'Under The Influence - A Jam Band Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd' to be released October 5

NEW YORK (Sanctuary Records) - Sanctuary Records will pay homage to one of America's greatest rock bands with the release of UNDER THE INFLUENCE - A JAM BAND TRIBUTE TO LYNYRD SKYNYRD, out October 5.
For the special 11-song disc, Sanctuary recruited some of the top names in guitar-driven rock to re-interpret their favorite classic Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes, including Gov't Mule ("Simple Man"), Blues Traveler ("Free Bird"), Big Head Todd and The Monsters ("Sweet Home Alabama"), Les Claypool of Primus ("Call Me The Breeze"), North Mississippi Allstars ("Whiskey Rock a Roller") and Drive-by Truckers ("Every Mother's Son").

Gov't Mule frontman/guitarist Warren Hayes says they chose "Simple Man" because it contains some "of Ronnie's most heartfelt lyrics--It's a song Gov't Mule has performed several times prior to this recording. It's amazing what you can do with three chords, if they're the right three chords."

Todd Mohr of Big Head Todd and the Monsters noted "Sweet Home Alabama" is "one of the great rock songs of all time." The singer/guitarist admits: "It was very challenging to give the song a new interpretation. The track was a blast to work on and I think we were successful in honoring the song, while presenting it in a completely contemporary setting.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the great rock bands of all time, particularly in the guitar realm... They had three phenomenal guitar players. Since Big Head Todd and The Monsters are very blues guitar-oriented, there are a lot of similarities. They are our forefathers, so to speak."
"Lynyrd Skynyrd bridge 60's psychedelic rock to the gunslingers of the 80's like Van Halen," says Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi All Stars. "Long live rock and God bless America."