In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last decade, let us introduce you to Benji Webbe. Formerly the frontman of Dub War and currently the mouthpiece of Skindred, who last week put out their sixth studio album, ‘Volume’, he’s one of the most recognisable, widely-loved faces in the UK metal scene.
As soon as he emerges for Skindred’s sold out show at Cardiff’s Tramshed he oozes rock ‘n’ roll charisma. Prowling the stage in a floor length fur coat and spiked sunglasses, he commands the attention of all in attendance, comfortable in his surroundings and ready to whip the crowd into the sort of frenzy that has become the norm at Skindred gigs. The new material is well received, but it’s when the band launch into Nobody, from their ‘Babylon’ album, that things descend into true, glorious chaos. The circle pit erupts and widens to envelop those on the periphery.
Earlier in the day, Webbe sat for the second edition of Gareth Jarvis’ wet plate portrait series, which resurrects a process that dates back over 150 years. He explains that he’s no stranger to the camera, having been followed by a number of photography students when he lived in close proximity to Newport Art College, but while he retains his gregarious demeanour, the resulting shot shows an air of vulnerability that we don’t usually associate with him.
Having been in bands for over 20 years, and seemingly having had his photo taken for even longer, does he still enjoy stepping in front of the lens? “I love it, always have,” he laughs. “I don’t know who the fuck I think I am!”
As Benji sits patiently - just as he imagines those “poor bastards back in the 18th century” did - he explains that his confidence has received a recent boost.
“I’ve just lost two and a half stone,” he says. “This time last year I was like fuckingPacman, if there were six pieces of chicken I was eating it. I didn’t realise how big I was getting. We played this festival in Germany, Wacken, must have been about 20,000 people in front of the stage.
"I walked on stage doing this [hands in the air] and the crowd’s going crazy. After the show the woman said: ‘Here’s the DVD.’ I put it on when I got in the house, my fucking stomach. I looked like Eddie Yeats from Coronation Street. I could have died. It made me go: ‘That’s not me.’”
The Newport Helicopter made a welcome appearance at their Cardiff show, so get some practice in for Skindred’s upcoming tour. They’re set to hit the road with Crossfaith for further stops in Southampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham and London in the next few weeks.
Wed November 04 2015 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall
Thu November 05 2015 - NORWICH UEA
Fri November 06 2015 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Sat November 07 2015 - MANCHESTER Academy
Sun November 08 2015 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 Academy Newcastle
Tue November 10 2015 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Wed November 11 2015 - LEEDS University Stylus
Thu November 12 2015 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Fri November 13 2015 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Sat November 14 2015 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
Sat November 28 2015 - LONDON SSE Arena Wembley
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