"We have found when you’re a metal band from Africa, you have to do everything yourself."

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KNAC.COM caught up with [guitarist/vocalist] GIUSEPPE SBRANA and [drummer] ALESSANDRA SBRANA of SKINFLINT on February 15th as the band geared up to join the SOULFLY from February 19th-26th. SKINFLINT is an up and coming trio from Africa which includes bassist KEBONYE NIKOLOSO. SKINFLINT issued their latest self-titled effort in June of 2018. Please check out the links below, as KNAC.COM has been a supporter since the release of the latest album.

KNAC.COM: What ‘metal’ band was your first discovery?

GIUSEPPE: I actually first got into the blues. I first discovered HOWLIN’ WOLF, MUDDY WATERS and all the blues greats. That really appealed to me, then I discovered BLACK SABBATH and I got into metal. TONY IOMMI changed my life, I heard the song “Paranoid” and that was it for me! I was hooked! [laughs]

ALESSANDRA: I would say BLACK SABBATH was the band for me too, but I wasn’t much of a metal fan. I used to play drums in alternative rock bands and that’s what I was really into.

KNAC.COM: You’re a three piece, but make quite a ruckus. I hear a lot of doom, indie rock and tribal beats in the music. How would you describe what you’re doing sonically?

GIUSEPPE: Like you said, it’s definitely metal, but we do add some African rhythms and African dance beats and war chants.

ALESSANDRA: I agree with what Guiseppe said, I don’t think we set out to be a ‘metal band’, we just sound like we sound when the three of us play together.

KNAC.COM: How important is it for you to incorporate cultural influences and rhythms into your music?

ALESSANDRA: Pride in our country and the cultural influences are important to us, we didn’t plan it out that way, but naturally they came out in our music and I’m pleased that you can hear that in our music.

KNAC.COM: Did you consider assimilating into a more ‘contemporary’ metal sound?

GIUSEPPE: I don’t think that ever occurred to us. That’s not to say that we don’t like some of that music, because we like a lot of music from various genres.

KNAC.COM: How much does it mean to you to be on this tour, supporting SOULFLY? I imagine you’re a fan? How much of an influence is SEPULTURA and SOULFLY?

GIUSEPPE: Oh, we love MAX CAVALERA and SEPULTURA and SOULFLY. What he did with both those bands and incorporated the Brazilian tribal music is amazing. It was an influence and an inspiration for us, coming from Africa and injecting our musical heritage into what we do.

ALESSANDRA: What MAX CAVALERA is doing is a true inspiration. The thought of supporting SOULFLY on some of these dates is going to be amazing.

KNAC.COM: You’re toured Europe in the past, what’s your expectations of this run across the United States with SOULFLY?

ALESSANDRA: Well, SOULFLY have been touring the U.S. for a while now. It’s a big deal for us to be here, getting this opportunity to tour the U.S. I hope some doors are opened after we do these tour dates, we’ve had quite a bit of press coverage, which we are really thankful for.

KNAC.COM: How is metal music perceived in Africa?

GIUSEPPE: Metal music in Africa is mostly underground, it’s not one of the mainstream genres. We don’t have any promoters or venues for that matter that are willing to work with our kind of music. We have found when you’re a metal band from Africa, you have to do everything yourself! We promote our shows, we sort out all the logistics, it’s quite challenging actually. The media in general isn’t that supportive. We do it because we’re passionate about the music and for the fans who are likewise passionate about the music. While, it’s a lot of work, it’s worth it in the end.

KNAC.COM: What’s the backstory behind the name of the band? What’s the significance?

ALESSANDRA: [laughs] There’s actually no significance to the name! [laughs] The truth is we were 15-16 years old and we were sitting around, thinking of names for the band and that sounded good! [laughs]

GIUSEPPE: Kind of like when you come up with a really good riff! [laughs] SKINFLINT just felt right and we went with it.

KNAC.COM: What’s the best career advice you’ve received to date?

ALESSANDRA: For me it was to never give up on your dream, the music business is really, really challenging. I think it’s especially challenging playing the music we play and coming from the area of the world that we are from. It’s like wall after wall after wall. If you’re passionate about something, keep doing it. If there’s no monetary gain, you’ll still feel fulfilled because you’re expressing yourself and you’re fulfilling your art. That’s what makes me happy, I say keep pursuing your passion.

GIUSEPPE: I think we all have a calling, this is mine. I have been told that I must answer my calling. Performing music gives meaning and purpose to my life. I would agree with Alessandra, you feel so fulfilled being up there on that stage. I feel alive! It just feels so right!

Official Skinflint online: https://www.skinflintmetal.com/
Official Skinflint Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKINFLINTMETAL/