Big Wreck's Ian Thornley Was Approached By Velvet Revolver To Be New Frontman

[FunkyMonkey]

After 11 years, Big Wreck is back   

Set for March 6 album release after 11-year layoff
   
By Jane Stevenson, QMI Agency

March 5th, 2012

HONEY, IT'S SLASH ON THE PHONE

Big Wreck's Ian Thornley, who has some of the best sounding rock pipes in Canada, says he was approached by Velvet Revolver at one point to be their new frontman after Scott Weiland left.

"I got a phone call from Slash -- how f---ing weird is that?" said Thornley. "And they had sent me a few tunes and I went down into my basement studio and just sang over one and just tried to build hooks and I was like, 'This is killer,' and just as soon as you hit play, 'It's f---ing Slash!' There's such an iconic sound, just his swagger with his hands. I just love his guitar playing so it was a joy to do."

Thornley even went down to L.A. to audition with Slash and the rest of Velvet Revolver but there was just one problem -- he wanted to play guitar, too.

"Their manager had an issue with the fact that I was playing guitar. He was like, 'It sounds great. It sounds unbelievable. Is there any chance you can do a couple without the guitar?'

"And I was like, 'Not really, no, 'cause I don't know what I'm going to do. Like, I've never learned those moves.' Weiland's great with all the Mick Jagger-slash-David Bowie stuff that he does. Some guys are more comfortable with that. Honestly, when Slash goes off on some kick ass solo, I'm not going to grab a f---ing tambourine, it's not my bag. And so it was just a thrill to play with those guys. They were just super-cool, sweethearts. I was kind of disappointed, but you're not going to go into a situation like that and go, 'Look, boys, here's what you need to do. Three guitar attack, alright, harmony solos, I was thinking maybe more Skynyrd.'... It was kind of a like a square peg in a round hole kind of thing."

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Big_Wreck/2012/03/05/19460861.html

[metallex78]

I checked out some vids on youtube, he sounds a lot like Chris Cornell. Could've been a good mix. Damn shame.

[Top-Hatted One]

best candidate I've heard other than Weiland going all the way back to '02

[AxlReznor]

It's a shame that they got turned off by him playing guitar. That could have been interesting.

[LongGoneDay]

I had one of their CDs back in the day. I remember it was inconsistent, but he had a great voice. Could have been interesting.

[vicariousexistence]

this would have blown the weiland version away.

[Fingers]

I wish they would release all the demos they have-I know it would never happen, but I've read about so many people making them, from Sebastian Bach to Corey Taylor to Frankie Perez-and those are the ones we know about-I would not be surprised if they have demos from 50, 60 singers, if not more-we just hear about the ones that come out in interviews and stuff.

[vicariousexistence]

thornley is an insanely talented singer.  maybe not the showman of weiland but pure singing, man this would have been unreal.

[Trist805]

Like he even admitted, he would basically have to hide behind a guitar cuz he has no stage presence.   Also, nowhere near the star-power of Weiland.  Not saying he is a bad singer, but probably too INDIE for most.  Also, funny how these "secret" singers are willing to name-drop VR to promote their new music. 

[FunkyMonkey]

A video of him performing, and picture at the link below:

BIG WRECK Frontman Talks About His VELVET REVOLVER Audition - Mar. 6, 2012

Canadian musician Ian Thornley (BIG WRECK) tells Jam! Music that he was approached by VELVET REVOLVER to audition for the vacant vocalist position in the band a short time after their split with Scott Weiland.

http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=170769

[DeadHorse]

I remember Duff talking about Ian when VR first began looking for a new singer. He mentioned singers he would to see front VR and Ian was one of them.

Ian is an amazing singer, and a great guitar player as well. But he`s more of a guitar player- singer than a frontman so I understand why it didn`t work out. 

Ian`s  solo band Thornley were great, Tiny Pictures is a good album.

I may have to check out Big Wreck when they come here in May, I would love to hear Under the Light House which is my favorite Big Wreck song.

[GeorgeSteele]

Like he even admitted, he would basically have to hide behind a guitar cuz he has no stage presence.   

I don't think a singer wanting to have a guitar means you're looking to hide and have no stage presence.  Prince, Hetfield, Springsteen, Lemmy and others all rocked the guitar and they definitely had stage presence.  Stage presence or not, nobody likes being out there with nothing but their dick in their hand during an extended solo.  Even Axl often leaves the stage during long instrumentals. 

[FunkyMonkey]

From Slash:

March 23, 2012

Question: Tell me about Ian Thornley.

Slash: Ian has a great voice and he did an audition for Velvet Revolver. The catch was he wanted to play guitar.

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/scene/article/1132337--10-questions-for-slash

From Duff:

March 25, 2012

He [Duff] grudgingly admits a Guns N? Roses reunion and a Velvet Revolver re-incarnation both are faint (very faint) possibilities.

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1061119751&srvc=home&position=also