The metal party of the year that is Hammerfest grows ever closer and to celebrate, we’re bringing you an interview from one of the band’s on this year’s stellar bill every day! Today, we chat to Skindred’s Mikey Demus who gives away some advice to those who like to drink white wine spritzers. Fruity! Get details and tickets for Hammerfest here!

What are your expectations of Hammerfest?

Mikey Demus: I’m pretty sure that we can expect some booze-fuelled, balls to the wall, horns in the air insanity from the crowd! If our last time at Hammerfest is anything to go by, I’m ready for people willing to lose their shit in the pit. And I don’t mean their valuables… It’ll be a storming gig, along with some bizarre school-dinner style dining, more than likely washed down with some cider and/or Jager! Bring it on…

What does it mean to you to be picked by Metal Hammer magazine?

Mikey: Metal Hammer have always had good things to say about us, so the least we could do is come back to Prestatyn to raise the temperature a couple of notches… I’m stoked to be playing the festival again, the gig we had at Hammerfest last time around was a highlight of the year for me. Being a non-conventional ‘metal band’ like ours is, it’s awesome to be featured alongside such downright brutality! It’s good to know that in-amongst the carnage, the fans still want to get down to some dancehall reggae with loud guitars. Can’t wait!

Have you got anything special lined up for the weekend?

Mikey: We’re on a headlining in the UK and Europe around the time of Hammerfest, so we’ll be screeching sideways into the car park hot off the back of another pumping show somewhere. Last time in Prestatyn, we were asked to perform an acoustic set sometime before we played, went down quite well… surprising for such a heavy festival! So perhaps we’ll get to do something like that again. There’s so much mischief one could get up to in that little holiday park, so who knows what we’ll be getting into?

Have you got your drinking hat on for after you’ve played?

Mikey: “Most definitely, there’s no shortage of booze that weekend… However if you’re a white wine spritzer type, suggest bringing your own supply. If memory serves, when asking the barkeep what alcohol they provide, I received a Blues Brothers-esque response of “We’ve got both kinds; Beer and Cider”. Owing to those lovely people at Jagermeister, I’m also counting on the inevitable 3-day hangover following our stint at Hammerfest…”

Is there anyone on the bill who you are going to make sure you see?

Mikey: “I’m well up for a bit of Napalm! Also I must catch some of Five Finger Death Punch, I’ve not seen them live yet. I’ll be watching DevilDriver for sure, glad those guys have returned to UK shores! Suicidal Tendencies are a must as well! And I might be forced to bring Panic Cell a couple of Jagers their way mid-set, if i can stop singing the words for five minutes..”

Hammerfest is headlined by Five Finger Death Punch and Suicidal Tendencies and will also feature DevilDriver (Spring Exclusive), Iced Earth (UK exclusive), Skindred, Napalm Death , Epica (Only UK Show), Katatonia and many, many more at Hammerfest II in Prestatyn, North Wales on 11-13 March, 2010! You’d be crazy to miss it!

Get details and tickets for Hammerfest here!