Skindred's Benji Webbe hails KISS as 'the masters'

Skindred frontman Benji Webbe has told Planet Rock his perception of KISS has drastically changed after touring with them.

Speaking to Wyatt backstage at Download Festival, Benji explained that he never liked KISS but playing UK dates with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on The End of the Road World Tour has been an eye-opener.

“Do you know what? I never liked KISS,” Benji said. “I only knew one song and that’s (sings) ‘crazy, crazy, crazy nights!’. They ain’t in my record collection, I ain’t got no KISS in my record collection. I knew some of the hits.

“But let me tell you something. I’ve watched that band every night because they are the masters! Do you hear me? The masters!”

He continued: “I’ve been out with a bunch of bands, really cool bands, big bands. Ain’t nobody going to do it like KISS. They’re like a whole another level, bro. KISS are just wow!”

Elsewhere during the chat, Benji says he has no problems with Opus Stage headliners Skindred being labelled a ‘party band’ or an ‘ultimate festival band’: “It’s cool, man. I think of it as being a compliment.

“I used to think people were swearing at me when they said we were a party band but it took me a minute to realise that people come and they have a good time. I mean no one’s have a good time as much as me. I’m up there having a great time.”

Benji’s Skindred bandmate Mikey Demus adds: “I think it’s easy to get into taking yourself too seriously sometimes.

“Sometimes you have to remind yourself that this is rock and roll and it’s supposed to be fun, a bit of escapism and a bit of a good time. I’ll take it all day long. A party band, a festival band – a festival is supposed to be a good time, right?”

You can check out photos of Skindred’s headline set on the Opus Stage at Download Festival below. There are also pics of the mighty Metallica, Alter Bridge, Halestorm, Puscifer and more.

KISS and Skindred's remaining UK tour dates are as follows:

JULY 2023

London The O2 – Wed 5th

Manchester AO Arena – Fri 7th

Glasgow OVO Hydro – Sat 8th

Thursday at Download Festival 2023 in photos:

Listen to Planet Rock on DAB nationwide, on our free app, online, via your smart speaker (“Play Planet Rock”) and on Freesat.

• Download Festival
• skindred
• KISS