At 95, William Shatner has embraced heavy metal as his latest creative outlet. His band, the uckers—guitarists Marcus Nand and Britt Lightning, bassist Phil Soussan and drummer Fred Achin—made its live debut on Sept. 19 at Chicago’s Park West before performing at Riot Fest’s Rebel Stage.
According to setlist.fm, the group played six songs, including covers of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The set also featured three originals, one of which may be titled “damn old age.”
In an interview with Michael Moynihan earlier this month, Shatner described himself as being in a “fervor of creativity.” He said he was writing books and albums, developing a heavy metal record and preparing a 30-minute concert with a band. Shatner also admitted that he had limited knowledge of the genre before recording a response to Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience,” which he called “impassioned.” He joked that he was tired of aging, losing his hair, eating less, catching colds and feeling exhausted.
Earlier this summer, Shatner also announced a Coachella booking. His upcoming album, What The F Is Heavy Metal?, is set for release through Cleopatra Records but has not yet been given a date.
