With a style varied enough to excite metal heads and reggae fans alike, Welsh rockers Skindred boast a unique fusion of fierce riffs and jungle beats – topped with the dance hall vibes of charming frontman Benji Webbe’s stirring vocals.
As firm devotees to touring life and with a fan base as diverse as their sound, Newport’s finest have built an international reputation for creating a live riot, leading Kerrang! magazine to praise them as "simply one of the best live acts in the UK". Here and exclusively for Western Eye, Benji shares what drives him to perform... My elder brother was in a band called The Beatroots; a reggae act from Newport, South Wales - they were only together for a few years. Music was all over me from when I was a kid. I would sneak in the van with him and the guys in the band and go to festivals and concerts with them; I must have been no older than 10 or 11, I just loved the atmosphere that was produced between the band and the crowd. Soon as I was old enough I set about trying to create my own thing so I guess it was a very positive and inspiring experience for me. Skindred are due to embark on an extensive tour of North America this month. What are the best/worst aspects of playing live for you? I love a full house and an enthusiastic crowd. In fact, even if there’s only a hand full of people at a small bar and they’re still digging it, I can draw from that energy too so I love that. There are many things that drive me nuts but today I’ll just say one down side… and that's ignorant local crew who don't want to help and everything you ask them is a problem…then you get on stage and the monitors are rubbish so it hinders your performance. That's a bummer for bands! As the band’s frontman, the rock press often focus on your positive stage presence. What inspired you to begin performing on stage?
I couldn't say there was a single event I have witnessed that's inspired me to want to perform, but what I can say is that there’s a creative side to music I have always loved and I’m sure I always will… Elvis Presley, Queen, Daft Punk, Amy Winehouse, Jimmy Hendrix (compiled by the band as a whole) At this moment we’re in the studio in Florida working on our next release which should drop in October…things are going well - it’s brutal but you’ll still be able to dance your ass off to it for shizzal…
Skindred’s autumn tour includes an appearance at Bristol Academy on October 14th.
Photos show Benji Performing live at the San Jose State Events Center - San Jose, CA. All images Copyright T. Van Nunnery - www.tvannunnery.com. All rights reserved. |
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Since the first time I heard the band Korn I have been a massive fan - there’s not many bands that I have bought all the albums of but they are one of them. At download 2006, their frontman Jonathan Davis was struck ill and couldn’t perform on the day; a few singers were asked to take his place and sing for them, so they didn't have to cancel the show and disappoint loads of their fans. As Skindred has toured with Korn before, I was approached by Fieldy the bass player and asked to sing. He said I could choose any song I wanted so I went up and sang ADIDAS in front 30,000 Metal fans! I got up, was introduced by Monkey the guitarist and sang the song –it was surreal I kept expecting to wake up at any minute from this dream - that was something that will stick with me forever and I’ll tell the grand kids… 
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