Interview: Catching Up With The Skullers + Stream “Meet Me In Memphis”

After making a name for himself in the music world as a teenager, Jack Skuller (vox, guitar) is stepping out with a new path forward. Joined by Gabriel Scholis-Fernandez (drums) and Luigi Sardi (bass) Jack fronts The Skullers, a group that a modern approach to fiery blues-rock riffing.

Recently, the band unveiled the single “Meet Me In Memphis” ahead of the release of their debut EP, Meet The Skullers. GroundSounds caught up with Jack and Luigi to find out more.

Check it all out and be sure to stream “Meet Me In Memphis” below.

Hi, The Skullers! Congrats on your new EP. Can you tell us a little more on who you are and how you first got into making music?

Jack: Thanks a lot! I sing and play guitar and harmonica in the band. Growing up, I was always drawn to the power and responsibility of playing music to an audience, from a stage… kinda like Spider-Man, maybe? I don’t know. But I just knew I wanted to be a musician and create an experience for people. For me, The Skullers is the ultimate expression of that.

Luigi: Thank you! Very happy about our new EP. I started playing bass about 8 years ago, right after coming to the states from Peru. I was really inspired by good old punk rock bands and artists like Black Francis and Chris Cornell, music that was direct and forceful.

What’s your songwriting process like? Who are some of your biggest influences?

Jack: Especially over the past few years, I’ve tried to keep my eyes and ears tuned in to the world at all times. I tend to find the song in my surroundings and hear it before I write it, so that I can make it real. Beatles songs taught me about hooks at an early age, and The Ramones taught me about simplicity. Little Walter, Eddie Cochran, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Tame Impala have also influenced my writing a lot.

What’s “Meet Me In Memphis” about? How did it come to be?

Jack: Before I formed The Skullers, I recorded some holiday songs at Sun Studio in Memphis. I was thrilled to record my music in the same place where my idols had recorded. But once it was time to get to work, I almost forgot where I was. It was just me, and I was charged up and transported to another time. “Meet Me In Memphis” is about letting loose in a city that changed my life.

Jack, you had some success earlier in your career as a solo artist. What’s your maturation process been like from when you first started to now?

Jack: I think my experience has made all the difference for me. Everything about music runs deeper for me now. I’ve been able to write-perform-review-tweak-repeat since I was 11, and I continue to evolve. But now, at 21, my heart is set on The Skullers. I love being a part of trio rock’n’roll with truly great musicians and such a vibrant energy onstage (and off of it, too). I feed off of the band, which is something I’ve never had the chance to do.

Any new New Jersey-based artists/venues/purveyors of the arts you could turn our readers onto?

Luigi: The VanSaders is a great New Jersey band that I really enjoy listening to and I have actually become good friends with them. They’re great guys and their music has a lot of heart.

Where can we follow you and where can our readers catch you live next?

Luigi: You can keep up with all of the latest Skullers news and gig announcements by signing up for our mailing list on theskullers.com, liking our FaceBook page (@TheSkullersBand), or following us on Instagram/Twitter (@the_skullers). We have a lot of great gigs coming up this fall and our next one is September 9th at Maxwell’s Tavern in Hoboken, NJ.

Any parting thoughts? Open platform!

Jack: We’re really proud of our debut EP and hope everybody out there digs it too. Play it loud!

Luigi: I’d just like to thank all of our supporters and fans. Music is something that I’m really passionate about and I’m glad I can share that experience with our listeners. Hope to see you guys at our next show!