Muzz Skillings was the original bass player for Living Colour as far as a recording unit went. He appeared on their 1988 debut album "Vivid", the grammy award winning 1990 followup "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 world wide. He quit* the band in 1992 and was replaced by Doug Wimbish, who remains in the band today, although they went into a lengthy hiatus in 1995 until 2000. In 2000, Living Colour reformed with the same line up prior to the break up with Corey Glover (vocals), Vernon Reid (guitars), Will Calhoun (drums) and Doug Wimbish (bass). In November 2003, the band released a new album called Collideoscope which received very conflicting and mixed reviews from fans and media alike.
Muzz's departure from the band was due to musical differences and a desire to branch off and evolve musically outside of Living Colour. He left under good terms which is indicated in his linier notes printed in the album sleeve of Living Colour's 1995 greatest hits album entitled "Pride". He comments to words of the effect, "every caterpillar needs to leave their cocoon to become a butterfly."
He has grown extremely long dreadlocks and is the front man in a band called "Medicine Stick" which he plays guitar (not bass) and sings lead vocals. He does session work around the NYC area and is also playing bass for Ted Mason's band "Blue Mockingbird". Ted Mason is a fantastic producer and song writer, although he is really only recognized as the guy who wrote and performed as "Modern English's" frontman and of course the their hit song's title was "I'll Melt With You". He is very active promoting and assisting many new, up and coming bands, getting them demo time as well as helping land deals. In NYC he can be seen regularly.
Many people who have met him in over the years say Muzz Skillings is a wonderful guy, down to earth and accessible, not standoffish and does not suffer from an inflated ego like many in the industry. It's nice to see a good guy in rock making things happen and helping other because its the right thing to do, not because it's the hip thing at the moment.
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