Today is the day!!!! Santa Cruz rockers have released their highly anticipated music video for their new single, Wasted ‘N’ Wounded. Check it out here and make sure to share it:
Last week we had a very special update, we chatted via Skype with vocalist/guitarist Archie Cruz of the Finnish rock band, Santa Cruz. This is one band that we have been listening to for a few years now. They are from Helsinki, Finland and have a sound that will take you right back to the Sunset Strip circa ‘1980s with the exception that the music is even more adrenaline filled and fuckin rocks hard!!! We spoke to Archie to talk about their recent announcement that they will be making their US debut at The Webster Hall in New York City on December 12th. We needed to find out more about this trip and hopefully beg for news of any California dates!!! Well, check out our chat below and see what is new and exciting with Santa Cruz:
One thing is for sure, whether you are reliving your love of ’80s rock or are of today’s youth and are looking for some REAL ROCK n ROLL, Santa Cruz is the answer for all your listening pleasure. They are pure ear porn with no guilt! Their songs have epic guitar solos, shredding fierce riffs, amazing liquidy bass, fast heart-beating drums, and vocals that will strip you clean of your clothes in no time. So get ready for a good time, and enjoy Santa Cruz.
You can visit their social media sites for their latest news. Also, be sure to stay tuned for another interview update in the coming weeks. If you have any questions for Santa Cruz, you can send them to media@musicjunkiepress.com and we just may feature them in our next interview!
This week we had a very special update, we chatted via Skype with vocalist/guitarist Archie Cruz of the Finnish rock band, Santa Cruz. This is one band that we have been listening to for a few years now. They are from Helsinki, Finland and have a sound that will take you right back to the Sunset Strip circa ‘1980s with the exception that the music is even more adrenaline filled and fuckin rocks hard!!! We spoke to Archie to talk about their recent announcement that they will be making their US debut at The Webster Hall in New York City on December 12th. We needed to find out more about this trip and hopefully beg for news of any California dates!!! Well, check out our chat below and see what is new and exciting with Santa Cruz:
Make sure tomorrow you check out the release of their new music video for Wasted n Wounded, the new single will be released also a 7″ vinyl. Here is a little teaser for you to get you ready!
One thing is for sure, whether you are reliving your love of ’80s rock or are of today’s youth and are looking for some REAL ROCK n ROLL, Santa Cruz is the answer for all your listening pleasure. They are pure ear porn with no guilt! Their songs have epic guitar solos, shredding fierce riffs, amazing liquidy bass, fast heart-beating drums, and vocals that will strip you clean of your clothes in no time. So get ready for a good time, and enjoy Santa Cruz.
You can visit their social media sites for their latest news. Also, be sure to stay tuned for another interview update in the coming weeks. If you have any questions for Santa Cruz, you can send them to media@musicjunkiepress.com and we just may feature them in our next interview! I will leave you with the upcoming tour dates of Santa Cruz.
The new album World On Fire from Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators is out now! This is one album that I was waiting for and it definitely exceeded all my expectations. The album features a complete 17 songs that do not disappoint, each one ready to rock your world. You can’t help but rock out to the signature crunchy riffs of Slash, the most powerful vocals of Myles and songs that will take you on a rockin ride.
The album truly has a more cohesive band element and not a feature alone of Slash. It is truly a full body of work that will capture your attention from start to finish. The first single World On Fire garnered a lot of great attention since it’s first release, and the rest of the album followed suit and did not falter in any way. Some of my faves so far are 30 Years to Life, Stone Blind, Dirty Girl, Too Far Gone, and Avalon. It is also so hard to choose because it is such a complete body of work that contains a vast array of songs to choose from. When Slash puts out his albums, he treats his listener to a FULL album, not just 10 or 11 songs, he brings the full buffet of rockin songs!
SiriusXM is hosting “SLASH Week,” the week-long special on SiriusXM’s Octane channel celebrating the release of WORLD ON FIRE. SLASH and his band performed a private show last night (Sept 15) at Santos Party House in New York City. The concert is available on SiriusXM On Demand via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices or online at Siriusxm.com. “SLASH Week” also features SLASH hosting a live special from the SiriusXM studios–with special co-host MYLES KENNEDY, lead singer of SLASH’s band The Conspirators. Every hour today (Sept 16) Sirius Octane will debut tracks from his new album WORLD ON FIRE. On Friday, September 19 at 6:00 pm ET, SLASH will guest host on Ozzy Osbourne’s SiriusXM channel “Ozzy’s Boneyard.” SLASH will spin tunes from his storied rock career and tell the stories behind the songs. Hear SLASH with Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, and tracks from his new album WORLD ON FIRE all weekend long.
Beginning Tuesday, September 23, SLASH will celebrate the release of WORLD ON FIRE by returning to the iconic guitarist’s stomping grounds with a series of three very special sold-out club shows: September 23 (The Troubadour) and then, moving up the hill to the world-famous Sunset Strip, September 25 (The Roxy) and September 26 (The Whisky A Go Go).
We were lucky enough to catch Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators when they performed a last minute show at The Fillmore due to Aerosmith having to cancel their Concord show for health reasons. It was amazing to imagine that the concert was only five hours in the planning and it went off without a hitch. The crowd included many fans who were supposed to be at the Concord show and raced over once they heard the official announcement as well as fans who were not able to afford the Concord show or get good tickets. They were then treated to a night full of stellar rock n roll that included a set that lasted well over 2 hours. Check out a slideshow of photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Make sure to head over to iTunes and pick up your copy of World on Fire, it is pure aural porn and will have you in a dizzying rock n roll spell. Visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news. I will leave you with a video of Slash and Myles performing an acoustic version of Bent to Fly at Planet Rock Live Sessions.
Smashing Satellites is the new music project by Salvatore Costa, whom you may know as the bad ass guitarist from My Darkest Days. After leaving MDD Sal was ready to dive into his own music and follow his dreams. What blossomed from that departure is the welcoming fresh new sound of Smashing Satellites. They have a ’80’s retro vibe but with a modern flair. Once you take a listen, you will get hooked. Sal’s vocals are compelling and inviting and places him exactly where he belongs, front and center!
The vision Sal had with the creation of Smashing Satellites can be described with their bio:
During a period in time where technology has taken over the world, ‘Smashing Satellites’ is a movement; a movement to bring people back to humanity. We have never been closer yet so far apart from one another. We have become a slave to the machine and a prisoner to all – as if a set of metal bars stands between each and every one of us. There for all to see, a barrier to divide. If I had a picture of humanity today, it would be that of billions of people standing on the edge of the world while giant satellites cast a shadow over all of us. However, if I could paint a picture of my ideal world, it would be that of billions of people standing on the edge of the world, standing on each other’s shoulders, tearing down the machines… smashing satellites.
They have recently released their official music video for Hounds and you can check it out here:
Hounds is off the new EP (A-Side) SonicAluzion and is set for a release date of September 30th. You can pre-order the EP by heading over to iTunes here or on Amazon here. Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.
Yesterday we received word that the Aerosmith/SLASH concert at Concord Pavilion was cancelled due to illness of drummer Joey Kramer. No more than a couple hours after, we received word that SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have confirmed a show for the same night at The Fillmore San Francisco. Slash made sure to LET ROCK RULE as they quickly put together a show that would takeover San Francisco!
The line circled around the block as die hard fans were glad to be there for the just announced concert. It was amazing to imagine that the concert was only five hours in the planning and it went off without a hitch. The crowd included many fans who were supposed to be at the Concord show and raced over once they heard the official announcement as well as fans who were not able to afford the Concord show or get good tickets. They were then treated to a night full of stellar rock n roll that included a set that lasted well over 2 hours.
I have seen Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators about five times and each time, they seem to outdo themselves. They are such a solid band that delivers pure epic sound that surpasses studio quality. Myles’ vocals are superb as they deliver emotion and power through each note. I have often said that man could sing the menu at Starbucks and sound amazing! He truly excels at his art. Frank was a madman on rhythm guitar and yet he makes it look so easy. Brent on drums, once again delighted us with his precision and solid drumming. Todd is a bad ass bassist and highlights his magnetic personality with his charismatic stage presence. Last, but never the least is Slash who performed at a 150%, bleeding the passion and energy into his playing. He is just jaw dropping to watch, when he solos – you listen! You are just held captive by his prowess and his impeccable playing. It was one amazing set.
Set List:
You’re a Lie
Nightrain
Halo
Standing in the Sun
Back from Cali
Stone Blind
You Could Be Mine
Doctor Alibi
You’re Crazy
Not for Me
30 Years to Life
Rocket Queen
No More Heroes
Starlight
World on Fire
Anastasia
By the Sword
Sweet Child O’ Mine
Slither
Paradise City
Check out a slideshow of photos by our Rockin Ryan of the set last night:
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their upcoming shows. This is one concert you don’t want to miss.
SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have had amazing success with their last album and it is on my daily playlist. One of my favorite albums. Well, they are set to release their second album, “World On Fire” on September 16th on their own label Dik Hayd International and distributed through Caroline. The title track has just been released, available on iTunes and you can check out their newly released lyric video for it
Check out the song titles to be featured on the new album:
“World on Fire”
“Shadow Life”
“Automatic Overdrive”
“Wicked Stone”
“30 Years to Life”
“Bent to Fly”
“Stone Blind”
“Too Far Gone”
“Beneath the Savage Sun”
“Withered Delilah”
“Battleground”
“Dirty Girl”
“Iris of the Storm”
“Avalon”
“The Dissident”
“Safari Inn”
“The Unholy”
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
They will be heading out this summer on tour with Aerosmith for the “Let Rock Rule” tour and have even included a couple headlining shows throughout the tour. If you have never seen SLASH perform, do yourself a favor and get yourself to a show. They put on one of the best live shows that you wish would never end! Check out the tour dates below:
*
Wed
9-Jul
Hampton Beach, NH
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Thu
10-Jul
Wantagh, NY
Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre
Fri
11-Jul
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Ottawa Bluesfest (non-headlining)
Sun
13-Jul
Kitchener, ON, Canada
McLennan Park
Wed
16-Jul
Mansfield, MA
Xfinity Center
*
Sun
20-Jul
Northfield, OH
Hard Rock Live
Tue
22-Jul
Cincinnati, OH
Riverbend Music Center
Fri
25-Jul
Tinley Park, IL
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
*
Sat
26-Jul
N. Kansas City, MO
Harrah’s N. Kansas City – Voodoo Lounge
Wed
30-Jul
Inglewood, CA
The Forum
*
Fri
1-Aug
Scottsdale, AZ
Talking Stick Resort & Casino – Ballroom
Sat
2-Aug
Las Vegas, NV
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Fri
8-Aug
Stateline, NV
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena At Harvey’s
Wed
13-Aug
Concord, CA
Sleep Train Pavilion
*
Fri
15-Aug
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Hard Rock Casino – Vancouver
Sat
16-Aug
George, WA
The Gorge Amphitheatre
Tue
19-Aug
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Fri
22-Aug
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Mon
25-Aug
The Woodlands, TX
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Thu
28-Aug
Atlanta, GA
Phillips Arena
*
Fri
29-Aug
Hollywood, FL
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sun
31-Aug
Atlantic City, NJ
Boardwalk Hall
Wed
3-Sep
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Sat
6-Sep
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live
Tue
9-Sep
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Fri
12-Sep
Sydney, NS, Canada
Open Hearth Park
* Indicates Headlining Shows.
So mark your calendars for September 16th for the album release and make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news.
SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have had amazing success with their last album and it is on my daily playlist. One of my favorite albums. Well, they are set to release their second album, “World On Fire” on September 16th on their own label Dik Hayd International and distributed through Caroline. The title track has just been released, available on iTunes and you can check it out here:
Check out the song titles to be featured on the new album:
“World on Fire”
“Shadow Life”
“Automatic Overdrive”
“Wicked Stone”
“30 Years to Life”
“Bent to Fly”
“Stone Blind”
“Too Far Gone”
“Beneath the Savage Sun”
“Withered Delilah”
“Battleground”
“Dirty Girl”
“Iris of the Storm”
“Avalon”
“The Dissident”
“Safari Inn”
“The Unholy”
SLASH and MYLES KENNEDY talk about the album and the forthcoming tour dates in this Q&A:
WORLD ON FIREmarks your second album with your band MYLES KENNEDY (vocals), BRENT FITZ (drums) and TODD KERNS (bass). How do you feel the dynamic between the four of you has evolved?
SLASH: We had a natural chemistry from the very beginning. The longer we have been together the more it has blossomed. And because of all the touring and the different situations we have been thrown into as a band and as players, we have all subconsciously learned from that. It shows up when we’re writing and when we’re recording. It’s sort of an unsaid thing, but I can sense it. It’s a natural evolution for a bunch of musicians in a band together.
MYLES: Over the last four years we have definitely evolved into a band. Utilizing Todd’s vocal prowess and Brent’s ability as a multi-instrumentalist definitely highlights what the Conspirators are capable of. I feel like it adds to what Slash and I do as songwriters. Not to mention they are both a big part of the arrangement process. Todd even brought in a cool progression that we used for the verses in “Shadow Life” and he added an great intro to “The Dissident” which is really fun.
What are the biggest differences between the last album Apocalyptic Love and the new album WORLD ON FIRE?
SLASH: The biggest difference is that the band has also has naturally evolved with so much touring and all of these different things. There’s a difference in musicianship that shows on this record and the songwriting skills especially.
The other difference is the fact that we recorded both albums live, but we kept the first one (Apocalyptic Love) just live. That was it. There was no over-dubs or layering or any kind of studio techniques. With WORLD ON FIRE I wanted to do guitar harmonies and double up parts and just create sounds. It’s a little more produced record in that sense.
MYLES: We didn’t spend as much time fine-tuning arrangements as a unit during the Apocalyptic sessions. I think that’s part of the reason this record sounds as cohesive as it does. Slash spent a lot of time with Todd and Brent working on arrangements while I was on tour with Alter Bridge late last year. When I got off the road, I met up with them in LA so they could get a feel for how the songs felt with vocals.
Another difference is that Slash played all the guitars on WORLD ON FIRE. During the Apocalyptic sessions I sang and played guitar which was fun, but it definitely cut into the amount of time I had to focus on lyrics, etc. Not playing guitar on WORLD ON FIRE gave me additional time to fine-tune lyrics and melodies which improved the songs in the end. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
For WORLD ON FIRE you teamed up with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Alter Bridge, Falling In Reverse, Incubus). What do you feel he brought to the table?
SLASH: Elvis is very conscious about guitar and guitar tones as well as drums, bass and vocals. For me, it is important to work with somebody who is very dialed-into guitar sounds. In this particular day and age it’s a rarity to find someone who really understands guitar sounds. Elvis is an extremely hard-worker. I consider myself a hard worker as well as Myles. He was somebody that, over the course of making the record, gave me an even more of an extra push in some moments. So he brought out the best in me as well as Myles and the drums and everything. He was a pleasure to work with.
MYLES: Elvis is brilliant. It’s the fifth record I have had the pleasure of recording with him. His ability to get the best out of a rock band is pretty special. He always seems to be aware of what the fans want to hear from an artist. He did a great job documenting Slash’s tone and sound. I remember the first time I heard the solo for “Battleground”–I was blown away. Elvis captured the sonic hallmarks that made Slash’s playing resonate with me 25 years ago.
Elvis is hands-on with every element of the recording process. From the arrangements to the final mix, he is relentless at making sure that the record is everything it should be and more.
Did you guys experiment with any new sounds with the production?
SLASH: Yes and no. The whole record sounds new compared to the last album. Yes we did do a lot of tonal and EQ and guitars. I can’t say we were looking to break ground with new technology, because we did this to tape. But from a tonal and equalization point of view, we definitely broke a lot of new ground.
MYLES: That would be a question for Elvis or Slash. I can definitely hear some new approaches that I haven’t heard on the last two records.
What makes “World on Fire” the perfect single choice?
SLASH: I think there’s a lot of singles on the record, but it’s a good kick-off song. It’s up-tempo, aggressive, it’s a fun song. I love the whole world on fire, larger-than-life kind of vibe that the title and lyrics have.
MYLES: It’s got a certain intensity and drive that made it a compelling choice for the lead-off track.
In what ways are we all suffering from a World on Fire?
SLASH: To be literal about it, we have the global warming thing. But that’s not the catalyst for the title. “World on Fire” is more of a tongue-in-cheek, positive, fun thing– it has a lot of sexual connotations in the actual song itself. It’s a euphemism for going a little bit crazy and pulling out all the stops.
MYLES: “World On Fire” isn’t necessarily a profound statement about where we are as a planet. It’s about living life to the fullest….carpe diem. Some might perceive the track as carnal in nature, but the idea of seizing the moment and doing what makes you happy is the overall theme. Then again, it’s not up to me to dictate what a song will mean to everyone. All I can do is tell you what was going through my head as the lyrics were being written.
What are a couple of other songs that you feel are highlights for you right now?
SLASH: When doing a record I hate to identify with any one particular song or two particular songs. It’s not like the record is written with one great song and the rest are filler. They all mean as much as the others. There are a few songs that are very different than what we did on the last record. There’s a song called “The Unholy” which was influenced by my work in film. There’s another song called “Thirty Years to Life” which is a little bit of a departure. There’s another song that sticks out in my mind called “The Dissident” that’s a little bit unpredictable compared to stuff that people would expect from us.
You’re touring with Aerosmith this summer for the “Let Rock Rule” tour. It feels like true rock is needed more than ever in a very pop-driven landscape. How do you guys feel about this?
SLASH: I am a Rock n’ Roll guy. The music business has become a pop-oriented sort of thing and all of the different music genres have become pop. I love the fact that I am doing Rock n’ Roll and have always done the same thing from a very heartfelt place. Aerosmith has represented that to me ever since I was kid. The two of us going out there and doing this big tour and holding that banner and doing it as sincerely as it can be done is something that I can be proud of.
MYLES: Though rock is not the force that it once was in America, it still has a loyal fan base that always seems to continue regardless of what popular culture deems as the “cool thing.” It’s great because you go to a rock show and you know folks aren’t there because they are following trends, they aren’t fair weather fans, they’re following their heart and listening to music that they love. People have been saying rock is dead for years but the reality is that it just falls out of favor with pop culture from time to time. The rock fans are still out there and that’s why a tour like this is so important.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
They will be heading out this summer on tour with Aerosmith for the “Let Rock Rule” tour and have even included a couple headlining shows throughout the tour. If you have never seen SLASH perform, do yourself a favor and get yourself to a show. They put on one of the best live shows that you wish would never end! Check out the tour dates below:
*
Wed
9-Jul
Hampton Beach, NH
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Thu
10-Jul
Wantagh, NY
Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre
Fri
11-Jul
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Ottawa Bluesfest (non-headlining)
Sun
13-Jul
Kitchener, ON, Canada
McLennan Park
Wed
16-Jul
Mansfield, MA
Xfinity Center
*
Sun
20-Jul
Northfield, OH
Hard Rock Live
Tue
22-Jul
Cincinnati, OH
Riverbend Music Center
Fri
25-Jul
Tinley Park, IL
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
*
Sat
26-Jul
N. Kansas City, MO
Harrah’s N. Kansas City – Voodoo Lounge
Wed
30-Jul
Inglewood, CA
The Forum
*
Fri
1-Aug
Scottsdale, AZ
Talking Stick Resort & Casino – Ballroom
Sat
2-Aug
Las Vegas, NV
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Fri
8-Aug
Stateline, NV
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena At Harvey’s
Wed
13-Aug
Concord, CA
Sleep Train Pavilion
*
Fri
15-Aug
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Hard Rock Casino – Vancouver
Sat
16-Aug
George, WA
The Gorge Amphitheatre
Tue
19-Aug
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Fri
22-Aug
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Mon
25-Aug
The Woodlands, TX
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Thu
28-Aug
Atlanta, GA
Phillips Arena
*
Fri
29-Aug
Hollywood, FL
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sun
31-Aug
Atlantic City, NJ
Boardwalk Hall
Wed
3-Sep
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Sat
6-Sep
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live
Tue
9-Sep
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Fri
12-Sep
Sydney, NS, Canada
Open Hearth Park
* Indicates Headlining Shows.
So mark your calendars for September 16th for the album release and make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news.
SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have had amazing success with their last album and it is on my daily playlist. One of my favorite albums. Well, they are set to release their second album, “World On Fire” on September 16th on their own label Dik Hayd International and distributed through Caroline. The title track is set for a radio release in just a couple weeks on June 13th. The cover art for the album was designed by Ron English. Check it out here:
Check out the song titles to be featured on the new album:
“World on Fire”
“Shadow Life”
“Automatic Overdrive”
“Wicked Stone”
“30 Years to Life”
“Bent to Fly”
“Stone Blind”
“Too Far Gone”
“Beneath the Savage Sun”
“Withered Delilah”
“Battleground”
“Dirty Girl”
“Iris of the Storm”
“Avalon”
“The Dissident”
“Safari Inn”
“The Unholy”
SLASH and MYLES KENNEDY talk about the album and the forthcoming tour dates in this Q&A:
WORLD ON FIREmarks your second album with your band MYLES KENNEDY (vocals), BRENT FITZ (drums) and TODD KERNS (bass). How do you feel the dynamic between the four of you has evolved?
SLASH: We had a natural chemistry from the very beginning. The longer we have been together the more it has blossomed. And because of all the touring and the different situations we have been thrown into as a band and as players, we have all subconsciously learned from that. It shows up when we’re writing and when we’re recording. It’s sort of an unsaid thing, but I can sense it. It’s a natural evolution for a bunch of musicians in a band together.
MYLES: Over the last four years we have definitely evolved into a band. Utilizing Todd’s vocal prowess and Brent’s ability as a multi-instrumentalist definitely highlights what the Conspirators are capable of. I feel like it adds to what Slash and I do as songwriters. Not to mention they are both a big part of the arrangement process. Todd even brought in a cool progression that we used for the verses in “Shadow Life” and he added an great intro to “The Dissident” which is really fun.
What are the biggest differences between the last album Apocalyptic Love and the new album WORLD ON FIRE?
SLASH: The biggest difference is that the band has also has naturally evolved with so much touring and all of these different things. There’s a difference in musicianship that shows on this record and the songwriting skills especially.
The other difference is the fact that we recorded both albums live, but we kept the first one (Apocalyptic Love) just live. That was it. There was no over-dubs or layering or any kind of studio techniques. With WORLD ON FIRE I wanted to do guitar harmonies and double up parts and just create sounds. It’s a little more produced record in that sense.
MYLES: We didn’t spend as much time fine-tuning arrangements as a unit during the Apocalyptic sessions. I think that’s part of the reason this record sounds as cohesive as it does. Slash spent a lot of time with Todd and Brent working on arrangements while I was on tour with Alter Bridge late last year. When I got off the road, I met up with them in LA so they could get a feel for how the songs felt with vocals.
Another difference is that Slash played all the guitars on WORLD ON FIRE. During the Apocalyptic sessions I sang and played guitar which was fun, but it definitely cut into the amount of time I had to focus on lyrics, etc. Not playing guitar on WORLD ON FIRE gave me additional time to fine-tune lyrics and melodies which improved the songs in the end. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
For WORLD ON FIRE you teamed up with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Alter Bridge, Falling In Reverse, Incubus). What do you feel he brought to the table?
SLASH: Elvis is very conscious about guitar and guitar tones as well as drums, bass and vocals. For me, it is important to work with somebody who is very dialed-into guitar sounds. In this particular day and age it’s a rarity to find someone who really understands guitar sounds. Elvis is an extremely hard-worker. I consider myself a hard worker as well as Myles. He was somebody that, over the course of making the record, gave me an even more of an extra push in some moments. So he brought out the best in me as well as Myles and the drums and everything. He was a pleasure to work with.
MYLES: Elvis is brilliant. It’s the fifth record I have had the pleasure of recording with him. His ability to get the best out of a rock band is pretty special. He always seems to be aware of what the fans want to hear from an artist. He did a great job documenting Slash’s tone and sound. I remember the first time I heard the solo for “Battleground”–I was blown away. Elvis captured the sonic hallmarks that made Slash’s playing resonate with me 25 years ago.
Elvis is hands-on with every element of the recording process. From the arrangements to the final mix, he is relentless at making sure that the record is everything it should be and more.
Did you guys experiment with any new sounds with the production?
SLASH: Yes and no. The whole record sounds new compared to the last album. Yes we did do a lot of tonal and EQ and guitars. I can’t say we were looking to break ground with new technology, because we did this to tape. But from a tonal and equalization point of view, we definitely broke a lot of new ground.
MYLES: That would be a question for Elvis or Slash. I can definitely hear some new approaches that I haven’t heard on the last two records.
What makes “World on Fire” the perfect single choice?
SLASH: I think there’s a lot of singles on the record, but it’s a good kick-off song. It’s up-tempo, aggressive, it’s a fun song. I love the whole world on fire, larger-than-life kind of vibe that the title and lyrics have.
MYLES: It’s got a certain intensity and drive that made it a compelling choice for the lead-off track.
In what ways are we all suffering from a World on Fire?
SLASH: To be literal about it, we have the global warming thing. But that’s not the catalyst for the title. “World on Fire” is more of a tongue-in-cheek, positive, fun thing– it has a lot of sexual connotations in the actual song itself. It’s a euphemism for going a little bit crazy and pulling out all the stops.
MYLES: “World On Fire” isn’t necessarily a profound statement about where we are as a planet. It’s about living life to the fullest….carpe diem. Some might perceive the track as carnal in nature, but the idea of seizing the moment and doing what makes you happy is the overall theme. Then again, it’s not up to me to dictate what a song will mean to everyone. All I can do is tell you what was going through my head as the lyrics were being written.
What are a couple of other songs that you feel are highlights for you right now?
SLASH: When doing a record I hate to identify with any one particular song or two particular songs. It’s not like the record is written with one great song and the rest are filler. They all mean as much as the others. There are a few songs that are very different than what we did on the last record. There’s a song called “The Unholy” which was influenced by my work in film. There’s another song called “Thirty Years to Life” which is a little bit of a departure. There’s another song that sticks out in my mind called “The Dissident” that’s a little bit unpredictable compared to stuff that people would expect from us.
You’re touring with Aerosmith this summer for the “Let Rock Rule” tour. It feels like true rock is needed more than ever in a very pop-driven landscape. How do you guys feel about this?
SLASH: I am a Rock n’ Roll guy. The music business has become a pop-oriented sort of thing and all of the different music genres have become pop. I love the fact that I am doing Rock n’ Roll and have always done the same thing from a very heartfelt place. Aerosmith has represented that to me ever since I was kid. The two of us going out there and doing this big tour and holding that banner and doing it as sincerely as it can be done is something that I can be proud of.
MYLES: Though rock is not the force that it once was in America, it still has a loyal fan base that always seems to continue regardless of what popular culture deems as the “cool thing.” It’s great because you go to a rock show and you know folks aren’t there because they are following trends, they aren’t fair weather fans, they’re following their heart and listening to music that they love. People have been saying rock is dead for years but the reality is that it just falls out of favor with pop culture from time to time. The rock fans are still out there and that’s why a tour like this is so important.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
They will be heading out this summer on tour with Aerosmith for the “Let Rock Rule” tour and have even included a couple headlining shows throughout the tour. If you have never seen SLASH perform, do yourself a favor and get yourself to a show. They put on one of the best live shows that you wish would never end! Check out the tour dates below:
*
Wed
9-Jul
Hampton Beach, NH
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Thu
10-Jul
Wantagh, NY
Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre
Fri
11-Jul
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Ottawa Bluesfest (non-headlining)
Sun
13-Jul
Kitchener, ON, Canada
McLennan Park
Wed
16-Jul
Mansfield, MA
Xfinity Center
*
Sun
20-Jul
Northfield, OH
Hard Rock Live
Tue
22-Jul
Cincinnati, OH
Riverbend Music Center
Fri
25-Jul
Tinley Park, IL
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
*
Sat
26-Jul
N. Kansas City, MO
Harrah’s N. Kansas City – Voodoo Lounge
Wed
30-Jul
Inglewood, CA
The Forum
*
Fri
1-Aug
Scottsdale, AZ
Talking Stick Resort & Casino – Ballroom
Sat
2-Aug
Las Vegas, NV
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Fri
8-Aug
Stateline, NV
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena At Harvey’s
Wed
13-Aug
Concord, CA
Sleep Train Pavilion
*
Fri
15-Aug
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Hard Rock Casino – Vancouver
Sat
16-Aug
George, WA
The Gorge Amphitheatre
Tue
19-Aug
Denver, CO
Pepsi Center
Fri
22-Aug
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center
Mon
25-Aug
The Woodlands, TX
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Thu
28-Aug
Atlanta, GA
Phillips Arena
*
Fri
29-Aug
Hollywood, FL
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sun
31-Aug
Atlantic City, NJ
Boardwalk Hall
Wed
3-Sep
Newark, NJ
Prudential Center
Sat
6-Sep
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live
Tue
9-Sep
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Fri
12-Sep
Sydney, NS, Canada
Open Hearth Park
* Indicates Headlining Shows.
So mark your calendars for September 16th for the album release and make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their latest news.
Our favorite local band, Faith and Bullets tore up the stage as they made their Sunset Strip debut at The Whisky a GoGo this past Friday night. We were there for the show and wouldn’t have missed it. We first featured Faith and Bullets on our Thirsty Thursdays a feature about bands who are thirsty for ROCK and the power to make it happen! This band is definitely dedicated and one of the hardest working band out here in the area. All that hard work has paid off for them as they made down to their first of what I am sure to be, shows in Hollywood. Here is our interview with Faith and Bullets from the Whisky a Go Go:
Faith and Bullets have a sound that blends old 80′s rock like Motley Crue, Kiss, Poison, and Dokken with what I call “80′s on replay rock” like Crashdiet, Black Veil Brides, and Reckless Love. You have Stevie Mayhem on vocals who not only delivers incredible 80’s inspired vocals but has an amazing stage presence as well. Rikk Alexander on lead guitar is fierce on his Ibanez guitar and and smokes away the solos! Across the stage you have Cody Sparkz wielding his guitar in the air as he plays rhythm. You are then treated to the infectious bass groove that Abel Lynch delivers. Wrapping it all up and completing the perfect sound is Ryan McKinley on drums as he smiles away with his precision drumming. These five young guys gave the crowd at the Whisky what they have been searching for….. Straight up Rock n Roll from start to finish. These guys not only have the talent but also the rock and roll look and to top it all off, they each have charismatic personalities. Definitely the whole package!
They engaged the crowd as they played their original songs and a few covers. It was awesome to see not only the crowd but the staff and crew rockin out as well. They started off their set with the perfect song, Darker Side of Me. It has a suspenseful build-up intro that is perfect as Stevie stepped out of the shadows on the stairs into the spotlight at The Whisky. The song is an energetic and intense rock song! They also did a great job playing Motley Crue’s Looks That Kill and then had everyone singing along to Poison’s Talk Dirty to Me. They performed two new songs in their set, Can’t Stop Me Now and Revolution.Can’t Stop Me Now is a true rock and roll anthem and after talking with the band, their pursuit of rock and roll is the inspiration behind the track. They also performed another great track, Better Off Alone. Revolution is a song to call all rock and rollers to join the cause and keep Rock Alive!! With a band like Faith and Bullets, there is no shortage of great rock music. Check out the slideshow of Rockin Ryan’s photos from the night here:
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This is definitely a band that you are going to be hearing a lot more from. We will be bringing you another interview from The Whisky as well as videos so stay tuned! They are also working on many more shows for the Summer so get ready to ROCK with Faith and Bullets. For all of our Faith and Bullets coverage including videos, photos, interviews and more visit http://wp.me/p2bPEi-4xo.
The first time we featured them, was on our Thirsty Thursdays a feature about bands who are thirsty for ROCK and the power to make it happen! This band is definitely dedicated and one of the hardest working band out here in the area. Well, all that hard work has paid off and they just made their debut on the Sunset Strip at the legendary Whisky a-Go-Go on May 2nd. They were incredible! Want to know what they are like? They have a sound that blends old 80′s rock like Motley Crue, Kiss, Poison, and Dokken with what I call “80′s on replay rock” like Crashdiet, Black Veil Brides, and Reckless Love.
Featured Item – Interview with Faith and Bullets at the Whisky a Go Go.
Music Junkie Press 