solid songwriting and tight instrumentation in musical styles ranging from funk to groove-based R&B to soulful jam-based ballads”

— The Washington Post

Bio

Wes Tucker and his band The Skillets have been making music together in the greater Washington DC area for over a decade now.  The music feels familiar, yet somehow tough to categorize. Continuing the tradition of the folk storyteller while incorporating a love for rock, funk, and R&B, the Skillets blend their influences into a unique sound. 

 

The band’s eclectic sound draws comparisons to genre-bending artists like Ben Harper and Wilco, and they have built a following on the strength of their live performances all over the region. They have been regulars on the summer festival circuit and have shared stages with acts such as Trampled by Turtles and The Hackensaw Boys.

 

2018 saw the release of the band’s 5th studio album titled Get It Right (now available on vinyl) recorded at The Brink in Virginia by producer Mike Reina (currently on tour running sound for recent Grammy-winning War on Drugs).

 

Their 4th studio album, Afterlens, was produced by Grammy-Award-winning engineer Matt Shane (Flight of the Conchords, Robbers on High Street), and featured special guest Rosanne Cash on backing vocals for “Oncoming Train.”

 

Their 3rd studio album The Scorpion and the Dove earned them two nominations for Washington Area Music Association Awards “Wammies” for Best Roots Rock Group and Best Roots Rock Recording of 2009. Wildy’s World declared that “The Scorpion And The Dove is a striking album; you'll walk away from your first listen feeling like you've been listening to it for years. Wes Tucker has crafted the sort of album that you'll go back to again and again.”

 

The Washington Post described the Skillets’ live performance as a showcase of “solid songwriting and tight instrumentation in musical styles ranging from funk to groove-based R&B to soulful jam-based ballads.” Music blog Guilt Free Pleasures declared their live set “one of the best I’ve been to all year.”

 

Wes Tucker & The Skillets are Wes Tucker on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Bryan Washam on guitar and bass; Arch Alcantara on bass and guitar; Dave Rutkowski on drums; and Mark Bower on keyboards and just recently Lynn Rovelli on violin.

Live Video

tracks from the new album - "Get It Right"

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