Does it really count as a stop in Los Angeles if you're a surf rock band and don't play by the beach? Apparently Skegss didn't think so and after playing a sold out show at The Regent Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night. They decided to add a Sunday afternoon show in beautiful Venice Beach at Venice West. Please enjoy our full review and photo gallery below.

Was this 2:30 pm show the earliest we've ever been in a mosh pit? Perhaps. Even the band was feeling it with Toby Cregan noting that on this tour they wouldn't have normally been awake by the time the show was supposed to start. However, Skegss was quick to get the energy up, getting the entirety of the crowd to act as backup singers, singing along with the signature "ooohs" of their opening track, “LSD”. The Aussie band has a very distinct blend of fast, driving drums from Jonny Lani coupled with the rumbling bass and high, clean guitar tones. What makes Skegss so special is their consistency of ear worm melodies which never cease to get stuck in our heads and leave us wanting to hear more.

About halfway through the show, Skegss’ guitar player and lead vocalist, Ben Reed, leaned into the nature of the more intimate venue and joined the party of the excited fans there to see him and the band. Mid song, Ben stepped up to the middle of the stage and in Moses fashion, parted the crowd in half. He then proceeded to jump down and walk to the middle of the crowd. We weren't too sure what was happening until we heard from the stage "1,2,1,2,3,4" and he started ripping a guitar solo as us fans all moshed in around him.

This show came at the perfect time after a few weeks of rainy LA weather. These guys brought all the warmth of the sun to this afternoon show to let us all know that “Spring has Sprung.” It's hard to have a bad time when the band you came to see is having so much fun and that's exactly how we felt at this Skegss show. Even after over 25 shows on this leg of tour, we could tell that these guys were genuinely enjoying themselves and it made it even more fun to be a part of. At the end of the show Ben Reeds came back out to play one final song by himself. He asked what the audience wanted to hear and was very heartfelt to play his final song. Immediately after, he handed his guitar pick to the fan that requested the song, and hopped back down into the crowd to take pictures and meet fans. We knew Skegss music was cool, but to see how down to earth and fun these guys are, we all became even bigger fans. Skegss still has a few more stops on their US leg of tour, so if you get the chance, be sure to get out and see them!

Review & Photos by: Ben Hecht

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Skegss Rip & Roar Through Afternoon Set at LA's The Venice West