Skyscraper were formed during the summer of 1992 by ex-Swervedriver bassist Adi Vines and former Milk guitarist/vocalist Vic Kemlicz. Although the new band's music contained shades of their former work, what made it stand out from the post-Nirvana loud guitar crowd was Kemlicz's angular guitar style and the band's highly developed sense of melody. This compulsive mix, along with the band's pedigree, quickly found them a deal with London record label Food Records. who released the band's first three singles. The band's debut album, Superstate, was released by new independent label Dynosupreme during 1994 to great critical acclaim. Rock magazine Metal Hammer called it "the best debut by far of any British rock band in recent years".
Surprisingly, runaway success did not follow and numerous live tours in the UK and Europe- which included dates with the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Helmet, Killing Joke and Therapy- and appearances on UK national TV and radio hid the fact that the band were struggling with business and line up problems.
It was not until the arrival of ex-Scissormen guitarist Adam Lamprell and former Sundial drummer Craig Adrienne in 1995 that the band were able to make progress on their second album. Shooters (1996) was a much darker work than the debut but still had moments of astonishing grace. The business problems, however, had not loosened their grip and by the time of the albums release, Skyscraper had already split.
Many thanks for the add! Great to find this page. Superstate is an absolute killer album...as was anything that Mr Kemlicz was involved in! Saw Skyscraper many years ago play a club in Bedford (I think it was?)...Awesome gig. A tragically underrated band, the music sounds as vital today as it did then...
Where are you Vic & co? The world needs more Skyscraper!
Cheers for the add... Superstate was a monumental album and I can never figure out why it never took off afterwards. Saw you a lot in the 90s and for a 3-piece you had a wall of a sound. Keep the faith. Butters.
... hi Adi hello Vic ...still best band of the last 40 years together with Milk and Love Battery. Your songs still ringing loudin 2007 and never sound dated at all. Amazing UNFORGETTABLE band. Love you and always will, ciao Claudio alpanfilo
