After surviving the temper tantrums of their previous lead singer, three former members of rock band Guns N’ Roses won’t let a mere drugs bust derail their fledgling supergroup. As the new band, Velvet Revolver, generates early buzz with its first new song, the legal and health problems of frontman Scott Weiland have already cast doubt over its prospects. But bassist Duff McKagan told reporters Thursday, an hour before the band played its first public performance, that Weiland’s woes were a fact of life. “Rock ‘n’ roll is not a safe thing,” McKagan said. “It shouldn’t be a safe thing.… Read more »
They don’t have a record deal. They don’t have a music publishing deal. But they are on their way to having a hit single with “Set Me Free” off “The Hulk” soundtrack. Collectively, they’ve sold 70 million albums worldwide. Velvet Revolver’s lineup is stocked with the bad boys of rock supergroups, including Guns N’ Roses vets Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, David Kushner of Suicidal Tendencies and former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Thursday night, they play their first official show – a free, fans-only, short set after an international news conference – at the El Rey in… Read more »
When you think of Barbie the last image to come to mind would still be lightyears away from an image of GWAR. Yet, the metal mercenaries say that covering Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” solo from the Barbie movie, “Just made sense.” The Barbie movie soundtrack made waves last summer, and the quintessential standout track amongst it was “I’m Just Ken” performed by Gosling. If you didn’t already know, the song is inherently rock-rooted, featuring a solo from legendary guitarist and performer Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, and more). The GWAR gang built on those rock roots, amplifying them… Read more »
Recently, Jamie McGrath was able to speak with Mary Forsberg Weiland about her history of bipolar and addiction.
The 13-track set contains collaborations with an eclectic roster of guest vocalists, including Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell, Kid Rock, Ian Astbury and Iggy Pop.
The bass player with Jane’s Addiction has quit the band, and will reportedly be replaced by former Guns N’ Roses rocker Duff McKagan.
Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash has released a video in support of gay marriage. In the video clip, Slash plays the national anthem ” The Star-Spangled Banner ” on guitar in the background while his wife, Perla Hudson, speaks out on behalf of same-sex unions . “I married my sweetheart, you should be able to marry yours too,” she says. “Say no to hate and yes to equal rights. Keep up the fight.” The couple encourage people to participate in protests against Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative banning gay marriage , which voters passed in the November 4… Read more »
Reunited rock band Stone Temple Pilots will play their first concert in more than seven years at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 17, the band said Tuesday. Frontman Scott Weiland, who went on to co-found Velvet Revolver, recently entered rehab to deal with a chronic addiction. But he is expected to be ready to join forces with guitarist Dean DeLeo, his bass player brother Robert, and drummer Eric Kretz. Other acts confirmed for Rock on the Range, which also takes place May 18 at Columbus Crew Stadium, include Kid Rock, Disturbed, 3 Doors Down,… Read more »
After Velvet Revolver wraps a spring tour in support of its second album, “Libertad,” frontman Scott Weiland will rejoin his former bandmates in Stone Temple Pilots for a handful of summer reunion shows, guitarist Slash told Billboard.com. STP broke up in late 2002; the band’s last album was the previous year’s “Shangri-La Dee Da.” No other details have yet been revealed about STP’s plans. In the meantime, Weiland and his Velvet Revolver bandmates are still plugging away in support of “Libertad” with dates that run through early April. There’s also the hope that recording for album No. 3 could begin… Read more »
Gibson Guitar will release eight new Slash-branded guitars on March 15, and is taking the current models affiliated with the Velvet Revolver guitarist off the market. Why eight? “Price points,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “They’re going to go from cheap to high-end custom, personally signed by Slash.” Also on tap for this year is a new Jimmy Page guitar. “The ink is still drying on the deal,” Juszkiewicz says. “It’s going to be a special guitar.”
