Neverskin is an independent Dutch nu-metal and rock project based in Lelystad, consisting of musicians Clint Bakker and Remy Dovianus. Initially playing together in the mid-2000s under the name Ambiossis, the pair took a two-decade hiatus before roaring back to the music scene with heavy, groove-driven, and rap-infused tracks. 

The latest single Consumed came out in September, the very first song in a brand-new line of releases, this track promises to be something distinctly different from their earlier work, marking an exciting evolutionary step
for the project.

Vocalist, writer and producer Clint Bakker joins us for a Why I Love on frontman, guitarist, and main songwriter of the rock band Silverchair, Daniel Johns.

DEFINING THE PATH

If you asked me who most defined my path as a vocalist or helped start it in general, the answer has always been the same: Daniel Johns. The moment I started listening to Silverchair, and to Daniel Johns specifically, I was captivated by the way the songs were composed, the diversity of the tracks, and his voice, the absolute control and emotion, just the whole package.

When I first heard Freak Show and Frogstomp, it was all about that raw, teenage energy. But it was the way Daniel developed over the years, moving from grunge into the complex, layered, and almost orchestral compositions of Neon Ballroom, that truly clicked for me. He showed me that a voice isn’t just a tool for singing melodies; it’s an instrument that can express vulnerability, aggression, and everything in between, especially when you are fully in control of it.

SHEER PRESENCE

I was able to see them live at Paradiso, Amsterdam, a long time ago, and what I remember most was his sheer presence, as if he owned the place. No doubts, no fears, just control and presence. It was fascinating to see his approach to live shows.

I never really realized it when I was younger, but one of the reasons I might have also gravitated towards him and the music was his struggle with anorexia. I will never compare one affliction to another, but having a rare eye handicap from birth, meaning I have never been able to see well, and glasses or lenses don’t work for me, I think I felt a kind of kinship when he sang about his struggles so openly. I never had the mindset or strength to mention my own situation in lyrics, or even mention it in general. I was of the mind that I wanted to be accepted no matter what, and I did not accept any help or financial subsidizations because of it. Call it stupid or proud, it was who I was back then.

HEAVY YET MELODIC

In my own work with Neverskin, I’ve always chased that level of vocal excellence, without wanting to be a copy. While I might not possess his natural reach, his influence is embedded in how I approach vocal layering, dynamics, and that constant drive to never stay in one safe spot. He was one of the first artists to show me that you can be “heavy” and “melodic” simultaneously, without losing your identity. Perhaps there are albums or songs I like less from Silverchair, but even those have taught me to go where you want to go and experiment with whatever you like as a person or a band.

Thankfully, we are in a position, as independent artists, to have full control over what we do and make, so there are no limits except for the ones we put on ourselves. It’s a real shame to see the vocal struggles he’s faced over the years, because for me, he remains the benchmark. He’s the reason I started, and in a way, he’s still the reason I keep pushing the boundaries of what I can do with my own voice.

CURIOUS?

Curious what kind of sound this story, this experience helped create, then please feel free to check out our music and socials! And our Youtube videos. Here’s the latest single, Consumed:

Our thanks to Clint for taking the time to share his passion.

You can read more from our extensive archive of Why I Love pieces from a wide array of artists on an even wider array of subjects, here.

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