Velvet Revolver win a Grammyfor 'Slither'

Mon 21st Feb, 2005 in International News

Velvet Revolver have taken home the title in the Best Hard Rock Performance category in early ceremonies at the 47th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday Feb 13 for Slither, beating nominees Incubus (Megalomaniac), Metallica (Some Kind of Monster), Nickelback (Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good) and Slipknot (Duality). VR had also been nominated for Best Rock Song (Fall To Pieces) and Best Rock Album (Contraband).

Awards were also given to Motorhead (Metal), Brian Wilson (Rock Instrumental), Bruce Springsteen (Solo Rock), Ben Harper (Pop Instrumental), Britney Spears (Dance Recording), Jay-Z (Rap Solo), Toots & The Maytalls (Reggae Album), The Daily Show (Comedy Album), Zach Braff (Soundtrack Compilation for Garden State) and President Bill Clinton (Spoken Word). None of which were witnessed by TV audiences because they were all part of an non-televised ceremony held earlier in the day.

VR also performed as the backing band for performance of the John Lennon song Across the Universe. Scott Weiland, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Billy Joe Armstrong, Brian Wilson and Steven Tyler all traded vocals. Alison Krauss joined on violin.

Scott Weiland: “Everyone kind of counted us out from the very beginning. But we came out smashing through the gates, with a big middle finger to all our detractors. Performing John Lennon’s Across the Universe onstage was absolutely one of the highlights of my professional career, of my life.”

Across The Universe is available for download through the Apple iTunes store, proceeds will benefit tsunami relief efforts!

Velvet Revolver have also released a limited tour edition of their US #1 debut album Contraband just ahead of their not-to-be-missed Australian assault this month.

This deluxe package includes the original 13-track ‘Contraband’ slab plus a bonus enhanced disc with extra cuts ‘No More No More’, ‘Negative Creep’ and ‘Surrender’ plus videos for ‘Fall To Pieces’ and ‘Slither’ – winner of the Hard Rock Performance Of The Year Grammy.

Launch Radio Networks reports: Although Velvet Revolver will be on the road until the end of this summer, lead vocalist Scott Weiland has a very definite timetable for when he’d like the band to record its second album.

“We’re going into pre-production this spring, and our goal and our aim is to have a record out by Christmastime,” said Weiland. “We’ve reached every goal that we’ve set so far, so I really don’t see a reason why we wouldn’t hit that goal.”

Weiland added that the group has been writing new material while on the road.

Velvet Revolver tour Australia on the following dates:

21 February - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane  
23 February - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
24 February - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
26 February  Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
02 March      Vodafone Arena, Melbourne