Latest news with #ThePainfulTruth
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
British band Skunk Anansie return with first album in almost a decade
The British alternative rock band Skunk Anansie, led by singer Skin, has reliably carved out a niche for itself since the 1990s, blending hard rock, grunge and metal elements. With their new album "The Painful Truth" - their first in nine years - set to be released on Friday (May 23), the band remains loyal to their early fans while still managing to surprise. 'The Painful Truth' - a new sound? With their new album, the band delivers a compelling statement of powerful, energetic sound, complemented by the signature falsetto voice of frontwoman Skin. Provocative songwriting rounds out the impression of a cohesive interplay of melodies and electronic sound elements. Naturally, the band's straightforward lyrics also include political statements. The album's messages are clear: more tolerance for transgender people, fewer religious fundamentalists who endanger this minority, and a migration policy that connects the human with the worldly. Skin, whose real name is Deborah Anne Dyer, sees the strength of her band in their individual roles and their songwriting. "I think that we have a different approach because when you've been crafting songs for 30 years, your technique is going to change. It should change," she said. "The way that we do things or we did things in the 90s, for instance, you know, it's not the way that we would do things now." She highlights the album's opener, "An Artist is an Artist," as "a beautifully crafted song that sums up in a chorus what it's supposed to. But the verses and the licks are very informative, cheeky, give you a good idea of where our heads at and who we are, you know, really tells you who we are as a band. And, you know, there is a serious side to it." Must listen-to songs The track "Cheers" is reminiscent of "Hedonism," the band's biggest hit from the 1990s, but surprises with its own gritty sound featuring grunge-like elements. "Animal" impresses with its powerful and precise sound, paired with a striking allegory that every artist has a beast within. During the coronavirus pandemic, the band not only had to search for a new manager, but Skin also built a gym and a recording studio in her home to stay fit. Skin, who has Jamaican roots, is pleased that King Charles III enjoys listening to Bob Marley and has included him in his favourite playlist alongside artists like Beyoncé and Kylie Minogue. "The Painful Truth" fits harmoniously into the band's previous albums but surprises with tracks like "Cheers." It's perfect for long-time fans and those who enjoy powerful crossover sounds that are truly unique.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Skunk Anansie drummer Mark Richardson shares cancer diagnosis: ‘Please get checked out'
Skunk Anansie 's drummer Mark Richardson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, just months after his bandmate Cass Lewis disclosed his own cancer diagnosis. The British musician, 54, is a longtime member of the groundbreaking rock band, having joined a year after they first formed in 1995. In a post to Instagram on Thursday 10 April, Richardson disclosed his diagnosis, which he said he received in February, as he urged men to get themselves checked. 'I had a positive diagnosis on 22 February and I'm waiting for a date for a radical prostatectomy,' he explained. According to Cancer Research UK, a radical prostatectomy is a major operation to remove the prostate gland. 'The reason I'm telling you this is because it's the biggest cancer in men in the UK, there are about 150 new cases in the UK every day,' Richardson continued. 'It's so easy to catch it early if you go for a check-up at your doctor's, or you can get PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) 'pee sticks' online. It's very easy to get an early diagnosis, and that's what's gonna save your life.' Richardson said he had gone to the doctors for his annual hearing test to check for issues such as tinnitus, a common issue for drummers due to prolonged exposure to loud noises. While there, his doctor realised they hadn't done a recent blood test. When they carried one out, the blood tests came back with a high PSA rate: 'When that's high that means there's an issue.' 'If you have a test regularly, you're gonna catch that higher number as soon as it increases, which means it increases your chances of surviving this thing. 'It's probably the most treatable and survivable of the cancers, if you want to talk about it in those terms, but only if you catch it early, so that's my message. 'Please get checked out, get regularly checked out… pee sticks, blood tests, whatever, but get checked out. The way you survive this thing is by early diagnosis.' Richardson said he would keep his followers updated about his progress. Skunk Anansie are currently on tour in support of their forthcoming album, The Painful Truth. The album's title was inspired in part by their long-time bass player Cass, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer while they were recording their new music. "During the process of recording I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and so I was having chemo while we were making the album,' Cass said at an album playback in February. 'I thought my f***ing cards had been marked, actually, and so I was just, I was happy with having had a good life, and I was quite content, you know, I accepted whatever my fate was. 'I wouldn't think about the work, the record, I would think about my life. I'd had some very intensive chemo sessions, and no one knew [anything]. I just thought, I'm on this long road of chemo. And that took a year.' He has since been given the all-clear, he told the audience: 'As soon as I knew that I wasn't going anywhere, I was 'Just get back on the record'. There's nothing better to work for!' Lead singer Skin then explained that the album's title was Cass's idea, inspired by his personal experiences as well as the band's ups and downs through the years. 'That's what all the songs are about, that connects everything, that connects what we've been through over the last few years,' she said. 'It's the connection with these guys. I love them to bits, you know, they're my brothers. 'What we're going through, and everything, it's quite emotional, it's the painful truth. It's what you're here for, and what's important in your life, and what you're going to do about it. That's the painful truth!'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Skunk Anansie's Skin announced as keynote speaker at The Great Escape 2025
Groundbreaking rock artist Skin will appear as a keynote speaker at this year's The Great Escape festival in Brighton, where her band Skunk Anansie will also headline The Independent's stage in a rare intimate performance. The iconic frontwoman will sit down with The Independent's Music Editor Roisin O'Connor to discuss her extraordinary career and the many milestones she has achieved over the years, including becoming the first Black British woman to headline Glastonbury Festival in 1999. In the exclusive keynote conversation, which will be held on Friday 16 May, Skin will offer insights into the tumultuous period that shaped Skunk Anansie's new album, The Painful Truth, which is scheduled for release on 23 May, as well as offering her views on the music industry today. The news comes as part of an announcement for the conference that a number of other new speakers, including representatives from Warner Music, UK Music and the BBC. Previously announced are high-profile names including Rizzle Kicks star and author Jordan Stephens, and Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and co-founder of the record label Bella Union. Skunk Anansie's TGE performance will mark the only chance fans have to see the band in an intimate club setting as part of their sold-out UK tour. 'I don't care that we were big in the Nineties,' Skin said in a statement about their album, The Painful Truth. 'Creatively it's irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, 'If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.'' Meanwhile, The Independent is returning for the third consecutive year as The Great Escape's exclusive news partner, bringing readers the latest coverage of the event along with interviews and special offers. This year's TGE festival will include an additional day of music on Wednesday 14 May, offering guests a chance to discover a wealth of new bands and artists in some of Brighton's best-loved music venues. The Great Escape Festival takes place between 14 to 17 May; tickets are on sale now.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Skunk Anansie's Skin announced as keynote speaker at The Great Escape 2025
Groundbreaking rock artist Skin will appear as a keynote speaker at this year's The Great Escape festival in Brighton, where her band Skunk Anansie will also headline The Independent 's stage in a rare intimate performance. The iconic frontwoman will sit down with The Independent' s Music Editor Roisin O'Connor to discuss her extraordinary career and the many milestones she has achieved over the years, including becoming the first Black British woman to headline Glastonbury Festival in 1999. In the exclusive keynote conversation, which will be held on Friday 16 May, Skin will offer insights into the tumultuous period that shaped Skunk Anansie's new album, The Painful Truth, which is scheduled for release on 23 May, as well as offering her views on the music industry today. The news comes as part of an announcement for the conference that a number of other new speakers, including representatives from Warner Music, UK Music and the BBC. Previously announced are high-profile names including Rizzle Kicks star and author Jordan Stephens, and Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and co-founder of the record label Bella Union. Skunk Anansie's TGE performance will mark the only chance fans have to see the band in an intimate club setting as part of their sold-out UK tour. 'I don't care that we were big in the Nineties,' Skin said in a statement about their album, The Painful Truth. 'Creatively it's irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, 'If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.'' Meanwhile, The Independent is returning for the third consecutive year as The Great Escape's exclusive news partner, bringing readers the latest coverage of the event along with interviews and special offers. This year's TGE festival will include an additional day of music on Wednesday 14 May, offering guests a chance to discover a wealth of new bands and artists in some of Brighton's best-loved music venues.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Skunk Anansie to headline The Independent's stage at The Great Escape Festival
Pioneering rock band Skunk Anansie will headline The Independent' s stage at The Great Escape Festival this year. The performance will mark the only chance fans have to see the band in an intimate club setting as part of their upcoming sold-out UK tour, and a week ahead of the release of their hugely anticipated new album, The Painful Truth. Meanwhile, The Independent is returning for the third consecutive year as The Great Escape's exclusive news partner, bringing readers the latest coverage of the event along with interviews and special offers. The Independent' s Music Editor, Roisin O'Connor, said: 'I'm beyond thrilled that The Independent will host the phenomenal Skunk Anansie at The Great Escape 2025. 'One of the UK's most pioneering and radical rock bands, they are poised to release their brilliant new album, The Painful Truth, and remind us why they continue to hold such a special place in British music. 'I can't wait to join the TGE audience to see what I know will be an incredible and rare intimate performance, supported by some truly inspiring new talent.' Adam Ryan, Head of Music, The Great Escape, comments: 'We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Independent for this year's festival. With their shared commitment to celebrating groundbreaking talent, this collaboration allows us to amplify the reach of both the festival and the conference. 'We're especially excited to announce that the iconic Skunk Anansie will perform on their stage, bringing an electrifying energy to our already diverse lineup.' Formed in 1994, Skunk Anansie quickly rose to national fame thanks to their distinctive blend of rock, punk and alternative, heard in songs such as 'Hedonism', 'My Ugly Boy', 'Secretly' and 'Charity'. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The Painful Truth, their first record in nine years, follows a lengthy period of change for the band's members, from parenthood to illness and the departure of their longstanding manager. Post-covid and frustrated with their attempts to write over video calls, the four-piece retreated to a farmhouse in Devon. There, their feelings began to take shape in songs, reminding them that they were still as innovative and ambitious as they were when they first formed. 'I don't care that we were big in the Nineties,' Skin said in a statement about the album. 'Creatively it's irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, 'If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.'' This year's TGE festival will include an additional day of music on Wednesday 14 May, offering guests a chance to discover a wealth of new bands and artists in some of Brighton's best-loved music venues. More than 175 new acts have been added this week to the already packed lineup, bringing the total number performing at this year's festival to over 450. The remaining artists performing on The Independent's stage will be announced soon.
