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SKisM

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SKisM
SKisM (middle) at Idiosynphonic in 2011
SKisM (middle) at Idiosynphonic in 2011
Background information
Birth nameThomas Stephen Petais
Also known asDash
Born (1982-01-14) January 14, 1982 (age 43)
OriginLondon, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • Producer
  • Record Label Executive
Instruments
Years active2000s–2021
Labels
Formerly ofCtrl-Z
Websiteskism.co.uk (Archived December 21, 2021)

Thomas Stephen Petais (born January 14, 1982)[1][2], also known by his alias SKisM[3], is a retired English DJ, electronic music producer, and record label executive. Petais is the co-founder of two independent Electronic music record labels: Disciple Records[4][5] and Never Say Die Records.[2] Petais is nicknamed, by those who've worked with him professionally, as the "DJ's DJ" because of the "technical prowess and energy on his multi deck setup" during his performances.[6]

Career

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Etymology

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The etymology of Petais' alias derives from the English word schism, which simply means to split or divide. Petais noted that the etymology behind the name didn't involve anything religious, "satantic or anything like that".[7]

Musical style

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Petais' tracks incorporate, according to the Ravelli Republic and Beat Magazine, a "syncopating rhythm", "bass and drum elements", "classical progressions, metal influences, ethnic samples, and break beats". Petais also draws influences from both heavy metal music and drum and bass while growing up and from breakbeat during his music school years and his years being part of Ctrl-Z.[3][8]

Ctrl-Z as 'Dash' (2000s–2009)

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Petais attended, and is an alum, of Community Music: a music school located in the East London neighborhood.[9] Petais met Nicholas D'Silva (aka Night Shift and Pyramid)[10][11]: a classmate in Community Music's Creative Music Production & Business program, and both formed Ctrl-Z: a breakbeat band.[12][13] Petais was also known as Dash and D'Silva was known also known as Inch. In 2005, the group was selected as winners for, both, "Best Breakthrough Act" and "Best Breakthrough Producer" at the Breakspoll Awards: an award ceremony and music festival for artists and record labels that produce breakbeat tracks. In 2006, the group received "Best Compilation Album" for their contributions to a compilation commissioned by Hardcore Beats (the label the group was signed to) called "Hardwired".[11][14]

SKisM (2009–2021)

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Official logo of SKisM

In September 2009, SKisM released his first, 2-song Extended Play (EP) titled Rise Of The Idiots / Back Off. Back Off was remarked as "dirty roughened gully funk... guaranteed to sooth the soul during frustrating, testing times" while Rise Of The Idiots was remarked having "added weight an irony" than the former.[15][6]

On July 17, 2009, Never Say Die Records was founded along with Nicholas Sadler (aka Mobscene). Petais did so because he "wanted to continue making bass music and working in the industry" due to the decline of the breakbeat scene. The very first track to be released on the label was a single titled "Ruffneck '09" by Ctrl-Z and the Freestylers with vocals from reggae artist Navigator on December 7, 2009. Ctrl-Z then released a remix of Cracks (by the Freestylers) on Never Say Die eight months later.[16][17]

Down With The Kids EP Album Cover (2010)

In December 6, 2010, Petais released his second, 5-song EP titled Down With The Kids. The EP included 3 original tracks: Power, Elixir, and Rave Reivew and two remixes, made by FuntCase and Matta, from his first EP. Elixir was remarked for "spawn[ing] a whole range of fugly remixes".[18] A VIP Mix was later released on 2013.[19] Rave Review, on the other hand, was made in response and reaction to the radio playing "recycled samples and ideas coming through" and jumping all over the "future jungle type music" at a time where dubstep was starting to became popular. The song used a sample from Henry Rollins.[20]

In 2011, Petais collaborated with Flux Pavilion, with featuring vocals from the Foreign Beggars, to release Jump Back. The single was remarked for being "a dark, hard-hitting track" consisting of "grimy vocals" and "Flux [Pavilion]'s signature sounds".[21]

In 2012, Petais released a 9-song EP titled The Division. The EP included 5 remixes and four original mix songs that each had a "variety of different genres and rhythms". In other words, deviating from producing what SKisM is typically known for: dubstep[7], Experts had a music video that depicted Excision, Eptic, Skrillex, and Zomboy each "battling [one-on-one] an empowered internet troll" on YouTube that often gives "so much stick online... asking where the... music is". The song used a sample recited by Phil Anselmo from heavy metal band Pantera.[20][22] Kick It (with Zomboy) was made "with giddy disco samples, bird calls, and Alvin and the Chipmunks’ vocal chops".[23] At the same year, Petais' single: Like This, with featured vocals from Virus Syndicate, reached and maintained the #1 spot on Beatport's Top 100 Tracks list for one month.[7]

In 2014, Petais released a remix of Lazerbeam by ShockOne featuring Metrik and Kyza. The track is one of the few "record[s] outside of his predominant genre[s]" which refers to the track being a combination of both Moombahcore and Breakbeat influences.[24][25]

In 2015, Petais, Habstrakt, and Megalodon collaborated to release Jaguar. The single was initially started by both Petais and Megalodon two years ago, but Habstrakt was brought into the project to complete the track into its final product. The track was remarked for "its ability to swarm with a kind of barely restrained violence that broods and busts through with an untouchable gangsta lean".[26]

Since 2015, Petais has retired from producing music to focus his efforts on running the label such as "hav[ing] responsibilities for other people" and "executively produc[ing] for the artists' tracks".[16]

Discography

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This is an incomplete list of the artist's discography. You can help complete this list by adding missing items with reliable sources.

EPs

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Title Tracklist Details
Rise Of The Idiots / Back Off[6]
  1. Rise Of The Idiots
  2. Back Off[15]
  • Released: September 2009
  • Label: Wicky Lindows (via 720Bass)
  • Format: Digital download
Down With The Kids[6]
  1. Rave Review[20]
  2. Elixir[18]
  3. Power
  4. Rise Of The Idiots (FuntCase Remix)
  5. Back Off (Matta Remix)
  • Released: December 6, 2010
  • Label: Never Say Die
  • Format: Digital download
The Division[7][22]
  1. Killer
  2. Red Heat[27]
  3. Experts[22]
  4. Kick It[23]
  5. Killer (Tantrum Desire Remix)[27]
  6. Killer (CRUSH Remix)
  7. Red Heat (TC Remix)
  8. Experts (xKore Remix)
  9. Kick It (Dirtyloud Remix)[27]
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Never Say Die
  • Format: Digital download

Singles & Collaborations

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Year Title Label
2009 The Blank[6] Wicky Lindows (via 720Bass)
2011 Signs (with Tali & Do The Math) Reign Recordings
sEXisM (with Excision)[6] Mau5trap
Jump Back (with Flux Pavilion)

(feat. Foreign Beggars)[21]

Circus Records
2012 Like This

(feat. Virus Syndicate)[7]

Never Say Die Records
2013 Elixir - VIP[19]
2015 Hostile (with Laxx)[28]
Jaguar (with Habstrakt and Megalodon)[26]
Black Hole (with Trampa)

Remixes

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Date Original Artist Title Label
2010 Envy Normal stopstart records
Excision & Datsik Boom[6] Rottun Recordings
Pyrmaid

(feat. Juile Thompson)

Cruel[6] Funkatech Records
Foreign Beggars Get a Bit More[6][27] Dented Records
2011 RackNRuin Dazed & Confused[6] Black Butter Records
Porter Robinson The State[6] Owsla
Excision & Downlink Heavy Artillery S.T. Holdings Ltd.
2012 Muffler Calling Your Name SubHuman
Hadouken! Parasite (with Zomboy)[29] Ministry of Sound
Far Too Loud 600 Years[30] Funkatech Records
2013 ShockOne

(feat. Metrik & Kyza)

Lazerbeam[24][25] Viper Recordings
2014 Zomboy Raptor (with Laxx)[31] Never Say Die

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sources:
  2. ^ a b "NEVER SAY DIE RECORDS LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  3. ^ a b Kanoniuk, Lachlan (2012-03-20). "Funkoars". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  4. ^ "DISCIPLE RECORDS LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  5. ^ "Certificate of Incorporation Of A Private Limited Company (Company No. 8268859)". https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/. GOV.UK. October 25, 2012. pp. 6, 9. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Skism · Biography · Artist ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  7. ^ a b c d e Pham, Kevin (February 22, 2014). "EDMTunes Interview: SKisM". EDMTunes. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Birkenbuel, Renata (September 3, 2015). "Bash No. 4: Eclectic Original Festival growing by the year". Ravalli Republic. Hamilton, Montana, U.S. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025.
  9. ^ Jenkins, Dave (June 13, 2014). "Will the real SKisM please stand up!". UKF. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025.
  10. ^ Bhanawat, Akshay (September 16, 2022). "Night Shift Releases Cinematic 'Crazy About You' Featuring Leo Wood". The Music + Essentials.
  11. ^ a b "Rock Like This & Pretty Simple present CTRL-Z". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022.
  12. ^ Sources:
    • "Skism". Community Music. Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  13. ^ Cicic, Maja (July 18, 2012). "Win a day's studio time at Community Music!". Drum&BassArena. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015.
  14. ^ Sources:
    • "2006". Breakspoll. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
    • "2005". Breakspoll. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
  15. ^ a b Jenkins, Dave (2016-09-08). "#TBT: SKisM – Back Off". UKF. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Jenkins, Dave (2017-03-13). "SKisM: "Never Say Die isn't a name, it's an attitude"". UKF. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025.
  17. ^ Jenkins, Dave (2021-08-24). "Origins: Aston Harvey". UKF.
  18. ^ a b Jenkins, Dave (2017-09-14). "#TBT: SKisM – Elixir". UKF. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "SKisM – Elixir Remixes [Never Say Die Records]". YourEDM. 2013-06-24. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013.
  20. ^ a b c Vukorepa, Nick (March 16, 2014). "SKisM speaks on Henry Rollins and money suits in new interview [Exclusive]". Earmilk. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014.
  21. ^ a b Bartelman, Kean (November 30, 2011). "Flux Pavilion & Skism—Jump Back (Ft. Foreign Beggars)". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011.
  22. ^ a b c Sources:
  23. ^ a b Kernan, Brett (November 27, 2012). "SKisM ft. Zomboy – Kick It (Original + Dirtyloud Remix)". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012.
  24. ^ a b "Shockone – Lazerbeam ft. Metrik & Kyza (SkisM remix)". Your EDM. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Your EDM Interviews: SKisM". YourEDM. April 23, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013.
  26. ^ a b Sources:
  27. ^ a b c d "Download SKisM's Never Say Die Vol. 2 Mix". Complex. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on May 27, 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  28. ^ Watts, Nick (January 20, 2015). "Your EDM Interview: SKisM". Your EDM. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015.
  29. ^ Jenkins, Dave (2015-05-22). "6 Of The Best: Zomboy Remixes". UKF. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024.
  30. ^ Nguyen, Lisa-sun (August 27, 2019). "The Alchemy Tour Invaded Long Beach with Bass and Dubstep". EDM Identity.
  31. ^ Jenkins, Dave (2014-06-24). "Never Say Die Vol 3: OUT NOW!". UKF. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
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