Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling rock band SOUL ASYLUM are heading to the UK & European to tour their thirteenth album “Slowly But Shirley” (out now, via Blue Élan Records). Soul Asylum is: Dave Pirner (lead singer, guitars), Michael Bland (drums) Ryan Smith (lead guitars), Jeremy Tappero (bass).
The latest tour follows the band’s huge co-headline tour with Everclear in 2022, which saw the Minneapolis legends reassert their phenomenal live reputation. Over the years, Soul Asylum have performed on pivotal UK TV fixtures like Later… with Jools, played a main stage slot at Glastonbury 1995 alongside the likes of Oasis and The Cure, while also stunning audiences at major UK venues like Glasgow Barrowland, Brixton Academy, The London Astoria, and Manchester Academy.
Soul Asylum’s legacy spans over four decades, highlighted by their breakthrough album, Grave Dancers Union, which went double platinum and featured the Grammy-winning hit, “Runaway Train.” Despite challenges and changes, the band has remained a vital force in the rock scene, continually evolving while staying true to their roots. ‘Slowly But Shirley’ is a testament to their enduring spirit and creative prowess.
The album’s title and cover pay homage to Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, a pioneering drag racer who inspired Pirner in his youth. As he explains: “When I was a kid, I loved drag racing… And she was the first woman of drag race. It meant a lot to me that she was willing to stand up against all these men in racing. My manager called her up, and she gave us her blessing, which means a whole lot to me because she was a childhood hero.”
Known for their dynamic blend of punk energy and heartfelt melodies, Soul Asylum’s new album delivers a rich array of musical styles, from raucous rockers with guitar-fuelled firepower to delicate heartfelt tunes. Collaborating once again with producer Steve Jordan (Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Keith Richards), who helmed their 1990 album And the Horse They Rode In On,
The band finds a seamless balance between revisiting their roots and breaking new sonic ground. At the heart of the album is frontman Dave Pirner‘s soulful songwriting, with the band recording live in the studio to capture the raw, captivating spirit that defines their unforgettable live performances. For tickets for their upcoming UK performances (and indeed the European ones which follow), please go to their website
With ‘Slowly But Shirley’, Soul Asylum continues to explore the emotional highs and lows of life while honouring their legacy as one of Minneapolis’ most enduring rock bands. The album is a testament to their staying power, combining musical growth with the familiar grit and energy that has defined them for over four decades. “You come into the studio with everything you’ve learned from previous record-making experiences,” Pirner says. “That can’t help but guide you and make it a better, more efficient process.”
Slowly But Shirley’ opens with the powerful track “The Only Thing I’m Missing,” showcasing the band’s signature sound with a scorching guitar line and a buoyant tempo, setting the tone for the rest of the 11 tracks. Fans can watch a new video for the track below.
Image (c) Darin Kamnetz
