RockAndMetalNewz: Trespass America Festival 2012 Press Conference

Trespass America Festival 2012 Press Conference: Sponsored By Metal Hammer Magazine

Key Club.. April 24th 2012..

I got to the Key Club before noon and I see several military vehicles in front of the Key Club. At this point, I knew something special was going to happen inside the venue. Rumors were pointing to a press conference for The “Trespass America Tour, but no one really knew what was going to happen. Several minutes after standing outside, I see Matt Heafy of Trivium cross the street to enter the venue and not long after that, Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage goes walking into the famous Sunset Strip Venue.

Ten minutes after being inside the venue, and I have media representatives come talk to me to confirm several things about Five Finger Death Punch. Several minutes later, we get instructions from to listen to whatever instructions we are given from a uniformed military personnel, what did I get myself into!? Soon, some prisoners were brought in from the back, wait, prisoners? Several men had cloth hoods over their heads, who are these people, and why are they here? Everything goes quite and you can hear more prisoners from outside of the club being let in. Several military men screamed as us to get out of the way and let the prisoners in. As soon as the new prisoners hit the stage, after being guided in, we find out who the these people in the hoods are.

Band members from Battlecross, Emmure, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, and finally, Five Finger Death Punch are revealed to us. These are the bands, along with Pop Evil and God Forbid, are the founding fathers of the Inaugural “Trespass America” Festival. The press conference is under way with Ivan opening up the floor with questions. Random lady asked Ivan, “How many tour buses will you guys use?” … uh, what? Ivan Jokes that Matt Heafy needs two buses, one for each shoe, and then proclaims that the question was a dumb question. That lady never opened her mouth the rest of the press conference.

Why is a UK magazine sponsoring an American tour? “That’ why it’s called Trespass America,” says Ivan. “I like to think that we are all part of a bigger thing, we as a metal family need to stick together,” says editor Alexander Milas. He also adds how Metal Hammer wants to bring to America what the UK has enjoyed for a long time, epic concerts! I do agree, America needs more huge festivals like this Trespass America tour, we need to show everyone that metal is here to stay.

“Jesse, is this your first metal festival since your return with Killswitch Engage?” Jesse talks about the New England Metal Fest that happened over the weekend, and says this is his first tour since being back with the band. Ivan butts in to say how happy he is that Jesse is back with Killswitch. “Metal needs you in this band,” says Matt Heafy. “What can we expect for the new Killswitch album?” “Expect it to be more angry. I’m putting in some of my punk influence, but the guys don’t really like it, but whatever,” everyone laughs. Question about if there will be a collaboration with everyone at the end of each night made Matt Heafy’s eyes pop, “yes, we should!” Ivan then says, "Lets all get on the stage and play Roots Bloody Roots by Sepultura!"

“What are your plans for a fourth album?” Jason Hook takes the mic to discuss how they play and try out different beats to see what works and what doesn’t. “We’ve been preparing for a fourth album,” and what that being said by the press conference is over. The press then talks to each individual member, while a few fans and I stand by hoping to talk to the rock stars.

Chris Kael was the first person to come talk to us, he pretty much came right away to take pics and chat for a bit. We talked for a bit. He is the nicest guy. We were talking about other future tours for 5FDP after 'Trespass' and he stated that 5FDP "will be touring with Korn and In This Moment after 'Trespass' hitting most dates we will be missing on this tour". Soon after Jesse comes and talks with us and take a few pictures as well. We wait for a while and finally get to take pictures with Matt Heafy and chat with him a little. I just had to tell him how Trivium’s performance with Corey Taylor and Rob Flynn was the best thing I’ve seen in my life. He gave me a big smile and said “thank you, really thank you.” I asked him how it came to be, and he told me how Corey, Rob, and the band are close friends. Eventually we got to talk to Ivan, Jason, Jeremy, and Zoltan. Ivan and Jason loved my Machine Head shirt, and Jason even talked to me how much his girlfriend loves Machine Head. I told him that they should do a tour together and he agreed.

We talked to Jesse more, asked if he had a Facebook or Twitter. He doesn’t have either of the social services, because he doesn’t want to read about people saying that he’s good, sucks, or if they are happy or pissed that he is back with Killswitch. “I just want to do my own thing, and that’s too much of a distraction. I enjoy what I have, because you never know what could happen. I can’t think I’m some rock god, one day, all this can be taken away from me and I could have no job.” So much respect to Jesse, he’s a real down to earth and humble guy. He also talked about some new styles he’s learned, “I can actually freestyle rap now,” I asked “will we see any rapping on the new Killswitch album?” “Hell no! (laughs), I don’t want to do no Fred Durst shit. Only one that should get away with it is Rage Against the Machine.” Jesse had to leave, but he shook our hands before he left. Such a good man.

So that’s my experience from the press conference, here’s the important shit you need to know.

Written By: Alex Lucero.. Follow him on Twitter!: @HorrorShowFame

Trespass America Festival Tour Dates:

July 2012

13 Broomfield, CO – 1st Bank Center

15 Billings, MT – MetraPark Arena

16 Bismarck, ND – Bismarck Civic Center

17 Sioux Falls, SD – Sioux Falls Arena

19 Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom

21 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County Expo Center

24 Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Amphitheater

25 Belton, TX – Bell County Expo Center

27 San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum

28 Beaumont, TX – Ford Pavilion