William Shatner will debut a new heavy metal album and perform with his band, The *uckers, at Chicago’s Riot Fest from Sept. 18 to 20. The 95-year-old actor confirmed the appearance in a video message on the festival’s website, stating he decided to play because organizers are “such big fans.”
The Lineup of The *uckers Heavy Metal Band
Shatner is not venturing into metal alone. According to a statement on his Instagram, the band features a group of musicians designed to reimagine his previous work and introduce new material.
The roster includes Phil Soussan on bass, who previously played with Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Idol. Marcus Nand serves as the musical director and handles guitar duties via a flamenco style. Britt Lightning, of the glam-metal group Vixen, is also on guitar, while Fred Aching of Powerflo handles the drums.
Did you know? This isn’t Shatner’s first musical experiment. He released The Transformed Man in 1968, featuring spoken-word covers of the Beatles and Elton John.
Riot Fest Recruitment and the “Shatner Rider”
Riot Fest, an independently-owned festival established in 2005, spent years attempting to book the Star Trek star. The festival shared images of a long-term letter-writing campaign used to convince Shatner to join the lineup, which typically features punk, hip-hop, and metal acts.
The actor responded with a series of highly specific demands in his performance rider. According to images posted on the Riot Fest website, Shatner’s requirements include:
- Multiple fire breathers.
- A Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater signed by John Stamos.
- A dressing room themed as a “Shag Shack.”
- The opportunity to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at a Chicago baseball game.
- A co-anchoring weather segment with a prominent Chicago meteorologist.
- The renaming of a boat in his honor so he can “captain a ship again.”
A Career of Musical Exploration
Shatner’s move into heavy metal follows a decades-long history of genre-bending projects. While The Transformed Man was mocked by critics, he continued to record. In 2004, he collaborated with Ben Folds on the album Has Been. By 2011, he released Seeking Major Tom, which featured a diverse range of artists including Sheryl Crow, Zakk Wylde, Bootsy Collins, and Peter Frampton.
Shatner told Instagram that he views music and space as similar in their requirement for exploration, describing Riot Fest as a place “where anything can happen.”
Pro Tip: If you’re tracking the release of the new album, keep an eye on Cleopatra Records, the label associated with the festival’s promotional imagery.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does William Shatner perform at Riot Fest?
He is scheduled to appear during the festival dates from September 18 to 20.
What is the name of William Shatner’s new band?
The band is called The *uckers.
Is William Shatner playing shows in Canada?
CBC News reached out to Shatner’s representatives regarding Canadian dates, but as of the latest report, they have not received a response.
Will you be heading to Chicago for the debut of The *uckers? Tell us which of Shatner’s “demands” is the most wild in the comments below.
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