Skindred has released a new lyric video for their song It’s A Crime, thirteen years after it’s original release. The song is originally from a rare cut from the Japenese version of Roots Rock Riot but is now being released outside of Japan for the first time. The album will be available on April 23rd and can be pre-ordered here.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track in a press release, vocalist Benji Webbe explains, “I live in a neighbourhood (Newport, Wales) where back in the day, a lot of people were working hard and getting ripped off in life and then there are others who are just hustling and selling this and selling that. It’s just a crime that hardworking people don’t get what the thieves/criminals get.”
The track was only ever previously released on the Japanese version of the album, we are so happy it’s being included in the re-release. It was always a band and producer favourite.
If you haven’t yet ordered the upcoming reissue, you can do so here – https://t.co/3NFCZIqevY pic.twitter.com/nLVpFAHKrZ
— Hassle Records (@hasslerecords) February 3, 2021
Speaking about the track in a press release, Skindred drummer, Arya Goggin said; “It’s a Crime was written in 2006 in our basement studio below St Joseph’s Boxing club in Newport. It’s where all the writing for Roots Rock Riot took place. The only reason it didn’t make the album was because of how the album track listing flowed.”
It’s A Crime is from the album Roots Rock Riot, which is known as an important piece of Skindred’s history. The album was crafted in a boxing club and recorded in America. It was the record of their discography to feature what would become the permanent line-up of Benji, Arya, bassist Daniel Pugsley and guitarist Mikey Demus, it started its life as that difficult second album. What it became completely transcends that, bookending a difficult period of the band’s existence and boldly kicking down the door to the future of their illustrious career.
Available on vinyl for the first time as well as CD, the re-release of Roots Rock Riot features previously unheard music. As well as the complete tracklist of the original, the vinyl version of the record comes with an additional 7” containing two exclusive tracks: It’s A Crime and Struggle, which was never released at all. The CD release also contains both those tracks and an acoustic version of Destroy The Dance Floor.
We can’t wait to rock with you all in September/October. In the meantime, stay safe https://t.co/YwScnJ8PVP
— Skindred (@Skindredmusic) January 13, 2021
The re-release of Roots Rock Riot will arrive ahead of Skindred’s full UK Showtime Tour in September 2021, where they will be joined by very special guests Royal Republic. The full tour dates are below.
23/09/2021 – Junction – Cambridge
24/09 – Academy – Oxford
25/09 – Roadmenders – Northampton
30/09 – Academy – Leeds
01/10 – Institute – Birmingham
02/10 – Roundhouse – London
07/10 – Tramshed – Cardiff
08/10 – Academy – Bristol
09/10 – Rock City – Nottingham
10/10 – SWG3 – Glasgow
15/10 – Guildhall – Southampton
22/10 – Corporation – Sheffield
23/10 – Uni Students’ Union – Newcastle
29/10 – De La Warr Pavilion – Bexhill
30/10 – Academy – Manchester
31/10 – UEA – Norwich
