Slash, the iconic GRAMMY®-winning guitarist and songwriter will return with his star-studded debut blues album and sixth solo album of his career, Orgy of the Damned, on 17th May 2024 on Gibson Records. Today, Slash has released the new track “Oh Well”which features outlaw country star Chris Stapleton on vocals, and is a transcendent and electrified, bluesy folk-infused take on the Fleetwood Mac gem, written by original founder Peter Green.
Slash comments on the track:
So, this is the original Fleetwood Mac, which was founded by Peter Green, one of the greatest singer-songwriter-guitar players, he’s less known in the public, but very well known to us guitar players re: the 60s British blues and he’s up there with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Nick Taylor. He sort of had a misadventure with drugs and disappeared early in his career, but he had some great fucking songs and “Oh Well” is one of my favourites. I remember hearing the song on the radio when I was probably 13, they used to play both the older version of Fleetwood Mac and the new version of the band with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham a lot. I always loved this song, and it’s a great guitar riff. I jammed it with the Blues Ball back in the ‘90s, and I’ve played it live here and there.
I knew from the beginning I wanted to do the song on this record. It was also one of the songs that I was trying to figure out who would be the right vocalist for it, and one of the ideas I had was Chris Stapleton, who is one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters today. He’s also got such a gritty and distinctive voice, so I called him up and he did an amazing job. I mean, his voice is so cool.
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A vibrant homage to the blues, Orgy of the Damned is a collection of 12 dynamic songs that shakes up and revitalises blues classics with an organic stripped-down approach. By celebrating both well-known and largely undiscovered songs, Slash offers a nostalgic nod to the past while reinvigorating the songs with his inimitable guitar playing and the spirit of collaboration. For Orgy of the Damned, the acclaimed guitarist reteamed with storied producer Mike Clink and enlisted the album’s diverse guest vocalists, which include Gary Clark Jr, Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Tash Neal, Chris Robinson, and Beth Hart. Rounding out his blues band in the studio and on the road, Slash reunited with two of his bandmates from his Blues Ball outfit in the 90s, bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy “ZigZag” Andreadis, and brought on drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal.
Listen to the first single off Orgy of the Damned, “Killing Floor” feat. Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica which Rolling Stone hailed “a freewheeling bluesy solo,” and American Songwriter described as “rocking” here.
Orgy of the Damned is available digitally, on vinyl and CD via Gibson Records for pre-order now.
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In celebration of the forthcoming new record, SLASH curated an all-star Blues lineup to join him on the newly announced S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival touring North America this summer, including Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival, which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance, will bring fans together to celebrate the spirit of the blues and raise awareness and funds for multiple charities that uplift marginalized communities, support mental health initiatives, and share Slash’s restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. A portion of the proceeds from each VIP package and S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival ticket sold will directly benefit the following charities that he has selected: The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, War Child, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival has partnered with PLUS1.ORG to support these charitable endeavors.
