In 2004, prior to the founding of the label, Ian Hicks of
Mordant Music liked and released an early Shackleton track entitled "Stalker". The track later appeared on
Rough Trade Records Best of 2004 compilation. Around this time, Shackleton was becoming more familiar with the
dubstep sound, through regular visits to the
Forward>> nights run by
Ammunition Promotions. He especially identified with the sound later associated with the DMZ nightclub, citing Loefah's
Horror Show and
Digital Mystikz Conference as key early influences, and started thinking about forming a label to release similar "interesting bass music" and "interesting percussive stuff". On a visit to a similarly-minded night in
Bath, Shackleton encountered Laurie 'Appleblim' Osborne. Shackleton was impressed with a track,
Mystikal Warrior, and it hence appeared on the first Skull Disco release; a
double A-side, with Shackleton's
I Am Animal on the flipside. Shortly after, Shackleton began the (now defunct) Skull Disco nights in London. Attendees at the first Skull Disco night included
Coki and
Mala of
Digital Mystikz. In 2008, Appleblim was chosen to mix the sixth installment of the
Dubstep Allstars series on
Tempa, which was released on 3 June 2008. Later in 2008, Shackleton and Appleblim parted ways with the label Skull Disco to release a second CD compilation after ten releases with Skull Disco, a number which Appleblim said "felt right". ==Sound==