Slash returns to Australia next week in case you forgot, not with Guns ‘N Roses but with his own band, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. The legendary axeman will be wielding his Les Paul around the country on the back of the band’s latest album, Living the Dream with New Zealand band, Devilskin in support. With three full-length albums now released and four if you include his solo 2010 self-titled album, the band are firming to unleash a setlist no longer relying on a host of Guns ‘N Roses and Velvet Revolver covers to beef up the set. In fact, judging by recent setlists, fans shouldn’t be expecting many covers at all, with maybe just one Gunners and one Revolver track making an appearance. We won’t give any spoilers away.
In the meantime, we thought we would look at some of Slash’s other collaborations across his career, of which there is many. In fact, at last count the top hat guitarist has been involved with over 140 songs on well over 100 albums believe it or not. Everything from pop, to blues to hip hop to being involved with horror soundtracks to metal, Slash has been everywhere. Here are 7 collabs we think are just pretty damn cool or bizarre (either way), so in no particular order, enjoy some Slash;
7. Bernard Fowler Ft. Slash and Robert Davis - ‘My Friend Sin’
Fowler's dynamic vocals have appeared on hundreds of albums for bands as diverse as The Rolling Stones, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Hutchence, Michael Buble, Philip Glass, Yoko Ono, Alice Cooper and many more. He has provided backing vocals for The Rolling Stones since 1989 and is featured on their studio recordings and live tours. The album, Bura is the second solo project from the singer and featured Slash on the track, ‘My Friend Sin’. Bernard brings his own style of rock, funk, reggae, and soul however on this track, it screams blues and Slash’s touch alongside Robert Davis makes this track a stand out.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COdCUCxKnRI&w=640&h=360]
6. Travis Barker ft. Transplants, Slash – ‘Saturday Night’
The majority of the Blink 182 drummer’s solo album was hip-hop, however he had his ‘other’ band, Transplants lend him a hand for the track, ‘Saturday Night’ and Slash was along for the ride renting out his skills to a little solo on this chilled out track that could resemble some of Santana’s material believe it or not. Tim Armstrong (Rancid), Travis Barker (Blink 182) and Slash, who would of thought?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGZRcNP1sqk&w=640&h=360]
5. Derek Sherinian feat. Billy Idol and Slash – ‘In the Summertime!’
The Mungo Jerry track, ‘In the Summertime’ was covered by Derek Sherinian and features Billy Idol on vocals and for some reason, Slash on guitar. Sherinian is an American keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, Steve Vai, and Joe Bonamassa. He was also a member of Dream Theater from 1994–99, is the founder of Planet X. This track comes from his album, Blood of the Snake from 2006. The album also featured contributions from Zakk Wylde and John Petrucci of Dream Theater. I think we’ll place this cover in the ‘bizarre’ tray of collabs Slash has helped out with and maybe one he’ll likely forget ever happened.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8ilbDwkooA&w=640&h=360]
4. ELAN ft. Slash - ‘Street Child’
Elán is a Mexican recording artist, known for being one of the first Latin American female songwriters to begin her career with an English language album written completely on her own and the first independent artist from Latin America to have sold more than 1.7 million copies of her music with her band which is also named ELAN. The track recorded with Slash comes from her debut album of the same name, Street Child. Released in 2003 the solo Slash rips into here is up with one of his best and what makes it even cooler is he’s rocking an Aussie icon band shirt with The Angels in the video clip!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8S1XZUZXGM&w=640&h=360]
3. Blackstreet ft. Ol' Dirty Bastard, Slash & Fishbone - ‘Fix' (Remix)
In 1996, an R&B band named Blackstreet stole the world for a few months with the track, ‘No Diggity’ featuring Dr.Dre. It came from their album, Another Level which also featured the track, ‘Fix’. With Guns ‘N Roses in limbo, this was one of many appearances Slash lent his skills too and to be honest, it actually sounds decent. Also features Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB), an original Wu Tang Clan member, who died in 2004.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcsYPSfBO4g&w=640&h=360]
2. Slash feat. Fergie - 'Beautiful Dangerous'
‘Beautiful Dangerous’ was the third track and third single from the debut self-titled Slash solo album. It features Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas on vocals. Fergie also appeared on that album, albeit on the deluxe versions, singing a cover of ‘Paradise City’ alongside Cypress Hill. From memory, it may be the only music video where Slash actually dies. Slash lavished praise on Fergie about her ‘rock voice’ during recording and she went onto play a few shows with Slash, and we can’t argue about her decent vocal range, which begs the question….what the fuck happened to her since!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjmTf31MAe8&w=640&h=360]
and the winner is...
1. Lenny Kravitz feat. Slash – ‘Always on the Run’
‘Always on the Run’ was a piece of music originally written by Slash with the original intention of releasing it on a Guns N' Roses studio album, however former GNR drummer Steven Adler had difficulty playing the song, so he saved it for this eventual collaboration with Kravitz. Allegedly, Axl Rose wasn’t a fan either. Lenny Kravitz ended up finishing the track and released it as the first single released from his 1991 album, Mama Said with Slash helping and also appearing in the music video. Slash also appeared on the track, ‘Fields of Joy’ on the same album. One of the great riffs in rock history, it’s a shame Axl and the lads couldn’t wrap their collective heads around that lick. Anyway, Lenny did wonders with it and it’s now just another tick in a long line of collaborations for Slash.
Written by Jim ‘Plugga’ Birkin
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGdcOb9Yq2Q&w=853&h=480]
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators – 2019 Australian Tour
Monday 28 January @ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Wednesday 30 January @ Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
Friday 1 February @ Marriage Equality Arena, Melbourne
Sunday 3 February @ RAC Arena, Perth
