Alex Skolnick Trio

This always promised to be a curious night, but if some of the audience were taking a leap of faith they were amply rewarded by a band who clearly relished a challenge as much a sharing their enjoyment with their fans.

Firstly there was the curiosity of seeing Testament guitarist and shredder Alex Skolnick apparently playing jazz at the Jazz Café, a venue actually better known for its clubby vibe. Then there was the appreciative crowd, an unusual mix of metal and guitar heads, Testament fans, general rock fans and the downright curious. Throw in the fact it was Alex’s birthday and you had the basis for a lot of fun on the last night of the band’s debut UK tour.

Perhaps only Alex Skolnick – a guitarist who has effortlessly mastered both the disciplines of thrash metal and jazz – could ever hope to approach such an ambitious project as this. For when Alex talks about jazz, it’s a label open to interpretation.

AST is a mixture inspired playing and brilliant improvisation spread over original arrangements of songs by Aerosmith, Scorpions, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Judas Priest and tempered by self penned material with moments of real feel. Alex himself cut an understated figure. He’s capable of exhilarating solo’s full of speed and thrilling dexterity, but he never strayed too far from the essential melody of a song. The trio’s breathtaking interplay was also neatly counter balanced by an ever present sense of fun.

Alex Skolnick Trio

This was especially so in the second set when Alex announced he was going to play a blues number, only to have his most muscular intro of the night stymied by his road manager, who walked on stage mid-number with a cake and two candles. Unperturbed, Alex deftly blew out the candles and continued playing.

Tonight’s AST show was a joyful surprise. We were treated to a couple of happy birthday choruses from the fans, which genuinely seemed to resonate with the guitarist, and he responded in kind with some intricate and dazzling playing.

If Alex was originally drawn to the challenge of playing jazz, he’s embraced the genre on his own terms. For while the trio frequently pushed various rock arrangements to the outer limits, Alex equally enjoyed the journey back to the melody of a tune to re-emphasize it with a deftness of touch.

This was especially so on a stunning version of Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On’, which provided the opportunity for both Skolnick and bassist Nathan Peck to weave intricate patterns. The band was equally good on Kiss’s ‘Detroit Rock City’, complete with an Alex intro that suggested that whatever Gene Simmons’s recent histrionics with the American flag, he sure can pen a decent tune, even if the song was written by Paul Stanley and Bob Ezrin.

Alex again managed to transform it into something completely different. A bebop introduction segued into a funky groove and incorporated his sparkling guitar playing with Nathan Pecks’ walking bass line. The only concession to the original song was when Alex asked the crowd to sing the chorus and he seemed joyously happy at the enthusiastic response. And why not? AST had just thrillingly shown us the art of rock infused jazz.

Playing a hollow body arch top semi-acoustic Godin 5th Avenue Composer GT Guitar (except for the natural finish, reminiscent of a mid-1960′s Gibson ES 175, with a humbucking pickup in the neck position instead of a P-90) meant for a clean and distinct sound with just a hint of delay, with the emphasis on subtle dynamics rather than volume.

He’d already set out his stall for the evening on the opening Eastern flavoured drone of ‘Bollywood Jam’ and the contrasting staccato funk of ‘99/09’, on which his delicate tone evoked George Benson. The trio workout perfectly highlighted their ability to bounce of each other and head for the stars.

Alex Skolnick Trio

A cover of The Scorpions ‘Still Loving You’ was another highlight as Skolnick transformed a sugary ballad into a trio piece that combined fluid soloing with an essential sense of the melody.

As the evening progressed, AST trod a thin line between exploring unlikely covers and inspired improv. On numbers such as the stop-start ‘Path of Least Resistance’ the boundaries between the front line guitarist and his rhythm section became blurred.

Opening with what sounded like a keyboard sample, the song burst into life on the back of Matt Zebroski’s crisp cymbal work. Each member contributed different nuances to the piece, picking up the tempo and then quietly acquiescing back to their supporting role, as Alex slipped into an intense solo over Peck’s bowed double bass.

Not for the first time on the night, the crowd roared their applause, oblivious to the fact that the song hadn’t quite finished, but it was that kind of night.

Alex Skolnick is that rare thing, a passionate, innovative and adventurous guitarist who clearly enjoys sharing his boundless ability with his fans. And as tonight demonstrated, what an ability he has!

Review by Pete Feenstra
Photos by Stu Daye & Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 8 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)