Skegss' Benny Reed Unveils the Sonic Odyssey of 'Pacific Highway Music'

In a captivating track-by-track exploration, Skegss' frontman Benny Reed guides us through the band's latest album, 'Pacific Highway Music,' offering a glimpse into the creative process and the inspirations behind each sonic gem. From the sun-drenched melodies to the introspective lyricism, this album promises to take listeners on a journey through the band's unique musical landscape.

Unlocking the Secrets of 'Pacific Highway Music'

Tradewinds

Benny Reed reveals that the theme for this track had been brewing for years, a melody that had been simmering in the back of his mind while he was working. "I might have written it while I was working and really was eager for the band to get busy," he shares. However, Reed acknowledges that even when one escapes the ruts and positions they don't want to be in, new challenges can arise. "But I've found even when you get out of ruts or positions you don't want to be in, you can still create new ones."

High Beaming

This track is a tribute to those who maintain a positive outlook, even in the darkest of times. "This one's for someone that's always somewhat positive in the worst times," Reed explains. "It's a strong survival trait to have."

Think I Can Fly

Delving into the inspiration behind this song, Reed simply states, "This is based on a true story."

Brain on the Highway

The winding Pacific Highway has become a familiar backdrop for the band, with Reed and drummer Jonny Lani spending countless hours traversing its roads. "Jonny [Lani, drums] and I have spent a lot of our time driving on the Pacific Highway to airports or gigs, the town we grew up in swell is a few hours from Sydney airport so our brains have coasted that highway in a lot of different states."

Stuck in Cheyenne

This track was born out of a harrowing experience the band faced while on tour in the United States. "We were on tour in America and we were 2 or 3 shows into it. The first show was in Denver, Colorado. First show started with a bang! We were rolling! Excited to keep the momentum going, we were making our way to Salt Lake City through the night but we were directed off the highway due to high winds. I think it was a notorious highway for that reason. So we parked up at a truck stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and stayed the night." The unexpected blizzard that followed forced the band to remain stranded in Cheyenne for several days, leading Reed to pick up his guitar and channel the experience into this song.

Spaceman

This introspective track was crafted during the pandemic, with Reed revealing that "a couple of drinks was involved and just tinkering on the guitar, having a crack at some existential poetry or something like that."

Batten Down the Hatches

Benny Reed simply states, "Based on a true story."

Aeroplane Heart

Reflecting on the allure of doing nothing, Reed muses, "It's nice dreaming about the sweetness of doing nothing. But doing nothing for too long is boring. So if you think you're going to heaven or you'll be a ghost or whatever you think might happen when you die, do nothing then."

Out of My Head

This track serves as a reminder to not get caught up in negative emotions for too long. "Don't get caught up on how someone makes you feel for too long in a negative way, pretend you get to restart life again and go do the things that make you thrive. We all say and do dumb things no matter how wise someone seems. So don't get too hung up on your mistakes if you recognise them."

It Is

The serene desert landscape of Rancho de Luna, where Reed finished this song, provided a sense of clarity and inspiration. "I finished this song at Dave Catching's studio Rancho de Luna just walking around the desert into town thinking how peaceful and quiet it is there and for some reason I've always gained some sense of clarity every time I've been there."

Kelly Heroes

This song draws a parallel between two iconic Australian figures, Ned Kelly and Paul Kelly, exploring their respective legacies and the impact they've had on the country's cultural landscape. "This song is comparing Ned Kelly and Paul Kelly what some call our Aussie heroes maybe some not so much with Ned but still he has a lot of fans and I am one and an admiration to Paul Kelly's legend status he has created through poetry of the country about the man made structures that are parts of Australian and his storytelling and respect to aboriginal peoples and other people that our part of our country."

This Lake

Benny Reed's hometown holds a special place in his heart, and this track serves as a "love letter" to the place that shaped him. "An ode or a bit of a love letter to my hometown. I appreciate the place and the people where I grew up a lot."