Duff comments on CD!!

[DemocracyRose]

I think its positive... This hopefully means that Duff/Slash are not holding the CD album back from being released...


DUFF MCKAGAN OF VELVET REVOLVER
Aidin Vaziri

Sunday, April 17, 2005

When the ramshackle cast of Velvet Revolver was first announced -- Duff McKagan, Slash and Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses, singer Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Dave Kushner -- people hardly expected the rock super group to make it past the gates of the rehab clinic, let alone onto the concert stage. Yet, so far, the band's first album, "Contraband," which debuted at No. 1 on the album charts, has sold 1.62 million copies in the United States. Last month, the band graduated to playing arenas, including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, where it plays Tuesday. We spoke with McKagan..

Q: Let's get the big question out of the way first. What's going on with the Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy"?

A: You know what? You probably know more than I would. I really have no idea. I've been so busy after leaving Guns N' Roses. I went up to Seattle, went to school and started having babies. And then this band popped up..

Q: Do you even want to hear it?

A: Not particularly. But I wish they would get it out after all this time..

Q: Do you think it's taking so long because it sucks?

A: Well, you know, spontaneity and rock 'n' roll go together. And chemistry. It comes back to the old adage: If it takes you more than five minutes to write a song, then just scrap it. I don't know. Axl Rose is a very, very fickle guy, and he changes his mind all the time. So who knows?.
Q: Meanwhile, you hit rock bottom and are already back in the arenas.

A: I never considered it rock bottom. I never went into any sort of depression when I left Guns N' Roses. I just went into a new band and started playing. I went to college, which was something I always wanted to do. And I started having babies, which is definitely not hitting bottom..

Q: I know you played in Neurotic Outsiders. Weren't you also in another band called 10-something?

A: Was I? My long-term memory is pretty screwed..

Q: And you got into kickboxing and granola. You must save a lot of money on backstage "provisions" now.

A: Yeah, it's quite a different scene. There's not a bunch of booze, and no one is trying to score drugs. It's much more about the music and reacting to the crowd..

Q: I remember that band name now: 10 Minute Warning.

A: Oh, 10-Minute Warning! There you go. Yeah, I did do that. That's right. I should listen to that record more often. It was a good record. I don't think I even own a copy..

Q: Has your college education been helpful?

A: Absolutely. I really notice people are a little bit scared of me in meetings. They don't know how much I know. Even back when I was getting f -- up I was never dumb. That's a big thing I missed out on for almost 10 years. There were times I would pick up a book, but I was so f -- up I couldn't see the words on the page. That's pretty brutal. Now I'm a daily reader..

Q: How weird is it to go through all this again?

A: Oh, there are times when Slash and I look at each other onstage and the crowd is going crazy and it's like, "F -- , dude. We did it again." It doesn't happen very often. But it's pretty great. People tell us we saved rock 'n' roll..

Q: I just wish your pancreas was here to enjoy it.

A: No, it's here. That's why I'm here. My pancreas expanded and burst, but I made it through that and realized I was given a second chance. I saw myself from above the bed. I realized I'm here for a reason. There's a lot out there that I haven't even come close to experiencing yet.

[starchild_666]

I'm sure he wants to hear CD as mach as we do 

[Izzy]

Q: I know you played in Neurotic Outsiders. Weren't you also in another band called 10-something?

A: Was I? My long-term memory is pretty screwed..

Q: I remember that band name now: 10 Minute Warning.

A: Oh, 10-Minute Warning! There you go. Yeah, I did do that. That's right. I should listen to that record more often. It was a good record. I don't think I even own a copy..

Oh my...forgetting a band u were in and did an album with? One begins to wonder as to the accuracy of things he's said of late about many things.........

[2NaFish]

thats what i've always wondered about. there's times when duff said he can't even remember visiting lots of countries on the illusions tour - yet when it comes to remember  axl he's completely certain he was an asshole.

the nicest way to put it would be a "selective" memory.

[nesquick]

If it takes you more than five minutes to write a song, then just scrap it

Certainely not. This is one of the most stupid comment I have ever read from Duff. Yes you can write great songs in 5 minutes, yes it's possible, but for more epic material (November Rain, Estranged etc...) you need to work much more because the music is much more complex. It takes time. I also doubt Queen wrote "bohemian rhapsody" is 5 minutes, certainly not. I love the old guys but in my opinion, they are too "minimalist".

----> I think Axl is a more mature artist.

[IzzyDutch]

If it takes you more than five minutes to write a song, then just scrap it

Certainely not. This is one of the most stupid comment I have ever read from Duff. Yes you can write great songs in 5 minutes, yes it's possible, but for more epic material (November Rain, Estranged etc...) you need to work much more because the music is much more complex. It takes time. I also doubt Queen wrote "bohemian rhapsody" is 5 minutes, certainly not. I love the old guys but in my opinion, they are too "minimalist".

----> I think Axl is a more mature artist.

I don't think he meant it literally, it was just to get the point across

[darkmonth]

Q: I know you played in Neurotic Outsiders. Weren't you also in another band called 10-something?

A: Was I? My long-term memory is pretty screwed..

Q: I remember that band name now: 10 Minute Warning.

A: Oh, 10-Minute Warning! There you go. Yeah, I did do that. That's right. I should listen to that record more often. It was a good record. I don't think I even own a copy..

Oh my...forgetting a band u were in and did an album with? One begins to wonder as to the accuracy of things he's said of late about many things.........

Duff's been in about 40 bands for fuck sake!!!  10.  That's not a huge amount to go on.  I forgive him.  Mind you, I fuckin' love 10 Minute Warning's album!

[thelostrose]

Q: Has your college education been helpful?

A: Absolutely. I really notice people are a little bit scared of me in meetings. They don't know how much I know. Even back when I was getting f -- up I was never dumb. That's a big thing I missed out on for almost 10 years. There were times I would pick up a book, but I was so f -- up I couldn't see the words on the page. That's pretty brutal. Now I'm a daily reader..

seems this guy has got a strange opinion about himself. what a sad f#*k. 

[Death Cube K]

If it takes you more than five minutes to write a song, then just scrap it

Now that explains why half of Contraband are below par. 

[Falcon]

----> I think Axl is a more mature artist.

If maturity is measured by 1 official original release in 14 years than you might be onto something.

 

[nesquick]

mature in term of artistic approach, in term of musical creativity.

[Bad_Apple]

If it takes you more than five minutes to write a song, then just scrap it

Certainely not. This is one of the most stupid comment I have ever read from Duff. Yes you can write great songs in 5 minutes, yes it's possible, but for more epic material (November Rain, Estranged etc...) you need to work much more because the music is much more complex. It takes time. I also doubt Queen wrote "bohemian rhapsody" is 5 minutes, certainly not. I love the old guys but in my opinion, they are too "minimalist".

----> I think Axl is a more mature artist.

I don't think he meant it literally, it was just to get the point across

Duff comes from the punk scene--he loves those raw songs, not so much the epic songs if u haven't noticed.  It's just his opinion....(I personally disagree, but that's bc I'm not a huge punk fan). 

[Falcon]

mature in term of artistic approach, in term of musical creativity.

If artistic approach is judged by endless tinkering and musical creativity is measured in years, not songs, Axl's way ahead of the game.

I repreat: 

[WanaBGunner]

"Q: Do you think it's taking so long because it sucks?"

Well daaa! Every day Axl sits there with this music he is loosing money. All the band members have said the music is done. Its not like Axl can sit down and magically make the songs better than what they are. Face it people, this music isnt all that great, only reason it will see the light of day, some day, is because it has the GNR and Axl name.

[Izzy]

"Q: Do you think it's taking so long because it sucks?"

Well daaa! Every day Axl sits there with this music he is loosing money. All the band members have said the music is done. Its not like Axl can sit down and magically make the songs better than what they are. Face it people, this music isnt all that great, only reason it will see the light of day, some day, is because it has the GNR and Axl name.

Thanks for that

If u want to complain about GNR try one of the VR boards, u'll be amongst like minded people there

[ppbebe]

 

It depends on where your goals are.

[Falcon]

It depends on where your goals are.

When the goal is perfection in a subjective artistic medium, the goal becomes more important than the art itself, a neverending journey with no conclusion.

[GNROSAS]

It depends on where your goals are.

When the goal is perfection in a subjective artistic medium, the goal becomes more important than the art itself, a neverending journey with no conclusion.

Nice point.

[ppbebe]

a neverending journey with no conclusion= life

[Falcon]

a neverending journey with no conclusion= life

Actually, death would be that conclusion. 

The ultimate finality.