-
All Access Exclusive - 10 Questions with Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills
November 30, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. We originally started as just ‘Ice Nine’, which is a reference to a fictional substance in Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. Around 2006, in an effort to differentiate ourselves from another band out at the time with a similar name, we added ‘Kills’. I liked that the acronym ended up being ‘INK’ which I had never heard of another band doing.
-
From Left to Right: Joe Occhiuti (co-lead vocals, bass, keyboards), Dan Sugarman (co-lead vocals, lead guitar,
backing vocals), Spencer Charnas (lead vocals, keyboards), Ricky Armellino (co-lead vocals, rhythm guitar,
keyboards), Patrick Galante (drums)
1. Let’s start at the beginning. I know the band roots are traced back to 2000. Give us the scoop on where and how the band formed?
Ice Nine Kills was founded on the North Shore of Boston, MA in 2000 by myself and the band’s original co-founder Jeremy Schwartz when we were still in high school. The band started with pop-punk roots, but even in the early days we dabbled in horror-related imagery.
2. What is the origin of the name Ice Nine Kills?
We originally started as just “Ice Nine”, which is a reference to a fictional substance in Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. Around 2006, in an effort to differentiate ourselves from another band out at the time with a similar name, we added “Kills”. I liked that the acronym ended up being “INK” which I had never heard of another band doing.
3. What bands or artists have inspired you and you’d list as major influences from the start and even up until today?
Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, so many…
4. Ice Nine Kill’s music contains themes about horror movies. What was the inspiration for this and how would you describe your music?
INK’s musical references are a combo of punk and ska music from mid to late 90’s, Broadway style theatre like Les Mis and Phantom of The Opera, 90’s alt rock, metal and comedy. Lyrically, we pride ourselves in having fun with some tongue-in-cheek wordplay.
5. Now let’s talk about the new single “Rainy Day” that is doing very well at Rock Radio. What’s the story behind this song?
Ever since we started doing theme records, with Every Trick in the Book, fans have asked for a song inspired by a horror game. Resident Evil was the first PlayStation game I bought, at 11 or 12. I was very scared by it. We teamed up with Matt Good, who sent over some ideas we built upon together with Joe and Drew Fulk our producer. I veered toward some major melodies in the verses in that song that are different from what I normally do.
6. The most recent INK album “The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood” is the follow-up and sequel to 2018’s “The Silver Scream.” What can you tell us about the concept of both these studio LP’s?
In The Silver Scream, each track is inspired by horror classics like A Nightmare On Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and The Shining. With The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood, we sought to create a sequel that doubled down on those themes with some new, Fangoria Magazine cover-worthy film inspirations. Elements like the soaring choruses, tongue in cheek lyricism, and bouncy riffs from The Silver Scream still show up and run throughout The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood.
7. Regarding these albums with horror movie themes, what are some of your all-time favorite horror films and why?
Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream, Psycho, and so many more!
8. What’s your take on Rock Radio and do you have any choice Radio moments you can share?
I consider the golden age of Rock Radio to be the 90’s. I miss the time when bands took more chances and risks, because things feel very safe these days. I do think bands like Badflower are shaking things up and making me hopeful for the future of rock.
9. I know you are currently out on tour with dates into early December. How is everything going on the tour and when will you be back on tour again?
With this latest tour, we’ve played around a lot with the new tracks and how we would bring them to life in a live format. We brought out video walls, which elevate how we tell the stories visually, in addition to our onstage costumes. We have lots in store for touring next year.
10. Finally, what do you and other members of your band like to do for fun (hobbies etc.) when you’re not in “Rock Band” mode?
We try and see movies on every single off day together as a band. Not only is it fun but maybe we’ll find inspiration for the next album…
-
-