Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Claire Davies of the U.K.'s Total Guitar magazine (web site) recently conducted an interview with VELVET REVOLVER's Slash and Dave Kushner. A couple of excerpts follow:

Total Guitar: Your debut album "Contraband" was huge, so how does "Libertad" compare in sound and style ? does it live up to your expectations?

Slash: "We all had a lot to do with the sound of this album, but I wouldn't know how to describe 'Libertad'. It's easier to take it at face value than to analyze it or dictate an essay about what's going on. It's a great record that I'm very proud of. It's got a lot of diversity, has some great songs and it's pretty loose. You can tell we had a great time making it. It's very different to 'Contraband'. There's been a lot of growth since that album in the collection of experiences we've had together, which makes for a natural progression in the writing and recording stages, but the only way in which this was a difficult second album was because it was so hard to get us in the studio.

"Everyone wanted to start work on the album but each of us had built up a personal agenda, although when we got in the studio things moved along quickly. I wouldn't change anything about this album because I enjoyed the time I spent with the band and we became such good friends. It was a very inspiring, very creative experience and one of the most fulfilling things I've ever been a part of."

Dave: "We recorded 20 songs for this record compared to the last record where we used every song bar one we had written, so there was a lot more creativity on this album. 'Libertad' is much more individualistic in the sense of who each member is; it's deeper than 'Contraband' and stylistically it spins off in more directions. As for changing any of it? When you work on a project for that long and there's certain aspects that aren't in your control, such as mixing or songwriting, then there will be a part of you that wishes some things had been done differently. But 'Libertad' is an amazing record that pushed us to our limits and as a guitar player it has taken me places I've never been before."

Total Guitar: Was there anything you did differently on this album compared to your last album?

Slash: "'Libertad' has a real spontaneous feel because for the first time we were all in the studio recording live together, so there was a great camaraderie. A lot of stuff I hadn't done before was used on this record, such as my scratch tracks being kept. I'm used to going into the studio and laying down the basic tracks with the band and then going back into the control room to re-do the guitars, just because I hate headphones so much (I play like shit when I'm using them), but I ended up keeping a lot of the stuff that I did with the headphones on, which was a first for me. On top of that I didn't go back in to re-record rhythm parts underneath my solos like I usually do, instead I left that to Dave."

Dave: "Yeah, I now understand what bands mean when they talk about growth and maturity on their second record. We're still a new band, but on this album everyone was a lot more involved with writing and recording. 'Libertad' is a record where everyone's individual contributions are more exaggerated compared to our first album. We spent more time writing individually and you can really hear everyone's style and personality coming through. It's definitely more organic sounding than 'Contraband' and, for me personally, I went for guitars that were less processed sounding and that were just about the steel and wood of a guitar."

Total Guitar: What are your favourite tracks from "Libertad" and which are you most proud of for your guitar playing?

Slash: "When you make a record you get up close and personal with each song, and for a song to make it onto the record you have to like it in the first place, so it's hard to pick a favorite. We wrote 20 tracks for this album and 18 of them made it. We're releasing five of those tracks as an EP [released June 4, including a cover of 'Psycho Killer' by TALKING HEADS], but there's also a cover of 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head' by ELO on the album. The cover was our producer Brendan O'Brien's idea, but I wasn't into it at first. It's a great song but I just couldn't hear the band doing it, so I refused to do it at that time. After we'd laid down an acoustic track with bass and drums I went back in and put a bunch of heavier guitars on there with Dave, and when Scott put his vocals down it sounded great. When we were mixing the record in Atlanta I bought Brendan a 1960 Les Paul reissue, which I used along with this killer new Marshall Vintage to play the solo on that track. I did it in one take."

Dave: "I'm most proud of 'Get Out The Door' because I wrote the entire thing at home on ProTools. I love the weird melody line that Slash put over the chorus and what Scott did vocally on the track. I also used some SMASHING PUMPKINS type ideas in the chorus of 'Mary Mary', so that was pretty cool too. Did I want to play more lead guitar? Sure there was a point where I said, 'Hey Slash, if there are any solos you don't wanna play?' but I never heard about it again! I guess I would like to have played the solo on 'Get Out The Door' because it was my baby, but the original version had no solo, it didn't even have that section ? after the bridge on the original track it went straight into the last chorus. The solo was a suggestion made by Clive Davis [RCA Records] at the time when we were considering releasing 'Get Out' as the first single from the album. Clive wanted a trademark Slash solo on there, so we did it."

Total Guitar: But you eventually chose "She Builds Quick Machines" as the first single. Why did you pick that track?

Slash: "'Quick Machines' was my first pick, but there were so many songs with single potential that it took a while before we all agreed on what the first single from the album should be. It was decided that 'She Builds Quick Machines' was most indicative of the band that everyone was familiar with."

Dave: "That track was brought to our attention as a potential first single from the record company. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't see it as a first single. I would have gone for 'Get Out The Door' or 'She Mine' because, as a band, we were talking about one of those songs as the first single. It wasn't as though we were forced by the record company; that song just struck a chord with them so they ran listener tests with all three songs and 'Quick Machines' supposedly tested the best. Maybe it reminded them of 'Slither' [taken from first album 'Contraband']? Anyway, we kept listening to the song but we still disagreed. The record company did more tests and in the end we had to concede because of the response it was getting."

For more information, visit www.totalguitar.co.uk.


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Surprise surprise, I guess it goes against most peoples opinion that the band didn't want this as the first single  ::)

Thanks, but it seems this interview was posted already...

"Get out the door" belongs Dave, great song  :beer:

Where? I never saw it anywhere....

mmm well...  ::)


I think Contraband is very far from being a deep album, but at least it has some interesting lyrics like YGNR.

But what is ''deep'' in She Builds Quick Machines, She Mine, Get Out The Door, etc?  ???

this is the flatest and less pretentious music ever made by Slash and Weiland. This is not necesarily a bad thing, but why using the word ''deep'' to describe music that is exactly the opposite?

Did you even bother reading the whole thing?  ::)

Remember you have not listened the whole album yet., Perhaps it's deeper for them, it's their vision and opinion.
or at least you should wait that album goes out to give a definitive opinion

This is a great article, thank you!

Get Out The Door is a great song, and I think it would have been a better first single than SBQM.

I don't think so, "SBQM" has better riff intro, chorus and definitively a better guitar solo than "GOTD".

I dont understand why they keep putting "Contraband" down to try and make Libertad seem better.


I am gonna say right now that gets on my nerves and I don't like it.

I loved Contraband and so far Quick Machines isn't better than anything on Contraband...........................


Also Sorry Dave, u are a good guitar player and all but I don't think anyone wants to hear u solo instead of Slash. Gotta know your place. : ok:

What slash says goes against what Dave says....

 ???

Did you stop reading the article after that quote?

"Dave: "That track was brought to our attention as a potential first single from the record company. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't see it as a first single. I would have gone for 'Get Out The Door' or 'She Mine' because, as a band, we were talking about one of those songs as the first single. It wasn't as though we were forced by the record company; that song just struck a chord with them so they ran listener tests with all three songs and 'Quick Machines' supposedly tested the best. Maybe it reminded them of 'Slither' [taken from first album 'Contraband']? Anyway, we kept listening to the song but we still disagreed. The record company did more tests and in the end we had to concede because of the response it was getting."

Slash apparently spoke for himself - it was his first pick.  For Duff and Dave, at least, it wasnt.  What dont you understand about that?


Youre incorrect.  Id like to hear Dave solo, and not necessarily instead of Slash, but in addition to him.

Just because Slash wanted 'She Builds' as the first single does not mean the WHOLE BAND wanted it as the first single. As Dave says, they disagreed about it but conceded because of the reaction the track was getting.

As long as it's quality, I wouldn't mind hearing a little bit of variety...

I don't think they're really putting "Contraband" down, just saying that they were more familiar with each other during the recording of Libertad.

Edit:  I would've preferred Get Out The Door too, but I guess SBQM is doing alright so far.

it's better than Ilegal I song and Spectacle at least. I loved Contraband too and I am glad Libertad songs that I have listened so far keep tha same line....

I thought they did that on several answers to these questions.  Is it just me or are these guys starting to sound a little polished and cliched in interviews?  Example:  "This record is more organic".  What the hell does that really mean?  I want to love this band but I'm somehow just not excited for this album.  Maybe because "Quick Machines" is so weak.  Just my feeling so far, I'm sure others disagree.

On a separate note......they're also putting solos in songs based on the opinions of a 75 year old record executive.  Hmmm.....

Are you surprised?





/jarmo

Examples?

You think Slash saying "It was my first pick" contradicts Dave saying "it wasnt my pick?"  This is exactly the kind of thing I mean when I say that a group of posters seem eager to eschew logic for an absolutely pointless game of "gotcha."  Slash wanted "She Builds Quick Machines" as the first single and Dave and some others didnt - does this imply that theyre lying about something?  What are you implying exactly?  I understand that the straw-grasping nature of these silly implications kind of forces you to be vague, so why not state clearly what youre trying to imply?

No I didn't, like I said after I posted this, what slash says completely contradicts what Dave said.

VR is a corporate rock band, for better or for worse.  The proof is in the pudding.  SBQM is to me generic, soulless corporate rock defined.  The whole way they're packaged and marketed is very corporate, 3 album covers, special editions of the album roughly a year after it's released, as a total package they are no doubt a corporate band.  VR functions in a way that says making as much money as possible is more important than artistic integrity.  That's not to say they aren't capable of making good music but it's becoming clear the focus of this band is not first and foremost to make the best music they possibly can, it's to sell the most records and make the most money

Can you explain how so?

Dave said no one in the band wanted that song as the first single, slash said he wanted it as first single. If you can't see that that is a contradiction then theres nothing I can do for ya...

F clive davis. i hate hearing that type of BS. i'm surprised VR revealed that, but i do appreciate their honesty.

much like when axl stated back in 2001 that he started over because someone at the record label thought that they "could make it better."

they just have too much influence and power.

Can you provide the quote in which this is said?

Are you blind Booker?  He says it right here...


 :hihi:

I don't think they were refering to the LYRICS as what was deep about the album. It's very evident that the new album has a lot more levels than Contraband. Like its been said, that necessarily isn't a good or bad thing. ?Some people's gripes with contrband is that every song sounded similar, while other people loved that it was a hard rocking album all the way through. ?This record, seems to show off a lot more musical influences, almost every song so far varying. ?Hard rock similiar to contraband (SBQM) songs with a ?groove that makes you want to dance (get out the door), Bluesy ?songs (Last fight), Punk rock (spay), etc, etc. ?They are changing the musical stylings, scott is changing the way he sings from song to song. Overall muscially there is a lot more variation.

Also there are a few songs we haven't heard... it's entirely possibly the "deep" songs lyrically are "For A Brother", "Gravedancer" & "Mary Mary".

Thats what I thought.  Thanks.  : ok:

Anyone else think its kind of sad that an American idol "Kelly Clarkson" stands up to Clive Davis and the record label but the worlds ?most dangerous Band VR don't? :hihi:

Do you think its possible they didnt disagree with his suggestion?

No, Kelly Clarkson is harsh   :nervous:

Do you think it's kind of sad that Kelly Clarkson's summer tour has been canceled and her singles are tanking and album is expected to not sell well? Clive Davis has been putting hit records for over 40 years, so ya think he MIGHT know what the fuck he's talking about when it comes to music? I don't think anyone can deny that the solo in GOTD rules. The song is better with it.

Anyway, to get away from the usual bunch of dipshits bitching about everything VR related - I must say, Dave writing GOTD shocks the hell out of me. I would have never pegged him as one to write a song about fucking a Tranny. Maybe Matt or Scott, but not Dave.

The world's most dangerous band is just a marketing gimmick.  These guys are millionaire rockstars in their 40's and are clean and sober now for the most part.   As I said for better or worse it's evident that VR is more concerned about selling as many albums and making as much money as possible, that is their first priority not making the best music they possibly can.  Dollar signs come before artistic integrity and that's their decision to make.  But  make no mistake, they are a corporate band who just happens to be promoted as rebellious

Kushner probably just wrote the music.  The lyrics are most likely Weiland.  But at least we know Kushner is making some contributions, he didn't seem to contribute much to their last album

From that interview, it just seems to me that Quick Machines wasn't their first choice but the record label thought it was the most "Commercial" song and the way to go cause it souned like "slither"

To me that is pretty shitty.

If VR wanted a different single,t hey should've held to their guns and released the single they wanted but since a Test campaign came back in favor of SBQM, they said OK.

It seems to me that some in the bandwanted one song to be the first single and the label and Slash wanted something else, so they tested the song and found out that SBQM would be more commercially successful, so the band went with that. Now, depending on whether or not you're a VR fan or someone who likes to pick apart every little thing VR does, you're going to read into the situation differently.

It's nothing like the Kelly Clarkson situation where Clive Davis wanted her to go back and re-record the album again, this is just a matter of there being so many good songs that they couldn't decide on a single. Boy, that's a horrible position to be in, huh?  ::)

the label and slash wanted SBQM, sounds like good enough reason for the rest of the unsure bandmates to go along with it.

The whole interview is posted at www.velvet-revolver.com

I have been fortunate enough to hear the whole album (don't ask for details on how or why cause I wont give em) and now that I have heard all the songs, SBQM is the obvious first single - although I think that Just 16 is the other stand-out single and obviously that wont be the case cause it's on the EP.

pick, pick, pick, pick, pick.

In the end who gives a fuck.  At least they are releasing shit.  And suprise, suprise some people like it.  Just goes to show that Axl isn't the only band.

No way, Illegal I and Spectacle rock so much harder and have much more interesting riffs and lyrics than SBQM does.

no the band arnt sober.......i know 1 band member personally thats still an animal...red 1??

First of all I am a huge VR fan.

What is  different with me and most people on this forum and other places is, I dont Swallow everything a band I like does just cause I am a fan.

If a band I love does something I don't agree with, I call them on it.

I give Axl a hard time when he does shit I think is dumb and I give VR, Bon Jovi, RHCP, Prince whomever a hard time about shit I dont like that they do.

BJ have a song on their new album that is the most horrible shit I've ever heard in my life.

Axl has a song or two I don't like and I don't agree with how he does a lot of stuff.

VR also and I am not gonna give anyone a free pass just cause I am a "Fan" I hold everyone accountable and call them on shit I think is stupid.

I'm sure Matt is still partying, maybe Kushner.  SLash, Duff and Weiland all at least say they're sober.  Anyway point being they are a bunch of 40 year old millionaires, the most notorious alcoholics and drugs users claim they are sober now, they have been living the high life for many years.  I don't think they qualify as dangerous, hence the world's most dangerous band tag that was slapped on GNR back in the 80's and that has been a part of the VR marketing scheme is just that, a marketing scheme

I think some people on this site are letting their dislike for VR cause them to interpret things way out of perspective. Nothing that slash said contradicts anything dave said.

If you spell it out in point form  its more clear that there is no inconsistency:


Slash:

- Slash's personal choice was  SBQM
- lots of other songs with single potential
- took awhile before everyone agreed on which song to use
- it was decided (could be by band or label its unclear) that SBQM is closer to what people were familiar with.

Dave

- Record company wanted SBQM
- Dave did not want it.
- record company did not force them, but they agreed after the company's test results proved it to them.

They're basically saying the same thing, except slash is a bit more diplomatic about how he mentions the disagreement with the company.


To those upset that they listened to a suggestion of a record producer to add a guitar solo. Well, what can I say:

1. Most of us were bitching about VR's move away from classic slash solos on CB.
2. Its the role of a producer to challenge a band to do their best work and work with the band to get the best sound.

Theres a difference being open to an idea and throwing away your artistic integrity.





 

Who really cares about the 'Worlds Most Dangerous Band' tag? It is just a marketing line. So what? ALL bands need to market themselves, and they kept that tag based on who they are, and their past. What is the huge deal?

And if you consider them a 'corperate' band, so what? None forces you to buy all the special edition covers (I'm a big fan and I only bought the one which came on the one I picked up), or the re-issues (I might have for the unreleased tracks but I haven't seen it here). If a record company wants to make money off a band, good luck to them. None forces you to part with your money for any of the 'cash spinners', thats your choice, and the fans choice, if they want to get something the band puts out for them. I'm glad they released Mellody and the Tyranny, as I wanted to add it to my VR 'collection'. If you aren't, that's your choice.

Also it's pretty damn obvious to me that Slash wanted SBQM, while the rest of the band didn't. That's why Dave used 'we' and Slash admitted that he wanted SBQM. So what the hell is everyone nit-picking over?

Mountains out of molehills again ?::)

If anyone has fallen under marketing scheme it has to be you.  Guns n roses the most dangerous band? get real... It was a pose. Just like most of the things in rock and roll are.  But they did record good music thought. Not being drunk is a sing of  weakness ??

I wonder what the "most dangerous" label is for anyway....are they gonna start bringing guns on stage and shoot the audience?
I don't care, the dangerous thing was something thought up by record company people back in the GN'R days, these guys still have that label on them...they don't care, I don't care.

I believe the 'dangerous' tag, at least, for the old GN'R was used in the sense 'dangerous to themselves', because nobody knew how long the band would last or whether somebody would OD from the drugs or something. Duff blowing up from the alcohol, Slash ODing on heroin and of course there was Adler. Not to mention the tempers and egos involved. It doesn't mean anything anymore today other than being a marketing gimmick. But I suppose some people can't seem to understand that.

I'm not trying to grasp at straws or play a "gotcha" game to catch these guys in some big lie.  At times I just think Slash sounds like a politician, saying a whole lot without really saying anything in these answers.  I guess they're just a lot better at playing music than giving interviews.  Did you see the MSN interview with all five members?  They said practically nothing of substance in 20 minutes.  Maybe they're just doing too much press.  I can see how all the same questions would get old after awhile.

... and it's not like it was a "trademark Slash solo" anyways, how often does he use a talkbox?  To me it just seemed like the quote was Dave talking up how great everyone thinks Slash is, including himself and the record execs.

So someone who works for a record company says: "This songs needs more Slash!" and the band agrees... some of you think that's a bad thing?  ::)

No, but it does make you think about the old "Slash needs to be pushed" thing......



/jarmo

Nice first post  ::)

Nothing you said has anything to do with what I said but congratulations on joining the board

I want to hear Dave so something more than run through scales as well.  The guy can play.  What I would like to see him and slash do is harmonize some guitars like Thin Lizzy used to do when they had 2 lead players.

i actually do think it's a bad thing cause i think clive davis has more influence that you are implying. i am a fan of VR and i want to hear what THEY want to create, what's inside of them. good or bad. not what some old, money-hungry, has-been wants to create.

slash is creating music that they believe in. clive davis is trying to create music that is appealing to the masses. and it's dangerous because you then run the risk of things being watered down. 

i for one would like to hear dave solo on songs.

why should slash get all the solos.

hell even izzy got to solo.

and dave is way more competent at lead than izzy ever was.

its not like slash's solo is amazing in quick machines. doesn't do anything for me.

certainly nothing like slither or ygnr.

i think dave really should have solo'd on his own song that he wrote.

One time Duff said that he didn't choose SBQM as first single, but the record company told them that it would be the best choice.

I think since Dave wrote the song without a Solo piece maybe why Slash hadn't added one.  There wasn't really one on Illegal I either.  Izzy got to solo the first part of the nightrain solo.  Sounded good. 

Dave may just need to know his role and take his millions.  Just kidding.  But he is a role player and Slash is the star.  I am sure some of the Chicago Bulls wanted to have the ball in every critical moment, but how many few championships would Chicago have won?  Often Jordan did dish to Paxon or Kerr to deliver a game winning 3.  So I prefer how they do a Set me Free type deal.  Let Kushner shred and have fun, but when it comes to the album, leave it to the Pro maybe?  Or both solo in the same song. 

I saw this on Video Hits the other morning.. so so ordinary.

I would love to hear a Dave solo on the album....but only one. for the rest, I would need my Slash fix!

Ordinary?  Can you explain?

Yeah, I think I remember reading that Duff wanted The Last Fight picked as the first single, but the record company chose SBQM

SBQM video reminds me of Pink's ''Trouble'', but replacing the hot chick with a clint eastwood look a like junkie  :peace:

lawl calling scott a junkie, now that is out of the ordinary. good show mate

I believe you mean "former junkie".

Yes. Sorry, my bad.  :peace:

Until next week.

 ???

Is this an attempt at humor?

Many many many rock stars have had problems with drug abuse....it's not limited to scott. So bash if you will but your most likely insulting a high percentage of your favorite musicians, actors and celbs as well....

I just listened to "Just 16" and wow...just wow...is that shit great.

Why did they pick pretty-good, but not great SBQM over that?

^ Yeah i think "just 16" is a stronger track as well. Its weird...really wonder what the rest of the album will be like. The record company seemed to think SBQM was more like VR previously sounded....

Just 16 shits all over SBQM, lyrically not exactly excellent still, but much better overall as a song

Couldn't agree more. Love Just 16. Wouldn't care if I never heard SBQM again. I dunno...it has one of the longer solos on the album. Maybe that's why Slash wanted to pick it. Knew it would mean he would get to have some fun playing it in the set.