01Profile
A The Coral Photo
The Coral
Musician/Producer — Hoylake
03Interview
Name?
James Skelly.
Where are you from?
Hoylake.
What do you do?
Attempt to make a living from music.
Describe your style?
Ridiculous.
If you could make a record with anyone from history?
Bob Marley – Exodus. This is my favourite single of all time.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Bruce Springsteen live at the Etihad Stadium. He's one of the greatest living artists. The middle eight in 'Streets of Philadelphia' is an unbelievable piece of songwriting.
What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Paul Weller - I don't know how he keeps doing it. 'The Changingman' is probably my favourite track, but 'No One In The World', off The Jam 'Extras', is class too.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Carl Kennedy off Neighbours so I could ask him why he came out of the TV disguised as a weatherman in Amsterdam and told me to get a secret midnight plane.
Which British subculture means the most to you?
Crown Green Bowling.
If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
The Beatles cos they're the best band ever! The 'Please Please Me' vocal gets me every time.
What music did you listen to growing up?
The Doors, 'Strange Days'.
James Skelly is the frontman of indie rock band The Coral and an influential member of the Liverpool/Merseyside music scene.
In 2013 James set up Skeleton Key Records with brothers Ian and Neville - an independent label named after the Coral song from their debut album. Skeleton Key has produced and released music from Blossoms and Cabbage as well as a host of local artists, many of whom featured on our Liverpool Sound blog in 2015.
The Coral will play The Camden Rocks Festival on 3rd June 2017 - their only London show in 2017. Tickets available here.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Stand By Me' by Ben E King.
One record you would keep forever?
Bob Marley - The Lee Perry Sessions. ‘How Many Times’ is hauntingly beautiful.
A song from your favourite album?
'A House Is Not A Motel' by Love. From the album 'Forever Changes'.
A song you wish you had written?
'Losing My Religion' by REM.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
The Black Angels’ new album 'Death Song'.
A song lyric that inspires you?
"You can hide ‘neath your covers and study your pain,
make crosses from your lovers throw roses in the rain,
waste your summer praying in vain
for a saviour to rise from these streets."
'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen.
Best love song of all time?
‘It'll Never Happen Again’ by Tim Hardin is the best break up song in my opinion. 'Be My Baby' is probably the best declaration of love that I've ever heard.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Testify' by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Best song to bring people together?
'Baby Love' by The Supremes.
4 songs by new bands you can’t stop listening to?
'Great Beauty' by Sundowners
I think they've really found their own sound on this album, this is a brilliant track.
'Here Comes The Light' by Cut Glass Kings
Great two piece from Birmingham.
'Buried' by Marvin Powell
The first time I heard this track I thought this could be on any classic singer-songwriter album.
'Poem' by She Drew The Gun
This is the song of last year for me.
03Interview
Name?
James Skelly.
Where are you from?
Hoylake.
What do you do?
Attempt to make a living from music.
Describe your style?
Ridiculous.
If you could make a record with anyone from history?
Bob Marley – Exodus. This is my favourite single of all time.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Bruce Springsteen live at the Etihad Stadium. He's one of the greatest living artists. The middle eight in 'Streets of Philadelphia' is an unbelievable piece of songwriting.
What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Paul Weller - I don't know how he keeps doing it. 'The Changingman' is probably my favourite track, but 'No One In The World', off The Jam 'Extras', is class too.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Carl Kennedy off Neighbours so I could ask him why he came out of the TV disguised as a weatherman in Amsterdam and told me to get a secret midnight plane.
Which British subculture means the most to you?
Crown Green Bowling.
If you could share the bill with any British band in history?
The Beatles cos they're the best band ever! The 'Please Please Me' vocal gets me every time.
What music did you listen to growing up?
The Doors, 'Strange Days'.
James Skelly is the frontman of indie rock band The Coral and an influential member of the Liverpool/Merseyside music scene.
In 2013 James set up Skeleton Key Records with brothers Ian and Neville - an independent label named after the Coral song from their debut album. Skeleton Key has produced and released music from Blossoms and Cabbage as well as a host of local artists, many of whom featured on our Liverpool Sound blog in 2015.
The Coral will play The Camden Rocks Festival on 3rd June 2017 - their only London show in 2017. Tickets available here.
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Stand By Me' by Ben E King.
One record you would keep forever?
Bob Marley - The Lee Perry Sessions. ‘How Many Times’ is hauntingly beautiful.
A song from your favourite album?
'A House Is Not A Motel' by Love. From the album 'Forever Changes'.
A song you wish you had written?
'Losing My Religion' by REM.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
The Black Angels’ new album 'Death Song'.
A song lyric that inspires you?
"You can hide ‘neath your covers and study your pain,
make crosses from your lovers throw roses in the rain,
waste your summer praying in vain
for a saviour to rise from these streets."
'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen.
Best love song of all time?
‘It'll Never Happen Again’ by Tim Hardin is the best break up song in my opinion. 'Be My Baby' is probably the best declaration of love that I've ever heard.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Testify' by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Best song to bring people together?
'Baby Love' by The Supremes.
4 songs by new bands you can’t stop listening to?
'Great Beauty' by Sundowners
I think they've really found their own sound on this album, this is a brilliant track.
'Here Comes The Light' by Cut Glass Kings
Great two piece from Birmingham.
'Buried' by Marvin Powell
The first time I heard this track I thought this could be on any classic singer-songwriter album.
'Poem' by She Drew The Gun
This is the song of last year for me.
The Coral | Dreaming Of You (2002)
The Coral | In The Morning (2005)
The Coral | Put The Sun Back (2008)
The Coral | Miss Fortune (2016)