Skinner glided coolly between softer and heavier sounds. Corcoran’s voice performed best when bathed in raspy excellence, apparent in tracks like ‘Sour Milk.’

“I have a question,” said Corcoran. “Has anyone here never crowd surfed that really wants to crowd surf?”

A fan with red hair and bangs immediately lifted their arms into the air.

“When I give you the signal… please let this person crowd surf. I feel like everyone needs to try it once,” he continued.

The fan was tossed around haphazardly, before a second listener also rode the churning sea of bodies.

Another audience member was invited on stage, and screamed the lyrics with Corcoran while about an inch from each other’s faces.

“That should’ve been me,” I heard someone comment.

Fresh and jazzy, Skinner’s saxophonist delivered a stand-out performance. Adorning a suit and tie with dark shades, the musician’s silky notes glided over tracks like ‘Spiralling’ and ‘Jesus Wore Drag.’

Skinner at Whelan's. Copyright Patrik Meier

"Is there anyone here from Germany?" Corcoran asked. "There's a song called Eisbär. And my german accent is bad."

Despite the warning, Skinner's cover of Grauzone's German track excited the crowd. As the set went on, Corcoran would frequently remove the whammy bar from his electric guitar, running it along the strings to created a distorted sound.

“Thank you so much for coming,” he said near the end of the night. “The fact that this got upgraded to the main room is pretty fucking incredible so thank you all, I really appreciate it.”

With dedicated fans singing the lyrics, screaming “Aaron!” from the upper-level and those near the front itching to mosh, the night was undoubtedly a success for Skinner.