BLACK STONE CHERRY are currently touring the UK with label mates ALTER BRIDGE and THEORY OF A DEADMAN. Whilst on the road, rushonrock editor Simon Rushworth caught up with BLACK STONE CHERRY guitarist Ben Wells to ask him how it’s going, what fans can expect, how to maintain longecvity in a band and much more. Check out some extracts below:

rushonrock: Black Stone Cherry celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – are you still going strong?

Ben Wells: We’ve been going for a decade but I think we’re as strong as we’ve always been. I think the bond’s become stronger over the years because we’ve learnt so much more about each other. We’ve become so much closer after spending so many years on the road together. As a band we’re still in it to win it.

rushonrock: It’s rare for the original line-up to be together for so long – what’s the secret?

Ben Wells: We don’t let anything get between us. We don’t let drugs or money or all of that stupid stuff come between us. First and foremost we’re friends and we love making music together. We split everything evenly and there are no egos. No one person has ever become bigger than the rest or bigger than the band and I don’t see that changing.

rushonrock: You’re veterans when it comes to playing with the biggest names in rock but how’s it been going with Alter Bridge?

Ben Wells: So far the tour with Alter Bridge has been going great. Those guys are some of the best dudes we’ve ever toured with – both the band and their crew are awesome. We all hang out together on days off and have fun together.

rushonrock: And is Myles Kennedy the best rock singer in the world right now?

Ben Wells: Myles Kennedy is such a talented guy. He’s an incredible singer and he’s surrounded by great musicians. We learn from all of the bands we play with and it’s been no different on this tour. That’s another reason why we’re still here and still making music. We don’t think we’re too cool to learn.

rushonrock: Has it become more difficult identifying the perfect BSC setlist now there’s another critically acclaimed album to throw into the mix?

Ben Wells: The setlist this time out is a good mix of all three albums. It’s a good, rocking set. It’s always been tough to pick the perfect BSC setlist but with every new album that task becomes even tougher. The big songs will always be there and it’s a case of picking the best of the rest.

You can read the full interview on rushonrock’s website by clicking here and you can find dates for the current and recently announced tour for BLACK STONE CHERRY over on our Tour Page – point your mouse in this direction to check out the details.