Slash: "Velvet Revolver was the five toughest years"

Slash is in good spirits - now
Slash is in good spirits - now

Turns out that Scott Weiland wasn't the only unhappy camper in Velvet Revolver. In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, Slash reveals that he was feeling pretty low since the band started.

Speaking with Scott Rowley, Slash said, "I always support whatever group I'm playing with - I'll never say anything bad about them while I'm in it.

"But fuckin' Velvet Revolver - that was the toughest five years, dealing with that band, just because of the obvious [Weiland] and really, really bad management. Joke management for the entire time."

Fun started with Weiland's departure

"Scott to me is now like George Bush - y'know, I like him now that he's not here" Slash on departed Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland

"For some reason in that entire five years I could never be happy," Slash said. "I could never get comfortable and happy with it because it was such a fucking mess. That last tour in the UK was the first time I ever had any fun in that band - because I knew that Scott was leaving and it was a huge relief.

"But, all things considered, Scott to me is now like George Bush - y'know, I like him now that he's not here. I have nothing bad to say about Scott, but he doesn't work well with others in a group situation."

Good times continue with solo record

As MusicRadar reported yesteday, Slash Tweeted about his upcoming solo record, and from the sounds of things, he's having a blast playing with friends such as Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin and Flea.

"My record should be done next month & the recording has gone smoothly & sounds fucking great," he revealed in his Tweet.

To read Slash's Classic Rock interview in its entirety, click here.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.