USA: Hard rockers Velvet Revolver release sophomore album, Libertad

Velvet Revolver may be one of the only bands with members who are still more well-known than the group itself. But that may be changing with the launch of their second album. Libertad hit store shelves just before the July 4th holiday. And Velvet Revolver continues to impress critics and fans alike. The release date was timely: Libertad means "freedom" in Spanish, and so it only seems appropriate that the record be released on the eve of Independence Day in the United States. What began as jam session in mid-2002 that reunited ex-Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums) on stage quickly evolved into a serious creative quest for the trio of musicians. In 2003, former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland and heavyweight guitarist Dave Kushner joined up, and Velvet Revolver was officially born. Although Weiland winces at the word, the five hard rock veterans have created what many define as a "supergroup" for all the right reasons. The term "supergroup" was coined in the late 1960s to describe bands composed of members who had already achieved fame or respect in other bands or as individual artists. Regardless of what you may call them, these guys are the real deal. In addition to their musical pedigrees, Weiland, McKagan, Sorum, Kushner and Slash literally ooze rock star authenticity. Each sports a unique combination of sunglasses, tattoos, black clothing, and lots of metal, from earrings to steel-studded belts, and most possess a slight been-there-done-that swagger born of the unshakeable confidence in their individual and collective abilities on stage and in the studio. Members say Velvet Revolver has provided a nurturing creative environment for them to explore and expand their artistic yearnings. "The beauty of this band is it's probably the most open, most willing environment to create, you know," smiles a youthful 46-year-old Sorum. "And you know as a drummer playing guitar a little bit, which I'm not great, to go and show Slash a riff, you know, it's a kind of like a bit, a bit nerve-wracking, you know. It's like 'Hey Slash, check it out.' But, um, once I got over that, and he actually accepted some things that I did and actually thought that I had some creativity in that department, it was a really great turning point in my life, as a, as a, you know, songwriter and musician. But, you know, we just all keep it really free and open in the musical environment. Because the best stuff comes from that." Still, in some ways, Kushner says making an album remains the sum total of separate efforts. "The countless hours of guys sitting at their houses by themselves or trying to work a machine for some reason, to get the right beat, (it's pretty comical) it's like whether it's some old eight-track or it's a newer version of Pro-Tools or whatever it is, you know. It's just funny. But there really is so much that goes into it." With songs that explore anger, drugs, war, death, and infidelity, Libertad is described as being darker than Velvet Revolver's first album, Contraband. And music critics have been effusive in their praise for the band's sophomore release. One is calling it the "top hard rock album to own" this year. Another claims "Libertad proves that Big Rawk is alive and well." The songs for the album were written starting in the summer of 2006. The band hired guru producer Rick Rubin, who has previous credits on Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, Slayer and System of A Down CDs. But band members say a difference in production styles resulted in a parting of the ways. So, Brendan O' Brien, who produced all five of Weiland's Stone Temple Pilots records, stepped in. With O' Brien at the helm, Velvet Revolver recorded 20 songs. Of those 20, thirteen tracks made it onto the album. "She Builds Quick Machines" is the first single off Libertad. As the lead singer, Weiland sets the tone for the band. The 39-year-old -- who is no less hip for being a father of three -- says he likes to push the envelope with both his personal musical style and also in the literal arena of rock and roll. "It's not like we went from making our first Velvet Revolver record into suddenly making Sergeant Pepper's or anything," muses Weiland. "You know, I think our, our fans that we have, our fan base, are going to be just as satisfied with - our rock and roll fans are going to be just as satisfied, because it definitely is a rock and roll record, it rocks. But it just rocks in a different way, it's a, it has more soul, you know." When asked how the band manages to stay so consistent on and off stage, 41-year-old Slash is thoughtful in his response. "You know the heart and soul of, of everything that we do live is also the same thing that we're doing in the studio," says one of the most-revered rock guitarists of all time. "And it's the same thing that we're doing when we're writing, and it's the same thing that who we are, you know. A lot of bands I don't really think they have their identity down pat as a group, at least these days. All the bands that we were fans of coming up were, were bands that definitely had an identity, and were very iconic and really had something original to say. So I say we definitely built on that kind of thing." The band started touring in support of Libertad in April with a trip down to South America. In May, Velvet Revolver played 11 dates for a North American club tour before hitting the European festival circuit earlier this summer. When asked what country has the best fans, all five were in agreement. "Well, I would say probably the most inspired fans are in South America," asserts 43-year-old McKagan. "Maybe it's because, you know you hear all kinds of things. And a lot of it's true, I mean I think the closer to the equator that you play, you know the people are just more passionate, you know. You play like Italy and Spain and they're just really passionate. And South America, a lot of bands just don't go there. So um, when you come there, they foist you up on there shoulders and it's crazy, it's like Beatlemania down there." "It is. It feels - like you get that sense of like 'Wow, is this really what it was like for the Beatles?'" laughs Sorum. Velvet Revolver is now in the midst of a larger-scale swing through North America. More than three dozen concerts have been scheduled so far. For more information, go to www.velvetrevolver.com.

ITN Source | July 12, 2007

Tags:. .reunited. .guitarists. .rockers. .alike. .thirteen