Your new album 'Union Black' is out on April 25th, How does the record differ from your previous releases?
It was brilliant to record our 4th record in the UK, with a British producer, all our others have been recorded in the states with a USA producers. It's so different working over here in the snow and cold than the sun of LA and Florida... It's UK all the way this time...
How important is music to the growth or celebration of multi-culturalism, and by fusing rap, reggae, punk and metal, and do you consider Skindred a melting pot of various cultural influences and ideas?
We truly are a band made up of different cultures and musical influances!
Is the new album, Union Black, a nod towards multi-cultural Britain?
This is a album is celebration of the diversity of us all in the UK. I realise after travelling so much how multicultural we are as a nation...
The first track off it, "Warning", has been aired recently. How well received has it been so far?
Personally I think it's a massive track - I've had a lot of positive feedback from fans. I think that song is going to be a rock metal club anthem.
You had a very short amount of time to record the previous album, was that the case this time round, or was it more relaxed?
12 weeks is a good amount of time for Skindred to write and record. We could have done with two more weeks but we got the album in good enough shape for James to start mixing..
How would you feel for tracks like 'Cause Ah Riot' or 'Stand For Something' influencing protests or even being the soundtrack to protest? Do Skindred make 'protest music'?
We don't purposely write protest music but I know that in times like this a few of our songs could be a soundtrack to a lot of demonstrations and riots that are happening all over the world - watch CNN or Sky News with the volume down and put Union Black on and you'll swear it's the video for the album.
Do you think bands taking such political stances can ever make a difference?
Yes I do, but I don't look at Skindred as political at all I just see it as social awareness.. spreading the questions? demanding the answers?
Do you always make a conscious effort to make sure that the messages you’re conveying doesn't come across as preachy or condescending?
I don't mind how it comes aross as long as it comes across, you can't walk on egg shells when you got somthing to say, SAY IT!
Who would you say your main influences are?
That's a large quesion, it would be easer to ask what doesn't influence me! Life death and everything in between!
In the past few years you've played countless festivals, such as Sonisphere, Download and Slam Dunk to name a few. Will you be appearing at any festivals in 2011?
Yes a vast amount throughout Europe this year. One I'm particularly excited about is the Polish Woodstock - last year, I'm told, over 450,000 people turned up. Now that's a lot of people... Also expect an announcement of a UK one this week. Watch our website www.skindred.net for details.
What appeals so much about playing festivals?
Festivals to me are like school reunions you get to catch up with old mates and have the most fun, I really enjoy getting the chance to see new buzz bands that I'm reading about in the press. Festivals are the best. I love them..
How was it touring with Rob Zombie? Are you going to take any cues in terms of set design?
If I could afford them I truly would. Zombie really got a killer show what with all the props, it's a circus...
Your headline tour kicks off in just under a month. Who will be supporting you on this tour?
Our drummer Arya picks the support acts and we have 2 killer live acts on this tour, Chiodos from the states and a up and coming UK act called Me Vs Hero - it's gonna be a super bill.
You've played The Special' 'A Message To You, Rudy' at gigs a 'Rude Boy For Life' appears on Roots Rock Riot. What's a rude boy to you, do you have a message to them?
Rude boy is a rebel, a badman, a gangster, a street hussler, a thug! And my message to them is "chill the fuck out rude boy"!
Some tracks from your album Babylon have appeared as acoustic recordings, any plans for more acoustic tracks or covers in the future?
Yeah this is something that we truly need to more of, I enjoy singing our heaviest songs acoustically - it lets people see we are not just a bunch of thugs. There is melody and harmony in our madness...
Do you perform acoustic gigs or would you consider this in the future?
We have done a lot of acoustic sessions, more in the states than in the UK, but I'd be well up for doing more...
Bless up and live..Benji.
