We get weird in Berlin with ICE NINE KILLS and HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD supporting Papa Roach.
What happens when colourful rap metallers Hollywood Undead hook up with horror mega-fans Ice Nine Kills for a show with some nu metal legends? We nipped over to Berlin to find out
n the eve of the coronavirus wreaking havoc with European touring, Metal Hammer is lucky enough to squeeze in one last trip, to Berlin, for one of the most colourful and diverse heavy music packages in recent memory. Headlined by resilient nu metal survivors Papa Roach, the mix of former masked rap rockers Hollywood Undead and horror-movie obsessed metalcore tyros Ice Nine Kills should make for a unique cocktail for the eyes and ears. And, as we approach the venue, things quickly get… weird.
1.54pm
We arrive outside the Berlin Verti Music Hall, where greetings with the bands quickly turn to chat about the coronavirus. Almost straight away, Hollywood Undead’s George ‘Johnny 3 Tears’ Ragan quips that “I was wheezing while I was jerking off last night”. This basically sets the tone for the entire day.
2.05pm
Ice Nine Kills’ awesome backdrop featuring horror icons Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees already adorns the stage, while a stagehand carries around a pile of weapons including a machete and bloody axe. Something tells us this isn’t going to be your average gig.
2.10pm
Delighted about playing to the biggest crowds his band have experienced in Europe, Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas is also feeling honoured to do be doing it alongside the headliners, revealing that he snuck backstage at a Papa Roach concert as a teenager. Would he ever have imagined that 20 years later he’d be sharing their stage – and, what’s more, dressed as a serial killer, pretending to stab someone to death? “I’ve loved horror and rock music since I was a little kid. I never thought they’d cross paths but it’s cool that my greatest loves have met in the middle,” he says, adding, “I think you’ve got to carve your own place out in the music world” without a hint of irony.
3.10pm
In catering, the subject of rock cruises is discussed, with Spencer announcing that an Ice Nine Kills cruise would be called The Frightanic. Shortly after making a Naked Gun reference, we suggest that the comedy masterpiece could feature on a new album once he’s run out of horror movies. “Sure, I’ll play OJ [Simpson] onstage,” he says, mimicking a stabbing motion as he walks past. Read into that what you will.
Throughout the day George will talk about Charles Dickens’ life, the theories of Sigmund Freud and how to pronounce the languages of JRR Tolkien. Yet he always seems to wind up talking about porn. “I can’t watch European porn, they all sound so weird”, he reveals before giving a graphic impression. “I love Sophie Dee but I have to watch her on mute, because she’s just so vulgar and British as fuck.” Please don’t Google who she is at work.
3.40pm
A rehearsal takes place onstage for a reworked version of new Hollywood Undead song Heart Of A Champion featuring Spencer and
Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix. The already-catchy track sounds even classier with the two new additions, and the main riff is whistled around the building for the rest of the day.
You don’t often see tour mates embarking on such a collaboration and having such a good time doing so. Especially George, who resumes his European porn impressions, this time over the speakers.
4.20pm
In the backstage corridor, Ice Nine Kills guitarist Ricky Armellino is doing press-ups and a plank, with Spencer doing his best Full Metal Jacket marine drill sergeant impersonation alongside. “Papa Roach have me doing it every 30 minutes,” Ricky explains. “I’m trying to get into Baywatch shape.” There’s another two film ideas for the next album, then.
4.45pm
A box of latex gloves is brought out for the members of Hollywood Undead to wear during their meet and greet. We don’t ask where they got them from but, unsurprisingly, George is more than happy to explain: “All that fisting has finally come in handy.”
5.15pm
When they’re not being colourful clowns, Hollywood Undead
“YOU’VE GOT TO CARVE YOUR OWN PLACE IN MUSIC”
SPENCER CHARNAS, ICE NINE KILLS
are more than happy to open up about the challenges of not fitting the mould, and why they’re happy to have found kindred spirits among other black sheep on this current run. “There’s never been another band like us, and I don’t mean that in a cocky sense, so it has been difficult for us to do tours,” explains George. “But on this tour all three of us have our own niches, and we all get along. There’s a real kinship.”
“It’s a blessing and a curse because we can tour with more genres and do different festivals but we get judged for it just as bad,” adds Jorel ‘J-dog’ Decker. “As much as it helps us, it negatively affects us. Rap bands don’t want us on tours! We don’t feel lucky at all, everything we have is because we have had to prove ourselves over and over again. People are waiting for us to fail, they don’t want Hollywood Undead to make it.”
Apparently, the most essential thing for successful backstage harmony is a good sense of humour, and right on cue things get back to locker room talk, with Jorel adding his own Sophie Dee impression: “Fuck me shitbox, love.” We had a nice chat while it lasted.
6.14pm
As show time approaches, members of Ice Nine Kills stalk the corridors dressed as serial killers. Their hard-working make-up and costume director Shevy has done a fine job, and is taking no shit when it comes to getting them ready for their Hammer photoshoot. A shout of “Spencer, get over here so I can throw blood on you!” echoes down the corridor.
During Hollywood Undead’s photoshoot, George reveals that he’s become curious about ‘chav culture’ after a recent trip to an Essex Wetherspoons. “Are there any chav metal bands?” he asks, with a reply that “Malevolence are pretty chavvy” coming from an onlooker. “‘Machavolence’?!” he replies. “Maybe we could get them on a song? We’ll call it Heart Of A Chavion.”
The crowd is already packed into the arena as John Carpenter’s Halloween theme plays over and over on the venue’s PA. Just a few minutes before they take the stage, Ice Nine Kills bassist Joe Occhiuti is whipping himself, guitarist Dan Sugarman and Hammer with his faux leather belt from his Crow costume. It’s not really up there with Slipknot’s Sid and Clown lamping each other before shows, but we admire the effort and they seem fairly pumped up.
7.02pm
Gracing the stage dressed as Michael Myers with a massive knife, and flanked by inflatable Freddy Krueger and Pennywise hands, Spencer leads the band through opener Stabbing In The Dark. It sounds huge, the crowd love it and, as promised, he proceeds to murder a girl dressed as Laurie Strode. Call it gimmicky all you want, but it’s a hell of an entertaining show.
7.16pm
We’re only four songs in and already Shevy, who also doubles up as an onstage performer, is being murdered by Spencer for the second time. This time she’s dressed as Scream’s Casey Becker falling victim to Ghostface during Your Number’s Up. The only thing missing is popcorn.
8.13pm
They may well be the odd ones out on most bills, but a heaving crowd is giving plenty of love to Hollywood Undead. Keeping the frivolity going, Jordon ‘Charlie Scene’ Terrell brings up local lad Lucas to play his guitar – dubbed the “Pussy Soaker” – during Comin’ In Hot. “You’re going to get so much schwanz tonight, bro,” exclaims
“I CAN’T WATCH EUROPEAN PORN BECAUSE THEY ALL SOUND SO WEIRD”
JOHNNY 3 TEARS, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
Charlie. A quick Google Translate reveals that ‘schwanz’ is actually the German word for ‘dick’.
8.28pm
Clearly playing a short cover of Du Hast (“do you hast mich bitch?” asks Jordan) and waving a German flag are two ways to get a huge ovation from Berlin crowds. It ensures the throng are in full voice once the eternally dumb anthem Everywhere I Go gets everyone’s arms waving.
Despite a triumphant set heavy on the now-20-year-old Infest album, Papa Roach are in no way the outright winners tonight, with each band claiming victory in their own incomparable way. “Papa Roach are one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, so you’ve always got to be on your A-game,” explains Hollywood Undead’s
10.20pm
George. “Yeah, they fuck you right in the shitbox”, adds Jorel. That’s certainly one way of putting it.
11.05pm
Jorel announces to everyone backstage that Hammer loves anal, leading to Eric Carmen classic Hungry Eyes being sung as ‘Anal Eyes’, ruining it forever. And after being a braggadocio onstage just two hours ago, Jordan is now holding court outside his dressing room, frantically asking everyone within earshot if he’s the least handsome member of Hollywood Undead. Clearly, being the odd ones out for so long can mess with your confidence a little…
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD’S EMPIRE VOL. 1 IS OUT NOW ON BMG. ICE NINE KILLS’ THE SILVER SCREAM IS OUT NOW VIA FEARLESS
The facts that separate Hollywood Undead from their new BFFS in Ice Nine Kills
FORMED: 2005, Los Angeles
CURRENT MEMBERS: Five
SPECIAL ALIASES: Five
OBSESSIONS: Hip-hop, 40s
ALBUMS: Six
BIGGEST SONG: Undead (116m streams)
DID YOU KNOW?
The band was formed somewhat erratically on Myspace and at first only had three members – Deuce, J-dog and, um, Shady Jeff.
FORMED: 2002, Boston
CURRENT MEMBERS: Five
SPECIAL ALIASES: Zero
OBSESSIONS: Horror films
ALBUMS: Five
BIGGEST SONG: The American Nightmare
(19m streams)
DID YOU KNOW?
Some parts of last year’s Silver Scream album were recorded in the houses from A Nightmare On Elm Street and Halloween!