Here Today... Gone To Hell!

VELVET REVOLVER has decided to take a little time off from writing for its new album to play a few shows. But drummer Matt Sorum told ABC Radio's ePrep they're on track to have the CD in stores in the spring. No producer has been chosen at this point, but the band has been speaking with Rick Rubin (AUDIOSLAVE, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SLAYER, SLIPKNOT), hoping to get him to come on board for the project.

"We've been talking to Rick Rubin," Sorum revealed. "So hopefully he's gonna come on board, because I think he's just a great song guy. And his advice to us, which was great advice, was, 'Write as many songs as possible.' He's listened to a lot of our riffs and different parts that we have. He's a very honest guy, and even if he doesn't produce us, he's given us a good sense of what we need to go for, and that's just great songs."

The working title for the disk remains "Libertad", although Sorum dismisses Scott Weiland's statements that it will be a concept record.

"You know, Scott said something about a concept album," Sorum told ABC Radio's ePrep. "But you know, the concept is let's get it done, you know what I mean? (laughs)"


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Kinda interesting, Rick Rubin is also working with Metallica on their new album. Must be a busy guy!

Does this mean that Pharrell Williams is out of the running? I was really hoping for Pharrell just to see what came out of it.

when was this article written?? spring has passed and it is now summer?? so im confused..i hope they dont mean spring '07. well if there is anymore info..let me know!

I'm very sure it's spring of 07. What else could it be? Spring of 06 has passed and they're still talking about prospective producers. Maybe this means they are being very picky about the new album and want it to be perfect. I can hold out until next spring if it means the album is going to be awesome and state of the art!

Well you knew the earliest could be fall... I never know what to think, as long as they are keeping us updated I am happy.. We know what is going down so when it's time we'll know everything.. We know they are together being they're playing some warm up shows.. I'm really looking forward to new music

Yeah let them take their time with this new album. It probably means they are being meticulous and the album will be nothing less than perfect. I just hope that they're not having too hard of a time with Scott. I know that he has his probs and can be extremely difficult to deal with.

Rick Rubin is an amazing producer. I hope they work with him. My dream always has been that he'd work with the original line-up or at least Axl. That would've been awesome.

I guess it's very recent.




Does it mean that their current new songs are not good enough?  ???    :nervous:

i hope they just have one producer not serveral, i think several will wreck or not show the promise of the album, or show what it could have been

Rick will pull out the best in VR.

I just don't see how Rubin could do VR, when he's got Metallica on his hands?

Whaddaya mean? I'ts not like the producer can only work with one band at a time...
Im still hoping they would work with Trent Reznor. I know Slash and Duff really like hes stuff... They could do something in the lines of "With Teeth" which would be a perfect new step for VR.

 :nervous:

Please don't!

Reznor lost his edge in the last couple of years, VR shouldn't take NIN's new direction. I'm really excited about the 'danceable' album with huge grooves, great rhythms and killer bluesy solos. But for some reasons I can't imagine Scott fitting into this conception.  :no:

(Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Weiland, just think he's style wouldn't fit.)

I'm getting kinda sick of hearing "insert name" is producing the album, or "we are in pre-pro at the moment/we've just entered the studio"

How's about less on who's producing and actually start doing it. Why not Mention songs being thrown around, or a planned release date or somethink other then "our new producer"

just my 2 cents...

I'm wondering what a concept album is... can some please tell me?

it's like tommy from the who, album about a topic or theme

I wouldn't mind having a handful of producers on the album, so I hope they have a few songs produced by Pharrell, Rubin and whoever else they've been working with.

Apparently Metallica are still in pre-production too, still in song-writing stage. They won't be working with Rubin to record the album until later in the year from what I'm aware. So maybe he could work with VR in the meantime?

Rick's not exactly a "hands on" producer these days, he tends to play "Executive Producer" while his minions (George Drakoulias and others) handle the day to day duties of production.

That's not to say he wouldn't have a part in it of course, just not to the extent some might think.

Food for thought..

I think this is bad news--the album was going to be released by X-Mas '05, remember. "Libertad" now wont be out 'til Spring (code for Summer or Fall) of '07?

Why is it bad news? It just means the album will come out later than originally planned.

These guys don't seem to be on any deadline, let them take their time and put out something great.

Why is it bad news that the band cant seem to agree on a producer, havent finished song writing even though the album was originally due to be out 8 months ago and now are sending different messages out to the press? Why, indeed.

Someone needs to remind Slash/Duff/Matt that they are no longer in GNR. They are starting to take on a strikingly similar pattern as another band we all love in terms of recording/releasing an album.

I suspect tensions are high going into this album because there is alot of anticipation to see where they go with it. Contraband was a very successful debut album, so expectations are high. I am hoping that will lead everyone to bring their best to the table. While the album was supposedly supposed to be out by now, I am encouraged by the fact they didn't just throw something out there to keep the train moving as they could have done.

In the long run, I think this path will eventually lead to the best result. I will really start to worry if 3-4 more years pass and there are various line-up changes. Until then I will try and remain optomistic.

Oh look, Im sure well hear this material quite soon. Slash, Matt and Duff are a solid team and dont usually dick around with the dreams of grandoise that has held Chinese Democracy up, but they do tend to work at their own pace rather than pumping albums out every year. I think its just a matter of them all knuckling down and recording the stuff.

I think the original due dates were just talking. maybe if they didn't have side efforts and businesses it might have happened quicker.. They are playing shows now so that is only a good sign.. Nobody wants new music more then me,.,

Exactly, they haven't said the album will be out on an exact date. They just kinda threw out when they hoped to roughly have the album out by.

But ya know, sh*t happens, and these guys have all had huge success in their careers, so it's not as though they have to really prove anything. Instead, they just wanna put out some great music at their own schedule. No outside pressures. That's how I see it.

If this means we have to wait a bit longer for the album, then that's unfortunate for us to have to wait, but don't hold everything these guys say so sacred. We'll get the album when they get it done, until then, just enjoy what we've already got. : ok:

Pharrel Williams is only doing like one song, thats what I heard.   : ok:

And, an example of a concept album would be Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club by The Beatles. The concept is their alter-ego of being a quartet band that puts on an awesome show. And, concept albums are usually different, like Pink Floyd's "The Wall", which was a different view of pink floyd. But this album sounds like its going to be pretty damn good!

aslong as its produced better than contraband... fantastic album, production a little muddy at times, drowned vocals... but ive got used to that style, so if its the same, i wudnt really mind.

you won't have to worry about the vocals being drowned out if Rubin is the producer. RCHP, Audioslave & Slayer's vocals are as clear as ice!

Rubin is great for taking a band to its apex...but sometimes he takes out the personality of the band and it gets a little too pop and songs based on getting one good riff...and less complex...but yeah...that would be great for VR

I think you hit on something there. The guy is a genius and brings out the best of most of the bands he works with, espcially the Chilis. But ... being such a prolific producer of big albums, his production style can be very familiar because people hear about 4 or 5 albums from him a year.

jw, what chili album did he do? stadium arcadium?

Hes done all of them from Blood Sugar Sex Magic right? I know that for sure, maybe hes done ones before that too.

I really did not want to wait until spring but at this point it's starting to look that way which sucks.  Having Rick Rubin would make it worth the wait though.

Libertab will be out before Chinese Democracy.  These guys do not waste time when it comes to their music.  Had they still been in GNR, CD would have hit stores a long time ago and no one would be talking about it today.  We'd all be talking about the follow up album  I think it's great that VR is looking for the right producer.  Rick Rubin is the right man for the job - he has an awesome track record.

Just what I wanted to say, Mikkamakka.

BTW did Slash & Duff say they like Renzor  ??? ::)

Well Matt and Duff picked out Robin Finck, or so the story goes...

Finck was apparently chosen from his with Cirque De Soliel, not Nine Inch Nails. 

The VR guys are NIN fans (theyve praised the band and played their songs during radio appearences), but I doubt they care to make that kind of music.

They probably heard a lot of NIN vicariously through Axl.

when are they planning on releasing the 2nd album?

                   I can see them taking their time with it due to what may happen with Chinese Democracy. If CD is the album everyone suspects then , they are really gonna be over shadowed. Rose's album could command the most attention this Fall if it happens.

                      I can see them wanting to release a strong album to show that " Hey were just as good as Guns n Roses led by Axl Rose ."  Its smart thinking. Fine tune a good album. Pick out what will work and elminate the bad. Yes ego plays a part because I can see Scott going " I don't want a fucking dance album . "

                       

I guess he gave them some songs and he was only into one.. He told them to go jam out and get some more material. They played some shows and gave him some more songs and he was into 3 of them... No wthey are working on more.. I like the way he is pushing them.

How do you know it?  ???

They were talking about it on the VR forum... I believe Matt said something about it on camp freddy radio.......

It's only a good thing they took someone who dares to say "NO" onboard.
you know, think about it. If VR would've gave Rick "Contraband", how many songs would've he actually liked? one? two or three at tops, and then told them to go back in the studio.
They should have done this with the first record to reduce the "fillers". Good thing they're doing it now.
The negative side is, Rick is very busy atm. and VR have to create alot of new material, which takes alot time on its own. So I doubt theres gonna be any new Velvet Revolver this year.
Thumbs up for the first quarter of 2007? : ok:

Half of Contraband is magic. The rest is mediocre. I don't know too much about Rubin's 'ears' but as far as I know the albums he produced don't have only A+ songs, but a lot of mediocre or bad stuff, too.

Yeah, seriously, look at some of the bands that he works with.  They're tone deaf.  If he knows how to say "no," then about 95% of the material on all of those band's albums, collectively, would not have been released.  Maybe he aims to challenge the band to reach their potential, which, in the case of the other bands, is not that great, and he may, in fact, be able to do wonders for VR.  But the fact remains, you'll have 1 or 2 heavy hitters but the rest will be garbage.  Contraband was a long-awaited, much anticipated joke.  If Axl were in that lineup, instead of Scott, then I can see 2 or maybe 3 of those songs ever seeing the light of day.  It's just a matter of great potential lacking any real guidance or leadership.  They need someone that knows what they're doing.  Meaning, someone that can say "no" and then explain why and force the band in a direction that will allow them to reach their potential.  :peace:

Rick Ruben is for those ready to address their history. Anger is a motivator but not a communicator.  ONE of the few producers I really wish I had not blown off.

Let 's don''t start this line of discussion please, thanks.

You can only get as much out of a band. Rick knows (and would've known) that Velvet Revolver can do so much better than "Contraband".

I still stand that "Contraband" although maybe not one of the greatest albums of all time........ KICKS SOME FUCKING ARSE!!!!

Slither
Superhuman
Loving The Alien
You got No right
Suckertrain Blues
Big Machine
DIRTY LITTLE THING

all classics..

I agree!  :beer:  But I'd add Set Me Free to the list.

I agree, and I would also stand by that Contraband was never meant to be a career record for the guys. It was admittedly done somewhat quickly to get it out and get out on the road and start touring and building a name for themselves.

I use Libertad as much more of a measuring stick for the band than Contraband, as they are obviously going about this project very differently than they did Contraband.

For a new band that had to build name recognition in the market place at an age (most of the guys over 40) when most rockers are being pushed aside, I would say Contraband can be viewed as nothing but a rousing success. I bet you would be hard pressed to find a single member of the band who would be disappointed in all they have achieved thus far in a relatively short period of time.

Ah classics? Please...
Superhuman, Big machine & Dirty Little Thing? Those are still pretty low compared on all the music these guys have done before.
LTA, YGNR and SB are pretty mediocore/good and Slither is great.
Hopefully on "Libertad" they stay atleast on the mediocore/great category, please no more of "Illegal I Song(s)"

You're a bit mean when it comes to VR/Contraband. I could list a lot of GN'R songs that far below the VR tracks Tomass and I mentioned. But tastes differ.

Yeah, and you probably like some Snakepit songs better than GN'R too. It's a matter of personal taste as you pointed out.

I don't think VR have any classics. Yet.... Classics is a word I don't like to use about songs released two years ago.

Contraband is a good album, but personally I got bored with it after a while. The band is entertaining live and the songs work in a live setting. But the album got boring.


I hope they can do something a bit more intresting this time around.



/jarmo

Im just being objective. I dont want to imagine something that's just not there.

Yeah, there are alot of low points in the GN'R/Snakepit/Solo category, but overall the avarage quality of output "Contraband" falls way down.

Even both the snakepit albums were alot better effort than "Contraband" , and "Neurotic Outsiders"/Duff's solo probably? falling in the middle.
So it's a bit weird that they couldn't even reach the "Snakepit quality".

Something has to go really wrong when you've got years of material and songs like "Big Machine" and "Illegal I Song" get chosen?

beating da' dead horse.

You can't be objective. Your first sentence is the biggest contradiction a man can say.

The Snakepit/VR/solo cathegory has a lot of low points? It's your opinion and not the objectivity. My opinion is that the first Snakepit record is better than anything Guns released except AFD. IMO ALG could have been a great GN'R record, too, on the same level with UYI II and Lies. It's my opinion. Yours is very different.

However I agree that both Snakepit albums are better than Contraband, which is still a good album. The reason in my opinion is that Scott nixed every great rock 'n' roll ideas and Dave is more of a metal/punk guitarist than a rock 'n' roller. So Slash was in minority and they did these punkish songs (mostly the first half of the album). But YGNR and Slither are classic songs (I mean the quality not the time), and LTA, Set Me Free, Superhuman are great ones while DLT and Suckertrain are good songs. Some other tunes could have been much better (Headspace comes to my mind first).

I really hope that however produces the album turns them into a more song-oriented direction and make enough room for the almighty Slash. Although I doubt that they could release a great rock 'n' roll record with Scott (who seems to be uninterested in doing that), but a groove-oriented rock album (like Lenny Kravitz's) with some Bowie and psychedelic feel would be great, too.

yeah, ya can only listen to one album like that for so long, i am a VR fan, but i must admit, they need something more intresting next time round, like i can still listen to AFD all day and ive been listening to it since i can remeber, but CB you can only do for so long

Yes - his makes sense. It's Five O'Clock Somewhere doesn't even touch the best stuff on UYI by several miles. That may be an opinion, but it's an informed opinion. The Snakepit stuff is fun with lots of cool guitar playing, but the songwriting lacks diversity.

Sheesh. What makes his opinion "informed", but not Mikkamakka's?

Anyway, I much prefer Contraband over the Snakepit albums. Probably for the same reasons Mikkamakka doesn't - ie. Scott bringing an alt-rock/punk vibe to certain songs and Dave's more contemporary textures and rhythm. I also admire the way Slash adapted to this slight change in style.

I also think Contraband is a better and more consistent album than UYI2.

Along with 'Absolution' by Muse, it's easily my favourite album that's been released in recent years.

Sorry.  It wasn't included to start a discussion.  Rather, just to further illustrate my point.   :peace:

STP recorded "Purple" in ONE MONTH!

and the quality shows for it too.

*cough boorring cough*

Purple is a great album. Just because it ain't your cup of tea, doesn't make it boring.

Yeah! Purple OWNS!! i don't know what ur talking about mrlee!!! that's easily one of my fave albums.

i don't think u can judge an album my how long it took to make it. Also, he does have a point about early albums in bands' catalogues that are usually regarded as their best. that is USUALLY the case... but still i don't think u can make generalizations like that. let the music speak for itself.

"Though Rick Rubin is currently tied up with U2 in London, he's slated to work with both METALLICA and VELVET REVOLVER next, VR drummer Matt Sorum informed RollingStone.com Monday night (Sept. 18) during the Hard Rock Caf??s 35th birthday extravaganza. "I think we're going to beat METALLICA to the studio 'cause we write songs faster than they do," he boasted.

The working title for the new VELVET REVOLVER disc remains "Libertad", although Sorum previously dismissed singer Scott Weiland's statements that it will be a concept record.

"You know, Scott said something about a concept album," Sorum told ABC Radio's ePrep. "But you know, the concept is let's get it done, you know what I mean? (laughs)"

VELVET REVOLVER's 2004 debut, "Contraband", was certified double-platinum for sales in excess of two million copies in the United States. "

From Blabbermouth