Acclaimed guitarist and founder of progressive instrumental rock outfit Animals As Leaders, Tosin Abasi has been revealed as the "Air Shredder" in the upcoming Bill & Ted Face the Music feature film.
Linking up with Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, the tandem execute the actual instrumentation of the movie's fictional band, Wyld Stallyns that features the film's protagonists, Bill & Ted. Animals As Leaders are featured in the film's title track, "Face the Music".
Abasi, has assumed the lofty role of the film's "Air Shredder," responsible for providing the guitar licks for the air guitar exchanges that happen throughout the film between Bill & Ted. To frame the importance of the role, legendary guitarist Steve Vai was the previous "Air Shredder" for Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.
Jonathan Leahy is the music supervisor for Face the Music and had the following to say of Abasi.
“Getting the right guitarist to handle Bill & Ted’s air shredding was one of my top priorities from the very beginning. The director asked me “what does shredding sound like in 2020?” and my answer was “it sounds like Tosin Abasi.” Tosin’s virtuosity is mind-blowing and he leads the vanguard of modern players who push the limits of what’s capable on electric guitar. Everything about his approach, from the compositions to the techniques to the physical instrument itself, seems like it arrived via time machine from the future.”
The role reveal is shared with the news that Animals As Leaders have resigned with influential record label Sumerian Records and are currently working in the studio on the band's fifth full length release - the first of the new deal. Initially signing with Sumerian in 2014, the renewed contract reiterates the connection between the label and the nurtured vision of Animals As Leaders.
Founder and CEO of Sumerian Records Ash Avildsen issued the following statement.
“I have known Tosin and Javier longer than anyone else in the music business. We came up together as kids in DC figuring it out with the most DIY, take no prisoners approach we could. They have both played big parts in my life and career. I can honestly say my path could have ended up very differently had I not become so close with them when we were rookies. I am honored to continue our relationship on an artist/label level and couldn’t be more proud to have Animals As Leaders on the Sumerian roster. They are one of the most influential groups of our generation in this world of music."
Bill & Ted Face the Music begins streaming on August 28th and can be accessed HERE
