Duff McKagan Explains Why Velvet Revolver Was ‘Perfect Band for the Time’, Says ‘There Were Things We Couldn’t Get Around’

In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Duff McKagan looked back fondly on his time with Velvet Revolver, a band he described as “perfect for the time.” Reflecting on the early 2000s, McKagan highlighted the band’s timely formation in response to claims that rock was dead.

The Perfect Blend of Rock ‘n’ Roll Energy

Velvet Revolver was born from the synergy of Guns N’ Roses alumni McKagan, Matt Sorum, and Slash, combined with Scott Weiland’s raw vocal delivery and Dave Kushner’s relentless rhythm playing. This mix created a band with the ideal ingredients for rock ‘n’ roll greatness. As McKagan noted, the band’s formation was a statement against the early 2000s narrative that rock music was on its deathbed.

“Velvet Revolver were a perfect band for the time. Around 2003, you started hearing this ‘Rock ‘n’ roll is dead’ chat and it’s like… fuck that! It ain’t dead. To who?!” McKagan asserted, recounting the band’s determination to prove the naysayers wrong. The band quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase with their energetic and defiant approach, embodied in their first record and their tours.

Logistical and Personal Challenges

Despite their success, McKagan admitted that touring with Velvet Revolver came with significant logistical and personal challenges. “A bunch of years with Velvet Revolver were logistically challenging. I’d be somewhere like Des Moines, Iowa and it’d be like, ‘I miss my family and that gig we just did was… OK, but not worth me being gone.'” He contrasted this with his current touring experience, which he shares with his wife, allowing for more enjoyable and fulfilling travels.

Velvet Revolver did have moments of family togetherness. McKagan recalled times when band members would have their kids on tour, leading to shared experiences at swimming pools and various attractions. This was a stark contrast to his Guns N’ Roses days, where heavy drinking often kept him confined to his hotel room.

Substance Abuse and Personality Clashes

Like many rock bands, Velvet Revolver faced issues with substance abuse and personality clashes, which ultimately led to their breakup in 2008. Despite these challenges, McKagan chooses to focus on the positive memories. “We had a great relationship in [Velvet Revolver] and with the audience. We took Velvet Revolver around the world, but there were things in the band that we just couldn’t get around. I don’t dwell on that stuff – I remember those days fondly – but I don’t think we’ll ever come back together with Scott gone.”

The Band’s Intense Dynamics

The internal drama within Velvet Revolver added to the band’s intense image, according to rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner. He suggested that the band’s tensions contributed to their edge, particularly highlighting the recording of their signature song “Slither.” Kushner recounted a particularly tense session where Matt Sorum’s frustration led to a heated moment, resulting in Duff McKagan throwing a beer bottle across the room.

“This sort of tense stuff was always happening, but that song ended up being the single and did well,” Kushner noted. He speculated that perhaps the band’s internal strife was essential to their unique sound and success.

A Legacy Remembered

Duff McKagan’s reflections on Velvet Revolver emphasize a band that, despite its challenges, left a lasting impact on rock ‘n’ roll. Their music, marked by a blend of defiance and raw energy, stands as a testament to their era. While the band’s internal struggles were significant, they also contributed to the authenticity and intensity that defined Velvet Revolver’s legacy.