Shut Up And Smile With BENJI WEBB From SKINDRED

Interview by Kris Peters
UK reggae/metal/funk/rock outfit Skindred have successfully managed to combine a plethora of sounds, influences and genres together to create a completely fresh and vibrant sonic wave of destruction that on paper should not work but somehow does.
Over eight albums the band has defied scrutiny, backlash and, at times, disdain for daring to be different, but you get the impression part of the reason they survive and continue to thrive is because of, and in spite of, that adversity.
Since Skindred were last in Australia four years ago the band have released a new album, Smile, that saw them surge to number two in the UK album chart, in the process reaching the hearts and ears of a new generation of fans to celebrate in all of Skindred's deserved glory.
They return to our corner of the globe in March as part of Knotfest 2024 with exactly the same level of enthusiasm and commitment - just with four more years of experience. And what's more, this time the band will venture over to New Zealand for their first ever show in Auckland on March 28, with Kiwi metal titans Kaosis in support.
Last time HEAVY spoke with frontman Benji Webb it was a case of almost anything goes, so when the chance to speak with the great man was presented to us earlier this week, we cleared our schedule immediately.
We put him on the spot straight up by asking why the band have neglected our neighbors in New Zealand for so long.
"I dunno mate, you've gotta book us," he cheekily replied, "that's the way it goes. You call us. We don't put a pin in the map and say we're going there, people book us. If New Zealand aren't booking us, we're not gonna be there, are we? We're very excited about going there, man. We know we've got a few fans over there, and it's a country that we haven't been to yet, so we're itching to get there."
We point out the New Zealand show is at a brewery and pose the question of what could go wrong?
"A lot of things," he laughed. "But you know what? It doesn't matter about the size. It's about the size of the vibe in the place. We're looking forward to it, we are."
In the full interview Benji talks about visiting countries for the first time, support band Kaosis, playing at Knotfest 2024, the backstage vibe, what we can expect from their shows, what Skindred expect in return, the side shows with Halestorm, the reception to latest album Smile, refusing to conform musically and more.


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