No more results on this page
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.”
Encore
Encore
Excellent show with the exception of the mixing of Myles' vocals. Whoever was running the soundboard must have been asleep as they were barely audible. Nevertheless, they played pretty much everything a fan would want to hear. Plenty of old GNR stuff as well. Slash's guitar work was truly amazing. Kind of like seeing GNR without the drama.
Great Performance, Slash has still got it, It was a night filled with The Best of Slash!
slash is amazing! great presence on stage. took a friend who is new to slash and the whole genre and she loved it!! definitely go see him and myles if you can.
Slash was unbelievable. He was on for ever song. His band was super tight and sounded awesome. Myles Kennedy was a perfect fill in for Axl on all of the GNR songs. They couldn't have sounded any better.
There's basically 2 versions of Guns N' Roses touring right now: Slash's band and Axl's version of GNR. I've seen both and Slash is the way to go. Slash's new band were absolutely amazing at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Slash has experimented with a few different singers since leaving GNR and he's found a perfect successor to Axl with Myles Kennedy. Myles can sing like Axl Rose, doesn't run out if breath and isn't crazy. It was so much fun listening to Slash and his new band play new tracks from Apocalyptic Love and classic Guns N' Roses.
Slash and his band sounded amazing! They played a lot of old GnR songs which I enjoyed. Miles Kennedy has a great voice. I totally enjoyed the show and would go to see them again.
Slash Was awesome, Seats were great. First band Sucked so bad i thought about leaving, Gunman Voodoo would have fit a million times better, other than that show was Perfect
My 11-year son (an aspiring metal guitarist) wanted to see Slash. He said, "Slash definitely deserves to be on Rolling Stones' List of 100 Greatest Guitarist. Slash looks soooo cool when he plays. He doesn't need all the drama to sound good - he just does." Miles Kennedy and the other band members were fantastic too. I hate to compare them to Guns N Roses, but since this is how we know Slash and they did a few GNR covers (Sweet Chile of Mine, Paradise City and Welcome to the Jungle), you just have to.... Miles Kennedy we didn't miss Axl Rose.
What I've said: great show!! Slash better than with gun's & roses
Slash shows he still gets it and gives a unforgettable performance. Axl Rose ended up with the name Guns N Roses but Slash ended up with the soul of the band! Together with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators they make a complete package. I can't wait to see them again next summer!!
Slash, Myles Kennedy, and The Conspirators put on one of the best shows I have ever seen! I've been a fan of Slash for years, and hearing him live was an unforgettable experience! Myles Kennedy is a great vocalist , low key and yet every bit a presence as a front man. The band as a whole was great and Todd Kerns (bassist) sang solid versions of "You're Crazy" and "Welcome to the Jungle." it was also pretty cool to see Gilby Clarke join the band for 'Paradise City." An amazing, energetic show. Can't wait until they make their way back to New York!
I've seen this show 3 times on this tour and each show left me obviously wanting more. Went home and watched the Made In Stoke DVD to help me ease off my concert high. What can you say? Plain and simple these guys are rock stars. True professionals. The whole band kicks ass and the bass player was so great singing the old Guns hits like Welcome to the Jungle that he should be fronting his own kick ass band. Myles Kennedy has to be the best front man in the business these days and his dedication to his craft is evident for all to see. Slash...what can you say? He's awesome and better then ever! I saw Guns on the Appetite tour in Philadelphia when I was in college and he is just as good or maybe even better now that he is clear headed and healthy but still carrying the same street cred and dirty sound that made him famous. If you haven't seen them...beg, borrow, steal...DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR!!!!
Yes I'm a fan so I'm sure this is biased but DAYUMMMM! This show was fantastic. Myles Kennedy rocked every song, Todd Kerns is an effing badass (and is a great singer!) and Slash.... well Slash stole the show with every riff and solo. Those solos were worth the price of the ticket and that encore sans shirt was rock N roll. Loved every minute!
Not only was Slash, Myles and the band great but it was a nice surprise to have had the chance to see Foxy Shazam. It was unexpected to have enjoyed them as much as I did. Between the bands and the company I kept, it was an all around great night!
Great show!!! Too bad the crowd didn't feel very into it.
This concert is probably one of the best I have ever been to-and I go to a lot. The dynamics with them is extraordinary! It is clear that they respect each other's musical talent since every member had their time to perform. Myles was fantastic; Slash: Need I say more. The conspirators vocalist WOW him and Myles together--fantastic!!! The next concert I go to has a lot to work up to for me to enjoy it! Go see it if you can!
Great show. Awesome Rock & roll concert. From g&r to VR to his new solo stuff just a great concert. There was some JIMI HENDREX in there too. Miles was awesome. Gilby Clarke showed up for the encore. I would see this show again. I saw AXL ROSE and his band earlier this year, it was sad to see a bloated has been trying to stay relevant. SLash and Myles are the real deal. BTW, the opening act FOXY SHAZAM ROCKED ALSO!!! Catch them if U can.
Slash & friends put on an amazing show for anyone who likes real rock and roll (and not the garbage they try to pass off these days). He cut through his entire history pulling out some rare songs (Civil War for example) which was amazing to hear. It was great when he invited Gilby Clarke to come on stage and play 'Paradise City' to close the show. The set list was different from the show he did back in May at Irving Plaza (also an amazing show). The only real negative I could think of is that the acoustics are slightly better at Irving Plaza than the Hammerstein but that's splitting hairs.
It is great to see a band united as Slash & his new cohorts are. They each bring their own energy & vibe to the stage that fans can appreciate. An excellent array of talent. They really rocked it. Loved all the song choices. We got 6 GNR songs which was a treat. The only negative was a light beaming straight into the eyes of the audiance. It apparently was missing a filter, It was blinding, light looking into high beams. Too bad no one bothered to fix it.
We saw Slash and Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators at the House of Blues in Boston about a month before the show at the Ballroom and right after the show we bought the tickets to see them again! It is an amazing show! One of the best rock shows we've ever seen.
