Back
To Nature with Slash
by
Debbie Seagle
Back
to Part I
 About
this time, a new factor comes bouncing into the equation. His name
is Rod Rod Jackson, singing lead vocals and generally firing things up.
With his long dreads, hes a Lenny Kravitz double, but the resemblance
ends with his looks. Rods voice swaggers and bends, screams and
wails, making him equally as comfortable singing hard rock tunes or smokey
blues. The key word here is comfortable. Rod had the ability
to feel comfortable,  and
not intimidated by Slash on stage. The two had a truly symbiotic
relationship as they performed. Each fed off the other with Rod providing
the perfect showcase for Slashs talent, while Slash was careful not to
mow over the top of Rod with his solos. Although these two performers
set the stage for a good vibe, the foundation is the tight new crew Slash
has assembled to make his style of rock come busting through the burial
shroud some have thought it to be hiding under. With Keri Kelli on
guitars, Johnny Blackout on bass, Matt Laug on Drums and Teddy Zigzag Andreas
on keyboard and harp, there is enough ability in this band to go off the
edge on either the rock or the blues side. And who wants to separate
the two? In Slashs case, the marriage is one that works. That
night I saw it bring Slash to his knees as he massaged the neck of his
guitar like a lover. The old passion is there, in the music and in
the vocals.
 Speaking
of the music, if you are like me, and you werent overly impressed with
Its Five OClock Somewhere, you owe it to yourself to listen to
some sound clips of Aint Life Grand. Its like night and
day. Among my favorites this night were Serial Killer, which
started out as a slower ballad with Slash picking an acoustic guitar while
Rod delivered vein popping passionate lyrics. It takes a turn as
it gets darker and maniacal in tone and Slash heats up on an electric guitar
that gives him a trance-like appearance. There is the Bluesy Mean
Bones and Back To The Moment, or for the more traditional
rock riot and  speed
precision, try Land Slide. The night was topped off with
a group of guys out of Hollywood who joined the band with their brass to
deliver the strong New Orleans-like jam
'Aint Life Grand. To say
the audience was satiated would be an understatement. Slash did not
disappoint with the delectable ear candy he served up to his fans.
My observation of the subject complete,
I ventured further into the jungle to get a closer look. After the
show there were several reporters hanging around to meet Slash. As
I wait for  him
to come out to the area we have been asked to wait in, I think back to
Slashs trademark swaggering and whiskey chugging during the show.
Would he act like that back stage? Maybe. My most vivid memory
of Slash is a photo I have of him sitting on the floor, Jack in his hand,
cigarette in his lips and looking like he was ready to pass out.
I see it, and I say, well thats Slash! Heres the inside scoop
for those of you with the back stage pass . . . Thats not Slash!
He walks out and  greets
everyone with a big smile. His hair is up in a turban of white towel
and his face extremely kind and animated. He is perfectly sober and
articulate, as I imagine he always is. Could it be that I was seeing
what I wanted to see on stage?
Slash is very soft spoken and open when
he says hello. We chat a minute about the gear he was using and I
confide that I am coveting a guitar or two in his arsenal. He laughs
and I ask him the one question that has been burning in my mind for years.
I have read many bios about Slash and the thing that always stuck  with
me was the fact that his grandmother bought him his first guitar and it
had only one string. He then taught himself how to play. That
has always seemed funny to me and I ask him, Slash, how did you learn
how to play a guitar with one string? Isnt that like chewing a steak
with no teeth? He simply smiled and said that he didnt know any
better and he had taught himself three or four Zeppelin songs 
before he ever got another string! I guess some people are just meant
to play, and I dare say that Slash needs to play like he needs to breathe,
and hes found the right habitat to do that in Snakepit.
Continue
|
.
