Velvet Revolver: feelingliberated

Thu 6th Dec, 2007 in Features

Talking to someone you had plastered on your bedroom wall when you were a flannelette-shirt-wearing, thirteen-year-old rock-nerd is daunting.

I decide to blow smoke up Duff McKagan ’s arse about Velvet Revolver bagging Classic Rock magazine’s Album and Band of the Year 2007 accolades for second album Libertad.

It’s all part of my keep-it-cool plan. Really. Turns out he’s dramatically more laid back than me…
– œYeah thanks!’ he says warmly, relaxed at home in LA – œIt’s a great record and it’s going great live.’ Well, it is when they actually get on stage to play. Speaking to Duff during an enforced break in touring due to visa issues with Japan, he gives no indication as to why the Australian leg of the tour has been postponed, although common sense suggests that they will try to arrange dates in both countries at the same time.

While media releases deny that (former Stone Temple Pilots frontman) Scott Weiland has suffered another setback in his battle against drug addiction, Duff is no stranger to in-band controversy and excess. He has weathered many high-profile storms, as have fellow ex-Guns N’ Roses members Slash and Matt Sorum. Guitarist Dave Kushner ( Wasted Youth), while perhaps not unscathed, seems to have kept a tighter publicity lid on his demons.

When I inform Duff that I really don’t want to go into the history of drama he concurs, – œIt’s pretty common knowledge these days isn’t it?’

Well, for most people anyway. – œLast week I did an interview for some Brisbane newspaper,’ he reports. – œThen I got two calls yesterday from concerned friends. They’re like “Are you drinking now?” And I said, “No, I haven’t had a drink in thirteen years.”’

Laughing good-naturedly Duff explains, – œThe guy doing the interview [wrote that] I was on the beach in Maui and I’d just ordered a cocktail. I probably ordered, like, a juice or something while I was talking to him…’

We crack up laughing at this. Okay, not really, but I may have mentioned the words – œbadly researched’. – œI think so!’ chortles Duff. – œHe probably didn’t realise…’

Tour postponements notwithstanding, the clouds seem to have parted. Duff agrees: – œWhen it comes to the music and playing live, there’s great harmony within this band.’

Critics agree too, continually throwing around terms like – œsupergroup’. But surely, they saw that one coming?
– œI can understand that,’ admits Duff, – œbut it wasn’t our intention. We couldn’t avoid it. We’re just a band writing songs that feel good to us —it’s pretty simple.’

Now if you had to start from scratch Mr McKagan, and summon rock legends for your own supergroup—Velvet Revolver excluded of course—who’s getting your call?
– œWow,’ Duff exclaims, taking a moment to get the wheels turning. – œThat’s a great question—it’d be pretty huge. You’d have Jimmy Page in there. Jeff Beck. Probably Dave Grohl and you’d have to have John Bonham playing drums right?’

Like an idiot I shriek, – œ Jon Bon Jovi! Are you crazy?!’ and immediately kick myself. Hard. Duff, after happily clarifying, continues, – œ John Paul Jones playing bass—so it’d be three quarters of Led Zeppelin in my dream band.’

There’d be many a rock pig who thinks that’s their dream band, but Duff’s a legend so we talk more about being a legend and stuff.

Like Fender asking if they could make him a signature bass earlier this year. – œIt was definitely an honour. Their bass was actually better than my original bass that they copied.’ Lefty or righty? – œNo, I’m right handed when I play. One of my older brothers moved out of the house when I was in the sixth grade, and took the left- handed guitar with him, so I just had to switch over.’ As you do.

Growing up within a musical family, it’s now Duff’s turn to create that environment for his daughters, Grace and Mae.
– œThere’s definitely instruments lying around for them if they’re interested. My youngest plays piano and she’s into it. My elder daughter loves to sing. She played guitar for a while and tried forming a band [with] three other little girls. Once they figured out that they had to do some work, write some songs, that it wasn’t about buying clothes that [went] by the way side.’ He sweetly mimics Grace, – œ”You know Daddy, I’ve got the band together, let’s go shopping!”’

Yeah these are different times alright. Perhaps it is the pressures of family on a seasoned rock veteran than results in pins being pulled on Aussie fans? Duff says, – œEspecially for Slash, Scott and myself, who all have a couple of kids— we understand the levity of being fathers. Any touring scheduling: our families are taken into account, “What’s a good place to fly in with the wife and kids,” you know?’

While Australia is a nice place to bring them it’s the middle of the school term and anyway, – œit’s a fifteen hour flight from LA.’ So no go on that front either.

Duff’s girls have had their fun in the sun this term. He took his chance when the Japanese dates fell though, – œWe had Thanksgiving holiday here. The kids got a week off school, so I took Susan and the girls to Maui then.’

Don’t feel bad though Australia. Velvet Revolver still loves you. Well, you and Harley Davidson. Pepping up a bit, Duff says he can’t wait to get down here for the re-scheduled shows. – œI’m gonna have a Harley on the Australian tour. In Brisbane, I’ll go to the coast to go riding, same in Melbourne. I’ll probably get to Bondi Beach in Sydney. You know, ride out there on a bike. How great is that?’

Brilliant. Just like Aussie fans, apparently. – œEvery time I’ve played Australia it’s been awesome, amazing. The crowds down there are less inhibited. It’s a great place to play.’

*Velvet Revolver’s December Australian tour dates have been cancelled – rescheduled dates are as follows:

FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY: BRISBANE, CONVENTION CENTRE
SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY: SYDNEY, THE ENMORE
SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY: SYDNEY, THE ENMORE
TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY: MELBOURNE, FESTIVAL HALL
WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY: ADELAIDE, THEBARTON THEATRE

Stay tuned to FasterLouder for a folllow uo interview in the coming weeks…