2009.03.DD - Sonic Excess - Interview with Steven

In the late 1980’s, Guns N’ Roses were on the verge of becoming one of the biggest acts, not of their time, but in all of history, with a legendary debut album and exposure from everywhere. The band was on top of the world and original drummer, Steven Adler, was riding high on fame among many other things. In 1990 due to his excessive drug abuse Steven Adler was kicked out of Guns N’ Roses, a group that was labeled the worlds most dangerous band at that point in time. Adler dropped out of the public eye and many wondered what had happened to the former member from one of the most infamous bands in history.

By 2004 Steven re-emerged with his own band and things where looking up for Adler. I was along for the ride during several dates on the tour, and things started to unravel. Due to health, personal issues, legal battles and line up changes, Adler cancelled several tour dates in Europe and dropped out once again only re-emerging in headlines and seldom playing gigs. Adler’s drug abuse and erratic behavior landed him on Celebrity Rehab and sober house (a hit VH1 show chronicling his addiction and recovery process). ”Alder’s Appetite” has since reformed and is showing vital signs with a strong line-up and plans to go into the studio. Adler is stone cold sober and is back on the road doing what he does best, playing the beat to one of the greatest albums ever made.

Brandon Marshall: So you have a new incarnation of “Adler’s Appetite”; how has the new line-up been working out?

Steven Adler: It’s been going great! I have Alex Grossi on guitar, Michael Thomas on lead guitar, Sheldon Tarsha singing and Chip Z’nuff from Z’nuff Z’nuff on bass. In the past seven years this is who I have from different line-up changes. Everyone is having a great time.

BM: In 2005 “Adler’s Appetite” recorded an E.P. with original materiel. Do you have any plans on going into the studio and recording a full length album?

SA: Absolutely! Next week, (First week in April 2009) once we finish this tour up, I am going to go home for a few days and just sleep. We have done 22 shows so I am going to sleep for a few days then I am going to have a couple meetings with Slash. I have been working with Slash. I am producing a record and playing on it of course, so that will be in a week or two that we finish with this (the final date on the tour).

BM: Is that going to be Slash’s solo record?

SA: No, that is going to be my record, but I am going to play a song on Slash’s solo record too. So I will be doing some recording with him on that, but he is going to be producing my record.

BM: Are you going to have any gust appearance on you’re record?

SA: Of course, we want eight cover songs. With each song we do we want at least one person who played on the original version to play on my record. I am thinking about changing the name to “Adler’s G.N.R.” too, because you cannot copyright the letters. I am 1/5 of the band just like he (Axl Rose) is 1/5 of the band. At least I’m out there playing the songs people want to hear.

BM: So this is not going to be just a regular recording, it is going to have everyone on it?

SA: Ya, I want to do it old school with a two inch tape and not with computers. I want an old sound, not perfect and crispy. I do not want to take away the magic of the songs that I re-do. Nowadays people go into the studio and record a song… the drummer will play 30 seconds of the beat and type the rest of it in on a computer. I want it all real, that’s how we did Appetite… it was done in one take. It was anything goes, whatever happens, happens.

BM: The last time I did an interview with you, I had asked you about the new “Guns N’ Roses line up and you said that “there is no new Guns N’ Roses.” Do you still feel the same way, and have you heard Chinese Democracy yet?

SA: Ya, Axl should have named the band W.A.R., for W. Axl Rose and I think that would have been much better.

BM: Axl Rose did a recent interview with Del James and when asked about a “Guns N’ Roses” reunion Axl gave a reason for not considering it and listed why involving every former member. Axl said “Steven [Adler] brings assorted ambulance-chasing attorneys and the nightmare of his mother. One gig, or even a couple songs, could mean years of behind-the-scenes legal aftermath.” What is your response to that?

SA: I do not know why he would say that. My mother-thing is over and I do not know why he is still going on with that. Now that I’m back in control and have power of attorney, I don’t know why he would say ambulance chaser. I don’t get it.

BM: I have been watching you on Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. Was a lot of the footage taken out of context?

SA: They had to, there were ten cameras, filming 24 hours a day and they gotta take that film and cut it up into a one hour show for each one. It was crazy. I would turn the light off in the bathroom because I thought they had a camera in there. That was how crazy it was, but it was the best thing I ever did. It really was a great experience and I am still working with Dr. Drew and Dr. Sophia. They are great friends of mine now and have been really great to me.

BM: Did you watch the show when it aired and was it tough to see yourself in that kind of shape?

SA: Ya, it was on like three times a day so I would see some of it sometimes. I hated seeing that girl, whatever her name was, dial 911 and call the police on me. I am just watching my life change when she was dialing 911 to have me arrested. That really sucked. Otherwise it was great people and I had a great experience. It helped me and I have been sober.

BM: Do you still keep in contact with anyone form the show?

SA: Not really… I do with Jeff Conaway and Gary Busey. I just saw Shawn Stewart in New York, so it was nice to see him.

BM: We really appreciate your time and is their anything you would like to add?

SA: Come check out my MySpace and click on my friends list.

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