2000.MM.DD - Rock Sound Magazine - Interview with Slash

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Slash

Currently touring the States with AC/DC, rock sound caught up with ex-Guns 'n’ Roses guitarist Slash to talk about ripped crotches, hallucinations, hanging out in LA County Jail and his stunning new album ‘Ain’t Life Grand?’

Do you believe in aliens?

I think the majority of life on earth are aliens because I just can't sort this shit out! I'm a real nature freak and l think there's some-thing going on. I think a lot of stuff was panted here. When they find the planet it came from and they get too close they're gonna go ’Oh oh!' Other than that, just one fucking planet in the middle of the universe with all this fucking activity on that doesn't have anything to do with anything else, all religion aside? I'm going "I don't think so!" But what do l know?!

What's your idea of perfect happiness?

I think, without sounding too shallow, just one really fucking good day where you get on with everybody, play, you have really good sex and you make it in time for the next morning.

What's your idea of hell?

Oh god, the fucking nightmares of shows not working out! Where everything falls apart. I have these reccurring nightmares, just when everything doesn't go... not even to the point of where things are going right, but when everything self-destructs. You're standing there with your f**king dick in your hands basically, and there's fuck all you can do about it! That's my first and foremost idea of hell. The next is arguing, or the people that are responsible!

Would you prefer to be deaf or blind?

Oh shit! Oh, I don't know. I can't answer that. I can't weigh that one out! That's a 50/50 thing.

What was your most recent dream?

In the state that I'm in now, right?! On shit, I was hanging out with some band In some crazy-ass club
and my mum was there, my dad was there and my grandmother was there and somebody was having to buy the booze. The band was playing and it got ugly towards the end. That was yesterday.

If you could travel back in time, what era would you visit?

Probably the early '70s. The part that I wasn't old enough to really be part of, even though I was there. I'd go back and just say, "Hey, yeah, I know you!" I'd fuck my brains out!

What's your greatest fear?

Oh shit! Getting hit by a bus or leaving my arm out of the car while I'm in the passenger side!

If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend It?

Fuck, that's soul-searching! I think it'd probably be, simply put, having an amazing show. I could start naming names of different countries, but I can't do that 'cos it could be anywhere. Having an amazing show in front of a really enthusiastic crowd and then going back to the dressing room and peacefully going to sleep. A little bit of partying, y'know, then going to sleep.

What's the one material possession you could not live without?

T-shirts! Wait, no, I just found out yesterday, pants. Just something, 'cos l ripped my pants when l was at rehearsal last night, and I had to carry on for the rest of the evening without any fucking crotch! I had to carry my jacket around with me, so you need pants! Realistically though, judging from the African culture and stuff I've learnt from that, what you basically need is something that keeps you warm, so you need shoes, something that keeps your feet warm. They insulate your whole body.

What's the worst criminal activity you've ever been involved in?

You've seen me down at the police station here in LA right?! Apparently, being drunk and going into LA County Jail to go meet somebody. Other than that I’m not gonna mention all the other shit! That was the most recent. I almost got arrested for being drunk in LA County.

Have you ever seen a ghost or had a paranormal experience?

Oh, yeah, I have. That was way back, right around the time Guns were playing with the Stones. Actually, David Bowie talked me through this. I had a bad experience, I think because at the time I was really majorly under the influence of this charcoal depend-ency thing. He talked me through it and so at that particular point in time l was seeing a lot of shit! I was seeing all kinds of stuff - I was taking pictures of it! I'm still convinced they were there! There were little nasty guys running all over the walls and shit. As a result l almost went to prison 'cos I freaked out. But they got me out of it and I went back to LA - I had what they coll an intervention. I ended up in rehab for as long as l could bear it, then I got out and l said, "You know what, fuck you guys!" I know what I saw. I'm not crazy! But at the same time, I knew I had to sort my shit out.

What's the most embarrassing situation you've ever been in?

Probably yelling and screaming and getting my keys and my phone book back leaving rehab.

What's the most powerful emotion, love or hate?

I think love is. Just because it's more enjoyable, it's more special. As far as hate is concerned it's just too negative. Any passion for anything, positive or negative, you can at least love whatever the point is, whereas hate is just completely negative and you can't work with anything or with anyone.

Do you believe in life after death?

I've not figured that one out yet. So far, in my two times of being there, I haven't seen anything!

Do you believe In God?

I believe in something, but I wouldn't put a label on it. l believe in the concept of being good and in morals and all the things that that's based on.

Do you surf the internet?

No. As far as l'm concerned it's the antichrist. l try not to go there if I can. It's a huge thing at this point in time where it's all over the place, but I avoid it when I can. I don't mind conversing about it, but to actually sit there and put my fingers on the keypad - no! About two years ago, someone told me about the Slash fan site. It'd been going for two years and l was like, "Nah, whatever," but he was like, "You've gotta see this, I'm not kidding you." So I finally saw it and l figured, better friend than foe! We hooked up and we keep some sort of communication going with all the fans globally. Only she has to mail me everything!

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

"Don't go down with the ship". My dad gave me that.

What will your epitaph say?

He worked real hard and he was a good guy. You know, I don't really have a lot of romantic expressions on that one!

Slash's Snakepit's new album, "Ain't Life Grand?" is out now on Koch