The State Of America Is "Like Nothing I've Ever Seen In My Lifetime", Says Myles Kennedy

Show Me A Leader, opening track and single from Alter Bridge's 2016 record The Last Hero, is a rallying cry for someone who can be a guide through demanding times. Leadership and heroism are loosely over-arching themes throughout the remainder of the album. However, the members couldn't have foreseen the discontent and global protest that occurred since its release, nor how swiftly it would all escalate.

"I didn't know what would happen; it's impossible because no one has a crystal ball," the US heavy rockers' genial vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy ponders. "But seeing how everything has played out here, the record definitely seems to be proven to be somewhat prophetic in a way. Because of the subject matter there was the thought that once the election came and went that some of the emotions that were conveyed on that record might not be as relevant. But now it seems like, since the election and since this new administration — it seems, if anything, to have turned up the heat even more. Things are definitely pretty different over here in the States right now; like nothing I've ever seen in my lifetime."

"When I think of rockstars I think of larger-than-life characters, but at the same time I realise that I've been very lucky that I've been doing this for a long time now."

Despite the 24-hour news cycle and social media readily providing platforms that many artists are willing to utilise, some musicians seem reluctant to openly reveal a political stance for fear of potentially creating division within their fanbase. The quartet adopted a different tack. "For us it was just really more a matter of expressing the emotions that we were feeling and that people around us were feeling. Some bands are good at taking their political feelings and, basically, they've got an agenda and they're good at conveying that.

"That's just not where Alter Bridge really stands; that's not something we feel comfortable doing. But at the same time... Definitely from an emotional standpoint and the frustration or passion or whatever it is, that definitely was manifested on this record. So with regards to which side you're on, it seems like people relate to the songs, which is interesting."

And it's the music Kennedy seems most at ease discussing. Although blessed with a powerhouse voice that ideally complements Alter Bridge's arena-sized riffage — Slash enlisted him for his solo outfit and members of Led Zeppelin auditioned the frontman for a project — Kennedy's unassuming demeanour has resulted in being afforded tags such as "the reluctant rockstar", or "the nicest guy in rock".

"I guess it's hard for me when people use the term 'rockstar'," he says. "Because I think of it like I'm a musician, I'm very fortunate to get to do what I do. When I think of rockstars I think of larger-than-life characters, but at the same time I realise that I've been very lucky that I've been doing this for a long time now. So I understand that people will put you in a category and put a term to your name. What's most important to me is hopefully I'm making people happy and that in itself helps give me purpose and the motivation to keep doing it."