Source: Promo Image
With less than a month until the start of the UK festival season at Slamdunk we’ve been chatting to some of the bands’ who are playing the weekend for the very first time. One of those bands is Ice Nine Kills.
Their latest release Every Trick In The Book came out at the end of October and was full of huge concepts and dark overtones. To fit in with the release the end of last year saw the band play their very first UK tour so they’re still relative newbies on these shores but we’re sure they’ll get a fantastic welcome at Slamdunk.
We had a quick chat with frontman Spencer Charnas to find out more about what they’re expecting from the weekend and how Americans view the festival.
Mosh: There’s only about a month to go until Slam Dunk Festival, how are you preparing for the festival?
Spencer: Aside from logistical arrangements like flight booking, gear rentals and other travel arrangements, we’ve been mentally preparing for giving Slam Dunk attendees something they won’t see during any other performance that day. We have some secrets to unleash on that stage at all three dates.
Mosh: As it’s your first time playing how excited are you to play?
S: We’re definitely eager to get out there and show kids what our band is all about. Our first time in the U.K. was only about 6 months ago and the reaction was overwhelming. I’m excited to see how our following has grown since the fall.
Mosh: Do you have any expectations of the festival in the lead up to the weekend?
S: I’m not sure what to expect honestly. We’ve done many festivals in the US like Warped Tour, but since this will be our first U.K. f estival it’s all a mystery to us at this point.
Mosh: What does it mean to you to be asked to play Slam Dunk?
S: It’s an honor to play alongside bands like Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, The Ataris, The Movielife and Zebrahead. I grew up on those great pop punk and ska bands and those are the artists that influenced me to write my own songs. Although we are considered a metal influenced band, I learned so much about Melody from those guys and it can still be heard in our music to this day.
Mosh: Are you planning anything special for the festival?
S: We have a brand new song that we’ll be debuting at the festival. With our last album being based on 10 novels, we had our fans vote between ‘The Shining’ and ‘Psycho’ as to what the final additional song for the album will be inspired by. Slam Dunk attendees will be the first ones to know not only which book won the vote, but the first people to hear the song live.
