Beyond the guitar riffs of the American South and the "deadly" songs, Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band with unquenchable passion, a group responsible for perpetuating the uniquely American spirit.
And with new material, the first after the 2003 and the Vicious Cycle. The legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd is back with 'God & Guns», an album released on the label of the historic 'Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records». Recorded in Nashville between 2008 – 2009, but with various misfortunes hitting the band. The project was abruptly halted by the death of founding member and keyboardist Billy Powell and later bassist Ean Evans (2011).
With the guidance of the main band members, by Gary Rossington (guitars), Johnny Van Zant (vocally) and Rickey Medlocke (guitars), along with drummer Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded an album (under "threat" status, as usual, according to Van Zant), that lives up to the legend it started 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.
It was the period when their career was at its peak, the decade up to and including 1977, when three of their members were killed in a plane crash, among them Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since, although the band again tragically lost Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson, it didn't stop rocking.
After the recent deaths of Powell and Evans, "many would obviously expect us to say it's taken so long..", Medlocke admits. With a catalog that exceeds 60 albums and sales reaching the 30 millions, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that resonates with all generations. Their new album God & Guns comes to confirm the rule. "We wanted to prove to the world that we still have aces up our sleeves," says founding member and guitarist Gary Rossington.
Returning from the studio after Powell's death, whose keyboards can be heard on more than half the songs on God & Guns, "It was really very difficult, I'm not going to lie to you,” Van Zant confesses. “But we got through it, as by’ The,what Lynyrd Skynyrd always seem to do. Music is the best therapy. This record needed to be made. Gary, o Rickey and I just said "let's go ahead, let's finish it!”».
The tears have stopped now too.. it’s time to rock! "I'm so happy we finally got back up and keep playing," adds Medlocke. "For us, standing beyond,what has happened, makes this record even more special. I'm absolutely certain that Billy and Ean are looking down on us with huge smiles!».
With the famous Bob Marlette signing the production and the addition of guitarist John 5, the album sounds denser than any other. “Never before have we worked so well with producers, we've always wanted things done our way,' admits Rossington. “Bob Marlette is a great guy. He found a way to talk to us "musically" and that made us friends immediately. He had many new fresh ideas and ways of doing things, while at the same time he wanted to preserve the old sounds".
For John 5, Rossington adds: “He's probably one of the best guitarists I've ever worked with, and as you know I have played with many excellent ones. He lives with his guitar". Based on Southern rock and country, with passionate vocals from Van Zant, and with the characteristic guitars of the group, the God & Guns manages to maintain the familiar style of Skynyrd while, at the same time, it sounds completely modern. And timely too, something very necessary s’ in these politically volatile times – it is evident from the titles of some of the tracks that suggest a sense of threat and refusal to remain quiet and inactive. Things that certainly remind many of the beginning of Skynyrd.
"It's not just the words 'God and guns'. You have to look at the past and see what foundations this country was built on: to freedom", says Medlocke. "Everyone should be able to make their own decisions without the other telling them what to do and when to do it. This is called freedom of choice", continues Medlocke who is proud to be Native American. “I'm sure some will say rednecks are back (white racists). So I answer them that the members of this band are not "rednecks". The only damned redneck is me because I'm simply a redneck!».
Skynyrd keep the standards high. Live and in their songs. "Some will accuse us of going on tour because we need the money. The reality is that we just love music, it is much more than money. We live to get on stage and play live. And to see in people's eyes, how much they love this music".
At 18 June we will be in Elliniko, at the Baseball Field to see how Lynyrd Skynyrd continue to be the best ambassadors of the American South. And they play authentic southern rock. Most of us for the first time will sing together lyrics that marked our own past..Sweet home Alabama, Where the skies are so blue, Sweet home Alabama, Lord, I’m coming home to you..
Lynyrd Skynyrd full band:
Gary Rossington- Guitar Johnny Van Zant- Vocals Rickey Medlocke- Guitar Mark “Sparky” Matejka- Guitar Michael Cartellone- Drums Robert Kearns – Bass Peter “Keys” Pisarczyk – Keyboards Honkettes: Dale Krantz Rossington- Backing Vocals Carol Chase- Backing Vocals
Space: Hellinikon Baseball Field
Date: 18 June 2012
Ticket sales
at the price of €35
until 31/01/12 at www.livetickets.gr
New sales points will be announced soon.