2007.03.DD - Hit Parader - Velvet Revolver: Cocked And Loaded

VELVET REVOLVER
COCKED AND LOADED

It's now been over three years since Velvet Revolver's debut album, CONTRABAND, lit up the rock and roll skies with its rugged riffs, volatile vocals and take no-prisoners attitude. Since then guitarist Slash, vocalist Scott Weiland, bassist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum and rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner have continually proven their musical worth through a series of high-profile videos and a string of incredible concert performances. Despite the requisite numbers of doubters who wondered if this star-studded lineup wouldn't quickly collapse under the weight of their own collected ego, the VR camp forged boldly ahead, creating a sight and sound explosion that for many has recalled the halcyon days of the hard rock empire. Now, as they prepare to unleash their second bolt of hard rock lightning, LIBERTAD, on an anxiously-awaiting world, a new series of questions -and corresponding answers- have sprung up around what has fast become one of the most successful and controversial bands in the world.

Even as they began work on their new disc (which contrary to initial reports stemming from words issued by Weiland, will apparently NOT be a "concept" album), rumors spread throughout the rock scene that the VR gang were on the verge of breaking apart. Stories circulated that Slash and Duff were pissed off at Weiland, and that the mercurial singer was supposedly annoyed by the increasing amount of control Slash's wife was asserting over the band. But a few cosmetic changes and conciliatory comments later, it seemed as if everyone was more-or-less back on an even keel... with music for the new album coming together slowly-but-surely.

"You know what our goal is?" Sorum asked. "It's just to get trough every day... and maybe make some good music in the process. We've learned that everything else just doesn't matter. All the words, all the talk, they're just a distraction for us. We've got to maintain our focus".

Despite the carnival-like atmosphere that surrounds them on a seemingly constant basis, these guys somehow still seem to have their priorities in order. Music first....everything and EVERYONE else second. But for Velvet Revolver, such tumult is far from unexpected. After all, the band members' past histories in such stellar-yet-troubled outfits as Guns 'N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots virtually guaranteed a healthy degree of the internal insanity...as well as plenty of out-of-the-box media and fan recognition. So while neither the group's headline-grabbing strife nor their platinum-covered success has ranked as a major surprise, both have been greeted by a major sigh of resignation from the entire VR contingent.

"We've never been very good at trying to play nice and fit in with everyone else," McKagan said. "We've always been much better at rubbing everyone's face in the mud and just doing our own thing. This is a very dangerous band on a number of levels- and we may be the first dangerous band that's come along in a long time. Our goal is still to go out there and cause as much chaos possible."

While their core members have all now passed the "magical" age barrier of 40, it seems as if not all of their past "bad boy" reputation has disappeared with their advancing years. Oh sure, Slash may no longer choose to perpetually live life on the razor's edge, where his past activities marked him as one of hard rock's most notorius -and self-destructive- forces. And Weiland seems to have finally thrown aside the dangerous predilections that perpetually cast his well-being -as well as his career- in harm's way. But at the same time, while these time-tested rockers seem far more at peace with both of themselves and with those around them, one can sense that whit the VR gang there's always a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off.

"It's really cool to feel great, and to be with people whose sole goal is to make great music", Slash said. "People can say anything they want about me and about this band. All we care about is that they listen to the music. We've had so many opportunities in our lives. Some of them we've taken advantage of, and others have slipped through our fingers. We want to make sure that we take every advantage of the great situation we've encountered with Velvet Revolver. Finding the right people to play with, and the right opportunity to present what you're doing isn't easy. So that's why I'm so excited about this band. This is my chance to make music that I enjoy with people who share my passion".

There's no denying that with the appearance of their second disc, Velvet Revolver has cemented their postition as a true musical force for the 21st Century. The hard-driving, yet eminently listenable brand of rock and roll fury created by this high-profile quintet has once again caused an unparalleled commotion in hard rock circles, and rightfully so! In many ways their sound represents the best pure, straight-ahead hard rock music of the last decade. At a time when so many other groups seem more preoccupied with making sure their tattoos are on straight, these guys seem more than willing show everyone around exactly how to apply the pedal to the metal with style, attitude and sonic fury.

"It's all great rock and roll music, and rock and roll is timeless, " Slash said. "To me, it's when you develop the attitude that you've got to make music a certain way in order to fit in and keep up with everyone else that your music stands the chance of getting corrupted. Our focus has stayed on doing what we like- and what we feel comfortable doing- and then hoping for the best."

"The music is very aggressive, almost vicious in the way it just explodes on every track," Weiland added. "We grab you right in the beginning and we don't let you go! You should feel like you need to lace up your boots real tight and get ready for a fight. When you're in a band for a number of years things just naturally change. Some of the excitement you may have initially felt begins to fade away. But in this band we've all been able to re-experience that excitement all over again. It's been really magical. People can accept this music for what it is- great rock and roll. It doesn't fit in that well with a lot of things you may be hearing on the radio. It doesn't want to fit in.

Why should everything have to adapt to expectations? That doesn't make sense to me. We've all been quite successful over the years by developing something unique... not by fitting in."

Velvet Revolver might perform in Van Halen's stead at induction ceremony; will tour in support of Libertad.