Bill & Ted Face The Music is being released today (28) and we’re still learning more about it’s production and music. On Thursday, it was revealed that Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi will be doing all of the shredding during Bill & Ted’s iconic air guitar moments.
“Getting the right guitarist to handle Bill and Ted’s air-shredding was one of my top priorities from the very beginning,” said music supervisor Jonathan Leahy in a statement (reported by Blabbermouth). “The director asked me, ‘What does shredding sound like in 2020?’ and my answer was, ‘It sounds like Tosin Abasi.’ Tosin’s virtuosity is mind-blowing and he leads the vanguard of modern players who push the limits of what’s capable on electric guitar. Everything about his approach, from the compositions to the techniques to the physical instrument itself, seems like it arrived via time machine from the future.”
Director Dean Parisot was on board with Abasi from the beginning, that is if they could get him. “When Jonathan Leahy suggested Tosin Abasi for ‘Bill & Ted’, I have to admit my first response was, ‘Are you kidding? Absolutely! But will he even do it?’ Miraculously, he did, and as expected, he blew us all away! Absolutely brilliant virtuosity and musicianship, an artist of the highest caliber, and a very nice man. I still can’t believe he did it. So so grateful he did.”
Said Abasi, “I’m thrilled to be part of the ‘Bill & Ted’ universe. Most excellent!”
Abasi takes over the official air shredder honors from hard rock guitarist Steve Vai, who had provided all the guitar solos for the previous film, ‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.’
The air guitar parts aren’t the only place you’ll hear Abasi in the film. Both he and Animals As Leaders bandmate Javier Reyes, along with trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, make up the instrumental portion of Bill & Ted’s band Wyld Stallyns. The trio performs the film’s title track, “Face The Music,” which also appears on the official soundtrack.
The soundtrack for Bill & Ted Face The Music, like the film, is set for release today (August 28).
In addition to news of their work on Bill & Ted Face The Music, it was also announced on Thursday that Animals As Leaders have signed a new deal with Sumerian Records and are working on their fifth studio album. The band has been working with the label since 2014, releasing their albums The Joy of Motion (2014) and The Madness of Many (2016), during their first deal.
“I have known Tosin and Javier longer than anyone else in the music business,” said Sumerian founder/CEO Ash Avildsen in a statement (as reported by Blabbermouth). “We came up together as kids in D.C. figuring it out with the most DIY, take-no-prisoners approach we could. They have both played big parts in my life and career. I can honestly say my path could have ended up very differently had I not become so close with them when we were rookies.”
He continued, “I am honored to continue our relationship on an artist/label level and couldn’t be more proud to have Animals As Leaders on the Sumerian roster. They are one of the most influential groups of our generation in this world of music. As for Matt G, he is a true G. As for his alter ego Dirty D, I am not at liberty to comment.”
The band is excited to renew their partnership with the label as well. Said Reyes, “We are happy to announce that Animals As Leaders has re-signed to Sumerian Records. We have known the folks at Sumerian for years on both a personal and professional level and it honestly feels great to continue our journey together. Sumerian has been an integral part in the growth of Animals As Leaders, even before we ever signed to Sumerian. We look forward to working together with Sumerian for the next few years to continue growing our brands and legacies.”
Adds Abasi, “I’ve seen the birth and ascension of Sumerian Records to one of the most important labels in modern metal and beyond. Animals As Leaders is stoked to be continuing our journey with them.”
A release timeline for the new Animals As Leaders album has not been announced yet.
