NakedCity Wichita

black label society

Posted on 29. Jun, 2010 by Katherine in play

words > THE COTILLION

In the two decades since Ozzy Osbourne hired him to become his new guitarist, Zakk Wylde has established himself as a guitar icon known and revered the world over. Writing and recording with Osbourne led to multi-platinum success, inspiring him to create the now legendary Black Label Society in 1998. Wylde formed BLS as a vehicle for his own artistic vision: uncompromising, unfiltered, no bullshit rock’n’roll. In the decade since, BLS has turned the notion of what a rock band should be upside down by inspiring legions of fans (known as Berserkers) all over the world to follow the mantra: Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever. SDMF for short, the Berserkers, along with Wylde have created a heavy metal institution true to his vision. Wylde has won nearly every guitar award imaginable, and is a major influence to a new battalion of rock guitarists currently popular today.

Nick Catanese -aka “The Evil Twin” is technically the second member of Black Label Society, after founder Zakk Wylde. It was Catanese who originally had the balls to seek Wylde out and ask to join forces with him back in the mid 90’s. In 1998, Wylde hit upon the idea of creating the Black Label Society brotherhood, and it wasn’t long before he then approached Catanese with the idea to form the nucleus of the band.

John “JD” DeServio was recruited as an original BLS member in 1999, being a long-time friend of Zakk Wylde’s, and having spent some time holding down the bottom end with Wylde in his previous band, Pride and Glory (1993/94), he was a natural fit. JD is as solid of a guy in this Black Label camp, as is his bass playing chops solid amongst peers in the rock world. Noted for his technical playing expertise, soulful feel, and jazz influences, JD’s fretted (and fretless) rosewood moves are plenty.

Will Hunt is the most recent addition to Black Label Society, replacing long time drummer Craig Nunemacher in 2009. Hunt’s status as an in-demand session player, as well as touring drummer extraordinaire make him perfectly suited for the role of “king of the throne” behind Zakk’s, Evil Twin’s and JD’s musical maelstrom.

Black Label Society quickly became a touring juggernaut and has gone on to release seven successful studio albums which have sold well over a million and a half albums total. But record sales only tell part of the story- it’s the legions of fans that turn out to see Wylde perform his masterful talents on the guitar and piano that are the true testament to his success.

The Black Label Berzerkus Tour 7:30 pm Friday, November 12 featuring Black Label Society with special guests Clutch and Children of Bodom. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Advance tickets go on sale June 25 for $37.50 at Select-a-Seat, The Cotillion, House of Sight & Sound (Salina) and the employee clubs. Tickets on the day of the show will be $40.00. For further information and to charge tickets by phone call 316-722-4201 or logon to thecotillion.com.

Tags: black label society, BLS, Clutch and Children of Bodom, John DeServio, nakedicty, nick catanese, ozzy osbourne, rock'n'roll, the cotillion, thecottillion.com, Will Hunt, zakk wylde