Muzz Skillings
Encyclopedia
Muzz Skillings is an American
bassist, singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for having been the original bassist
with Living Colour
.
Skillings played bass, sang backing vocals, and co-wrote songs on the history-making, Grammy award-winning 1988 debut album Vivid
, the Grammy award-winning 1990 follow up Time's Up, and the 1991 EP Biscuits. His use of melodic, complex and moving bass lines during his time with Living Colour
left him with high acclaim from musicians worldwide.
Skillings's departure from the band in 1992 was due to musical differences, and a desire to branch off and evolve musically outside of Living Colour
. He left under good terms (as indicated in his liner notes printed in the album sleeve of Living Colour
's 1995 best-of compilation, Pride
) and has returned to the band on occasion (for one-off events) in order to cover for their current bassist Doug Wimbish
when the latter is unavailable.
Skillings has since led a band called Medicine Stick, in which he plays electric guitar
and sings lead vocals, as well as writing the songs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bassist, singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for having been the original bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
with Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
.
Skillings played bass, sang backing vocals, and co-wrote songs on the history-making, Grammy award-winning 1988 debut album Vivid
Vivid (album)
Vivid is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Living Colour, which was released on May 3, 1988. The band was discovered by Mick Jagger while playing a show at punk club CBGB's in 1987...
, the Grammy award-winning 1990 follow up Time's Up, and the 1991 EP Biscuits. His use of melodic, complex and moving bass lines during his time with Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
left him with high acclaim from musicians worldwide.
Skillings's departure from the band in 1992 was due to musical differences, and a desire to branch off and evolve musically outside of Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
. He left under good terms (as indicated in his liner notes printed in the album sleeve of Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
's 1995 best-of compilation, Pride
Pride (Living Colour album)
Pride is Living Colour's 1995 greatest hits album. It contains four rare tracks recorded for the follow-up of their third album Stain. However, this collection is now out of print...
) and has returned to the band on occasion (for one-off events) in order to cover for their current bassist Doug Wimbish
Doug Wimbish
Doug Wimbish is a bass player, primarily known for his studio work for the rap/hip hop label Sugarhill Records and his membership of the funk metal band Living Colour. He has played for a vast range of artists, including Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Madonna, George Clinton, Paula Cole, Bomb the Bass,...
when the latter is unavailable.
Skillings has since led a band called Medicine Stick, in which he plays electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and sings lead vocals, as well as writing the songs.
with Living Colour
- VividVivid (album)Vivid is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Living Colour, which was released on May 3, 1988. The band was discovered by Mick Jagger while playing a show at punk club CBGB's in 1987...
(1988) - Time's UpTime's UpTime's Up is the second album by Living Colour, released on August 20, 1990. It was the follow-up to the successful Vivid. The album features a wide range of genres and also includes cameo appearances by Queen Latifah, Little Richard, Doug E. Fresh, Maceo Parker and James Earl Jones...
(1990) - Biscuits (EP) (1991)