Velvet Revolver is a Grammy Award-winning hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. The quartet then set about auditioning a lead singer, with VH1 filming the recruitment process. The resulting documentary was aired as VH1 Inside Out: The Rise of Velvet Revolver. A number of lead singers auditioned, including Canadian Todd Kerns (formerly of Age of Electric), Josh Todd (of Buckcherry), Michael Matijevic (of Steelheart), Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row), Kelly Shaefer (of Atheist/Neurotica) and Travis Meeks (of Days of the New). Myles Kennedy (of Alter Bridge and formerly of The Mayfield Four) declined an invitation to audition because he didn’t like the band’s lifestyle and also to focus more on other projects. Reportedly, singers Mike Patton(formerly of Faith No More) and Ian Astbury(The Cult) were also approached early in the process, but both declined the offer. Scott Weiland had become friends with McKagan (via their respective wifes) and had once played on the same bill as Kushner. Originally Weiland was wanted by the band but due to STP still touring he declined. After the band heard about STP’s split in 2003, they were quick to get Weiland involved. Once he heard the material and offered his services as the lead singer, the band was formed. In 2004, Velvet Revolver released it’s debut album, Contraband. Contraband debuted at number one on the American Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Velvet Revolvers current album, Libertad, was released in 2007.
|
