Skablins: a ska band that makes a playful ruckus of fun music, making everyone within ear shot want to dance and skank. Formed in 2006 by Gordy, Anton, and Heather, Skablins has played all over Seattle, Portland, and, of course, Arlington. (We are the house band of the Mirkwood Public House in Arlington, Wash., after all.) With eight band members (three horns, two strings, keys, drums, and vocals), we fuse ska and goblins to make a wilder kind of creature. We are Skablins—playing mischievously in all shapes and sounds.
Band
Anthony Beck
Bass
Along with Gordy and Heather, Anton started Skablins in 2006. Inspired by the likes of Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, Nomeansno’s Rob Wright, and Rush’s Geddy Lee, you might think Anton is either a metal head or a Canadian. And you’d be wrong on one—he grew up in Los Angeles. Always open to new kinds of music, Anton saw the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies in 1991, and he noticed a distinct difference between the vibe of a metal show vs. a ska show. Everyone is dancing and having fun, he thought to himself, which is much nicer than standing around being morose. The spark was lit.
Heather Beck
Baritone Sax
Skablins members are tight—Heather has known Gordy since 1st grade, and she’s been with Anton since 1987. Together, the three of them formed Skablins in 2006. But starting a band had been in the back of Heather’s mind for some time. After seeing No Doubt and Sublime at small venues locally in the 1990s, she was inspired. Heather dusted off her baritone sax, which she’s been playing since 5th grade, and got to work, easily twisting the arms of Anton and Gordy. Born and raised in Seattle, Heather’s influences are Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Fishbone, whose “Unyielding Conditioning” is, Heather says, the greatest ska song of all time. What, no “Valley of the Skankbots,” Heather?
Gordon Whyte
Vocals
It’s 2 a.m. The city sleeps. Except for the desperate and the deprived, who are embroiled in a struggle between what they cannot live without and the deleterious vices they trade it for—like food for oil between starving nations. The mutually assured destruction for a new era. But whatever keeps the party going as if a slowly decaying orbit over a subtly ever broadening horizon. A target we fly past on a continuous basis that seems to follow us in an oblique parallel. When we crash, it has overtaken us and leads to that ominous descent into dream. Like a mausoleum that pays no respect in epitaph to our hubris in gravity beyond our means. But for now, it eludes us. Because my band is too loud. I am Gordon. Good morning.
Kevin Eyre
Guitar
Kevin Jon Eyre was born in NebraSKA, raised in Southern California, and spent a few years in Florida before making his way to the Great Northwest, now his home. He eventually discovered the Mirkwood Public House in charming downtown Arlington, home base of the world renowned Skablins, and he wriggled his way in. Do not say you have not been warned!
Morgan Williams
Drums
Born and raised in Stanwood, our young hero was immediately submerged into the music culture. With Morgan’s father owning Plum Tree Recording Studios, pursuing music was a quest that was very much tangible for him. Fast forward 20 years, when the young stallion received a mail of the electronic type (commonly known as “email”) asking, “Will you be a Skablin?” The handsome young buck graciously accepted the great quest, and harmonious music has been made ever since.
Josh Berglund
Trombone
The band’s Chief Accountability Officer, Josh first found Skablins as a fan. He grew up in Arlington, Wash., and (barely) graduated from Granite Falls High School. Josh was invited to join the band and accepted before his first audition. This could have been attributed to his charm, top notch fashion, and witty banter. But only other Skablins know for sure.
TJ Dunn
Trumpet
Ah, our elusive trumpet player, whose voicemail is always full and from whom text messages requesting a bio go left unanswered. But TJ’s colorful dancing and exceptional musicality make up for it, so we’ll let the bloke stay on the page. We’re good Skablins that way.
Jacob Doss
Keys
Coming soon…