On the penultimate day on their UK Tour and to support the release of new album ‘Kill The Power’, the reggae-metal four-piece Skindred are set for the high heavens of legendary status. We were lucky enough to catch up with guitarist Mikey Demus and bassist Dan Pugsley before they went on stage at London’s HMV Forum.
HTF: So firstly, how has tour been so far?
S: Its been wicked. Its been awesome. Nottingham Rock City was a big highlight. Loads of heritage in that building and it sold out in advance. Most of the dates have gone like that to be honest. Selling loads of tickets, full house, people going metal and losing their minds, and taking their clothes off. Most of the shows sold out apart from Glasgow, but when we were there, it felt like such a breakthrough because it was really full, but not sold out. So it felt like we’d finally got somewhere.
HTF: Well those Scots are renowned for going mental at gigs. They love it!
S: We haven’t done a proper UK tour in a while, so everyone wants to come and see us. You know, our friends as well. But because its sold out, it makes it really difficult to get everyone you want to come in. It becomes a health and safety thing.
HTF: It must be one of those things where you’d think family and friends would get in no problem. But its not as simple as that these days.
S: You think ah, just sneak them in, sneak them in. But it just becomes “Why are there 500 more people in this venue?” (laughs).
HTF: Your latest album ‘Kill The Power’ is still very fresh and new. Do the crowd’s know the songs well yet?
S: Well we’ve been playing the single ‘Kill The Power’ since last summer, so people who’ve come to see us at different points know that song. We’ve playing it at Reading onwards. People seem to know the words to the newbies, so they must have heard them one way or another. There’s been a bunch of people just going mental for the new stuff.
HTF: I guess that’s the dilemma when touring new material. Are fans going to know the new stuff as well as the old.
S: It feels like there’s been a transition though. When the album initially came out, it felt like those couple of days at the beginning of the week, you could see how people started to know more, so that was pretty cool.
HTF: You have achieved a lot in one month, so what are your goals for the rest of the year?
S: To win best album at an awards show. To gain some kind of recognition, because people always go on about how great we are live. But I feel like our albums are always good. They stand up for themselves and it would be nice for people to pay attention to that.
HTF: Reggae and metal is an unlikely fusion, but works so well. How did that come together?
S: It comes from the idea of bands like The Specials who were kind of doing that same thing in 77 and 78. So when we started the band, we kind of always wanted to do that. We want to be like The Specials but now. So have modern danceable element, but with the heavy metal punk rock.
HTF: Looking back at your festival appearances, Download Festival 2011 saw the Newport Helicopter. Where did that come from?
S: I think that was the first time. People kind of just expect it now. Three songs in and people start taking all their clothes off (laughs).
HTF: Skindred are from South Wales. So, I have the ‘How Welsh Are You?’ test.
S: Well, Benji’s actually the only one from Wales, but we’ll give it a go.
HTF: Are you aware of the largest place name in Wales? Well, can you pronounce it, ‘Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch’.
S: Have you got it phonetically? (laughs)
HTF: (laughs) I don’t. Do you know what Welsh Rarebit is?
S: Of course! Its cheese on toast.
HTF: What is the capacity of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff?
S: Well, there’s the fire safety answer, then there’s there “Come on, lets get everyone in” answer. You can probably get half the world’s population in there.
HTF: Lets go with the Health and Safety answer.
S: 80,000?
HTF: Very close. 74,000. Do you know the name of the Welsh National Anthem?
S: Dragons Breath! (laughs). No, its Land of the Fathers.
HTF: Do you know who the captain of the Welsh rugby team is?
S: I don’t know! (laughs)
HTF: How do you warm up before shows and calm down after the show?
S: Stare each other in the eyes and say “calm down!” and talk to each other in pleasing baritones (laughs). No, we all have our own little things. I don’t usually warm up, I usually march around thinking “Have I done this? Have I done that?”.
HTF: You have a song on your album called ‘Saturday’. So, what would be your perfect Saturday?
S: I don’t know, today’s a good one. Headlining a sold out Forum? That’s a pretty perfect Saturday, or something involving pizza.
HTF: You’re well known for having a party atmosphere during your live shows. So who’s birthday party would you play at?
S: Jay-Z’s birthday. The Jigga Man. He’s got a few quid hasn’t he? So if he’s paying, then definitely.
HTF: What if they weren’t paying?
S: Well then, Andrew W.K because he loves to party and that would be awesome.
HTF: Since first record ‘Babylon’, how do you think your sound has changed from then to now?
S: I just think its developed. There’s been a natural progression. I think there’s a missing album between ‘Babylon’ and ‘Roots Rock Riot’ because it was such a long time before that record got released, and being licensed and stuff. So there could have been a record in between. I think people have more accustomed to the other side. We’re a rock band, but the other side has become more and more relevant over the years.
HTF: Can we expect you to tour the UK again this year?
S: We’re definitely doing Download and European festivals and things. Australia, America, Japan. So if we did anything, it wouldn’t be till the end of the year. But its top secret.
Interview by: Emma Younger
