Skeleton Key is an American rock band based in New York City, United States. The band originated in 1994 by bassist and singer Erik Sanko, the only constant member of the band. His vision was to create a sound "luxurious, yet affordable," using antique microphones, primitive guitars, and unconventional percussion.
History The band’s first release was the Human Pin Cushion single with Dedicated Records. In 1996, the band released an eponymous EP on Motel Records that Rolling Stone said "shows how pop culture and high culture can bring everyone to the same place."
The following year saw the band release their first full-length album, Fantastic Spikes Through Balloon, on Capitol Records. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998 for its Stefan Sagmeister-designed artwork, which featured holes punched through the booklet of liner notes and, for promotional copies, a steel spike housed within the spine enclosure of the CD jewel case.
In early 2011, the band successfully raised over $9,000 on the online crowdfunding website Kickstarter, used to finish production of their next album. Later that year, they signed with Arctic Rodeo Recordings and announced an upcoming release. On March 7, 2012, a promotional video of the band in the studio was released via Visions Magazin.
Band members Current Erik Sanko – Bass guitar, vocals Craig LeBlang – Guitar Benjamin Clapp – "Junk" percussion Bob Vaccarelli – Drum kit
Former Chris Maxwell – Guitar Alec Ferrell – Guitar Rick Lee – "Junk" percussion Matthias Bossi – Drum kit Sean Sankey – Drum kit Nic Brown - Drums Tim Keiper – "Junk" percussion Steve Calhoon - Drum kit/Junk percussion
Discography Human Pin Cushion Single (1995, Dedicated Records) Skeleton Key EP (1996, Motel Records) Fantastic Spikes Through Balloon (1997, Capitol Records) An Ellipse (2001, Exquisite Corpse Records) Obtainium (2002, Ipecac Recordings) Live at Metro (2004, Re:Live) The Lyons Quintette EP (2005, Do Tell Records) Gravity is the Enemy (2012, Arctic Rodeo Recordings)
Awards Independent Music Awards 2013: Gravity is the Enemy - Best Eclectic Album"12th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced!" Independent Music Awards, 11 June 2013. Retrieved on 4 September 2013.
References
External links Official Site The Unofficial Site SK on MySpace