Slash is one of hard rock’s guitar heroes. He’s still got the blues

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As someone who has spent decades in the music industry and witnessed the ebb and flow of trends, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of appreciation for the power of blues music and its ability to bring people together during times of division and uncertainty. Slash’s new blues festival is a testament to this timeless art form and its capacity to heal and inspire.

As a supporter, I’d put it this way in the first person: If I had reached the peak of success as a rock ‘n’ roll guitar icon for over three decades, I’d take a refreshing break by teaming up with some dear friends for a couple of weeks. We’d work on putting together a blues covers album. And to make it even more exciting, I’d invite some legendary vocalists from the past 60 years to lend their voices to our project.

Last year, during a brief break from tours, I came up with the idea for “Orgy of the Damned.” This album is special to me because it includes 11 classic blues covers, each sung by a different talented vocalist. Additionally, there’s an original instrumental closer. Compared to my solo debut, this project boasts an impressive lineup of stars. I was fortunate enough to collaborate with rock legends like Billy Gibbons, Iggy Pop, Brian Johnson, and Steven Tyler, as well as contemporary music sensations such as Gary Clark Jr. and Chris Stapleton. The songs on “Orgy of the Damned” were penned by artists like T-Bone Walker, Stevie Wonder, and Howlin’ Wolf. Despite being an impromptu jam session, this album boasts a roster of names that rivals many major albums with extensive planning behind them.

Slash shares, “For years, the notion of creating this album had been simmering in my mind. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming desire to bring it to life right away. So, I rented a small rehearsal space in North Hollywood for two weeks and squeezed in a week for recording before I had to leave again. We selected the tunes I had marked for this project and started playing them together. It was incredibly freeing for me to play some raw blues numbers without overthinking it – it was purely enjoyable.”

Slash previously led a “drunken cover band” in the late ’90s called Slash’s Blues Ball.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Slash, renowned for his rock career spanning decades with bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, and The Conspirators, has a rich history in blues music that predates his drunken cover band, Slash’s Blues Ball, from the late ’90s. His inspiration for blues music, which he still finds exhilarating today, is traced back to his early influences. The current blues revival, spearheaded by some of Slash’s newest collaborators and tourmates like Gary Clark Jr. and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, is where he discovers most of his favorite contemporary guitarists, both as listeners and collaborators.

In my opinion, there are truly exceptional guitar technicians in existence today. However, I’m reminded of the progression skateboarding has undergone. The technical prowess is astounding, and we’ve seen some remarkable innovations emerge from it. Yet, among all the talented guitarists, only a select few genuinely resonate with me.

Slash is combining his passion for blues music and his new album “Orgy of the Damned” by organizing S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, a traveling blues event featuring prominent artists in the genre. Instead of just touring conventionally to promote his album, S.E.R.P.E.N.T. (Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance) is collaborating with organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative, Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, the Greenlining Institute, War Child and the National Alliance on Mental Illness to raise funds and awareness for causes that resonate with him.

“I’m not what you would call a big political or social advocate, but I just feel like in this really crazy time we’re living in, where there’s so much division going on and so much pending negativity for what’s about to happen, I’d like to do something that had a positive message,” Slash says.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Besides the charitable element of the festival, which takes place at the Greek Theatre in L.A. on July 13, Slash aims for S.E.R.P.E.N.T. to unite a varied crowd by celebrating shared love for music. With Slash attracting his fan base and the all-star blues group consisting of artists such as Kingfish, Samantha Fish, Keb Mo, and Warren Haynes, it’s expected that different musical preferences will be represented.

In simpler terms, Slash expresses that he isn’t actively involved in politics or social activism, but with the current state of turmoil and negativity in society, he desires to contribute positively. Blues music, which embodies this philosophy, served as his inspiration for organizing a festival. He aimed to create an inclusive event that did not promote any single-minded ideology, while also providing support to those who have been marginalized over the past decade. Issues such as racial tension, poverty, homelessness, and mental health concerns are prevalent and urgent, so Slash sought out charitable organizations to make a difference.

Slash explained that as he prepared the lineup for his blues concert, he aimed to include artists he discovered recently and those he’s known for a long time. He expressed uncertainty about the audience composition but was determined to proceed with a diverse mix of vibrant blues music. The event would encompass various elements, from blues-infused tunes to rock ‘n’ roll numbers, all delivered with an engaging energy. Though not every performance would feature massive Marshall stacks, Slash believed the unique blend would attract a broad audience, curious about the unexpected and entertained by the cool experience.

Regarding the ongoing debate about the role of the classic “lead guitarist” in contemporary rock music, Slash appears unfazed. He acknowledges that the LA music scene has significantly changed since Guns N’ Roses’ tours promoting “Appetite for Destruction” in the late 1980s, and the music industry has been favoring mass-produced Top 40 hits over talented artists for decades. However, Slash is optimistic about the future as he notices a new generation of musicians rediscovering the raw emotion and authenticity found in guitar-driven music from the past.

“There’s a lot of music that’s historic and means so much to people, and that’s why there are so many great heritage bands,” says Slash.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“Until something really touches you, you lose interest in it until it gets to the point where you forget why it was ever important,” Slash says of lead guitar parts. “There’s a lot of music that’s historic and means so much to people, and that’s why there are so many great heritage bands.”

In today’s music industry, Slash laments, the corporate mentality has taken over, making it difficult for new talent to emerge. There used to be a time when record companies would discover promising artists, nurture their talents, and introduce them to the world. But now, the focus is solely on producing Top 40 hits; if an artist fails to make an instant impact, they’re overlooked. “That’s how the music business operates these days,” Slash concludes.

The renowned guitarist believes that today’s music audience and artists no longer have an interest in corporate matters. According to him, they’ve realized that we endured a disappointing digital era where sound quality took a backseat. However, he adds, these individuals are now producing something unique on their own. In his opinion, this homegrown movement will garner widespread attention and spark a trend of non-industry influenced creations. Eventually, the industry is expected to follow suit.

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2024-07-18 20:42