Next in our series of interviews with bands who played at HRH Prog XV. The truly global band the Skys joins me to answer the questions nobody usually asks…
DB: Please introduce your band and band members (as performed at HRH PROG 15)
The band is called The Skys, established in Lithuaniain the 20th century and current line-up consists of Jonas Lithuanian with some Polish roots, Bo – Polish, but born in Lithuania, Steve -a real true Scottish fellow, and Johnny – true Japanese. From stage right (left to the audience) to left (right to the audience) – Bo on keys and vocals; Johnny Kawahata on drums; Jonas on guitar and vocals; Steve Vantsis on bass and special guest Theo Travis on sax and flute.
DB: Did you enjoy the festival? Any highlights/ mishaps/ disasters?
Jonas: Very much! Every time we played HRH it was something. Fantastic organizers, all staff, the audience, other bands, the atmosphere, plenty fantastic moments to remember. The only disaster was getting to HRH as well as the flight back home. But I let other guys to tell the story.
Bo: Of course! HRH Prog XV was a memorable experience. What a way to end The Skys’ final performance of the year. Just getting there was quite the adventure: a flight was delayed, the airport staff kept our poor keyboards in the rain, we had to spend hours drying them, we had to drive, and then we had to make a mad run to catch the jet home. But it was all worthwhile because of you incredible people.
Johnny: That was lovely stage!! Thanks to everyone who came to watch and to the staff who helped set up the show so smoothly!
And, Our flight the previous day was delayed by 5 hours, and we arrived that morning!
Steve: Very delayed Flights for Jonas, Bo and Johnny meant they heroically got there after very little sleep just in time for soundcheck. A very wet and windy 5 ½ hour drive through Storm Claudia for Steve on the Friday. But on the plus side we had legend Theo Travis joining us on saxes which was a treat for both band and audience.
DB: If you had to change your band name what would it be?
Jonas: I would quit the band to start The Skys
Bo: “These Guys” works perfectly as an alternative to “The Skys” because it keeps the same rhythm and sound: “Yeah, we’re “These Guys”!”
Steve: I think this one is best answered by Jonas…!
DB: What is your favourite item of clothing? (Doesn’t have to be a stage outfit)
Jonas: underwear, I think it is practical and comfortable to have it
Bo: My favorite item of clothing it’s actually a football player costume.
Steve: My pyjamas
DB: What is your favourite trash TV programme? (Can be Netflix etc)
Jonas: Impossible to answer this question as I don’t have a TV. When we were touring the States we watched Duck Dynasty – that was funny.
Bo: I actually don’t watch TV, so I don’t have a favourite trash programme. Although, a year or two ago, I did watch Outlast, a survival show on Netflix – it was intense! It even reminded me a little of our touring days in Alaska back in 2013.
Steve: If we’re talking trash then I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, which conveniently has just started for a new season
DB: Books or computer games? And which ones?
Jonas: books, philosophy books. Unfortunately, I don’t have time for any other genre as the reading queue is not getting shorter. Mostly ancient philosophy, music and science stuff. Some computer games are cool. I play grand strategy games when I have time to chill, however, that is on a very rare occasion.
Bo: I enjoy both books and computer games, but lately I’ve been mainly reading musicological books – they’re fascinating and really inspire my work as a musician. Gothic 4, which I played years ago, is my favourite computer game. For me, it’s a classic, and I can still clearly recall losing myself in its world. I would love to play video games for an entire month, but I have too much on my plate right now. Perhaps in a few years!
Johnny: Computer games! Because I compose music for games in Japan!
Steve: West Midlands Roadmap and anything Zelda
DB: If you had to be an animal which one would you be and why?
Jonas: previous band members used to call me a tortoise. This is one of the obvious reasons they were fired. I guess I am zoon politikon 😀 in a way
Bo: I’d be an owl – mysterious, up all night, and always observing… Plus, who doesn’t want to spin their head all the way around once in a while?
Steve: I’d like to be the eagle that was sat on Trumps desk that one time. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination…
DB: Pick one superpower
Jonas: wisdom
Bo: Invisible teleportation in time manipulation would be my superpower.
Johnny: The Cloak of Levitation! Never have to delay a flight again!
Steve: 120bpm sweep arpeggio
DB: Describe your music to an alien who has just landed on Earth
Jonas: Cosmic rock from planet Earth in 432Hz and accordingly frequencies travelling in fluid (moist air). Though, that would depend on a race of the alien. If it is kuwarinako, then I would beep three times and say Hulu – Moloo – si after a 3s. pause
Bo: Gitarka, drumka, korgika, bassika, nordika, and singika are ZySkys.
DB: What is the most annoying thing in life?
Jonas: alarm clock
Bo: When a sock disappears in the washing machine. Where does it go?
Steve: Being asked what type of animal you’d like to be… ;0) (DB: Being annoying is one of my superpowers.)
DB: What’s on the cards for the band over the next year?
Bo: At the beginning of 2026, we’ll be touring across Europe as a special guest on Tarja’s tour, with stops in Austria, Germany, France, and the UK, including London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. After that, we have many more plans in the works, so it’s shaping up to be an exciting and busy year for the band.
Steve: A European tour early 2026 with Tarja Turenen (ex-Nightwish) and hopefully a new album.
Jonas: Yes!
DB: Anything else you want to share or plug with the HRH readers
Bo: We’d just like to say a huge thank you to all our amazing fans for supporting us over the years – you’re the reason we do what we do! Don’t forget to check out our latest album Automatic Minds, and keep an eye on our 2026 tour. We can’t wait to see you all on the road and share this journey with you!
Steve: Thanks for coming out for the festival and I hope to see you again!
Jonas: Love and Peace!
LINKS: https://www.theskys.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theskys
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the.skys
X: https://x.com/theskyslt
Author: Doris Brendel