For metal lovers – an interview with Levi Benton from Miss May I
Any true metal music fan knows about this band, as they’ve made a big impact on the metal scene since their inception.
NOW entering its seventh year, South Africa’s foremost alternative, rock and metal festival, Krank’d Up, takes place on September 29 at Sundowners, close to Alberton, Johannesburg. This year sees UK tech-metal pioneers Sikth and US metalcore titans Miss May I headlining, along with the very best the South African music scene has to offer.
The RECORD had the privilege to interview Levi Benton from Miss May I.
About Miss May I
Miss May I is a metalcore band formed in Ohio, United States of America, back in 2007. Any true metal music fan knows about this band, as they’ve made a big impact on the metal scene since their inception.
The band has also done over 30 tours across the world since their establishment. They have six albums out, namely, Apologies Are For The Weak, Monument, At Heart, Rise of the Lion, Deathless and Shadows Inside.
Some of their musical influences include Metallica, Pantera, Deftones, White Zombie, Lamb of God, Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold and Bring Me The Horizon, among many others.
In a previous interview, the band stated the type of bands that influence them.
“Basically any metalcore band that doesn’t have keyboards or fake guys who just play instruments. As a band, we’re trying to be as old school as possible.”
Miss May I currently consists of five band members: Levi Benton (lead vocals), BJ Stead (lead guitar and backing vocals), Justin Aufdenkampe (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Ryan Neff (bass guitar and vocals) and Jerod Boyd (drums and percussion).
The RECORD had a brief phone interview with Levi, who talked about the upcoming festival and his expectations of South Africa.
AR: Have you been to South Africa before?
LB: No, but it’s on my bucket list. I’ve heard about the beautiful natural scenery and wildlife and I would like to see it.
AR: What are your expectations for when you visit our country?
LB: I’m hoping for excitement and amazing reactions when we play some of our older music.
AR: Do you know any of our local bands, and do you have opinions about them that you’d like to share?
LB: I know you probably get this all the time, but Die Antwoord is really cool. I don’t really know any other bands, but I really like them and I think they’re really artistic and cool.
AR: What do you look forward to most about the upcoming Krank’d Up festival?
LB: I’m really excited to see a new crowd from a country we’ve never been to. I am also excited to meet and perform along with Sikth – they’re a great band.
AR: How many songs will you be performing?
LB: We’ll be playing around 13 to 15 songs. We’ll definitely perform songs from each of our albums.
AR: Is there anything that you’re nervous or concerned about?
LB: Not really, except for the usual worries that our equipment will break or won’t work. All in all, we’re really excited to go to a new place.
AR: Is there any message that you’d like to share with Alberton’s metalcore fans?
LB: I just want to thank everyone for sticking with us through all these years. We really hope to make up for lost time with this show to all our fans who stayed with us during these past 10 years. Stay metal.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
