Following the resounding success of the UK leg of his Speaking Words tour, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has picked up the mic again for a 15-city North American leg, which kicked off in Chicago, IL on February 20th. Canada's Lithium Magazine recently spoke with Scott about the project:

Scott admits that he had no inclination of doing a spoken word show, let alone touring all over the world with it. He said it started with a one-off show at the behest of a promoter, and ended up being the new ‘thing’ in his life.

“I can remember saying to myself sometime over the last 10 or 15 years that it’s really cool that HENRY ROLLINS can go out and do these talking tours. He kind of travels the world and then writes a show based on his observations and then he goes out and talks about it. I thought it was so cool that he does that, because I am a big Henry Rollins fan. I saw him do some of those shows back in the 1990s and I was just really impressed by his ability to really hold an audience by just talking, the same way he was able to hold an audience when he was onstage with BLACK FLAG or his Henry Rollins Band.”
“So that was certainly inspiring but it wasn’t that I saw this and was thinking about Henry Rollins and saying to myself, ‘someday I am going to do that too.’ I was never proactive about it and I certainly wasn’t out there looking for it. But then it just kind of fell into my lap.”

Ian said he has been amazed at how his technique, delivery and stage manner has improved since he started his Speaking Words shows, and continues to enjoy it immensely. Besides his work with Anthrax and other side project bands like Stormtroopers of Death, Damnocracy, Pearl and The Damned Things, Ian has also done a lot of broadcasting work on various VH1 programs, especially as host of The Rock Show. So he does have some experience in that aspect of performing.

“I wasn’t that nervous. I kind of embraced that whole thing because I liked the idea that it was all me. All the responsibility for the evening’s entertainment was on my back and I liked that. The biggest challenge was learning how to do it well.”

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Don’t mistake this for your run-of-the-mill spoken word tour. In Scott Ian’s own words, “it ain’t no poetry reading” either. Speaking Words is an honest look at the insane life that Scott has led for the last 31 years, the people he’s met, and the events that coincide. During each show, Scott will take part in a special Q&A; session with the audience.

Scott adds, “England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Germany; I've been Speaking Words all over the world. My friends in the US and Canada, you asked for it and now I finally get to bring it home! I'm looking forward to talking with ya, talking at ya and telling you some amazing tales of drunken debauchery and ridiculousness. No punches pulled, no swear word left unturned, and no question avoided in the Q&A.; Let's do this!”

An official Speaking Words tour teaser, featuring professional footage from his upcoming Speaking Words: Live In Glasgow DVD (pre-order coming soon), can be seen below:

A special opportunity to join a VIP meet & greet at each date is available now via Scott Ian’s webstore. This unique and limited event will allow you to spend time with Scott like never before. It’s a veritable post show hangout with a metal legend - one that’s sure to enrich your knowledge of not only all-things Scott Ian, but Anthrax and metal history in general. The VIP meet & greet also includes a special VIP laminate, banner, and other goodies. Learn more and get your passes here.

Speaking Words dates:

February

24 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
25 - Toronto, ON - El Mocambo Club
26 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion
27 - Ottowa, ON - Ritual

March

1 - Baltimore, MD - The Ramshead Live: Power Plant Live
2 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
4 - Boston, MA - Hard Rock Cafe
5 - New York, NY - BB Kings
6 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
7 - West Warwick, RI - Manchester 65
8 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall