To many, Chris Shiflett is better known for his work with other bands. In particular, he’s the lead guitarist for Foo Fighters, No Use For a Name and punk supergroup Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. However, recent years have seen Shiflett carve out a career as a troubadour, which goes beyond traditional recording. Sure, he’s put out a few albums that stays true to the Bakersfield-infused sound that surprisingly has shaped his style.
Additionally, Shiflett hosts his weekly Walking the Floor podcast, where he’s chatted with the likes of Davey Havok and Jade Puget, Sturgill Simpson, Bob Mould, Mike Ness and Lucinda Williams about their inspirations, aspirations and everything in between.
In support of his latest solo album West Coast Town, which is out April 14 via SideOneDummy, Shiflett has been on the road and for once has been the headliner instead of just the lead guitarist. Before his show in New York City, we caught up with Shiflett to chat about the new record, his terrific podcast and what it’s like to be the boss now. Hop to the next page to read the full interview
Between all of your endeavors, when did you find time to sit down and record the album?
I made the record down in Nashville with Dave Cobb producing. We used a bunch of his guys to play on it. I was out there for three weeks and they did the whole thing, and completely finished during that time.
Did you write in the studio with the other musicians?
No, no. Some of the ideas I’ve been kicking around for a while. Once I had the studio time booked, I got down to the business of finishing ideas. I wanted to go out there with a surplus of songs. I knew we were only going to do 10, but I wanted to have more than that. I had about 13 done and wrote another five or so when I was out there. Some of those I recorded after the fact back home so I could have a B-sides, bonus track and things like that. It was a really, really wonderful experience.
So it’s a true solo album?
I didn’t go out there with a band. Dave lined up all the folks that played on it. I just met them out there and recorded with all of those guys. None of those guys are touring with me. It really is a solo album.
Sounds pretty painless.
It really was. Dave is a master at what he does. The guys who played on the record are all incredible. That’s the way he operates. He doesn’t want it to get stale when you’re in there. He keeps it really relaxed. I never felt stressed or any drama. You never really feel like you’re working too hard, but you’re getting a lot done. I put so much more into this new record. All Hat and No Cattle, I love that record and it was super fun to make, but it was a covers record we did live in the studio and wasn’t super high gloss production effort to do it. This one is more worked out and together, and sonically in a different place.
Now that you’re on the road under your own name, when was the last time you were the band leader?
Only with my solo stuff really. It’s definitely a role I’ve had to grow into. It can be awkward on stage sometimes. I don’t like being the boss or whatever. But it’s such a small time thing that it’s fun. I’m out here with some friends and everybody is a great player and I don’t have to micromanage anything.
What’s the biggest difference from playing at these monster arenas and festivals with Foos versus back to tiny rooms with this?
I love playing the smaller rooms. We sold out Pappy & Harriet’s out in Pioneertown, which was awesome since I love playing out there. I’m actually playing at Bottlerock the day before the Foos play, which is Saturday for me, Sunday for Foos.
What other plans do you have for this?
I’d love to get a support spot one someone else’s tour, that would be ideal. Once the record is out, I’ll see what my schedule looks like and try to book some more stuff. I’d love to get overseas. People on social media reach out to me to head over to where they are, and I’d love to do all that. I just have to see what opportunities present themselves.
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