Lynyrd Skynyrd Collaborates With John 5 on new album 'God And Guns'

Lynyrd Skynyrd are currently in the studio working on their upcoming new album, which is titled "God And Guns" and will be released on September 29th, 2009. Although Lynyrd Skynyrd recently suffered the tragic losses of long time keyboardist Billy Powell and bassist Ean Evans, the band continue to work in the studio and they have even collaborated with ex-Marilyn Manson and current Rob Zombie guitarist John 5. With John 5 lending his songwriting skills, Lynyrd Skynyrd have even hinted of a darker sound on the upcoming album.

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Artisan News caught up with guitarist John 5 to get his thoughts on working with Lynyrd Skynyrd on their new album since he's been a big fan for a long time.
Honor For John 5 To Work With Lynyrd Skynyrd


"We just get in the room and we write. They said they want to get me in there and play a solo on there or something like that so, anything. Anything to be associated with Lynyrd Skynyrd would be an honor. Because of course, me, you and everyone here loves Skynyrd. You know why not. So it is an honor."
Lynyrd Skynyrd are currently touring Europe and The U.K. with dates extending until June 5th in Paris, France. The band will then kick off a round of touring in North America beginning June 21st in Birmingham, Al and extending until September 19th in Henderson, NV.

It sounds like a potential abomination, but it could end up as just the sort of ass-backward thing I sometimes end up liking. We'll see. I'll listen to it once anyway. I'm not a diehard Skynyrd fan like Akeldama though so it might be a tough sell.

Very interesting. John 5 is a great guitarist.

So, are there any original members left?

Schbopo wrote:

So, are there any original members left?

Gary Rossington I think.

This collaboration intrigues me.

xyz wrote:

Very interesting. John 5 is a great guitarist.

True, but that's a weird combination. John's a bit of a shredder, not the 1st person I'd associate with a legendary southern rock band. Eh, good for them. Hope it works out for both parties.

You should remember that David Lee Roth discovered John 5 playing for k.d. lange when David Lee Roth hired him for his 'DLR' record so it is not as weird as it sounds on paper.

John 5 also collaborated with Meat Loaf on his last album. He'll only enhance Skynyrd's sound, IMO.

manny wrote:

You should remember that David Lee Roth discovered John 5 playing for k.d. lange when David Lee Roth hired him for his 'DLR' record so it is not as weird as it sounds on paper.

I knew the DLR thing, but I didn't know he played with KD Lang. I guess I'm caught up with the latter day image of John.



"Freebird" doesn't spring to mind. Like I stated, good for both of 'em I guees. I'm not particulary a Skynard fan, so this collaboration doesn't mean much to me.

John 5 is quite the accomplished country picker as well as a shredder.

All I know is that the album title should satisfy their rather large redneck constituency.

I think this will be a good thing. I'm pretty much a LS fanboy though.

Sounds pretty interesting. Though, I cant really get into Skynyrd much anymore, seems much too whiney to me now.

Yep, his work with MeatLoaf turned out great. I was very sceptical to start with, looking at his previous bands, and the fact that he looks like a Hot Topic clerk, but he's a great guitarist. I'll buy the album, if I get the chance

Just found out about this while watching wrestling (one of the songs is the theme for the next PPV). If it's at least as good as Edge Of Forever, then I'll get it.

Well I have heard it and if you like country you'll love this. To me this is a country cd!

Wargod50

Hmmm, country like radio country or more like blues inflected country? LS has had a country feel at times but within a southern blues vibe.

Saw Skynyrd last night and they sounded and looked great! Rickey Meldock just owns the stage. Look forward to the new album. They played a couple songs from it. I think one of them was title Skynrd Nation. Rickey shared lead vocal duties, which is cool as he has a great voice (and I'm a big Blackfoot fan).

I've seen Skynyrd 5-6x over the past few years. I keep hoping they will break out with an old Blackfoot song but it has yet to happen. Image Skynyrd rocking Train Train or Highway Song!

My favorite Blackfoot song is Wishing Well.

tohostudios wrote:

My favorite Blackfoot song is Wishing Well.

Cool song, but it's a FREE cover.

Still my favorite song. I got to see them back in college when they opened for Molly Hatchet.

Some of John 5's other, lesser known contrubutions:

Dirty Trixx - 1983 - Guitarist, playing Van Halen covers in a Michigan bar

Raven Payne - 1987 - Guitarist, at 16 years old

John Wetton (of Asia) - John's first paid professional session. "It's one of the hardest I've ever done" states John 5.

Robin Zander (Cheap Trick singer) Guitarist, recorded demos

Pepperland - Guitarist, ghost player

Wilson Phillips - Guitarist, ghost player

Salt-N-Pepa - Live Performances including the Jay Leno Show

Rick Springfield - Guitarist, The Day After Yesterday, Tracks 4 and 14

Ozzy Osbourne - John 5 auditioned, unsuccessfully, for an open bass spot.

Night Ranger - Guitarist, ghost player

Red Square Black - 1994 - 'Square' EP, Lead Guitar

Lita Ford - 1994-95 - Guitarist, ghost player

Ryan Downe - 1996 - Guitar on track 'Japan' of The Hypocrite Album, plus guitar effects

froSTed - 1996 - - Guitarist

Leah Andreone - Former Girlfriend, Veiled, Guitar (1996), I Feel The Earth Move,
Guitar (1997), Alchemy, Lap Steel Guitar/Guitar (1998), co-wrote ten tracks

K.D. Lang - Guitarist

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Red Square Black - 1994 - 'Square' EP, Lead Guitar

I actually saw this band live. They opened for Testament (of all creatures) on their LOW tour in '94. Absolutely god-frickin'-awful!! They sounded like the love child of NIN and Primus. I remember thinking "Wow, this band encapsulates everything I hate about the current music scene."

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Salt-N-Pepa - Live Performances including the Jay Leno Show

I thought I recognized his playing on "Shoop". Classic!!

MetalGuy71 wrote:

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Salt-N-Pepa - Live Performances including the Jay Leno Show

I thought I recognized his playing on "Shoop". Classic!!

It disturbs me to find out that you know (apparently) a Salt N Pepa song title...