S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival @ Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

If you know the name Slash, you know Blues music is not the first thing that comes to mind when you hear his name. Guns N' Roses, definitely! Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators maybe, or perhaps even Velvet Revolver but the Blues? Not Slash. Well friends and neighbors I am here to tell you anything this guitarslinger puts his name on, he owns, even the blues. This project originates from his latest album, Orgy of the Damned released in May of 2024. On the album you can find AC/DC’s Brian Johnson covering Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” or Demi Lovato doing justice to the Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival uses the same concept while giving lesser-known blues artists a moment in the spotlight. The acronym S.E.R.P.E.N.T. stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality, N,’ Tolerance. Every ticket sold contributes to charities that share these values. Tonight’s show at Texas Trust CU Theatre would feature the talents of Robert Randolph, ZZ Ward, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. And as one could imagine the band Slash assembled for his part of the show was nothing short of stellar! Tash Neal on guitar, Teddy Andreadis securing vocals and keyboards, Johnny Griparic thumping bass, and Michael Jerome doing some double-jointed drumming.

Previously seeing and reviewing Randolph and Ward, l knew both would put on great sets. But it was the next artist that I was anticipating the most well, outside of Slash. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has been hyped as a supreme guitar player with excellent tone and dexterity. I can say with great confidence, all the accolades were spot on, Kingfish was the right choice to celebrate the blues! As a fan yells out 'you fucking rock' Ingram pulls out all the stops, leaving the stage to jam amongst the fans during “Not Gonna Lie.” Later, he joins Slash on stage for a cover of Freddie King’s “Big Legged Woman.” Going solo for solo, they trade licks effortlessly, earning a standing ovation at the song’s conclusion!

Receiving last minute notification that MTC MAG was approved to photograph and review the show barely gave me time to think about the fact that I was photographing Slash! But remaining professional, I made my lens selection, picked my spot, and said to myself, don’t screw this up. I must admit when he is standing twelve to fifteen feet from you it is a bit intimidating. Also intimidating is the volume at which this band plays! Not since the Black Crowes have I heard sound this hefty. From the opener, “Parchman Farm Blues,” Andreadis’s big full voice commands your attention.

I also notice Slash seems to play with some reckless abandon, very reminiscent of his early days with the world’s most dangerous band, GnR. The audience lets the top hat wearing MC know his talents are appreciated as one patron yells out, 'you’re my fucking hero' to which Neal replies, 'he’s my hero too.' Getting a bit psychedelic they blow the dust-off Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher.” A little back story from youth, Steppenwolf’s Their Hits album was taken away from me for this song’s inappropriate content. Before the encore Slash lights it up with a scorching version of Hendrix’s “Stone Free.”

Giving Grand Prairie a bit extra, the band returns for the night’s closing numbers. Carrying on the theme of Slash in foreign situations, a cover of Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” finds him situated behind a pedal steel guitar. Maybe not ready for a guest spot on a country album, he does an admirable job with a foreign instrument. Before the evening concludes, Andreadis prefaces Elmore James “Shake Your Money Maker” with words that put it all in perspective, 'Screw your wig on tight we gonna make everything alright.'

A big thank you to Slash and his crew for allowing MTC MAG to be front and center. Also thank you to Texas Trust CU Theater for being very accommodating.

Photos of the show are below: