Velvet Revolver

Velvet Revolver
Company type	Supergroup
Industry	Music
Founded	2002
Founder	Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner, Scott Weiland
Defunct	2008
Headquarters	United States
Products	Music albums, singles

Velvet Revolver was a hard rock supergroup from the United States, established in 2002. The lineup featured ex-members of Guns N' Roses: Slash on lead guitar, Duff McKagan handling bass and backing vocals, and Matt Sorum on drums and backing vocals. They were joined by rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner, previously of punk outfit Wasted Youth, and lead singer Scott Weiland, formerly fronting Stone Temple Pilots. The group remained active until 2008, when Weiland was dismissed and eventually returned to Stone Temple Pilots.

Their debut album, Contraband released in 2004, enjoyed commercial acclaim and secured the 2005 Grammy for the track "Slither". Although critics generally responded positively, some perceived Velvet Revolver as a blend of Stone Temple Pilots and Guns N' Roses, pointing to a lack of cohesion between Weiland and the rest of the band. Their second studio effort, Libertad (2007), included the single "She Builds Quick Machines" and was supported by a tour alongside Alice in Chains.

Following Weiland's departure in April 2008, Velvet Revolver entered an indefinite hiatus and sought to be released from their contract with RCA Records to facilitate recruiting a new vocalist. Despite efforts to create new music and audition potential singers, no subsequent albums were produced. The band briefly reunited with Weiland for a benefit concert on January 12, 2012—marking his final live appearance before his passing in December 2015. In 2016, Slash and McKagan rejoined Guns N' Roses.

Origins (2001–2002)

Between 1996 and 1997, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum exited the hard rock band Guns N' Roses due to conflicts with frontman Axl Rose. Post-departure, each pursued separate musical endeavors: Slash revived his project Slash's Snakepit, McKagan reactivated 10 Minute Warning alongside releasing solo material, while Sorum returned to work with the Cult.

By 2001, Slash's Snakepit had dissolved once more. Slash began collaborating with drummer Steve Gorman from the Black Crowes and an unnamed bassist on new compositions such as "Fall to Pieces." Concurrently, McKagan reassembled his band Loaded (band), recruiting Geoff Reading, Mike Squires, and Jeff Rouse. After completing a tour in Japan in 2002, guitarist Dave Kushner, who had previously played with Zilch (band), Wasted Youth (American band), and Electric Love Hogs, replaced Mike Squires in Loaded.

Band Formation (2002–2003)

Following the death of musician Randy Castillo in 2002, Slash, McKagan, and Sorum took part in a benefit performance featuring Josh Todd and Keith Nelson from Buckcherry, as well as B-Real and Sen Dog from Cypress Hill. Impressed by their musical synergy, the trio rehearsed with Todd and Nelson on tracks like "Dirty Little Thing," but ultimately chose not to form a permanent group with them. During a Loaded gig at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, McKagan reconnected childhood friend Dave Kushner with Slash; Kushner promptly joined the ensemble, contributing a distinctive "cool vibe" that complemented their sound. Former Guns N' Roses member Izzy Stradlin briefly joined but departed after two weeks.

Operating under the provisional name "The Project," the band auditioned multiple vocalists—a process documented by VH1 in Inside Out: The Rise of Velvet Revolver. Among those considered were Stephen Shareaux (Kik Tracee), Steve Ludwin (Carrie, Little Hell), Todd Kerns (Age of Electric), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Shawn Albro (U.P.O.), Travis Meeks (Days of the New), and Ian Thornley (Big Wreck). Notable artists who declined included Myles Kennedy (Mayfield Four), Ian Astbury (the Cult), and Mike Patton (Faith No More). The group also pursued Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots, who had connections with McKagan and Sorum. Initially reluctant due to his commitment to STP, Weiland later contributed vocals to "Set Me Free" after Stone Temple Pilots disbanded in 2003.

The band recorded "Set Me Free" along with a rendition of Pink Floyd's "Money" for the soundtracks of Hulk and The Italian Job, respectively; both tracks were produced by Nick Raskulinecz. Without formal radio promotion or label support, "Set Me Free" reached number 17 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The name Velvet Revolver was conceived during a screening of The Hulk, inspired by Revolution Studios combined with multiple interpretations of "Revolver," referencing both firearms and the iconic Beatles album. Weiland proposed incorporating "Black Velvet," which led to adopting Velvet Revolver as their official name. They publicly announced their formation at a press event and showcase held at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre (Los Angeles), debuting original songs such as "Set Me Free" and "Slither," along with covers from Nirvana, Sex Pistols, and Guns N' Roses.

Contraband: From Illicit Beginnings to Commercial Triumph (2003–2005)

Prior to laying down tracks for their inaugural album, Weiland revisited earlier compositions at his Toluca Lake studio, Lavish, crafting songs such as "Big Machine" and "Dirty Little Thing". The group also created fresh material including "You Got No Right", "Slither", and "Sucker Train Blues". During this timeframe, Weiland faced arrest for drug possession; following his release, he penned the lyrics for "Fall to Pieces". Initial sessions for "Slither" with producer Bob Ezrin did not meet expectations. After recording "Headspace" with Josh Abraham, the band selected him to oversee production of the full album.

Velvet Revolver garnered interest from several major labels including Warner Bros., Chrysalis, RCA, and Elektra, ultimately securing a contract with RCA. Recording occurred at NRG Recording Studios, with Slash recording his guitar parts separately near Highland Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. Due to a court-mandated halfway house placement, Weiland’s studio access was limited to three hours each day. The band's promotional efforts were highlighted on the Frontline episode titled The Way the Music Died.

Released on June 8, 2004, Contraband debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, moving over 250,000 units in its first week. The album achieved global sales of four million copies—2.9 million sold within the United States—and received double platinum certification from the RIAA. Singles "Slither" and "Fall to Pieces" both reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Chart and peaked at numbers 56 and 67 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, "Slither" topped the Modern Rock Chart and reached number 35 in the UK charts. The third single, "Dirty Little Thing", attained number eight on Mainstream Rock.

Critics responded positively to Contraband, commending its sophistication while noting some disconnect between the vocalist and the rest of the band. Velvet Revolver earned the 2004 Kerrang! Award for Best International Newcomer and won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Hard Rock Performance with "Slither". They received a nomination for Billboard's Rock Artist of the Year, while "Fall to Pieces" was nominated for a Radio Music Award. Their contribution "Come On, Come In" to the 2005 film Fantastic Four peaked at number 14 on Mainstream Rock; simultaneously, "Fall to Pieces" re-entered charts, reaching number 25 on Adult Top 40.

The band embarked on an extensive nineteen-month tour supporting Contraband, performing across the United States, twice throughout Europe, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. They appeared at major festivals such as Live 8, Download Festival, and Ozzfest. Aside from Kushner, members experienced relapses into substance abuse during this period of touring; however, they managed to recover in time for their subsequent album. Slash later reflected that they had effectively "lost [Weiland]" and sensed a decline in the band's collective energy during this era.

Libertad Era and Scott Weiland's Exit (2005–2008)

In 2005, Scott Weiland revealed that Velvet Revolver's forthcoming album would be named Libertad and was initially envisioned as a concept album; however, the band later discarded this plan. Production began under Rick Rubin, but due to his inconsistent availability and other commitments, they transitioned to working with Brendan O'Brien, whose adaptability in music production proved beneficial. During the songwriting phase, Weiland harbored concerns that his bandmates might reunite with Guns N' Roses, but they reassured him that was not their intention.

Upon completing Libertad, Velvet Revolver performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Van Halen in March 2007. The following month, they toured South America alongside Aerosmith. In June, they issued the EP Melody and the Tyranny, which served as a preview for the album; it featured two tracks from Libertad, a cover of a Talking Heads song, and documentary footage.

Libertad was officially released on July 3, 2007, reaching number five on the Billboard 200 chart. Its singles experienced moderate commercial performance: "She Builds Quick Machines" attained number 74 on the Hot Canadian Digital Singles chart, while "The Last Fight" and "Get Out the Door" peaked at numbers 16 and 34 respectively on the Mainstream Rock Chart. Critical opinions varied—some reviewers commended the band for developing a distinct identity beyond their Guns N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots backgrounds, whereas others criticized the album for lacking unity.

To promote Libertad, Velvet Revolver embarked on a North American tour with Alice in Chains from August through October 2007, appearing at notable festivals such as Virgin Festival, Gods of Metal, and Download Festival. A scheduled tour in Japan for November was canceled due to visa complications. Plans for an Australian tour in 2008 were postponed and ultimately scrapped after Weiland voluntarily entered rehabilitation following legal issues, including a DUI arrest.

The group continued touring across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe during their Rock n' Roll as It Should Be tour between January and April 2008, which included a set at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. However, tensions with Weiland intensified throughout this period as he relapsed into previous destructive behaviors, leading to communication breakdowns during the UK leg of the tour. At their Glasgow performance in March 2008, Weiland declared it would be their final tour together—unaware that the band intended to part ways with him. His official dismissal was announced on April 1.

After leaving Velvet Revolver and departing from cover band Camp Freddy (which featured Matt Sorum), Weiland rejoined Stone Temple Pilots before being dismissed again in 2013.

Searching for a New Frontman and Pursuit of Solo Ventures (2008–2015)

Following Weiland’s exit, Velvet Revolver commenced recording sessions while simultaneously seeking a new lead vocalist. This process was intermittent, alternating between auditions and individual members focusing on solo endeavors. Various names surfaced as potential candidates including Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Lenny Kravitz, Chester Bennington (Linkin Park), Steve Isaacs (formerly of Skycycle and the Panic Channel), Royston Langdon (Spacehog), Donovan Leitch (Camp Freddy), Jimmy Gnecco (Ours), Franky Perez (Scars on Broadway), and Sebastian Bach. Rod Jackson, previously fronting Slash’s Snakepit, was rumored but ultimately rejected by Slash due to concerns over reliability. Later confirmation by Kushner revealed that Perez was briefly enlisted as vocalist in 2008.

Slash, McKagan, and Sorum collaborated on “Kissed It” from Macy Gray’s 2010 album The Sellout, credited under Velvet Revolver despite Kushner not participating. In November 2010, the band released their inaugural concert DVD titled Live In Houston, recorded during their 2004 Contraband tour. They also appeared at the September 2011 Road Recovery benefit concert with Kushner joining as a guest performer.

In January 2012, Velvet Revolver reunited with Scott Weiland for a one-time benefit show. Following their participation in the Road Recovery event in 2011, discussions about reuniting took place among members though no concrete plans were established. By April 2012, Weiland expressed enthusiasm for a permanent reunion citing examples of musicians balancing multiple bands. He claimed in May to have recommitted to Velvet Revolver for touring and recording activities; however, Slash promptly denied these assertions.

By May 2014, Slash indicated intentions to hold auditions for new vocalists while concentrating on his solo touring schedule. Duff McKagan confirmed that at least one audition had taken place but did not meet expectations; he also ruled himself out as a potential lead singer. The death of Scott Weiland in December 2015 effectively ended any prospects of reuniting with him. Subsequently, Slash and McKagan returned to Guns N’ Roses in 2016.

Musical style

Velvet Revolver's first studio release, Contraband, was characterized by Johnny Loftus of AllMusic as a modernized take on the swagger reminiscent of Guns N' Roses, complemented by Scott Weiland's glam-inspired and flexible vocal delivery. According to David Browne from Entertainment Weekly, the album gravitates more toward the pop grunge sound associated with Weiland’s previous group rather than the intense drive typical of Guns N' Roses. Numerous critics drew parallels between the album’s sound and the members' past bands; for example, David Powell of PopMatters described it as "an enjoyable collection of straightforward rock and roll" that rewards listeners over time despite inevitable comparisons.

The follow-up album, Libertad, showcased a change in musical direction under the guidance of producer Brendan O'Brien. However, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic noted moments of creative friction between Weiland and the other band members. Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly referred to Libertad as simultaneously "comfortably familiar yet intriguingly exotic." Songs such as "Let it Roll" and "She Mine" elicited comparisons to legendary acts like the Doors, the Rolling Stones, and the Stooges, according to Jaan Uhelszki of the San Francisco Chronicle. The New York Post emphasized Slash’s powerful guitar work alongside Weiland’s clear but emotive vocal performances throughout the record.

Members

Slash – lead guitar, talkbox, backing vocals (2002–2008, 2010, 2012)
Duff McKagan – bass guitar, backing vocals (2002–2008, 2010, 2012)
Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–2008, 2010, 2012)
Dave Kushner – rhythm guitar (2002–2008, 2010, 2012)
Scott Weiland – lead vocals, keyboards (2003–2008, 2010, 2012; died 2015)

Discography

Studio albums

Contraband (2004)
Libertad (2007)

Awards and nominations

Velvet Revolver received a single Grammy Award, taking home Best Hard Rock Performance in 2005 for their song "Slither." The track "Fall to Pieces" earned a nomination for Song of the Year/Rock Radio at the 2005 Radio Music Awards. In 2004, the band won the Best International Newcomer award at the Kerrang! Awards, and in 2005 they were contenders for Rock Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards.

Billboard Music Awards

|- | style="text-align:center;"| 2005 || Velvet Revolver || Rock Artist of the Year || Template:Nom

Grammy Awards

|- | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| 2005 || "Slither" || Best Hard Rock Performance || Template:Won |- | "Fall to Pieces" || Best Rock Song || Template:Nom |- | Contraband || Best Rock Album ||

Kerrang! Awards

|- | style="text-align:center;"| 2004 || Velvet Revolver || Best International Newcomer ||

Radio Music Awards

|- | style="text-align:center;"| 2005 || "Fall to Pieces" || Song of the Year/Rock Radio ||

External links