The members of Velvet Revolver will be the first to tell you it’s a wonder they could even be here tonight.
Between frontman Scott Weiland, guitarist Dave Kushner and former Guns n’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, they’ve been through their share of trials.
But the quintet has clawed its way through drug and alcohol addictions and put together a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling band.
Still, it’s a daily struggle.
“It’s still a roller-coaster ride,” Kushner said in a phone interview from Edmonton, Alberta, recently. “Everyone’s got their checkered past in this band. You never know when that demon’s gonna come back … all of a sudden one guy doesn’t show up at the show.”
Barring any awakened demons, the band will bring its “Electric Wonderland Show” to the Everett Events Center at 8 tonight. The Grammy-nominated band Hoobastank opens the show.
Velvet Revolver began to form after a tribute concert for their friend Randy Castillo, a former drummer for Ozzy Osbourne, in 2002. The chemistry hadn’t dissipated since their messy breakup with Guns leader Axl Rose in the mid-’90s.
Kushner, a high school friend of Slash who had also played in a band with McKagan, entered the fold and they set off to find a singer. After an exhaustive search with no results, the band coaxed Weiland into the mix after he listened to some songs they’d been writing.
“For us, we think a lot less about being a ‘supergroup’ and comparisons (to Guns n’ Roses) and all that stuff,” Kushner said. “We just do what we want to do and see how it comes out.”
So far, it has come out all right.
“Contraband” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in June 2004 and has been lauded by critics as one of last year’s best albums. Two singles, “Slither” and “Fall to Pieces” have hit No. 1 and “Slither” won the Grammy for best hard-rock performance.
The band brings an element of genuine hard rock that’s more and more difficult to come by.
Many of Weiland’s lyrics deal with his addiction while the music will make any Guns n’ Roses fan’s ears perk up.
The band likes to mix in a taste of the past in its live show, sometimes including Stone Temple Pilots’ songs such as “Crackerman” and “Sex Type Thing,” and some early Guns material, including “Mr. Brownstone” and “It’s So Easy.”
Beyond that, fans can expect a solid rock performance.
“We’ve got dragons flying down from above and lots of explosions,” Kushner said, jokingly. “Remember that 10-foot ‘Eddie’ mascot that Iron Maiden had? He comes out. We draw straws every night to see who gets to wear it.”
In all seriousness, Kushner said fans will be treated to a very honest performance.
“People don’t really expect those kinds of rock shows,” he said. “I think people like these new young, punk bands because they run around, jump around and the guy doesn’t care if he falls down, drops something, bleeds or bumps into the other guy.
“That’s kind of our attitude, live,” Kushner said. “Five guys collectively bring that. I just don’t think a lot of people expect it. They think it’s going to be a bunch of dudes standing around looking cool.”
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
CHAPMAN BAEHLER / RCA Photo
Velvet Revolver – bassist Duff McKagan (left), drummer Matt Sorum, singer Scott Weiland, and guitarists Dave Kushner and Slash – performs tonight at the Everett Events Center.
Velvet Revolver with Hoobastank
WHEN: 8 tonight
WHERE: Everett Events Center
COST: $37.50 for all seats. General floor tickets are sold out, Levels 1 and 2 reserved seating is still available. 866-332-8499.
Velvet Revolver with Hoobastank
WHEN: 8 tonight
WHERE: Everett Events Center
COST: $37.50 for all seats. General floor tickets are sold out, Levels 1 and 2 reserved seating is still available. 866-332-8499.
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