Shropshire Star

Birmingham band SHVPES talk about playing Slam Dunk Festival

Birmingham’s very own SHVPES have come along way since their beginnings in 2009.

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Shvpes play the Slam Dunk Festival tomorrow

The band has gone from small hometown shows to supporting the likes of Finch and Fightstar across the world – and now they have released their hotly-anticipated debut album Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair.

Returning to Birmingham, SHVPES are set to appear at this year’s Slam Dunk Festival at Birmingham’s NEC tomorrow alongside the likes of Don Broco, Tonight Alive, Memphis May Fire and Enter Shikari.

Despite this homecoming – vocalist and son of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, Griffin Dickinson, tells how fans can expect the same level of power they put into all of their live shows

“Fans at Slam Dunk can expect Power. Raw power.

“For me, personally, London is my home, so playing London is always the pinnacle of a UK tour. Although Birmingham is home for the rest of the guys.

“Regardless, we treat every show the same. Everyone who comes to watch us, needs to leave that room/ gig thinking we’re the best band they’ve ever seen. That’s what we try to do every time we play.”

SHVPES have taken this raw power across the globe in support of bands such as We Came As Romans, Miss May I and Trivium – as well as helping them secure their own headline tours and festival slots.

“These tours have all been exhilarating” says Griffin.

“It’s incredible to see the recognition and approval from the heavyweight festivals and some of our favourite artists. These are the bands/ festivals that are opening doors for us and allowing SHVPES to become what it is today and tomorrow.”

“Our proudest achievement however is putting out our debut album. There’s been so many highlights throughout our career show-wise but it all boils down to the music.

“That is substance that runs absolutely everything and to finally make that offering to the world, felt sensational.”

Their debut album has been hotly-anticipated in the rock music scene, and features singles Skin and Bones.

There’s no rest for the wicked however, and SHVPES have taken to their social media accounts to announce that they have confined themselves to a cabin outside of Snowdonia to begin work on their second record.

“The work on our second album has been a lot more focused, driven and the results are standing toe to toe in every way with the last record and much much more.

“Going into that first record, we really didn’t know s*** about s***. We thought we did, but as with anything, the first time you do something, you never really know how it’s going to work out, what the process is going to be and how you’re going to get the results.

“I went into that first record having only ever recorded two tracks professionally. I am ten times the musician I went into that record with and that is thanks to our amazing producers.

“We are now over 50 per cent complete in the writing of this second record and I feel we are really finding out what we are truly capable of as musicians and as artists.”

Griffin is the son of Iron Maiden’s legendary vocalist Iron Maiden – and has grown up with a musical background.

Before SHVPES, Griffin worked as a stage carpenter for Iron Maiden during their tours.

He has the daunting task of carving his own musical career with his father’s legacy looming over him – and it’s this musical background that Griffin jokes about fondly when asked about

“It was like a prison camp growing up. My friends use to call him Bruce Dik-Un, because he’d beat me with bamboo if I didn’t stand up straight when singing.” Griffin jokes.

“One time I went to C Sharp instead of C and he force fed me dog food and made me sleep in the dog kennel . . . We don’t even have a dog. He bought it for me! It’s tough, you know, but one day he’ll love me. I’m sure of it.”

With all of this behind them, SHVPES are playing the Impericon Stage at this year’s Slam Dunk festival.

Sharing a bill with the likes of Madina Lake and Memphis May Fire – the band can’t wait to showcase tracks off their new album and see some of the bands on offer.

“I always love playing False Teeth. That song for me embodies the power that we try to bring to our live shows and it’s usually the first track we play.

“At Slam Dunk I can’t wait to see Stray from the path. I love that band and I want to see Craig Reynolds drum up close. The dude is a beast.”

Following Slam Dunk, the future’s looking bright for SHVPES and we can’t wait.

“We’re touring Europe through tour June. We have some shows with While She Sleeps & Northlane which is a dream tour for us.

“Then we’ve got what critics are claiming is the best follow up record since our first record coming out in the not too distant future. This should hopefully adjust tectonic plates if my dad keeps up the bamboo beatings!”

SHVPES will play Slam Dunk Festival 2017 at Birmingham’s NEC tomorrow.

Becci Stanley