The Salt Lake City, UT based band was officially formed in 2017 with frontman (Kade Long) and bassist (Colin Sheffield).
Long and Sheffield grew up as close friends throughout high school. Jamming, skating, and skummy behavior soon led to the creation of the band.
That same year, Long and Sheffield both worked together at a local ski resort, where they met drummer (Christian Shupe). Long, Sheffield, and Shupe quickly hit it off, and the bond between the three quickly shaped their vision and sound as a band.
The 3 piece spent the next two years writing and recording songs for their Self-Released album “Valley Vibes”. The album was Recorded, Mixed, Mastered, and Produced by the band’s lifelong friend (Harley Anderson). The entire album was recorded in a shed in Anderson’s backyard, which he had converted into a recording studio.
“Valley Vibes” saw it’s official release in August of 2019, and the band marked the occasion in “grand fashion” with a set at the 2019 Reggae Rise Up Festival near Park City, Utah.
Sharing a bill with ska and reggae lifers like Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Stephen Marley, and Dispatch. The bands high energy performances, and love for playing live has landed them a lot of diverse gigs. Experiencing shows with heavy rock bands, punk bands, hip-hop artists, psychedelic bands, and many reggae artists.
“Skumbudz will always keep you on your toes, not knowing what to expect next. Mixing rock ‘n’ roll, with a heavy reggae influence. It's a roller coaster of emotions and sounds, with a lot of blues and soul.”
–Emilee Atkinson (SLUG Magazine)
“The trio produce a genre-bending sound with their music, allowing a wide range of listeners to enjoy their songs. Skumbudz manage to take listeners on a musical journey with their debut album “Valley Vibes” giving listeners all the vibes they could ask for. It’s good for when you’re feeling excited, or for when you just want to chill. Overall, the group has a great sound with this album.”
–Nic Renshaw (Salt Lake City Weekly Newspaper)
“Both the band's friendship and their self-prescribed skumminess is on full display throughout their debut album, Valley Vibes. Each member brings their own musical flavors and preferences into the music to make the album a surprisingly diverse affair that feels like a true collaborative effort. Skumbudz seem poised to keep rising in prominence within the Salt Lake scene, and even possibly beyond. Long says a tour is ultimately what the band is working toward, attempting to bring their eclectic brand of rock 'n' reggae to an even wider audience.”
