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- How a midnight jam scene turned into a blues revival
- Orgy of the Damned: a covers album with bold guests
- Live at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival: the record of the road
- Why the blues matters to Slash now
- From Blues Ball to festival stage: the band and the vibe
- Contemporary guitarists Slash admires
- Personal memories: playing with Ace Frehley
- What’s next: more blues recordings and balancing tours
Slash has quietly deepened his relationship with the blues, turning casual late-night jams into full records and festival bills. What began as spur-of-the-moment dives with old friends has grown into a studio album, a star-studded covers project, and a live set recorded on the road. Fans of his work with Guns N’ Roses will recognize the roots, but Slash’s recent blues phase reveals another side of his playing.
How a midnight jam scene turned into a blues revival
Slash’s modern blues chapter traces back to the 1990s. He started dropping into local blues clubs to play without agendas. Those informal nights led to friendships with Teddy Andreadis and Johnny Griparic.
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They formed a loose blues ensemble that toured for fun. The chemistry stayed, even as Slash returned to bigger projects. Years later, between Guns N’ Roses dates, he revisited that catalog. The reunion sessions became a formal record and a blueprint for live shows.
Orgy of the Damned: a covers album with bold guests
Slash recorded a collection of influential blues and rock covers under the Orgy of the Damned banner. The album celebrates songs that shaped him as a player.
Notable collaborators
- Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
- Chris Stapleton
- Iggy Pop
- Demi Lovato
- Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
- Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes)
These guest spots add variety and credibility. The record mixes reverence for classic material with Slash’s high-energy guitar voice.
Live at the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival: the record of the road
Following the studio release, Slash captured a live set from the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival run. The live album documents 15 performances and recreates the studio tracklist in a raw setting.
Song highlights performed live
- Crossroads
- Shake Your Money Maker
- Stone Free
- Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
The live release showcases how these old tunes breathe anew when played with a band that knows them intimately.
Why the blues matters to Slash now
Slash says the blues offers a different musical freedom than arena rock. In small clubs he could stretch solos, experiment, and play without strict arrangements.
That approach informed the festival format. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour brought together blues-focused artists and created space for long, expressive performances.
From Blues Ball to festival stage: the band and the vibe
Slash reconnected with long-time collaborators for these projects. Teddy Andreadis returned on keys and vocals. Johnny Griparic anchored the low end. Michael Jerome Moore and Tash Neal joined for the studio and live iterations.
The crowd experience changed. Where Guns N’ Roses draws arena energy, the blues shows were looser and more relaxed. Still, Slash kept his signature intensity.
Contemporary guitarists Slash admires
Slash highlights a new wave of standout players. He praises Chris “Kingfish” Ingram for his jaw-dropping presence. Derek Trucks remains a touchstone for slide and feel. Joe Bonamassa earns respect as a technical and tonal force.
- Marcus King — southern-leaning, bluesy touch
- Chris “Kingfish” Ingram — modern power and tone
- Derek Trucks — sustained influence and fluidity
- Joe Bonamassa — formidable technique
Slash notes an influx of young guitarists taking the blues seriously. He sees that trend as vital to the genre’s future.
Personal memories: playing with Ace Frehley
Slash reflects on his friendship with Ace Frehley. He admits he didn’t warm to KISS as a youngster, but later found respect for the music. Meeting Ace changed that view and led to collaborative moments.
Slash describes Ace as a true ’70s rock spirit and a genuine guitar hero. The loss of Frehley has been hard for him to process.
What’s next: more blues recordings and balancing tours
The recent projects have only increased Slash’s appetite for more blues work. He wants to record additional covers and revisit songs they didn’t capture in the last sessions.
Plans include tackling tunes like “Big Legged Woman” properly in the studio. Scheduling around Guns N’ Roses dates and Conspirators plans is the main challenge.
For now, Slash is juggling festival runs, studio ideas, and major tour commitments while keeping the blues thread alive in his catalog.
