SLASH has spread the love to more than just fans who attended one of the 23 S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival shows. Following the conclusion of the iconic GRAMMY®-winning artist’s brief trek this summer, he has announced that the U.S. tour raised more than $125,000 for five nonprofit organizations handpicked by SLASH that benefit mental health, and socio-economic equality and justice nonprofits, uplifting the lives of underserved Americans.
The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance was created by SLASH with maximum social impact in mind. SLASH chose five nonprofit organizations to benefit from touring proceeds lifting marginalized communities and supporting mental health initiatives.
The S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival is proud to donate the full $125,0000 raised equally across National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in honor of Lucy-Bleu Knight, The Greenlining Institute, War Child, The Equal Justice Initiative, and Know Your Rights Camp. Plus1.org helped the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival organize and distribute all of the proceeds.
For the inaugural S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival, SLASH handpicked the all-star Blues lineup with Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. SLASH and his Blues Ball Band--Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (keys/vocals), Michael Jerome (drums), and Tash Neal (vocals/guitars)--also performed on all S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival dates.
“The goal of the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival is to bring music fans together in these divisive times to celebrate the spirit of the Blues with other artists who share a love of the Blues like I do and to raise awareness and funds for a handful of charities that I have supported over the years,” says SLASH. “Thank you to Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe who performed with us this year.”
Raised over the course of 23 shows in the U.S., the donated proceeds benefitted the following nonprofits:
“This donation will help NAMI continue to meet the mental health needs of our nation, advocate for systems level change, and serve youth and young adults on their mental health and wellness journeys,” says Jessica Edwards, Chief Development Officer at NAMI. “Thank you for joining NAMI in this important work to create a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.”
“The Greenlining Institute appreciates the support of the SERPENT festival and musicians like Slash that participate in giving back,” says Debra Gore-Mann, President and CEO of The Greenlining Institute. “At Greenlining, we work towards a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. We partner with communities of color to understand the barriers they face and establish equity-driven policy solutions that will fundamentally transform our systems to create a just and equitable future for all. Contributions from the SERPENT Festival will ensure we can continue to drive this essential work at a time when communities of color continue to face deeply rooted inequities and uncertainty in our rapidly changing world.”
"We are immensely grateful to Slash for his generous support,” says Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder and President of War Child USA and War Child Canada. “For over twenty-five years, War Child has delivered long-term solutions to help war-affected children recover from the devastating impacts of conflict. The funds raised from the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival will support locally led programs that provide education, uphold children’s rights, and enhance food security and economic development, helping children and families recover and rebuild their communities."
“The funds will support Know Your Rights Camp's mission to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders,” says Kerem Ozguz, Senior Director at Know Your Rights Camp.
“With such important work ahead, we are energized by this support, which will greatly aid our efforts to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, challenge racial and economic injustice, and protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society,” says Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director at the Equal Justice Initiative.
The inaugural S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival also celebrated the release of the iconic guitarist and songwriter’s sixth solo album Orgy of the Damned.
On Orgy of the Damned, SLASH goes back to what has always been at the heart of his playing: the Blues. Released on May 17 2024, SLASH’s critically acclaimed sixth solo album, Orgy of the Damned--was produced by GRAMMY Hall of Fame Producer Mike Clink and is available everywhere worldwide on Gibson Records HERE. A first for SLASH, Orgy of the Damned spent 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart in the U.S. The new album also debuted as the #1 Blues Album in the U.S and the U.K., #2 on the U.S. Rock Albums Chart, as well as achieving Top 10 Chart positions in 7 countries around the world.
Hailed “a beautifully tailored love letter to the Blues” (Blues Matters) on Orgy of the Damned SLASH revitalizes blues classics with the album’s handpicked diverse guest vocalists, which include Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Chris Stapleton, Iggy Pop, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Dorothy, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Tash Neal, and Beth Hart. SLASH selected standard blues songs made famous by Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, and tracks from blues rock bands like Peter Green‘s Fleetwood Mac and Steppenwolf. He even strays from the blues for Motown tracks from Stevie Wonder, as well as The Temptations--featuring powerful vocals from Demi Lovato on “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” HERE--showcasing the inherent blues underlying all great music from the 60s and 70s. The legendary guitarist reunited with two of his bandmates from his Blues Ball Band outfit in the 90s, Johnny Griparic (bass), and Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (keys), and brought on drummer Michael Jerome, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal who round out his blues band in the studio and on the road.
Listen to ‘Orgy of the Damned’.
Watch SLASH and his Blues Ball Band perform the first single “Killing Floor” feat. Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals perform live at Sky Arts Awards in London HERE.
