Thu, Aug 05, 2010

PETALING JAYA - Malaysia’s wildlife was the main reason legendary rock icon Slash wanted to perform here.

“It is really, really nice to be here. I’ve always been interested in coming to Malaysia because I’m fond of the wildlife here,” he said at a press conference for his Slash Live in Kuala Lumpur 2010 concert yesterday.

Slash, the pioneering member of Guns ‘n’ Roses and one of hard rock’s finest guitarists, will perform at Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon at 7pm tonight.

Back in blistering “live form,” Slash (real name Saul Hudson), 44, is touring in support of his recently released self-titled debut album.

Apart from Malaysia, Slash will be playing in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan on his Asian tour.

Slash’s touring band for his upcoming show here includes Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy (vocals), Bobby Schneck (guitar), Todd Kerns (bass) and Brent Fitz (drums).

Slash has confirmed he will perform a mix of his new solo material as well as Guns ‘n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver songs.

Among the Guns ‘n’ Roses classics featured in his concert sets include Sweet Child O’ Mine, Paradise City, Night Train, Civil War, and Patience.

When asked if he cut himself between the fingers so that he could stretch further when playing the guitar as a child, Slash said: “That is definitely not true. That sounds pretty crazy”

On how many top hats he owns, Slash, who was wearing his signature top hat, said: “I’m wearing one and there are another five or six more that people have given me which are now sitting in the closet.”

Asked who he would like to collaborate with in the future, Slash said he would love to jam with alternative rap-rock band The Roots.

The Slash concert is presented by local community airline Firefly, which is making its entry into the concert scene.

Firefly is also making available travel and concert packages for Slash’s upcoming show through its website fireflyz.com.my.

Ticket prices for Slash’s concert are RM378 (S$161.60) (VIP), RM253 (S$108.10) and RM183 (S$78.20). The early bird price is RM128 (S$54.70) and RM93 (S$39.70).

-The Star/Asia News Network

By Noorsila Abd Majid

Now we know why Slash is a rock n’ roll legend.

At the Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach, the venue for his historic Malaysian concert, the former Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist was every bit of a guitar super hero he’s hailed to be.

Technically adept yet beautifully soulful, Slash gave local Mat and Minah Rock (male and female rock fans) a taste of his gritty licks a la The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith.

It didn’t matter whether he played his guitar upright or sideways, his skills were powerful and masterly.

Yes, his magical fingers will hypnotise you.

“Wa wa wa wa…,” his electric guitar ferociously screamed on the choruses of Ghost and Back From Call, his latest songs from his eponymous solo debut.

Truly, Slash brought raw, ugly rock n’ roll crashing back to KL.

He was having a ball too, chatting up the ladies in the audience. Slash said, “I’ve never seen so many beautiful women in my life.”

Well, the ladies loved his bad boy persona. His hair ‘exploded’ from his head in cherubic curls as if they had never been cut since his Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver days.

And his trademark top hat sat firmly on his head – no matter how he (and his guitar) constantly swirled and spun.

What was missing was the ciggie dangling from his mouth, just like in his heyday.

During a monumentally abrasive By The Sword, Slash knelt down, pointing heavenwards, as if seeking some sort of divine validation.

His guest vocalist, Myles Kennedy and his raspy voice – chosen to front Slash’s supporting tour for his solo record, just added more oomph to the rock n’ roll spectacular.

Even when they tried to bring down the temperature with a rock ballad, Starlight, the 5,000-strong audience found it hard to cool down.

“You guys are f**king awesome,” Slash sang praises of his adoring fans, whose synchronised headbanging was a sight to behold throughout the one and a half hour set.

By the time the 45-year-old spat out his signature guitar swirls on the intro of Guns N’ Roses classic, Sweet Child O’ Mine, the crowd had already gone berserk.

Oh what a rock n’ roll ecstacy the show was!

Photos by Glenn Guan

Published Aug 6 2010

Teks oleh Thani Hasbullah

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 OGOS 2010 : Kehadiran pemain guitar lagenda dunia, Saul Hudson, 44, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Slash di Sunway Lagoon Theme Park tepat jam 8 malam tadi ternyata mengundang histeria di kalangan penonton yang hadir.

Konsert Slash Live In Kuala Lumpur 2010 telah menerima kunjungan kira-kira 10,000 penonton itu berlangsung selama 2 jam.

Slash telah mula beraksi garang menerusi lagu Night Train diiringin Myles Kennedy (vokal), Bobby schneck (Rhytm Gitar), Todd Kerns (Bass) dan Brent Fitz (Drum).

Antara beberapa lagu lain yang dipersembahkan seperti Dirty Little Thing, Civil War,Watch This Slash, Sweet Child O Mine’, Rocket Queen, Sucker Train Blues, Slither, November Rain dan Paradise City.

Slash bersama barisan muziknya itu turut memainkan lagu-lagu seperti Nothing To Say, Back From Cali, By The Sword, Starlight.

Sebelum kemunculan bekas gitaris Gun N’ Roses itu, Amy Search terlebih dahulu menghiburkan penonton seawal pukul 7 petang dengan lagu-lagu popular antaranya Isabella, Pawana serta Kepala Sotong.

Manakala diawal persembahan Slash, berlaku beberapa pertengkaran besar antara beberapa jurugambar dengan pengawal keselamatan yang bertugas. Ia berlaku setelah jurugambar terbabit tidak dibenarkan memasuki ruangan hadapan, sebaliknya mereka disarankan mengambil gambar dari ruang tempat penonton.

Slash yang terkenal dengan imej berambut panjang dan bertopi tiba di Kuala Lumpur pada jam 2.30 petang, kelmarin bersama 13 ahli rombongan. Dia tiba dari Jakarta selepas selesai menjayakan dua konsert di sana.

Pada Ogos 2009, Majalah Time telah menempatkan Slash di posisi ke-2 daripada 10 Pemain Gitar Elektrik Terbaik Sepanjang Masa. Maka dengan itu, tidak mustahilah lagenda itu mempunyai pengaruh yang besar di serata dunia.