Skindred are just one of the mighty acts booked to rock the first ever Hammerfest in Prestatyn, North Wales on April 24-25th. We talk to them about how they’re planning to make it Rock Fe Real! Get your tickets now!

We caught up with Skindred frontman Benji Webbe to chat to him about the arrival of the ragga-punk superstars at this year’s Hammerfest!

Are you looking forward to Hammerfest?
Benji Webbe: “Yes! Me and the guys in Skindred are really buzzed about Hammerfest, plus its our first UK show in 2009 so we are super pumped to get back on British soil and set it off proper, hell yeah!”

What’s the best thing about playing a festival?
Webbe: “Festivals are the best, you always get to see bands that you never get the chance to see whilst touring. It’s a real opportunity for you to network and meet other people, catch up with old friends and enemies, you get to win new fans, people may not be there to see your band but you rock hard and hope your performance will help your fan base grow.”

Are you ready to drop some new songs on us?
Webbe: “Well, we were supposed to work on a new album but the Disturbed U.S. tour came up and we decided to do that. They had already asked us 3 times last year to go out with them and, due to other touring commitments, we turned them down. We couldn’t do that again to Dave and the boys so we put the album writing on hold and did the Disturbed tour, we have a few killah ideas for the album though!”

What can people expect from your Hammerfest set?
Webbe: “It’s all about the vibe we give and get from the crowd at Hammerfest. We don’t want no spectators, just pit participation! The set we choose to play is gonna cause a riot for sure…we will hit the crowd like a ten ton hammer! Believe, it’s the first show of 2009 in the UK so it must go off! ”

Being that we’re going to be in Prestatyn, this must be like a homecoming for you.
Webbe: “We are based out of Newport, South Wales, down Pill to be exact, nowhere near ‘press that in’! But since we are in Wales we are looking at it like a homecoming show…It’s gunner Rock Fe Real!”

The first ever Hammerfest will take place in Prestatyn, North Wales on April 24th – 25th. Headlined by metal titans Bullet For My Valentine and Opeth, Hammerfest will also feature face-melting sets from Saxon, Hammerfall, Cathedral, Grand Magus, Sabbat, Alestorm and many, many more. Get your tickets now!