Matt Kelly, Dropkick Murphys
If you could position yourself to play alongside one band on the Orion, who would it be and why?
Definitely FLAG. Pretty much all the guys in Dropkick Murphys cut their teeth on hardcore bands like Black Flag (and one or two of us is old enough to have seen them in their heyday!), and this incarnation seems pretty hell-bent on auditory destruction. They’re definitely heroes of ours and we’re honored to share the stage with them.
Why should fans of Metallica check out your set during Orion?
I think that we derive influence from some similar bands, even though we’re not a heavy metal band. Bands like the Anti-Nowhere League, the Misfits, and Thin Lizzy influenced both Metallica and Dropkick Murphys. Besides, with all the metal going on at Orion, we might be a nice break without giving up the intensity and energy that metal bands bring and fans crave. I think if the fans at Hellfest could dig us, some red-blooded American earthdogs, rivetheads, and metal muthas can dig us, too.
What’s the most metal thing you’ve ever done?
THIS INTERVIEW!
Adam Pierce, All Shall Perish
Compare playing a festival like Orion to doing an actual tour.
The big festivals have always been my favorite shows because of the energy. The turnouts are huge and there are so many familiar faces backstage. You end up meeting so many childhood idols and make new friends along the way.
Aside from Metallica, what band are you most looking forward to seeing?
Very excited to see Deftones. Another band I grew up listening to and I am honored to be opening for them.
How did you first discover Metallica?
A friend of mine let me borrow a copy of Kill ‘Em All when I was in middle school. Needless to say, it definitely changed my outlook of what heavy music could be. Fuckin’ no regrets!
Hiran Deraniyagala, Battlecross
Compare playing a festival like Orion Fest to doing an actual tour.
Well I think a festival on this scale is a little more nerve-wracking than preparing for a tour. On tour you shake off the dust the first day or two and then you’re on a regular routine and on fire. Here we don’t really get an opportunity to warm up other than at our practice space and I have no idea what to expect. Orion Fest is a really big deal to us. To be playing with Metallica and being in our hometown… I am nervous and excited all at once.
Aside from Metallica, what band are you most looking forward to seeing?
I am personally looking forward to seeing The Deftones, All Shall Perish (who are good friends of ours) and a lot of the bands I’ve never heard. I’d like to check out Red Hot Chili Peppers, because I’ve never seen them live.
How did you first discover Metallica?
I actually first heard about them when I saw the video for “Until It Sleeps,” but when I heard “One” on the radio I became a fan!
