Press
The Mangled Web of Skatenigs
Do you live life to the fullest? This is a question that for thirty years now has been challenged by a formidable group known as the Skatenigs. A band of heathens that has survived like cockroaches navigating life’s ups and downs making no excuses for their unconventional lifestyles or lack of. Phil Owen (aka Phildo) developed a brand of music that stole from every aspect of outlaw genres such as punk rock, heavy metal, rap, hillbilly and every sacred rock and roll anthem vulnerable to its taking. After landing a deal with the Chicago based Wax Trax Records, through an introduction from his Revolting Cocks cohort and Ministry’s main man Al Jourgensen, Phildo penned the now classic song Chemical Imbalance. Years of reckless abandon would result later signing with Megaforce Records, known for their connection to breaking Metallica, a classic episode of “Beavis and Butthead,” video plays on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, several successful tours with Ministry, KMFDM, GWAR, FEAR etc. and a failed European tour with TOOL which brought the band to a break up that would later be revived by Phildo. 2016 brought the release of the band’s most current album Adult Entertainment for Kids which features videos for the songs Taste and At War With Myself. This album currently is streamed in 51 countries and has assured the Skatenigs are anything but forgotten! Join Phildo and his band of Cretans as they rise from the gutter to bring you an undeniable experience that is sure to be on your bucket list!
There’s a fire in that sound. It ain’t gentle, and it ain’t askin’ permission. Music like that comes from people who’ve seen the underside of things—and decided to sing about it anyway.Johnny Cash
The Skatenigs rose at the beginning of the 90’s from the midst of Austin, Texas hard-core scene by way of a conceptual idea entertained by Al Jourgensen of Ministry. They were a band of white, skating rappers, initially created to fill the support slot for Ministry. The original line-up featured Phil Owen on vocals, Billy Jackson and Chris Chambers sharing guitar duties, Lance Von Moulder playing bass, and Keith Dailey on drums. The lead singer Phil Owen (a.k.a. Phildo) sang on the now legendary Revolting Cocks Beers, Steers and Queers and Chris Chambers worked on remixed version of the same track. The band supported the Revolting Cocks on their tour and gained huge success with their first single; Chemical Imbalance released in 1991, which also featured a spoken word by Lorri Jackson, a well-regarded Chicago poet. Shortly after, the Loudspeaker single was released in 1992. In the same year the Skatenigs recorded their first full length album, Stupid People Shouldn't Breed, which contained both singles.
After some personnel changes, Skatenigs surfaced with their second album, What a Mangled Web We Leave. The release followed after the Regret single, and also introduced Wendy Nelson on keyboards. They were both recorded somewhere in the 1994. So far, only these two full-length albums were released before constant personnel changes and failure to achieve commercial success fragmented the band.
After sorting through the rubble, Phil Owen, Mat Mitchell and Chris Gates forged a new alliance and endeavor called Choreboy. Three angry bald guys and a drum machine contributed to a mutual love and a punk rock project was born. Good Clean Fun... My Ass came out in 1997 on Triple X Records and was supported by a European Tour. Other participants included Gibby Haynes, who also produced the album, Pete Lee of X-Cops and GWAR fame, Mike Derks of GWAR, Terry Bones of Discharge, Broken Bones and UK Subs, Sean of Dynamite Boy, Robbie Jacks who played Leatherface in Texas Chainsaw Massacre (where Skatenigs’ I Got it Made was featured) and many more.
In the Snow Black years 1999 to 2006, which were intended to be a solo project for Phildo, but would later be released as Adult Entertainment for Kids, released Halloween 2016. Prior to its release a peppering of shows were played in 2011 and 2012 with Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis and Ministry) and Casey Orr (GWAR and Rigor Mortis) to pay legal fees for Phildo’s defense fund. Homeless and miserable, Phildo found his way to recovery in 2015 – with the other options being death or jail. In 2016 he would release “Adult Entertainment for Kids” after being kept under wraps for years.
2018 has presented the 30th anniversary for Skatenigs worldwide. Teaming back up with Chris Gates and adding Myke Bingham, Adam Lamar, Chris Ahrens and the uber talented drummer from CHANT project Bradley Bills (KMFDM, TKK and Die Krupps) to the fold. Events are ongoing in the States currently and plan to go global in 2020.
Skatenigs is like if a factory got possessed and started throwing elbows. That shit bangs. Real outsider energy. No rules, no polish—just chaos with a groove. Much clown love.Shaggy 2 Dope, Insane Clown Posse • on crime
Reviews
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Gig Review - Liar's Club, Chicago
by Nathan Vestal at Metal Planet Music on May 2025
It wasn’t a show. It was a f***ing incident.
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ReView: This is Entertainment?
by Ilker Yücel at ReGen Magazine on August 2023
Appreciate great trash
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Skatenigs Return with their Strongest Effort Yet
by Caleb Straus at First Angel Media on December 2021
You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll probably hurl.
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Brutal Planet
by Eric Peterson at Brutal Planet on November 2021
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Phil on Undetermined: The Podcast
at Undetermined: The Podcast on October 2021
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AP & Austin Chronicle, 2021
by Tim Stegall at Austin Chronicle on October 2021
Skatenigs has been the loud, noisy voice of hedonistic rebellion
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2020 rendition of Revolting Cocks classic
by Ilker Yücel at ReGen Magazine on June 2020
Rednecks gone wild, revisited
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Cocked and Loaded: Part 2
by Jason Pettigrew at Alternative Press on January 1991
Madness is hereditary, and there's nothin' you can do about it
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Cocked and Loaded: Part 1
by Jason Pettigrew at Alternative Press on January 1991
I’M NOT DRINKING AGAIN
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