The Skints
The Skints are an English reggae-punk band from London. They mix reggae, ska, dub, punk, dancehall, soul, and rap, and are known for their diverse sound. They have been called the torchbearers for modern British reggae.
The band formed in 2007 in east London. School friends from Woodbridge High School—around Leyton, Walthamstow, and Woodford—settled on the current lineup: Marcia Richards, Jamie Kyriakides, Joshua Waters Rudge, and Jonathan Doyle. They built a strong following by playing lots of gigs around London’s DIY and squat party scenes before they started touring outside the city.
The Skints have released several albums on independent labels. Their first album, Live.Breathe.Build.Believe (2009), was recorded quickly and mixes reggae, ska, dub, and punk. Part & Parcel came out in 2012 and featured collaboration with Parly B. In 2015 they released FM, a concept album about a pirate radio station in London, with guests like Tippa Irie, Horseman, Rival, and Rufus Hound. Their 2019 album Swimming Lessons was a big success, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. It blends heavy reggae and punk with other styles and features Jamaican artists Runkus, Jesse Royal, and Protoje.
The Skints have kept a strong focus on touring and staying independent. They’ve never signed with a major label and have worked with indie imprints such as Penny Drop, Easy Star Records, Mr Bongo, and Bomber Music. They’ve toured in the UK, Europe, the United States, Japan, and elsewhere, playing festivals like Reading & Leeds, Slam Dunk, and Boomtown, and they’ve done several US tours.
Their music is sometimes called “East London reggae” or “tropical punk,” reflecting their mix of Jamaican influences and British punk energy. They’re known for having three lead vocalists and for constantly pushing their sound in new directions. The Skints’ dedicated fan base and relentless touring have helped them stand out, even without major label backing.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:08 (CET).