BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's WYLDE Keeping Things 'As Fresh And Spontaneous As Possible'

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde recently spoke to Ron Wynn of the Nashville City Paper about the group's benefit show tonight (October 11) at the recently opened City Hall venue in Nashville, TN. All profits will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Alternative rock station WBUZ/Nashville is a partner in the event and is offering tickets on air. Tickets are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations and online at Ticketmaster.com.

"We know so many people and have extensive connections to families and friends in Louisiana and Mississippi, so this is the least we can do," Wylde said. "People should also know that absolutely every penny that we raise at this event is going directly to the people and families that have been so greatly affected."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest CD, "Mafia", has already gotten substantial exposure and attention, with the third single, "In This River", recently being shipped to rock radio. It’s a dashing, though also poignant, tribute to Wylde's departed friend, PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

"One thing that we’re really trying to do now, whether in the studio or in concert, is keep things as fresh and spontaneous as possible," Wylde said. "We really didn’t do a lot of rehearsal prior to recording 'Mafia', because I didn’t want to drain all the life out of them. That's one complaint I've had periodically with Ozzy. I like to get out there and see what's going to happen with the music, let it develop and not just be out there doing it the same way all the time.

"With BLACK LABEL SOCIETY we're going to have fun, and we're going to try and make our shows as fresh and spontaneous as possible."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recently parted ways with bassist James Lomenzo. Replacing him on the group's upcoming dates will be John "JD" DeServio, who had previously played with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY during the band's early days.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will be embarking on a U.S. tour with BRAND NEW SIN beginning on October 14 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The band's latest album, "Mafia", has sold 175,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.