SLADE Guitarist DAVE HILL Shares 'Play It To The Crowd' Single From Upcoming 'Dirty Foot Lane' Solo Album
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Dave Hill, founding lead guitarist of SLADE, has released "Play It To The Crowd", the first single from his eagerly anticipated debut solo album, "Dirty Foot Lane", due out October 30. Inspired by the return of live music after the pandemic, the anthemic track celebrates the unique connection between artists and audiences, capturing the excitement, energy and emotion of stepping back on stage. Watch the official music video here.
"I wanted to capture what I'd missed most during lockdown — the buzz of performing live and the connection between the band and the audience," says Hill. "It's a two-way process. I wanted the song to sound and feel like a live performance, as though you've just walked into a packed arena and — bang — the band starts playing. That excitement is something you can't replace."
The single was developed in collaboration with Hill's longtime musical partner John Berry and producer, songwriter and musician Rob Childs, with contributions and final production and mastering by Django Holder. And, of course, Dave Hill on lead guitar.
The result is a powerful arena rock anthem, an uplifting track that recreates the anticipation and exhilaration of a concert night, complete with crowd ambience and handclaps that immerse listeners in the live experience. John takes the thunderous lead vocal, which he does on four of the album's ten tracks, while Hill handles the lead vocal on the remaining six.
"Play It To The Crowd" introduces the musical scope of "Dirty Foot Lane", an autobiographical collection of songs inspired by Hill's remarkable journey from his working-class upbringing to international success. Blending hard rock, blues, folk and atmospheric textures, the album explores themes of ambition, family, resilience, mental health, gratitude and a lifelong passion for music.
"Dirty Foot Lane" track listing:
01. Thanks For The Good Times
02. Back In The Air Again
03. Dust My Axe
04. She Had A Troubled Heart
05. Sweet And Tender
06. Fast Train
07. Only Fools And Horses
08. Play It To The Crowd
09. Reasons To Succeed
10. Dirty Foot Lane
"Dirty Foot Lane" is a rich, autobiographical collection of songs reflecting a lifetime of music, creativity, and personal discovery.
Best known as a founding member of SLADE, Hill steps into a new artistic space with a record that blends rock, blues, folk, and atmospheric soundscapes. The album captures both the energy of his live-performance roots and a more reflective emotional depth shaped by recent years.
"Dirty Foot Lane" is deeply rooted in Hill's personal history. The title itself refers to a real place not far from where he grew up and still lives today, underscoring his identity as a true local lad. More than just a location, Dirty Foot Lane serves as the emotional and symbolic heart of the album, representing the center of Hill's family memories and formative experiences.
The album draws on every stage of Hill's journey. "Thanks For The Good Times" serves as a tribute to fans, collaborators, and shared success, while "Reasons To Succeed" reflects his lifelong ambition. "Only Fools And Horses" revisits the unpredictable early days of the music industry, and "Fast Train" captures the intensity of SLADE's rapid rise. Elsewhere, "Dust My Axe" channels a blues-driven response to modern life, while "Sweet And Tender" offers a heartfelt tribute to his mother.
The title track, "Dirty Foot Lane", stands as the emotional centerpiece of the record. Reimagined with Django Holder, it blends folk and ambient elements into an intimate, atmospheric soundscape.
"It's my story — my family, my home, my journey," Hill says. "Everything connects back to that."
(Source: www.blabbermouth.net)
