Away Team

Former GUNS N’ ROSES bandmates STEVEN ADLER and DUFF MCKAGAN will be presenting the “Riff Lord” award at the REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS SHOW.

The fourth annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW presented by Epiphone® will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages.

The 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS SHOW will feature one-of-a-kind special performances and collaborations that honor both the past, present and future of heavy music. The night’s hard-rocking musical performances will include sets by MARILYN MANSON (in his first U.S. performance in nearly three years); iconic GRAMMY-winning guitarist SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators; EVANESCENCE; SIXX:A.M. featuring Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE, James Michael, acclaimed rock producer and songwriter, and DJ Ashba of GUNS N’ ROSES (in their first performance in almost four years); and 2011 Best New Band Golden God Award winner BLACK VEIL BRIDES, who will perform their only U.S. show of 2012 so far.

Adler, McKagan, Slash, singer Axl Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin will all be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next month in Cleveland, along with later GUNS N’ ROSES members, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum.

Steven Adler’s new band, simply called ADLER, will be releasing their debut single “The One That You Hated” April 10th on iTunes.

In addition to Steven, ADLER features Lonny Paul (ADLER’S APPETITE) on guitar and Jacob Bunton (LYNAM, MARS ELECTRIC) on vocals/guitar. The group has been recording its debut album in Los Angeles with producers Jeff Pilson (former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER/TOOTH AND NAIL bassist) and Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, ADRENALINE MOB).

ADLER’s CD will feature guest appearances by ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 and Steven’s former GUNS N’ ROSES bandmate Slash (guitar).

For More Info click here.

DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED

The Taking

Eagle Rock Entertainment

5 out of 10

Duff McKagan of Guns & Roses fame and Velvet Revolver fame is back with a third album from his own band Loaded entitled The Taking.

You first heard Duff sing on G&R’s The Spaghetti Incident on a punk classic Ain’t It Fun. And a decent job he did. So when you hear that he is fronting his own band, you shrug and go, ‘Ok, I think I can be down with that.’

Upon checking out the new album, his voice is still the same, rough, a little sleazy, raspy, and unfortunately a little one dimensional. Maybe sharing vocals with another band member may work to strengthen the songs, but when your name IS the band’s name I understand that may not be the easiest thing to do.

Musically this is the hardest album the band has put out to date. Sure there’s some punk elements still rolling through the songs, and yes, the Sunset Strip sleaze can be felt in the grooves of the songs too. But the album as a whole is a lot stronger than previous efforts, and would be more on the HARD side of the Hard Rock moniker.

According to Duff this is a real band, not just a bunch of studio musicians he threw together for the album, and they will be touring together in support of The Taking soon. And hopefully this all plays out better live than on CD.

Giving the album 3 or 4 spins I really want to like it, I want it to be… What Velvet Revolver wasn’t, what G&R should STILL be… but what this shows is a slightly one dimensional songwriting to go with the vocals. There are plenty of great riffs here. In fact the first single Dead Skin has a huge thick rhythm guitar riff that pushes the song above most of the others musically. The lead off track Lords Of Abbadon is another decent track and upbeat tempoed enough to get you moving and ready for even more, even better tunes. Unfortunately after three songs or so, you can’t get past the flat vocals, and the songs, the riffs, the bass lines, all start to sound the same, and you aren’t sure if you’re still listening to the second song or the eighth.

Again, I really wanted to like, no love, this album, I recently saw Duff on That Metal Show, and listening to him talk about it made me want to go get it. Upon cranking it up, I was left feeling like I was missing something.

I could actually move past the vocals as they aren’t that bad if the songs had more variety to them, but they all come off sounding the same, and leaves you feeling a little annoyed at the monotony of them all.

Guess I’ll wait for the ‘new’ Velvet Revolver if it ever happens, or the G&R reunion that will never happen.









To pick up your copy of DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED The Taking click here.
For more DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED click here.

In addition to his credentials as a founding member of Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Duff McKagan has a mission to educate others on the ins and outs of music business finance and building wealth. On Thursday, March 17, he will be a Featured Speaker at the 2011 South By Southwest Music Conference (SXSW), presenting the music business seminar “Your Financial Advisor is Duff McKagan.” The next day – Friday, March 18 – his band Duff McKagan’s Loaded will make their live debut of songs from their forthcoming album The Taking as part of the official SXSW Monster Energy Drink Party at The Austin Music Hall.
Duff is a Grammy/American Music-Award-winning songwriter/recording artist who attended Seattle University’s acclaimed Albers School of Business and is a partner in the wealth management firm Meridian Rock. He will share his insights on all aspects of an artist’s business by employing a unique style of conducting a Q&A with himself. Speaking from his own hard-won experiences, his hope is to help educate others and help artists to avoid some of the many financial pitfalls that they face and get a better handle on music business and finances.
“Your Financial Advisor Is Duff McKagan” will take place in Room 12 of the Austin Convention Center at 2pm, and is open to all SXSW Music and Platinum badges, and SXSW showcasing artists with artist wristbands.
Duff McKagan’s Loaded The Taking will be released on April 19 on Armoury Records.

For more on DUFF McKAGEN’s LOADED click here.

Born from the some of rock’s most notorious and influential musicians, Velvet Revolver brought their almighty brand of hard rock to a whole new generation of post-millennial fans. On November 16, their very first live DVD, Velvet Revolver: Live In Houston, hits the shelves, courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Filmed in 2005, while Velvet Revolver was touring in support of their best selling/Grammy Award-winning debut Contraband, Live in Houston features the original line-up of vocalist Scott Weiland, lead guitarist Slash, bassist/vocalist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum, and rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner. Showcasing rock’s elite bringing the heat on hits like “Slither” and “Fall To Pieces” before the raucous, riotous Texas crowd, this 78-minute rock fest also treats fans to tracks from each member’s background, including Guns ‘N’ Roses “It’s So Easy” and “Used To Love Her,” and Stone Temple Pilots’ “Sex Type Thing,” and “Crackerman.”

Additionally, interview footage with each of the members on the band’s formation is spliced into the mix, making Live in Houston the ultimate Velvet Revolver experience.

Velvet Revolver – “Slither” from ‘Live in Houston’ DVD from RawknRoll on Vimeo.

To purchase VELVET REVOLVER: Live in Houston click here.
For more VELVET REVOLVER click here.

The Deluxe Edition of SLASH‘s (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N’ ROSES) latest solo record was released on September 28th in the US and will be issued October 19th in Canada via Universal.

Ultimate-guitar.com is streaming three exclusive tracks from the reissue – ‘Sweet Child Of Mine‘ Live, ‘Baby Can’t Drive‘ and ‘Mean Bone‘.

The two CDs/one DVD features a limited-edition guitar pick designed by Ralph Steadman and Slash and an exclusive 3′ x 3′ fan-contributed-photo-mosaic-poster of Slash that is available for fans to interact with four weeks prior to and after release date and is redeemable online to everyone that buys the Slash deluxe edition.


The deluxe edition features the following tracks:
Disc 1
Ghost (Ian Astbury of THE CULT)
Crucify The Dead (OZZY OSBOURNE)
Beautiful Dangerous (Fergie of THE BLACK EYED PEAS)
Back From Cali (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Promise (Chris Cornell of SOUNDGARDEN/AUDIOSLAVE)
By The Sword (Andrew Stockdale of WOLFMOTHER)
Gotten (Adam Levine)
Doctor Alibi (Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD)
Watch This (Dave Grohl/Duff McKagan of FOO FIGHTERS/VELVET REVOLVER )
I Hold On (KID ROCK)
Nothing To Say (M Shadows of AVENGED SEVENFOLD)
Starlight (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Saint Is A Sinner Too (Rocco De Luca)
We’re All Gonna Die (IGGY POP)
Disc 2
Sahara (English) (KISHI INABA)
Paradise City (CYPRESS HILL/Fergie)
Mother Maria (BETH HART)
Baby Can’t Drive (ALICE COOPER, NICOLE SCHERZINGER)
Sahara (Japanese) (Koshi Inaba)
Beautiful Dangerous Radio Mix (Fergie)
Demo #4
Demo #16
Back From Cali (Acoustic) (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Fall to Pieces (Acoustic) (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Sweet Child O’ Mine (Acoustic) (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Watch This (Live) (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)
Nightrain (Live) (Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE)

DVD:
Making Of The Album
Back From Cali – Live From The Roxy
By The Sword – Music Video
By The Sword – Behind The Scenes
Starlight – Live From MTV Classic Launch
Mean Bone – Live From MTV Classic Launch









For more SLASH click here.

From Duff McKagan‘s blog on Seattle Weekly:

First, I must say that there is really nothing that I would or could change about my story thus far in the context of the bands I have been in . . . or how I have conducted myself and bandmates’ reactions to certain situations. It is what it is (and it has been what it has been).
HOWEVER! Because SW’s REVERB Local Music Festival is coming up (Oct. 9, Ballard), it may be helpful if I could perhaps dispense a few dos and don’ts to new and up-and-coming rock bands.
Believe me, I have walked into a few brick walls in my times of rock-and-roll madness. I’ve matriculated sometimes only because this person or that showed me how to walk AROUND that same virtual brick edifice. On that note, here are 10 tips to muse on, mixed in with time bombs to hopefully avoid!

1. If you are one of those people who got into music for the chicks and drugs and not the passion of a song and the power of musical moments, go home. Wankers.

2. Don’t smoke crack on a leased private jet. The smell gets into EVERYTHING!

3. Like the people in your band. Or at least use the animosity within your band as a springboard for great fucking art!

4. Have a kick-ass band name. Unless your band is so good that your band name is THAT secondary, choose a name that means something to the band and has some sort of imagery that is a reflection of the music. Let’s face it, the band name MUSE is kinda lame. But once you see or hear the band, the name is the last thing you think about.

5. Don’t sign a deal that ties you up with one particular manager. There is no real upside for the artist here. If a manager believes in you and can get you good tours and nice licensing deals, etc., well, then just give the manager commissions on that stuff. Trust me. Not signing a deal keeps a manager hustling FOR the artist.

6. Don’t get addicted. Drugs and alcohol can seem sexy and fun–for a while . . . until you can’t live WITHOUT them. Then it’s all dumb and terrifying.

7. Watch how the business works around you. Ask questions constantly and never be embarrassed to do so. “How much does a T-shirt cost to make?” or “What does publishing really mean?” are just two examples.

8. From the start, try to ascertain that you and your bandmates have the same goals. Back when Guns N’ Roses first started, there WAS a different lead guitar player and drummer. When Axl, Izzy, and myself booked a punk-rock style tour of the West Coast in 1985, and these two other guys didn’t want to leave the comfort of L.A., we went and found guys who DID! Thankfully and serendipitously, we found Slash and Steven Adler!

9. Get used to being away from cozy shit and the safety of home. Bring your teddy bear if you need to. And get Skype.

10. Don’t be an asshole to other bands. If you are good and stay around for a while, being an asshole PERIOD is going to make life very hard for you.

For more on DUFF McKAGAN click here.

JANE’S ADDICTION said Monday it has parted ways with its latest bass player, former GUNS N’ ROSES member Duff McKagan , five months after announcing his addition to the oft-vacated post.

McKagan, 46, performed a few concerts with the band, and worked on new material for its first album in seven years, but musical differences cut short his tenure.

“Hey we wanted to thank Duff for helping us write songs for our new record,” the band said via email. “We love the songs we worked on with him — and the gigs were a blast — but musically we were all headed in different directions. From here Duff is off to work on his own stuff so we wish him all the best.”

Jane’s Addiction has been through five bass players since it formed in 1985, while the rest of the quartet’s lineup is unchanged.

for more JANE’S ADDICTION click here.