KINGS OF CHAOS, the part-time all-star rock ‘n’ roll collective that includes former and current members of GUNS N’ ROSES, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and LINKIN PARK, has a announced a string of East Coast tour dates kicking off December 17 in Montclair, New Jersey. Following a mini-residency at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas December 1-3, the East Coast run will feature former GUNS N’ ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum, LINKIN PARK vocalist Chester Bennington, Robin Zander of CHEAP TRICK, Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP, Steve Stevens, guitarist for BILLY IDOL, and Robert DeLeo, bassist of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.
Sorum, the creative force behind KINGS OF CHAOS, says: “KINGS OF CHAOS always delivers a badass lineup, and this tour will not disappoint. Where can you hear some of the most iconic songs in rock history packed into one show, performed by the actual artists who created them? Every night is a celebration of rock and roll.”
Tour dates:
Dec. 1, 2 & 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Dec. 17 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre
Dec. 18 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
Dec. 20 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
Dec. 21 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Dec. 22 – Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort & Casino
KINGS OF CHAOS‘s lineup for the Vegas shows will consist of Sorum alongside Robert DeLeo, vocalist Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Bennington, guitarist Billy Duffy (THE CULT) and Steve Stevens.
Asked how he manages to manage all the big personalities involved with KINGS OF CHAOS, Sorum told the Windsor Star: “You know what? It’s really a fun, easy gig. There’s really no agenda behind it except to play a cool show… I’ve played with all these guys before. It’s super easy-going. Everyone gets on the airplane, drives out to the gig, sets up the gear, and rocks. There’s really no drama around it at all.”
Regarding how important ego management is in keeping a band together, Sorum said: “From my experience, I mean… It’s been a bit of a wild ride. Hence the name KINGS OF CHAOS. [Laughs] But at the same time, I don’t know if I would’ve wanted it any other way. You know, I see bands with lead singers who are really nice. Squeaky clean. And I really don’t feel I’m getting that wild, rock ‘n’ roll sensibility that I want.”
He continued: “I love Dave Grohl [FOO FIGHTERS frontman], don’t get me wrong. But he’s a drummer who got out front with a guitar. Is there any danger in it? Not really. If you go to a FOO FIGHTERS show, you’re gonna see a band play their set, and everything is gonna go down nice, and he’ll thank the crowd, and everyone’s gonna go home and go, ‘Wow, that was a really nice rock ‘n’ roll show.’
“Not everything went perfect in any of the bands I’ve been in, but I know one thing: People on their way home were going, Holy shit, what was that?'”
Regarding the future of KINGS OF CHAOS, Sorum told Robin Leach: “We’ll see where KINGS OF CHAOS takes us. It could turn into a band, it could be an album, we don’t know yet. I’m thinking about making some original music with it. Seeing if a singer will want to come in and be a permanent member.
“Right now I just want to have fun. I just want to keep it loose, very spontaneous, go out and play for people and have them enjoy the music. I haven’t thought too far down the road yet, except maybe to record original music.
“People ask, ‘Why would you want to record original music; nobody is buying records anymore?’ I go, ‘Well, that’s not a very good attitude.’ The only thing you can do is make music for yourself, and you hope that people gravitate toward it. However, they are going to gravitate toward it. You are playing music because you love it, not because people are going to buy it. I made a solo record last year, and I think it sold five copies. I didn’t (care). I love doing it.”
Fonte: Blabbermouth.net