Getting "Slapped" with Slapknutz
- Alexis Profeta
- Jun 26, 2023
- 5 min read
If you're into the local metal music scene in the New England / New York area, you've bound to have stumbled upon one of the best cover bands I've ever heard - Slapknutz. Slapknutz is a Slipknot cover band consisting of Vocalist Matt Strohman, Founding Member/Guitarist Kai Stone, Guitarist Sean Vallie, Bass Player Rich Villalobos, and Jon Okpych on the drums.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt to get to know the band more in-depth and discuss their last show in Woodbridge, CT.
Lexx: Who initially formed the band, and when?
Matt: As I mentioned, Kai is the person who started the band all the way back in 2019 with another guitarist, John Gainer. They played as a 2 piece with backing tracks for a handful of shows, and then it went dormant until we got a full band together.
L: What inspired the decision to start a slipknot cover band vs. an original material group or any other band?
M: Well, I originally auditioned as the vocalist of Kai, Rich, and Jon’s original band, called 6Five6, with Slipknot songs. Then as we jammed one of those songs, Kai said, “this is feeling like Slapknutz.” I asked what in God’s green earth that was, and after some deliberation, we decided to do it.
L: How long have you been together?
M: The first incarnation of Slapknutz was formed in 2019, then it went on hiatus. This new incarnation started around September 2021. It feels like we’ve been together for over a year, ha.
L: What are your favorite songs to perform live?
M: I can’t speak for the rest of my bandmates, but for me, it’s gotta be Disasterpiece. That song makes me want to rip my head off and kick it into the crowd like a soccer ball. It gives me so much energy when we play it; it’s like my drug. I also have to say Before I Forget that’s always a super fun one; it gets the crowd going crazy without fail. Jumping, singing as loud as they can; it’s insane. The last show we played at The Cellar On Treadwell, during the bridge, I went into the crowd, and they made a huge huddle around me and sang louder than I could hear myself. The footage of that is kind of hard to believe that it’s actually us in that video.
L: What is your favorite album by the band?
M: Iowa. Fucking. IOWA. What more can I say? I listen to a LOT of heavy stuff, but I turn that album on, and it scares me. It’s the darkest, most pissed off, most brutal album I’ve ever heard in my life, and it’s 21 years old. Not only is it my favorite Slipknot album, but it’s also probably my favorite heavy album of ALL TIME.
L: How do you feel about the new album, “The End, So Far”
M: When I first listened to it, I thought it sucked. But then I went back and listened to it as a Slipknot fan in 2022 and not a Slipknot fan from 1999-2001. And that actually changed it for me. I still don’t think it’s their best album, but with the music in my head with that perspective, it’s a 7.5/10 album. I enjoy it quite a bit more than most fans, ha.
L: Will you perform songs off the new record?
M: Possibly! We’re thinking about one day doing “The Dying Song,” “The Chapeltown Rag,” or “Yen.” The singles, basically.
L: Is keeping up with the band stressful, especially if you aren’t into new material?
M: Nope! We just pick and choose what we want to play; obviously, we have to do the hits, but we’ve played some fucking deep cuts that not a lot of people would know off the top of their heads because we play what we want. When it comes time to pick a set list, it's a very relaxed vibe.
L: What’s next for Slapknutz?
M: Well, we just had Knutfest last Saturday(October 22, 2022), which was absolutely insane. We had so many great bands on that bill and the best stage production we’ve ever used, arguably the best I’ve seen for a local band in general. We will absolutely be bringing that back next year. Then we have Mockfest 2022 in New Hampshire(November 26, 2022) with EARTH(Black Sabbath tribute), Ashes Of The Priest(Lamb Of God tribute), and Doomsayer(Hatebreed tribute). That’s looking to be a fun one! The last confirmed thing we’re doing at the moment is our own Knotfest Tribute(March 4, 2023) hosted by 717 Entertainment out of Pennsylvania. To play in PA is going to be wild, and the lineup is so stacked. We have support performances from Know Your Enemy(Rage Against The Machine tribute), Old School Hollywood(System Of A Down tribute), Archaia(Deftones tribute), Nail Bite(Gojira tribute), and an original set by Hate Grenade. We CAN NOT wait for that show.
L: What’s the best part of performing?
M: The fans. Always and forever. At a summer show we played at The Cellar On Treadwell, that crowd was ELECTRIC. That venue was where Slapknutz got its first show 3 years ago, and to come back as a full band and rock that place, and felt truly special. It was the best show we’ve ever played so far, and I even cried tears of joy on stage. That crowd was so good that it completely broke my wall and character. If our fans read this, I want you to know: YOU are the reason we keep doing this. Without you, we wouldn’t be here doing what we’re doing right now. I love you guys, and the rest of my band shared the same sentiment. SLAPKNUTZ FOREVER!!!
L: Will you ever transition into original material?
M: As I’ve mentioned above, a few of the members have their own band, 6Five6. They have one single released right now, called Dead Weight. I was going to be their vocalist, but I decided not to do that, as I wanted to keep Slapknutz and 6Five6 a separate entity without it being the exact same band without masks. As for myself, I’m working on a solo project right now. I can’t wait to share what I’m gonna be creating with the world very soon.
L: What are the goals for the band/project?
M: Our biggest goal is to make this a career. If we keep playing our cards right, we can take over the fucking world with this band. And we won’t stop until we do.
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