Last month, ZAKK WYLDE (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) played three intimate shows at the Iridium in New York City. The first night he performed with the LES PAUL TRIO, but for the fianl two shows, it was just Wylde and BLS guitarist Nick Cantanese. Wylde is featured in a new interview with Guitar International discussing the shows; an excerpt is available below:

Robert Cavuoto: I enjoyed the show at the Iridium in NYC. It was part guitar, part piano and part comedy hour. How did the idea of a storyteller type of show come about?

Zakk Wylde: "Originally, I was going to promote the paperback release with some signings. Instead, I said “Why don’t I go out with Nick Catanese and jam”. It will be like a spoken-word-gone-wrong with our own twist. A Black Label fucking twist. When we did the West Coast shows, it was a huge success. It was pretty much no different than if we were jamming in my living room. Everybody’s just kicking back, havin’ some cocktails. We’re Black Label, we don’t have fans; it’s more 'fams.' Like the GRATEFUL DEAD on fucking steroids. You know everybody throughout the years. I’ve even got to know everybody’s kids."

Robert Cavuoto: I enjoyed hearing you share your insights behind some of the songs. When you write songs, whether for Ozzy or BLS, do you typically frame them out on piano or guitar?

Zakk Wylde: "Songs like 'Mama, I’m Comin’ Home' was on the piano. It was me and Ozzy just sitting in our old apartment at the time. When we got a studio, was when I picked up a 12-string guitar and started playing. Oh, man, that sounds cool on guitar.

Sometimes I’ll write on the guitar acoustically and then start jamming it on piano. It’s like 'Oh, dude, let’s do a piano version of it.' Most of the time when we do piano songs it’s in the morning when I first wake up. I start singing a melody and start putting some chords behind it. And then I have another idea for a song. That’s pretty much how it comes about.

You could be in the truck going to the store and hear 'A Whole Lotta Love' on classic rock radio. Just a riff that inspires you to write a cool ZEPPELIN or a ZAPPA-type riff. It’s something real basic and simple, like a five-note riff. Then you can drive it into the ground. As far as inspiration, it depends on what mood you’re in. Obviously, when you’re sitting behind a piano or an acoustic guitar, it’s going to be more reflective like 'Heart of Gold' or 'Desperado'."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

The footage below was professionally filmed on June 12th and features an acoustic version of 'The Blessed Hellride', which first appeared on the 2003 album of the same name.

This summer Wylde and Black Label Society will hit the road in North America as part of Dave Mustaine's Gigantour alongside headliners MEGADETH, and special guests DEVICE, HELLYEAH, NEWSTED, and DEATH DIVISION. Confirmed shows are as follows:

July

3 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook
5 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
6 - Canadaigua, NY - Marvin Sands PAC
8 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
9 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
10 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Center
12 - Dallas, TX - TBA
13 - Lubbock, TX - Lonestar Amphitheatre
14 - Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street Amphitheatre
16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
18 - Bloomington, IL - Cellular Coliseum
19 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
20 - Cadott, WI - Chippewa Valley Music Festival
22 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Center
23 - Regina, SK - Brandt Centre
25 - Calgary, AB - Stampede Corral
26 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
27 - Dawson Creek, BC - EnCana Events Centre
29 - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Entertainment Center
30 - Everett, WA - Comcast Arena

August

1 - West Valley City, UT (SLC) - Maverik Center
2 - Denver, CO - 1st Bank Center
4 - Fargo, ND - Scheels Arena
7 - Manhattan, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
9 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
10 - Montreal, QC - Heavy Metal 2013
11 - Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre