Skindive

Emerging from Dublin in the late 1990s, Skindive extended the longstanding Irish rock lineage by fusing rock instrumentation with electronic textures. Their material alternates between melodic passages and abrasive textures while delivering arresting timbres laced with sharp sonic treatments. Irish guitarist Gerry Owens established the project after accumulating formative musical experience that dated back to his teenage years. Bassist Alan Lee and drummer Ger Farrel completed the initial lineup, after which American vocalist Danielle joined to supply the female timbre the group required. For more than a year the quartet honed its set in Dublin venues before relocating temporarily to the United States in pursuit of a recording contract. Audiences in Los Angeles and New York responded with notable enthusiasm to the performances. Shortly thereafter Chris Blackwell of Palm Records, already familiar with several demo recordings, offered the band a deal. The self-titled debut album appeared in February 2001. Production credits were shared among Owens, Alan Branch, and Adrian Sherwood, the latter two having previously collaborated with Nine Inch Nails and Sinéad O’Connor.