The Skuzzies: The Skuzzies

All aboard the last bus to Albion.

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The Skuzzies career almost came to an abrupt end in 2004 when they supported Babyshambles at an infamous show that ended with a full on riot.

Two years later surviving frontman/guitarist Jerome Alexandre reformed the band with drummer Nick Le West and Laura Clarke on bass and have now finally released an album of songs which on first hearing seem sparse, basic and untainted by corporate production values, but gradually reveal a group bursting with ideas.

Standout track More Than This harks back to golden era of New York punk, tipping its hat to the Ramones and Señor Thunders, while On The Corner features exuberant backing vocals from Pete Doherty.

A delightful blast of what can only be described as bubble-punk for the masses.

Peter Makowski
Peter Makowski

Pete Makowski joined Sounds music weekly aged 15 as a messenger boy, and was soon reviewing albums. When no-one at the paper wanted to review Deep Purple's Made In Japan in December 1972, Makowski did the honours. The following week the phone rang in the Sounds office. It was Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. "Thanks for the review," said Blackmore. "How would you like to come on tour with us in Europe?" He also wrote for Street Life, New Music News, Kerrang!, Soundcheck, Metal Hammer and This Is Rock, and was a press officer for Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Motörhead, the New York Dolls and more. Sounds Editor Geoff Barton introduced Makowski to photographer Ross Halfin with the words, “You’ll be bad for each other,” creating a partnership that spanned three decades. Halfin and Makowski worked on dozens of articles for Classic Rock in the 00-10s, bringing back stories that crackled with humour and insight. Pete died in November 2021.