Newport's "Ragga Metal" outfit SKINDRED are rooted in the Welsh Ragga Punk Metal act DUB WAR, a unit which made solid progress in the UK even making an impression on the national charts. As DUB WAR came to a closure in late 1998 lead vocalist Benji Webbe departed for an international project MASS MENTAL working alongside such heavyweights as OZZY OSBOURNE and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Robert Trujillo, OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Joe Holmes and former FAITH NO MORE and OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Mike Bordin. Benji also laid down vocals on two songs on Max Cavalera's debut SOULFLY album, 'Prejudice' and 'Quilumbo' and would later appear onstage with the band to perform the tracks on their 1998 European tour.

Upon his return to the UK after the MASS MENTAL project, Benji hooked up with bass player Danite Pea (a.k.a. Daniel Pugsley). Eventually this pairing united with Benji's erstwhile DUB WAR colleagues guitarist Jeff 'Death' Rose and drummer Ginge Ford, then in the midst of working up their own TRIBAL CLASH venture. The quartet duly adopted the name tag SKINDRED and put in an inaugural live showing, in Newport, in October of 1999. The band would be found touting a new demo in 2001, subsequently landing a deal with major label RCA Records. Although the debut SKINDRED album was at first given a projected title of 'Heavyweight System' it eventually emerged in July of 2002 tagged 'Babylon', hitting no. 189 on the national US Billboard charts. However, SKINDRED gained valuable exposure when 'Babylon' reached the no. 1 position on the Top Reggae Albums chart.

Touring to support the release witnessed gigs alongside SOIL and ADEMA in Europe. In mid 2002 Benji would also make his presence felt on the 'Still Hungry?' album by former SKUNK ANANSIE guitarist ACE.

Both Jeff Rose and Ginger Ford exited in January of 2003. The band duly pulled in guitarist Mikey Dee (Mike Demus) and drummer Dirty Arya (Arya Goggin) as substitutes. Benji, under the pseudonym "The Dirty Dred", took time out from SKINDRED activity to cut three tracks with Dutch drum n' bass artist BONG-RA for the album, 'The Art Of Vulgar Aesthetics'. SKINDRED would be back on the road in Europe throughout November and December, packaged alongside VOODOO GLOW SKULLS and 4FT FINGERS.

SKINDRED allied themselves with NONPOINT for a promotional push in June of 2004, the two bands collaborating on a splt CD sampler distributed by their street teams. SKINDRED also re-released their 'Babylon' opus in August through Bieler Bros., the new version adding four new tracks. High profile touring in the USA during November saw SKINDRED acting as openers to CHEVELLE and KORN. Opening 2005, SKINDRED acted as support to PAPA ROACH for US shows throughout February and March, also finding time to record an EP of acoustic material. Announcing that 'Babylon' had sold over 125,000 units in the USA, SKINDRED embarked upon further dates in April partnered with SEVENDUST. October had the band resuming US roadwork alongside H.I.M. and FINCH.

SKINDRED lined up to support SOULFLY on UK and European dates throughout February and March 2006 then entered Bieler Bros. Studios in May to cut their second album. The band put in a significant appearance at the GUNS N' ROSES headlined 'Download' festival in Castle Donington, UK on June 11th. Benji received some unexpected extra exposure at this event when, alongside other singers, he stepped in as guest for KORN to cover for an ill Jonathon Davis. Meantime, 'Babylon' duly rose to the top of the Top Reggae Albums chart again in 2006.

In January 2007 SKINDRED commenced the recording sessions for its second album at Bieler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida with producer Matt Squire. Following a 20th September launch party at The Scale in London, 'Roots Rock Riot' saw issue in October, selling 3,200 copies in its first week of US sale. iTunes versions added an extra track in 'Days Like These'.

SKINDRED released 'Electric Avenue', a cover version of the hit EDDY GRANT song, through MySpace on 12th January 2009. The band would be ensconced in the studio during early May, cutting mini-album, originally entitled 'Jumping The Shark' but subsequently switched to 'Shark Bites And Dog Fights', for release via Bieler Bros. Records, before opening shows for ALL THAT REMAINS and DISTURBED in Canada that same month.

The group performed at the inaugural UK 'Sonisphere' festival at Knebworth Park in August 2009 headlined by METALLICA, LINKIN PARK, NINE INCH NAILS and HEAVEN AND HELL. 

Garry Sharpe-Young