Shatner rocks heavy metal covers with Ozzy, Metallica & Motörhead
From Stargazer to Shredder: William Shatner Unleashes Heavy Metal Debut
When you think of a 95-year-old legend, you probably picture cosmic journeys and the vastness of Star Trek. But this celebrated figure has just traded warp speed for distortion, launching an unlikely and explosive debut into the world of heavy metal with his new band, The uckers.
Last night, Shatner and his crew put on a warm-up show at Chicago’s Park West, delivering a six-song set that proved he wasn’t just exploring time and space anymore—he was exploring pure sonic chaos. The performance featured high-energy covers of heavy metal titans, including Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and Motörhead’s “Ace Of Spades.”
This wasn’t just a casual gig; it was a statement. Shatner framed this new musical chapter with a wry philosophy, teasing the shift from cosmic exploration to musical intensity by saying, “I have explored space. I have explored time. Now … I explore distortion.”
The band, The uckers, is a spirited group comprised of Marcus Nand, who serves as the musical director and guitarist; Britt Lightning, the guitarist for Vixen; Phil Soussan, the bassist who brings a history with Osbourne; and drummer Fred Aching. The lineup mixes veteran experience with raw, energetic fire.
The debut performance served as a vital warm-up before their planned appearance at Riot Fest the following day, setting the stage for a major festival run. The anticipation for their full performance is already palpable, building towards a massive stage appearance in Chicago.
Beyond the music, the spectacle surrounding the band has been just as wild. In the lead-up to the Riot Fest performance, Shatner unveiled an equally extravagant set of rider demands, blending the epic with the absurd. These demands included fire-breathers, a DeLorean to transport him to the stage, four feet of Polish sausage, and an assortment of adoptable puppies.
The demands also pointed toward a truly epic, theatrical experience, with Shatner requesting an introductory film made by GWAR, eight pallets of Faygo, and a Montreal Canadiens hockey jersey signed by John Stamos.
The foundation for the forthcoming metal album, What The F Is Heavy Metal?, promises to be a symphony of rock royalty. The project is set to feature an astonishing array of famous metal and rock guests, including members of iconic bands such as Queen’s Brian May, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, Disturbed bassist John Moyer, and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.
As this new musical venture gains momentum, Shatner is not stopping there. He has indicated that the live career of The uckers could extend well beyond Riot Fest. In a tantalizing glimpse into their future, Shatner reportedly hinted that the band is on the line-up for a performance at Coachella in 2027, fueling the promise of further rock stardom for the seasoned star.
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