Skull Disco

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Skull Disco
Founded 2005
Founder Sam Shackleton
Laurie Osborne
Genre Dubstep
Country of origin UK
Location London
Official website http://www.skulldisco.com/

Skull Disco is an independent UK record label, based in London, and established in 2005 by Sam Shackleton and Laurie 'Appleblim' Osborne[1]. Skull Disco releases so far have been in the dubstep genre.

Contents

[edit] History

In 2004, prior to the founding of the label, Ian Hicks of Mordant Music liked and released an early Shackleton track entitled Stalker. The track later appeared on Rough Trade Records 'Best of 2004' compilation. Around this time Shackleton was becoming more familiar with the dubstep sound, through regular visits to the Forward>> nights run by Ammunition Promotions. He especially identified with the sound later associated with the DMZ nightclub, citing Loefah's Horror Show and Digital Mystikz Conference as key early influences, and started thinking about forming a label to release similar "interesting bass music" and "interesting percussive stuff"[2].

On a visit to a similarly-minded night in Bath, Shackleton encountered Laurie 'Appleblim' Osborne. Shackleton was impressed with a track, Mystikal Warrior, and it hence appeared on the first Skull Disco release; a double A-side, with Shackleton's I Am Animal on the flipside[2][3]. Shortly after, Shackleton began the (now defunct) Skull Disco nights in London. Attendees at the first Skull Disco night included Coki and Mala of Digital Mystikz[2].

In November 2007, Appleblim established a sublabel, Applepips[4].

In 2008, Appleblim was chosen to mix the 6th installment of the Dubstep Allstars. It is due to be released on June 3rd, 2008.

[edit] Sound

Releases on the Skull Disco label are typically double A-sides, featuring a track apiece from Shackleton and Appleblim; however the most recent release is a 2CD compilation, Soundboy Punishments, which includes all releases to date, as well as some early Mordant Music releases.

Skull Disco releases often tend to use unusual sounds, atypical of the dubstep genre; they often eschew the familiar drum tropes of dubstep for African percussion and samples of ethnic vocals, combined with massive, wobbling sub-bass[5], and sometimes elements of four to the floor, Basic Channel-style dub techno.[6][7][8]

[edit] Artwork

Typical artwork on releases (by Zeke Clough [1]) is also of an idiosyncratic nature, the pen-and-ink covers referencing egyptological symbols as well as displaying a decidedly metal influence.[1][9]

[edit] Discography

  • 12": A. Shackleton - I Am Animal / AA. Appleblim - Mystikal Warrior (SKULL01)
  • 12": A. Shackleton - Majestic Visions AA. Appleblim - Cheat I &Girder (SKULL02)
  • EP: Soundboy's Bones Get Ground Up Proper A. Shackleton - Blood on my Hands B1. Shackleton - Naked B2. Shackleton - Hypno Angel (SKULL03)
  • 12": Soundboy's Bones Get Buried In The Dirt Vol 1 A. Shackleton - Tin Foil Sky AA. Gatekeeper - Tomb (SKULL04)
  • 12": Soundboy's Bones Get Buried In The Dirt Vol 2 A. Appleblim - Fear AA. Shackleton - Hamas Rule (SKULL05)
  • 12": Soundboy's Ashes Get Chopped Out And Snorted A. Appleblim - Vasan AA.Shackleton - You Bring Me Down (SKULL06)
  • 12": Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Ricardo Villalobos Apocalypso Now Mix)(SKULL07)
  • 2CD: Skull Disco - Soundboy Punishments (compilation album) (SKULLCD01)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Rave from the grave: Skull Disco" . The Wire (281). 
  2. ^ a b c Clark, Martin (2006-11-30). Interview with Shackleton. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  3. ^ "The Primer: Dubstep" . The Wire (279). 
  4. ^ Clark, Martin (2007-11-07). The Month In: Grime/Dubstep. Retrieved on 2007-11-17.
  5. ^ Skull Disco Reviews | Skull Disco
  6. ^ Album Reviews Intro Page: Fact Magazine
  7. ^ Pitchfork Feature: The Month In: Grime / Dubstep
  8. ^ http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=8646
  9. ^ Skull Disco Website