Detroit News
Rock out with Velvet Revolver
Ursula Watson / The Detroit News
There is something to be said about the exuberance of young talent making music. But there is even more to be said for successful, experienced musicians coming together and jamming for jamming's sake, like super-group Velvet Revolver.
The band consists of guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum of the iconic band Guns N' Roses; guitarist Dave Kushner played with McKagan in the band Load; and lead singer Scott Weiland was the voice of Stone Temple Pilots.
The guys are touring the globe promoting their album "Libertad," and will make a stop Saturday at the Fillmore Detroit. "Libertad," which means "liberty" and "freedom" in Spanish, is the band's sophomore release, following the 2004 Grammy-winning album "Contraband."
McKagan admits that the first album was just about the band coming together to prove a point. "At the time we made the first record there were a lot of nay-sayers," McKagan says by phone. "We made this really loud abrasive record. By the time we got to the second record and tour, we figured out who we are as a band."
With so much star power locked in one supergroup, you have to wonder about the power struggles. But McKagan seems to take that factor in stride.
"Anytime you have strong personalities you will have a clash, but you learn how to get around it," he says. "Like any relationship, you learn that you can't change a person."
You can reach Ursula Watson at (313) 222-2613 or uwatson@ detnews.com.
