SWAMPSCOTT — Each song recorded by Ice Nine Kills, fronted by Spencer Charnas, a native of the town, is based on a different horror movie. It’s that fandom that led Charnas and his band to front a new horror convention coming to Danvers later this month.
Charnas said that the convention will offer a place for horror fans all over the world to gather and share their love of “on-screen slaughter.”
“This is the chance for our loyal psychos to not only interact with the band, but to meet the incredible stars of the very films our music pays tribute to,” he said.
The event will take place from Aug. 26-28 at the DoubleTree Boston North Shore Hotel. Fans will have the opportunity to meet legendary horror stars Ari Lehman and Kane Hodder from the “Friday the 13th” series, along with “True Lies” star Tom Arnold, and Danielle Harris, who stars in a number of films in the “Halloween” franchise.
The weekend includes exclusive opportunities for pictures, costume contests, celebrity signings, and a series of discussion panels hosted by Culture Journalist Ryan J. Downey. Ice Nine Kills will perform at an already-sold-out-show at the Cabot Theater in Beverly on Aug. 27, which they will headline.
So far, 2,000 people are expected each day, which Charnas credits to “good marketing” of the convention. He said he looks forward to watching his fans mingle with the horror actors and meet some of the stars for the first time.
“When you are watching someone on TV, it’s like you never really expect to meet them, then when it happens in such a cool way, it’s something you never forget,” he said.
Ice Nine Kills formed in 2001 in the area between Swampscott and Marblehead. Since then, the band has gone on to create music that has reached number one on the hard rock chart, and most recently opened for heavy-metal band Metallica.
The band’s shows are meant to feel like Halloween and make people feel as if they can trick-or-treat, according to Charnas.
Charnas said he came up with the idea for the convention after making appearances over the years, and hopes the convention will become an annual event.
“So many Ice Nine Kills fans came to meet me, so it seemed like the next step for the band was to come up with our own convention,” he said. “Horror provides an escape for people — it’s like good music.”
Rachel Galatis can be reached at [email protected].
