In Neal Smith’s latest release under the Killsmith character, he ventures in to country / western, with this 10-track CD, due out at the end of March. Lyrically and musically Killsmith Goes West draws inspiration & influences from old school country & western types like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jimmy Dean, and more. So, there’s good uses of piano, slide guitar, and fiddle throughout this. There’s also some great titles and stories from song to song. I do lean a bit towards liking the lighter numbers, which there are a few of, but there are some serious rockers as well. Favorites would have to be “Sunsets Of Gold”, “Coffee, Beer & Borrowed Time”, the hard driving’ “Pull It Out Smokin'”, and “Evil Wind”.

*check out the press release below, as well as the links.

Drum Legend Neal Smith To Release the Fourth in His KillSmith Solo Series “KillSmith Goes West”

Founding member of the original Alice Cooper Group and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Neal Smith’s newest album, ”KillSmith Goes West,” the fourth in his KillSmith solo series, is heading in a whole new direction partner. Neal’s percussive, musical and songwriting contributions and influence to the world of rock are undisputed. From the ground breaking shock rock direction of the multi gold, multi-platinum legendary band “Alice Cooper,” until the present, Neal has always taken on the challenge of exploring new musical directions.

Neal’s early music influences were not only rock, big band swing, theater and movie music, but also country western. Growing up in Ohio, his mother, who loved live music, would often take Neal and his sister Cindy to Fixler’s Ballroom in nearby Sharon Township. Neal would often dance the “Mash Potatoes” solo with a clapping crown encircled around him, to the live band’s rousing version of “The Orange Blossom Special.” That band consisted of a drummer, guitarist, fiddle player, upright bassist and a blind piano player named Clarence. Now any band with a blind piano player named Clarence has to be a great band and this was a great country band.

In the story-telling spirit and tradition of great singer songwriter legends like Franke Lane, Johnny Horton, Jimmy Dean, Tennesee Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Neal continues in that Western spirit with “KillSmith Goes West” and his ten new Outlaw Country Rock songs!!!

Featuring:
Neal Smith (rhythm guitar, keys, drums, percussion & lead vocals)
Rick Tedesco (lead, slide, rhythm, bass guitar, keys & backing vocals)
Peter Catucci (bass guitar & backing vocals)
Pete Hickey (keyboards)
Stu Daye (slide guitar, rhythm guitar & backing vocals, on Tattooed Cowgirl)
Arlen Roth (lead guitar)
Gary Oleyar (fiddle)

To purchase: http://nealsmithrocks.com/store

For more information:
www.nealsmithrocks.com
https://www.facebook.com/NealSmithRocks