After four decades in the music business, Slash (aka Saul Hudson) remains as busy as ever.
With his other higher-profile band having wrapped up a gigantic world tour, there is no rest for Slash as he has embarked on another one, this time with his other band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, for their The River is Rising World Tour in support of the band’s latest album, "4."
That album was released in 2022, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced most members of the band – including Slash himself – to be quarantined.
Two years later, they finally get to tour their critically-acclaimed and strongest effort to date.
“The whole record still resonates,” said Slash of "4.' “One thing about '4' is save for a few songs, it wasn’t written at that particular time. There are some references that were going on and are still going on, but it wasn’t a snapshot that inspired that particular period. But (when we perform it live), it does resonate.”
Slash is one of those rare musicians to find success with different bands.
Aside from Guns ‘n’ Roses, he has had a successful solo career and put up two other high profile, all-star bands from Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver. And there’s Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators that has been going on strong for 12 years now.
The album "4' follows the lauded "Apocalyptic Love," "World on Fire," and "Living the Dream."
“I’m just happy I have a career, " enthused Slash of his many bands and side projects. “It is not about trying to achieve mountainous goals. It is writing and recording music and I love it. I love it because I also get to do other things such as producing movies (with his outfit, Slasher Films).”
“I am looking to push the pace and produce more this year,” he added of his horror film production company.
For now, he is on tour with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators where he looks forward to performing all the new songs that have gotten massive responses from fans.
Aside from "The River is Rising," other songs that have resonated well with audiences include "C’est la Vie," "Actions Speak Louder than Words," and Fill My World."
But the one song on "4" that he loves performing because “it is most fun” is “Whatever Gets You By.”
At this concert in Manila that will be held on March 12 at the New Frontier Theater, Slash hopes to also entertain fans with his collection of guitars that he will bring along.
Slash’s collection of over 400 guitars was recently the subject of a book simply titled, “The Collection,” that was published also in 2022 by Gibson.
The 58-year old British-American guitarist is probably the most identified musician to be associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars since Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
“I bring fewer guitars now with me on tour,” added Slash. “I love guitars so much I take some for the sake of it even if I don’t have any use for them.”
“I have less guitars out with me than I used to. I have a cool flame top Les Paul 58 reissue that was handmade for me by Leo Scala at Gibson. It is absolutely amazing with a finish that changes colors in the lights.”
“I will also bring a 58 reissue dark burst with me and a 59 flame top with me. I have a 59 Explorer replica that was also handmade, a gold top Explorer, and a 58 Flying V that is one of the Jimi Hendrix models. That’s about it.”
“It has been awhile since I was in Manila and I am looking forward to returning and performing for the fans.”