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As he approaches nearly two decades of collaboration, Slash is reflecting on the profound bond he has cultivated with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. The legendary guitarist is currently preparing for a busy 2027, which includes a global tour and the February 26 release of their latest studio effort, Flying Blind. According to the Guns N' Roses icon, the foundation of this successful project was built on an remarkably organic connection.
"It just it started out that way. I was thinking about this the other day because we've been together for about 16 years now," he says. "It started off, just with Myles. [We] had an instant spark on that first solo record that I did."
When Slash was assembling his 2010 solo debut, he required a vocalist capable of handling a diverse array of material. Kennedy proved to be the ideal choice. To round out the ensemble, the guitarist sought a rhythm section that could match his live energy. He was introduced to drummer Brent Fitz, who became a cornerstone of the group. Fitz eventually facilitated the addition of bassist Todd Kerns, completing a lineup that Slash felt possessed immediate, natural chemistry.
The group’s cohesion was so seamless that transitioning from a one-off project to a full-time band felt like the only logical step. "Basically, we had so much fun doing the tour and I felt so comfortable because I'm a very spontaneous live performer," he explains. "So we had a natural cohesion, and so I just automatically thought, well, I should do a record with these guys, and that's where Apocalyptic Love came from. We just have a very easy and sort of symbiotic kind of musical relationship. We just keep going because it feels good to do"
The final member of the collective, guitarist Frank Sidoris, joined the fold in 2012 following a series of auditions. Slash notes that while the process of finding the right fit for the second guitar spot involved a bit of trial and error, Sidoris’s arrival was immediately validated the moment they played together. Before hitting the road for his own headlining dates, Slash is set to perform with Guns N' Roses at the "California, Dream On" shows alongside Aerosmith. Reflecting on the opportunity to share the stage with them, he admits the band remains a massive inspiration. "You know, Aerosmith is one of my all-time favorite rock and roll bands and they had a huge influence on me," he tells UCR. "[It] was really integral to me picking up the guitar in the first place."
