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SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators
“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.”
One of the best shows I seen this year. Slash, Myles, Todd and the gang were on fire, the crowd was nuts! They played some tracks from the new album and went deep with some VR and Guns tunes that rounded out the show.
really nothing more to say then it was Amazing. Slash is a unreal talent and one of the best guitar players EVER! Myles Kennedy was the perfect fit for him and his band was solid.
I was a huge Gun 'N Roses fan back in the day and of course loved Slash... But i must say i probably would not have gone to see this show if not for my Girlfriend wanting to go. I am glad i decided to go. Slash rocked the Burty.. Wailing solos's, instrumentals and of course the Guns' staples you would want to hear him play. It was great to see him in his element again, playing his stuff. Axl should be worried, the singer Slash has can pull of a decent rendition of most songs..
excellent venue and bands. been waiting for this show for two months and it was awesome.
The best show I've seen in ages. I hope they come back.
Great small venue (Burton Cummings Theatre) for a big rock show. The show hit all the bases - GNR, Velvet Revolver, Slash's solo stuff! Kudos to the band and particularly Myles Kennedy for pulling it off. Slash's playing was excellent and he appeared to thoroughly enjoy himself. I'd go see it again in a second.
Slash's playing with Myles Kennedy voice playing both the new solo album, covers and old Guns and Roses songs was amazing to see live. So much combined talent playing incredibly well together. Every song was pure gold and they could barely play louder then the cheering crowd. The concert itself was a no frills/gimmick stage setup. No light show, no fog, no costumes or antics. Just a solid execution of their talent into the stage presence and playing.
We had a great time. A do not miss event. So glad I went.
The show rocked from start to finish the whole band performed brilliantly, and one of the best guitar solo I have ever seen.
I drank so much before i went to the concert and i was feeling so sick till Slash and Myles Kennedy came out! I wasn't sick anymore i was totally fine. You can say they were my medicine. Slash was Amazing on guitar. My friend was in shock the entire concert because he idolizes Slash.
It was a great concert with excellent vocals and lead guitar. Slash and guests was better than the gnr concert(only axl).
Enjoyed the concert so much! Except for the fact that there were alot of drunks seated behind us. Would've been better if it was held in the MTS Center.
Slash and his band were incredible. Great lead vocalist, far better than Axel Rose. Bad City left a lot to be desired. Former Walker Theatre is impressive. Seating was great. But sound was very distorted, but what can you expect when your pumping out hard rock in a 100+ year old theatre designed for vaudeville.
Slash and his backing band took the stage at 9 o'clock sharp, his silhouette instantly recognizable walking past the drum riser in the dark wearing his trademark top hat. He took his place on the right of the stage in front of the mass of Marshal stacks and as the lights came up and the first notes of "Ghost" rang out the crowd erupted. The next 2 hours we were treated to a G n' R, Velvet Revolver, and Snake pit collection of greatest hits. "Night Train" and "Civil War" were the crowds first taste of what we were all there to hear...the classics. A 10 minute guitar solo which ended with the theme song from the "God Father" provided any real Gun's fan a trip back in time to Guns in their bloated prime at the Tokyo Dome before it all fell apart. The highlight of the night followed as Slash, it a sweat soaked black tank top, mirrored aviator shades, top hat and leather pants, stood alone on stage with just a spot light on him. His left hand slid to the lower frets of his Les Paul and the intro started to the theme song of many of the crowds youth...."Sweet child o' mine", a wall of sound washed over the crowd and hit full force as the rest of the band kicked in and it was on. Myles Kennedy was awesome on vocals coming across as a likable guy who was very appreciative of this opportunity and the reaction from the crowd on that night. After the encore the show ended with "Paradise City". Throughout the night it didn't seem like a note, or an opportunity for a sing-a-long, was missed.....one amazing night at the Burton Cumming's Theater.
All I can say is that the show was unbelievable, and for only being a mild fan of Myles Kennedy's voice he impressed the hell out of me. Extremely cool and an amazing live singer/performer. The band was tight and very high energy and Slash blew me away. Being a fan of all of his work it was amazing to see him up close and personal.
Slash at the kool haus was by far the best live show I have ever seen. The venue was so small and intimate. Slash was amazing, there were lots of songs from Guns and roses perfomed, such as sweet child o mine, night train, paradise city. Also songs from Velvet Revolver such as falling to peices and some others. The band Slash but together for this tour are amazing as well!! lead singer Myles Kennedy Nailed the vocals for all the guns and roses songs, He is an amazing performer, and often times my attention was on him as much as Slash. This is a show I would pay to see again forsure! They were onstage for over 2 hours.. they said they could of played to the crowd all night if it was possible.. THe crowd was amazing as well, everyone in the same mind frame. Bottom line, This is a show you get every dollars worth for and you leave feeling very fulfilled musically.
The show was fabulous!!! Slash ROCKED!!! As I knew he would. Myles Kennedy was fantastic! Enjoyed every minute!
Absolutely fantastic show, Myles Kennedy was ripping the lyrics like a wild beast on pickled beats. Slash is AMAZING.... great set list, incredible guitar , and new cd is freaking awesome.....good job boys
Played everything you want to hear. He did a lot of soloing. He rocked. Played a few suprises. Some hendrix, zeppelin, guitar behind his back.
Who needs GNR or Velvet Revolver? Slash doesn't. He completely rocks all on his own! The Kool Haus was jam packed (most crowded I've ever seen there) with young and old fans as well as other musicians like Lips and Glenn from Anvil. Myles Kennedy on vocals who did an incredible job making every song sound like his own, from Sweet Child O Mine to Fall to Pieces and everything in between. And Slash seemed the most relaxed I ever seen - and I've seen him quite a few times now - jumping around on stage, laying across the speakers and obviously just having a great time. Sooooooo glad I passed up Kiss (who were also playing that night at the Molson Amp) for this show. No comparision. Kiss is without a doubt fun to watch but Slash was absolutely fantastic!
