Aussie hard rock band, SkinInc., has today released a video for their authentic version of Australia’s greatest ever punk rock song, “(I’m) Stranded” by The Saints. This comes two weeks before the release of the new SkinInc. studio album, Another Crack, out September 6 on Rue Morgue Records.
With this iconic punk single born in 1976, The Saints were one of the world’s first and most influential punk bands. SkinInc. pays homage to The Saints’ classic video and album cover that was shot in the living room of a dilapidated house in the inner-city Brisbane suburb Petrie Terrace.
As a mark of reverence, the SkinInc. video was also shot in front of a living room fireplace in an empty Melbourne house. It features SkinInc. singer, Paul Miles (sporting a Saints t-shirt), stranded on the other side of Australia from his band mates who all reside in Perth. It was produced and edited by Daniel Armstrong at Strongman Pictures and shot by Rom Anthonis.
SkinInc. reformed during the pandemic, ending a twenty-year hiatus that began when Miles left Perth for cooler Melbourne. Ahead of releasing Another Crack, Rue Morgue Records chief, John Raptis, says, “The band’s new era has produced these ten songs of undeniably catchy, guitar-driven rock’n’roll. Whilst there’s interesting diversity from track to track, the whole album unmistakably sounds like SkinInc. We are thrilled to now be releasing this fantastic hard rock album on limited edition colour vinyl.”
Offering further insight, Miles adds, “Some songs on this album are dark, like the goth-rock-esque ‘Blacker Than Black’ with lyrics like ‘as black as the widow dressed for the mourning,’ while others like ‘Someone New’ are uplifting and encouraging with ‘you can be someone new if you’re willing too,’ which is a nod to my sobriety.”
The lyrics to title track “Another Crack” gives clue as to why they named the album such, as it announces SkinInc. being back for another round, while acknowledging they’re more weathered by life’s experience.
The new SkinInc. album concludes with their ripping cover of “(I’m) Stranded,” which Miles feels was just meant to be for a few reasons: “On the day we were recording the drums for our version, its songwriter, The Saints singer Chris Bailey, sadly passed away. And now that it’s finally time for our release, the song’s other writer, Ed Keupper, is touring a new version of the band, named The Saints ’73-’78. Furthermore, I feel a strong sense of being stranded on my own in Melbourne, not only from my bandmates, but as I await my American green card so I can be with my wife who resides in Los Angeles.”
Another Crack is released Friday, September 6, 2024, via Rue Morgue Records. Get it now at https://www.ruemorguerecords.com/product/skininc-another-crack-colored-vinyl