Skip the Use is a French band with electro funk, rock and punk influences founded in 2008 with musicians from Ronchin, near Lille and made up of Mat Bastard (vocals), Yan Stefani (guitar), Nelson Martins (bass) and Enzo Gabert (drums). The band is signed with Polydor and has distribution arrangement with Universal Music.

Career

The five members used to play in punk band Carving. They released their debut eponymous album Skip the Use produced by CALYSTA and NPE. The latter also organized their French tour and other tours in countries such as Canada, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania for the promotion of their album recorded in YellowSub studios with Yves Jaget and Manu Guiot member of NPE, and released 5 October 2009. They also took part in a string of music festivals allowing them to gain fame.

In early 2011, they launched a well-followed blog and a single "Give Me Your Life" accompanied by a music video and in October of same year the EP Sound from the Shadow on Polydor with 5 tracks made available on digital download although limited edition CD was made of the EP but available only at live concerts of the band.

In January 2012, they were nominated for 'best live group or artist revelation of the year' at Victoires de la musique. "Ghost" launched at French TV entertainment show Taratata accompanied by a choir. This was a prerelease for their album Can Be Late released on 6 February 2012. A limited edition also offered an 8-track of live renditions during a concert at Paris' Moulin Rouge La Machine venue on 27 October 2011.

In popular culture

  • The music of "Give Me", a Skip the Use track was used in promoting Noel dernier cri for Canal +
  • The same song "Give Me" also became the tune for June TV's show Bienvenue dans la Ruche

Members

  • Mat Bastard - vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming
  • Yan Stefani - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Nelson Martins - bass, backing vocals
  • Enzo Gabert - drums

Former Members

  • Jay Gimenez - bass, backing vocals
  • Lio Raepsaet - keyboards, synthesizers, samples, laptop computer, saxophone, backing vocals
  • Manamax Catteloin - drums

Discography

Albums

Studio

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertificationNotes
BEL (Wa)FRA
Skip the UseReleased: 5 October 2009 Label: CALYSTA music / NPE Format: CD
Can Be LateReleased: 6 February 2012 Label: Polydor Format: CD8035With limited edition bonus, a 2nd CD of 8-track live show at Paris' Moulin Rouge La Machine venue
Little ArmageddonReleased: 24 February 2014 Label: Polydor Format: CD178FRA: Gold
Past & FutureReleased: 18 October 2019 Label: Polydor Format: Digital download, streaming57

Live

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
FRA
Little Armageddon TourReleased: 9 February 2015 Label: Polydor Format: CD62

EPs

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsNotes
FRA
Sound from the ShadowReleased: October 2011 Label: Polydor Format: Digital download CD (limited edition)197Limited edition CD format available only at band's live concerts

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
BEL (Wa)FRA
2012"Ghost"4624Can Be Late
"Give Me Your Life"173
2013"Cup of Coffee"72
"Nameless World"58*42Little Armageddon
2014"The Story of Gods and Men"149

*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts. Added 50 position to actual Ultratip position.

External links