Best guitarist actually
by Uli31 on 10/19/18Hollywood Palladium - HollywoodI want to get another experience like that amazing
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SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators on Tour
“I think it’s time to set this world on fire/I think it’s time to push it to the edge/I’m so f---in’ bored so trip the wire/It may never be this good again”
--From the opening power chords of the single and title track of WORLD ON FIRE
WORLD ON FIRE is the new album from SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, and it comes on full throttle and in-your-face, a hunk of burning rock ‘n’ roll that takes no prisoners. Intensifying the band’s sound and vision, it marks the follow-up to their succesful and acclaimed 2012 debut, Apocalyptic Love, also released on SLASH’s own indie Dik Hayd International label distributed through Caroline.
“We’ve been playing together for awhile and I think it’s gotten to the point where everybody’s comfortable in our own skins,” says Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist SLASH, who has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies, with seven GRAMMY nominations, a GRAMMY award and countless accolades. “It turned out to be a very easy process. We definitely had chemistry from the very first time we entered a room together. It was instantaneous magic.”
WORLD ON FIRE represents that chemistry, as SLASH, vocalist MYLES KENNEDY, bassist TODD KERNS and drummer BRENT FITZ blaze through 17 songs that run the gamut of topics, some derived from tour bus conversations between the singer and guitarist. These range from the pointed sexual politics of “Battleground,” “Dirty Girl” and “Stone Blind,” the anti-war sentiments of “Dissident” and the coming-of-age saga “Bent to Fly,” to such charged issues as elephant poaching (“Beneath the Savage Sun”), child abuse in the Catholic Church (“The Unholy”), addiction (“Wicked Stone”) and the perils faced by females of a certain age in show business (“Withered Delilah”). There’s also a song inspired by Mad Men’s Don Draper (“Shadow Life”) and a rockin’ instrumental (“Safari Inn”).
“There are lots of different stories and themes on this album,” says KENNEDY, the vocalist for Alter Bridge who first played on SLASH’s self-titled 2010 debut solo release, and became an instant fit. “When SLASH sends me a chord progression or a riff, it’s like hearing music to a film. Ultimately, I am writing the script for the composition with lyrics and melodies inspired by what he sends me musically. I do my best to keep the story congruent with the mood of the track."
Unlike Apocalyptic Love, which was essentially recorded live in the studio, WORLD ON FIRE began with jamming by SLASH, KERNS and FITZ, who sent the results to KENNEDY. Produced by Mike “Elvis” Baskette (Alter Bridge, Falling in Reverse, Incubus, Iggy Pop, Chevelle) in his Orlando-based Studio Barbarossa and at L.A.’s NRG Studios, WORLD ON FIRE finds SLASH playing all the guitars this time around.
Make no mistake about it, though. This is no solo project, but a rock ‘n’ roll band, with all four members contributing their strengths to the whole.
“I was influenced by the group ethic as a kid coming up,” admits SLASH. “I would buy live records because that was the energy I craved. As soon as I picked up a guitar in junior high school, I started a band. That’s the vibe I’m looking for, the interaction between musicians. Having a singer whom I know where he’s at, and writing with him in mind, my songwriting skills have gotten a lot better.”
Those arrangements range from the acoustic strumming and “la la la” chorus of “Battleground” and the epic build of “Bent to Fly” to the distinctive SLASH guitar riff which opens “Iris of the Storm,” the wide-screen scope of “The Unholy,” with its sounds of children in the playground, and the jungle boogie instrumental of “Safari Inn.”
“I’ve learned a great deal through the whole process,” says KENNEDY, who splits his time between The Conspirators and Alter Bridge. ““Everybody’s on the same page and we’re all very proud of what we’ve done as a band on this record. There's a great chemistry between the 4 of us that continues to evolve with each recording.”
WORLD ON FIRE comes on the heels of the success of Apocalyptic Love, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and produced SLASH’s first-ever No. 1 U.S. Rock radio solo hits in “You’re a Lie” and “Standing in the Sun.” With the release of Nothing Left to Fear last year--SLASH’s initial foray into horror pictures, co-produced by his Slasher Films--he began to broaden his horizons, a development which could be heard on WORLD ON FIRE, particularly on the very cinematic set-piece, “The Unholy.”
“That comes from an entirely different side of my brain,” SLASH admits. “I never usually write like that for a band, but I thought it would be pretty cool.”
KENNEDY, who comes from a Christian Scientist and Methodist background, based the song on what he was hearing from Catholic friends. “It’s not as silent as it once was,” he says of the institutionalized child abuse he tackles in the lyrics. “It’s really sad and heartbreaking because these are people you look up to, clergymen, who betray that trust.”
The lyrics of “Shadow Life” come from Kennedy’s fascination with the TV show “Mad Men” and the duplicity of its main character Don Draper. “That character fascinates me because the dark secrets he keeps, as well as the double life he leads, ultimately make his existence more complex and difficult."
“The Dissident” is about a soldier who comes to the realization that he no longer believes in what he is fighting for, while “Withered Delilah” gets inside how the entertainment industry can chew up and spit out women when they no longer have a use for them.
“This is basically a happy record with some dark subject matter,” acknowledges SLASH. “It ends up in a positive place, but it also leaves you with the idea not to get too comfortable.”
For SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, there is no time for that, as the band will intersperse their own headlining dates by appearing with Aerosmith on the celebrated “Let Rock Rule” tour in North America this summer, a jaunt they previewed with a surprise performance at the Whisky a Go Go earlier this spring.
“I’m really excited about it,” says SLASH. “There are not really too many bands I can feel comfortable partnering up with. When I first picked up the guitar, they were a huge influence my favorite band at the time, bar none. The Rocks album was a catalyst for me to pursue what it is I do now. Guns N’ Roses toured with them in the ‘80s. They always represented a certain kind of attitude, brashness and realism in rock ‘n’ roll I still to this day subscribe to. We fit together really well.”
I want to get another experience like that amazing
Even a dedicated Barry Manilow fan couldn’t escape the 80’s and 90’s without knowing the famed guitar slinger of Guns N Roses, Slash. The very mention of his name inspires that look of the top hat, long, dark, curly hair, and sunglasses. In fact, has anyone ever seen the guy without sunglasses? And here’s where it gets confusing. The ticket says “SLASH FEATURING, MYLES KENNEDY and THE CONSPIRATORS. So, the Conspirators is the band, and Myles Kennedy is the signer. Is Slash in the Conspirators? Or did he just have nothing better to do than hang out with them. Is there still the band Velvet Revolver? Snake Pit? Guns N Roses? So many bands and one guitar player. Oh well, I didn’t really care. They could have come out and played Justin Bieber covers for all I cared. I just wanted to see this guitar maestro up close and in person. As the crowd jumped to their feet Slash took the stage, of course decked out in the black leather pants, black top hat, and sunglasses. Were we expecting a cowboy hat and Wranglers? The 53-year-old guitar god doesn’t look bad (better than some of the other rockers of his days), although I’m kind of wondering about the Rocky Horror Picture Show tee shirt he was wearing. And of course, this guitar slinger was armed with his forever present Gibson Les Paul guitar. As Myles Kennedy belted out the songs AVALON and HALO I quickly discovered that this guy is packing a serious set of pipes. Cruising through a 20 songs setlist Myles’ wails screeched up to notes that seemed to fight for supremacy against Slash’s guitar. This made me wonder which would split first, Slash’s finger tips or Kennedy’s vocal chords. Now, if you’re looking for Guns N Roses songs, you’re out of luck here. This little screeching/guitar slamming partnership has a ten-year history, and the band has plenty of material. However, they did dip into the past just once for a little Guns N Roses memory with the song ROCKET QUEEN. Kennedy did a pretty awesome job handling those “out of the stratosphere” screeches that song requires, but this was the song where Slash really showed off his guitar chops showing why he makes everyone’s top 100 list of the Greatest Guitar Players of all times. Of course, this wasn’t the only time during the show that Slash blew our minds with his guitar mastery. In true guitar god fashion, the top hat wearing guitar player only said a couple of words during the show, letting his guitar scream out all that needed to be said as he ducked walked around the stage in pure Chuck Berry or Angus Young style, depending on your era. Yes, I would have loved to hear Slash break out into the opening rift of the Gun N Roses classic, Sweet Child O' Mine, but I’ll have to wait for the next Guns N Roses concert in Dallas for that one.
Slash never disappoints Always brings it 21 songs to a full house Myles Kennedy is one of the best Great show Third time seeing them Loved it!!
What a fantastic show. That band is so tight and they honestly look like they're having a ton of fun
Slash was friggin amazing as usual. Myles Kennedy is best front man in the business. The Conspirators are a fantasticay talented band especially Todd Kerns. Go see this show.
Get sound, tight band, fun night!!! Slash is an amazing talent and Myles Kennedy is one of the best rock singers in the business.
I have seen slash before, first time with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. All I can say is what a show! High energy from start to finish and such a tight sounding band. I also caught a pick from slash that made the night even better.
This was special... Ass kickn Rock N Roll... enjoy!!! Long Live Rock N Roll!!!
Slash was incredible. Such a solid performance. Refreshing they didn’t play a lot of GnR
The show was Awesome! Slashed showed why he is still one of the best Guitarist ever. Miles Kennedy’s Vocals were great and he worked the stage and crowed like a master. The Conspirators kicked ass on ever song including a cover of Iggy Pops “were all gonna drink” Finally the staff of the House of Blues showed why they are the best, the upper mezzanine bartenders were nothing short of incredible getting drinks out faster than I could ever imagine they would be able to with the size of the crowd. Can’t wait to see Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators next time they come through Boston
This was a great show and the sound was amazing. A great set list providing a variety of samples from Slash’s entire career. My only complaint is that the House of Blues said the doors opened at 7 but there was a line the full length of the street waiting to get in until after 8. The band played an over ten minute version of Rocket Queen and the show itself was well worth the money!
Excellent show ! ! ! Sound was Excellent, Song selection was Excellent, Venue was Excellent, Could NOT have asked for a better Performance. Highly Recommend seeing if in the least bit interested in going ! ! !
Slash and Myles were great as always. Slash shredded and Myles song the hell out of the songs. The bassist wasn't very good but at least he can sing. New album is pretty good, definitely worth a listen.
SMKC were absolutely amazing! Slash is a rock god! Myles Kennedy sings like there is no tomorrow! He has the best voice in rock and roll right now! Todd “Dammit” Kerns embodies a rock spirit of days gone by! Go see this band!
Slash was just as awesome as ever, Miles Kennedy and Conspirators just tore it up. The crowd was in a frenzy showing excitement at the end of every song. Was a really great show, Slash plays with melody, feel, attitude, exactly personafies rock star guitar great, great song writer..
This is the fourth time I've seen them perform, and I am a diehard fan of this lineup! Their new album is fantastic and this band is tight! So much talent on stage and they give it their all every time. Love these guys!
Slash was awesome and Myles Kennedy sings with the best of them. True rock stairs. The band was solid . Lead guitar solos from slash can be summarized in a few words. He ripped it.
my Boyfriend and I waited outside the venue for hours to get a good spot. TOTALLY worth it. The show was unreal and the venue is one of the coolest I’ve been to. Sound was great and the crowd was awesome!
What a great show these guys rocked .slash played amazing solos and Myles Kennedy rocked as usual
A good old fashioned rock n roll ass kicking performance by Slash and Myles! Slash did not disappoint with face melting solos and spicy riffs...epic. Myles who is a beast vocally, and musically, pairs very nicely with the guitar hero himself Slash!!!!