Skegss have sung the praises of their unofficial fourth member for their newest track, unveiling an ode to photographer, tour manager, and all-round legend David Herington for their latest single, “Bunny Man”.
Just seven months on from the release of their second album (and first chart-topper) Rehearsal, Skegss have shared another instant classic. This time however, their new track is inspired by a subject far closer to their hearts than most tracks, with the lyrics focusing on their relationship with good friend David Herington.
Titled “Bunny Man” in reference to Herington’s nickname, the lyrics discuss the sort of influence that the song’s namesake has had upon the band. “You say you’re thankful for me, but you do all the heavy lifting, and I mean literally,” the group sing with heartfelt enthusiasm. “This romance is killing me, let’s move in together when the tour’s over“.
“For the song ‘Bunny Man’ I felt like we needed to let him know how much he is appreciated,” Skegss’ bassist Toby Cregan explains. “It is a tribute to him but also to all the hardworking crews out there, the guys, girls and everyone that makes it all happen behind the scenes. I know it’s kind of over-the-top sentimental but who gives a fuck these people are the best.
“‘Bunny Man’ is our tour manager, guitar tech, driver, photographer, and great friend, he goes to extreme lengths to help people out. When I sent him the demo of the song he said that he cried happy tears and that made me so happy. He has had a really tough couple of years because of the little gigs and work, so if this song got him to feel good for a moment then that’s all that matters to me.”
In addition to the single, “Bunny Man” also comes accompanied by a sweet music video which – in addition to capturing footage of the band on the road with Herington and the rest of their crew – sees Cregan and co-director Jamieson Kerr driving around as they show the finished track to its namesake.
“When Toby messaged me saying he had written a song about me and ‘would I like to hear it’ I of course said ‘yes’ straight away,” Herington recalls. “A few moments later a Dropbox link and a photo of a piece of paper with lyrics written on it popped up on my phone and I started to listen. By the time the first chorus kicked in I was crying.
“All the bands I stage tech and tour manage for always tell me how much I do for them and always make me feel so appreciated, however, I don’t think any of them truly realise how much they all do for me and how much happiness they bring into my life. This song really goes above and beyond anything I could have ever expected and it’s difficult to articulate how much it means to me.”
Having first entered the music industry as a touring guitar tech in 2011, Herington begun tour managing local in 2013, and by 2016, found himself working as a guitar tech and tour manager internationally. Like most of the unsung heroes of the local music industry, 2020 served as a major blow due to the sudden halt upon the entertainment industry.
Not content to stand still at a time such as this, Herington released his Stage Right photobook last year, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the touring life that many people wouldn’t be familiar with, complemented by exclusive shots of bands such as Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Twin Peaks, and Skegss.
Skegss, as seen in David Herington’s new photobook, Bunny. (Photo by David Herington.)
Coinciding with the release of the new track, Herington has also announced his latest project, with Bunny being put up for pre-order recently. A 132-page hardcover photobook, Bunny features stories and journal entries throughout, chronicling his life touring with local bands 2018, featuring photos from time on the road with the likes of Ruby Fields, Hockey Dad, Pist Idiots, Ecca Vandal, PUP, and some of the aforementioned familiar faces.
“I recognised my unique position – I’m not a photographer,” Herington explained of the book. “I am a tour manager, I am a guitar tech and I like taking photographs – this gives me a perspective that is different to the normal music photographer experience. In this book, you won’t see any photographs from the pit. You’ll see some photographs from the stage, but for the most part, you will see the unseen moments.”
In addition to the unseen moments, Bunny highlights some of the smaller moments, the darker sides, and the humorous times that occur on the road that many would never conceive. In addition to stories and diary entries that touch on assault rifles in mysterious Slovakian vans, vomiting plagues in Germany, and sleepless nights spent in tour vans instead of hotel rooms, it looks toward the sweeter side of touring, too.
Notably, it also captures the last live photograph taken of DZ Deathrays before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and pressed pause on the live music sector.
“There is a photograph of DZ Deathrays in the photobook that shows the drummer, Simon, standing on his kick drum and waving goodbye to the audience,” Herington recalls. “This was in Canberra on March 13, 2020, and we were supposed to be at a festival in Sydney the following day but that was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
“The photograph is poignant for me because it was the last time any of us were able to do what we love and the wave goodbye feels fitting.”
Skegss’ “Bunny Man” is out now, while David Herington’s Bunny hardcover photobook is available for pre-order now.
