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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.”
Encore
Encore
This was a true rock show start to finish. I never saw GnR live and after seeing live performances by axl I didnt regret it that much. Myles Kennedy is a awesome front man and performed the GnR songs beautifully. SLASH was SLASH AMAZING. This show is worth a road trip.
The overall rating of "5" stars is for Slash...the opening band, "Bad City", was just that : opening bad/time slot filler........I'll leave it at that. This was my first experience seeing Slash live....and might I add, all my expectations were met! The energy was high, the sound/clarity was clean & tight! The entire band played as if they'd been together for a very long time....they were completely in sync & a pleasure to be there......would I see them/him again?....ABSOLUTELY!
I saw Slash and Miles in San Francisco and caught them again in Reno. The performance was epoch. The band members are true professionals and the bass player has a good set of pipes. Miles is a great front man and it seams Slash is haveing a lot of fun on stage. The new Alter Bridge CD will be out this week, I'm looking forward to hearing Miles back with that band. How good would it be to see a live DVD of Slash and Miles! I hope they make that happen.
This is the second time I've see Slash in the last month. Saw him first in San Francisco and now in Reno. This time the group was tighter then in SF. The drummer is a "monster" to quote a friend of mine; I'm in love with Miles Kennedy's voice; and Slash....What can I say. Awesome. Need to see if they will be performing again near Reno. I'd go again!!
The show was awesome. A great mix of new material with a few classics thrown in. Was awesome to be able to get so close with all the people that were there. The mix was perfect. Was able to see from damn near every location inside. Really cool that there was a Washington native playing with his group too.
Completely unforgetable, it give me goose bumps to think back on how AWESOME it was!! There are few words that describe that concert... I'm still searching the dictionary to find the right words to describe it. So far, amazing, unremarkable, speachless performance, and above all else, a show I want to relive over again and again and again!!
Let me first say my boyfriend is the huge Slash fan. He went so far as to tatoo the album cover from Appetite for Destruction on his chest. With that being said, I loved the show. The combination of Slash's solo stuff, velvet revolver and GnR was a perfect combo. Slash definately has a new fan in me.
First I just want to say. Seattle crowds are Amazing. You could tell from the get-go the energy was off the scale. I spent most of the show in front. It took all I had to keep my spot. Fans were working hard to get in front. I had two 6' 3" tall 20ish guys next to me that I made my line of defence. It worked for awhile but not all night. I felt like I just saw 3 shows in one. Slash, Guns and Roses and Alterbridge. Plus a song or two from Velvet Revolver. The show was everything I hoped for plus more. Thanks Slash...
I've been waiting to experience this since I was a teenager and when I saw Slash was playing his hometown and mine I knew I had to go! His playing was awesome, the singer on vocals sounds great; everything was really fun. When he started doing a guitar solo of the theme to "The Godfather" I just about died! Slash made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I had the time of my life! Rock HARD! :D
This was truly an amazing show. Minimal light show, no pyrotechnics, just a brilliant musician backed with a great band. I never saw GnR back in the day, but seeing Slash made me feel like I saw the best part of what was. In addition, Myles Kennedy shined. I must admit, I am not a huge Alter Bridge fan, but Myles' voice was a great. As it did on Slash's solo album, it blended perfectly with the music and was a pleasure to listen to. The highlight was Slash's two song blues solo. I enjoyed hearing the "hits" as much as anyone, but it was the solo, Slash playing pure blues in particular, that gave me chills.
Slash was great, and wish he was featured more, with more solos, especially since he was the headliner; was actually surprised to see opening act. Other guys were incredible too. Venue was cool but sound lacked. Had to negotiate my space almost constantly. But maybe that's the intent. It was overall fun and crazy.
Slash is awesome! He's always awesome! I will always go see him!
Wasn't sure about the Showbox in SODO since I have only been to the Showbox at the Market but SODO was a good venue. Although the Market where it was originally to be would have been better, more intimate and has a few spots that you can stand or sit that are higher and give a better view. That said, Slash ROCKED! Him and the band tore the place up. The sound was great, Myles has a great voice and stage presence. The drummer was bombastic, which I love and Slash did a solo that went into Sweet Child O'Mine that showed his talent. My ears rang for two days and I loved it. The joint was loud, hot, sweaty with some hot chicks. That's Rock-N-Roll!!!!! See them if you can.
Slash rules! Can't wait to see him again and who's in his band. Rock n' roll lives on!
slash was phenomenal! i was awestruck as he played for 2 hours less than 15 feet in front of me. we were so close we could see the details of his tats and see his broken string during paradise city. i would pay much more to see slash play however it would have to be at a different venue. showbox sodo is one of the WORST places to see a show. the sound was horrific! the mics were turned up as loud as they could go, so loud in fact that i could not hear any lyrics being sung. when miles or slash spoke into the microphone they both sounded the same, like Alvin and the Chipmunks. it's two days later and i still have extreme ringing in my right ear and have significant (hopefully temporary) hearing loss. also, a few lit up people nearly ruined many songs by moshing and body surfing 2 feet from us. i go to shows to absorb the music and to appreciate the artist's craft. morons like the moshers apparently go to ruin everyone else's evening and at this venue there are plenty of morons.
Showbox Seattle is a great venue for getting up close and personal with the artist. With a mixed set including solo and GnR songs Slash and the band put on a fantastic set with lots of energy. Of course the crowd went wild for Civil War, Paradise City etc but they also responded well to the new songs. This concert was right up there with the best concerts I have seen in the last 5 years!
Slash was absolutely incredible on stage! He and the band seemed to have a genuinely great time playing for us and the crowd responded every time! They played some GnR, some Velvet Revolver, some old and some new. Great setlist! The sound engineer did screw up at times, when the levels were uneven or the mike way too low. But overall the sound was great!
Excellent concert! Great venue. The setlist had 6 Guns 'N Roses songs and about the same number of Velvet Revolver ones, intermixed with songs from his solo album. Great for Guns and Velvet fans or, if you're not, great anyways just for the amazing guitar playing!
The SoDo Showbox is a great sweaty venue. Intimate enough to get to see what's going on but not too small to make some noise. 36 hours later I still have bells in my ears - so it might be a little loud for some - or it could just be the mighty Marshall amps that lined the back of the stage. Slash still has it. Was a personal thrill to hear Sweet Child - one of his finest; and most known riffs. Add to that - something new from the latest album; opening with Ghost, something classic; the Godfather Theme plus GNR classics like Rocket Queen a Slither (from Velvet Revolver) you're strapped in for a great night as a fan. Then to see the legend finish Paradise City with only 5 strings... well you'll leave in more awe than you thought possible. The downsides was that the levels of the band were bad. One backing vocal was well off and caused problems for everyone at the front right of the stage - still that ringing in my ears - like a battle scar - just serves to remind you that for that all too brief evening, you were in the presence of greatness.
This show was definitely a smoking hot show. With Slash playing a great long set from all 3 past bands, Miles stepped it up and showed that he could sing.
