For indie fans, the "Skeleton Riff" refers to the specific guitar part in the song "Skeleton".

Usually a low-quality, 3D-rendered spinning skull or a skeleton with a guitar.

It often represents a "skele-ton" of attitude used to punctuating a joke or a moment of extreme (often fake) "coolness". How to Play the "Skeleton Riff"

Use a heavy slide if you want that authentic, swampy "Bad to the Bone" feel. 2. The "Skeleton Riff" by The Front Bottoms

The most common "skeleton riff" is the opening of George Thorogood's classic. Standard (E A D G B E).