(Webster and Assoc) With their first set of new studio material since 2003's Vicious Cycle, legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd returns with God & Guns, due out September 29 on Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records. Recorded in Nashville in 2008-2009 with noted rock producer Bob Marlette, input from guitarist John 5, and a wealth of material written by the band and a cadre of elite Skynyrd-minded songwriters, a remarkable album emerged.Lynyrd Skynyrd will be wrapping up the co-headlined, 22 city Rock & Rebels Tour with good friend Kid Rock in late August, while continuing on their own headline tour into Fall.
With a backbone of Southern rock and country, passionate Van Zant vocals, and trademark layered guitars, God & Guns manages to maintain the iconic Skynyrd punch while sounding completely contemporary. Sure to attract attention in these politically divided times is the title track, which harbors a sense of menace and unwillingness to back down that hearkens back to Skynyrd's earliest days. God & Guns, along with the unmistakable Skynyrd bite of the first single "Still Unbroken," which was shipped to rock radio this July, form thematic songs for an album laden with attitude, heart and purpose.
The band knows the song, and others like "That Ain't My America," will have their critics, but Medlocke says listeners should get beyond the titles.
"Skynyrd's about tradition," says Medlocke. "In this record is personal tragedy, personal relationships and being on the road, all under that umbrella of real life. That's what we think, that's what we believe, and we stand next to that title, God & Guns."
Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, Lynyrd Skynyrd is about an indomitable will. About survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, stubbornly resolute.
"A lot of people probably expected us to say enough is enough," admits Medlocke. But that would not be the way of this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame powerhouse.
"We wanted to show the people that not only are we doing the old material, keeping the music going, but we still have some new tricks up our sleeves, too," says founding guitarist Gary Rossington.
With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations, and God & Guns is a fitting addition to the canon. The Skynyrd Nation awaits.
7/24/2009 Time Warner Pavillion @Walnut Creek Raleigh, NC
7/25/2009 Verizon Wireless Music Center Virginia Beach, VA
7/26/2009 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC
7/29/2009 Comcast Center Mansfield, MA
7/31/2009 Hershey Park Ampitheater Hershey, PA
8/1/2009 Nissan Pavilion Bristow, VA
8/2/2009 Jones Beach Amphitheatre Wantagh, NY
8/13/2009 Mid-America Center Council Bluffs, IA **
8/14/2009 Illinois State Fairgrounds Springfield, IL **
8/15/2009 Spirit Bank Event Center Tulsa, OK **
8/18/2009 The LC Pavilion Columbus, OH **
8/21/2009 Meadowbrook – US Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH **
8/22/2009 Comcast Theater Hartford, CT **
8/28/2009 Fort McCoy Army Base Sparta, WI **
8/29/2009 Minnesota State Fair St. Paul, MN
9/7/2009 Inn Of The Mountain Gods Casino Mescalero, NM **
9/8/2009 Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre Tuscon, AZ **
9/9/2009 Celebrity Theatre Phoenix, AZ **
9/11/2009 Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa Kelseyville, CA **
9/12/2009 Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino Indio, CA **
9/13/2009 Los Angeles County Fair Grounds Pomona, CA **
9/15/2009 The Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA **
9/17/2009 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Lemoore, CA **
9/18/2009 Ironstone Vineyards Amphitheatre Murphys, CA **
9/19/2009 Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino Henderson, NV **
9/20/2009 Sandia Casino Albuquerque, NM **
10/30/2009 Coushatta Casino Resort Kinder, LA **
10/31/2009 Moody Gardens Galveston Island, TX **
**Skynyrd headline dates not with Kid Rock / Tour dates are as follows
