Now Sardinas has put his onstage lighting in a bottle for the new album Sticks & Stones, an 11-song powerhouse of his trademark slide guitar that is a vehicle to drive his inspiration from the roadhouse in to mainstream music. Sardinas’ unique mixture weaves his heavy blues and rock threads in to a flamethrower to the listener and takes them on a ride encompassing the past, present and future of what music is meant to be.
"Playing with intensity all over the world non-stop and loving every minute of it has been my inspiration," Sardinas explains. "That’s why I get up in the morning and what I live for. Making music keeps me in the moment, allowing my heart to speak to people."
More fans have heard that voice with each tour Sardinas and his band Big Motor have made, and with each of the previous six albums he’s recorded. Those discs include 2003’s live-in-the-studio Black Pearls, which was produced by Jimi Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer, and 2009’s Eric Sardinas and Big Motor, helmed by Matt Gruber.
Gruber, whose credits range from Ricky Martin and Carrie Underwood to the Scorpions and Lit, returns for Sticks & Stones — an album that Sardinas says captures the full range of his playing and the energy and excitement of the trio’s ‘Big Motor’ sound. "It’s really about pushing myself," Sardinas continues. "My goal is to keep growing every time I play, which is why there is so much musical freedom in improvisation when Big Motor performs live."
For Sticks & Stones, the trio approached the studio with a no holds barred approach. Whether acoustic and electric, they stayed true to their live sound, recording with no rules. Levell Price (bass) and Chris Frazier (drums), join Sardinas in delivering a kaleidoscope that melds all the shades and hues of the band’s intensity. "As always, every note is meaningful and has something to say from each player," says Sardinas.
His instrument of choice is his signature electrified resonator guitar (pictured above). Sardinas modernized an instrument made famous by traditional Blues artists in electrifying the instrument, and expanding the usual spectrum of what these guitars historically deliver musically. It is Eric’s connection and homage to his roots, and in finding his own voice, comes the electrified resonator. His trademark expression and words to live by are "Respect Tradition," and the resonator is a deep part of this.
By deftly controlling his guitar’s volume Sardinas can make the resonator emote the mood he’s feeling with its acoustic energy or electrified growl, as it does during the breakdown on Sticks & Stones’ pure spirited country blues "County Line," or roar like a lion on the hard-driving "Full Tilt Mama" and "Road To Ruin." The latter features one of Sardinas’ highest flying slide solos: a sexy, sizzling break that’s a perfect fusion of gutty energy and piquant melody — two qualities Sardinas displays in spades.
The chugging instrumental "Behind the 8" puts his slide to the fore. One reason for his always-recognizable sound is his signature slide. The Dunlop company has begun reproducing a replica of the brass pipe that travelled a million miles with Sardinas. The calibration, weight, and wear of the infamous ‘preaching pipe’ has become accessible to players worldwide. Sardinas shares, "the original pipe has so much mojo on it from over a decade of worldwide travel, and being by my side through every beer soaked bar and venue the road has to offer, the original is now only used for studio. To Sardinas, it is irreplaceable. He offers, "If Dunlop offered me a million bucks for it, I’d have to turn it down."
The common thread in all the tunes on Sticks & Stones is the essence of affairs of the heart – passions, hopes and dreams are all inspirational in a positive and negative way to Sardinas. He shares, "I like writing about universal themes. The trick is to find my own unique way of expressing myself within those themes. Every breathing moment if you walk with yours eyes open, there is song there."
A Florida-born Sardinas picked up a guitar at age six. He was inspired by the energy of roots music from his mom’s soul, Motown, gospel, and early rock n’ roll collection. From his elder brother, classic rock was always being played. Sardinas reflects, "Music was always heard in the house. I woke up to, and fell asleep to it. Still do". In his teens, he submersed himself in the Blues. "That was it for me," he says. "In blending my influences, I found my own sound. I feel very fulfilled being able to make this music my life for more than 20 years now. And my goal is to keep growing and improving, and to respect this music and stick by it the way its has supported and inspired me."
Official Website: Eric Sardinas
Ride
Eric Sardinas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, yeah
When I ride I don't stay long
'Cuz a broken heart sure don't feel like home
So come over here now, baby, and stay a while
And we'll let our dreams, child, go runnin' wild
Ooh, when I ride
It's alright
Just like the sunrise sings its song
So come over here now, baby, and understand
That a heart holds tight to what slips through your hand
Alright
When I ride
It's alright
When I ride
It's alright
When I ride
It's alright
Lord, when I ride
It's alright
Oh, Lord
Ow, take a ride with me, child
Ooh, I'll be ridin'
Gotta roll on before the break of dawn now
Ooh, I'll be ridin'
Yeah, child, singin' my song
When I ride
It's alright, yeah
When I ride
It's alright, Lord
When I ride
It's alright
It goes on and on and on and on, child
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh, they say this life is a lonesome road
But I feel love everyplace I go
So come over here now, baby, and understand
And I'll show your heart, child, the promised land
When I ride
It's alright
When I ride
It's alright
When I ride
It's alright
Lord, when I ride
It's alright...
The lyrics of Eric Sardinas's song Ride seem to be about the singer's love for the road and the transient nature of his lifestyle. He sings about how he doesn't stay in one place for too long because he hates the feeling of a broken heart when he's not on the move. However, he invites someone to join him and stay a while, so they can both let their dreams run wild. He compares his love to the resilience of the sunrise, and continues to invite this person to join him on the road, assuring them that it'll be alright. The song ends with the singer promising to show this person his promised land.
The lyrics of Ride can be interpreted in different ways, but they seem to encapsulate the essence of being a travelling musician or performer, always on the move and chasing the next gig. The singer finds comfort in the road, and invites someone to join him in this adventure. The song could also be interpreted as a romantic or platonic invitation to someone the singer cares for to share in his journey and experience the freedom of the road with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh!
Exclamation to grab attention and set the tone for the upcoming lyrics.
Ooh, yeah
Exclamation of approval and excitement for what is to come.
When I ride I don't stay long
I don't stay in one place for too long because it reminds me of heartbreak and sadness.
'Cuz a broken heart sure don't feel like home
Having a broken heart makes any place feel unfamiliar and unpleasant.
So come over here now, baby, and stay a while
Come be with me for a little bit and we can share our dreams and desires together.
And we'll let our dreams, child, go runnin' wild
We'll allow ourselves to explore the possibilities of what we can be and what we can do in life.
Ooh, when I ride
Referring to the feeling of freedom and joy that comes with traveling and discovering new places.
It's alright
Everything is good and under control.
Deep inside my love is strong
I have a strong passion and affection for life and the people around me.
Just like the sunrise sings its song
The beauty of the sunrise is a reminder of the limitless beauty and potential of the world.
So come over here now, baby, and understand
Let's connect and feel each other's emotions and intentions through our time spent together.
That a heart holds tight to what slips through your hand
Sometimes the things we lose or never experience are the ones that hold the most value and importance in our hearts.
Lord, when I ride
An expression of awe and gratitude to a higher power for the joys and experiences of life.
Ow, take a ride with me, child
Invitation to share the adventure and good times.
Ooh, I'll be ridin'
Anticipation of the fun and excitement to come with traveling and experiencing new things.
Gotta roll on before the break of dawn now
We need to hit the road and keep moving before it gets too late and we lose the chance to experience something amazing.
Yeah, child, singin' my song
Living life to the fullest and expressing oneself in the purest way possible.
It goes on and on and on and on, child
Life is a never-ending adventure, full of surprises and moments that we should cherish.
Ooh, they say this life is a lonesome road
Some people believe that life can be a solitary journey with little joy or happiness.
But I feel love everyplace I go
For me, traveling and experiencing new surroundings is an opportunity to encounter love and happiness in unexpected places.
And I'll show your heart, child, the promised land
I want to share my experiences and love with you so that you can also find happiness and fulfillment in life.
Lord, when I ride
Reiteration of the feeling of freedom and awe that comes with exploring the world.
It's alright
Underlying affirmation that everything is good in life, regardless of what happens.
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.