2005.04.28 - The Valley Advocate - Duff Times

Duff Times

A sitdown with rock 'n' roll survivor Duff McKagan.

By Gary Carra

His driving basslines have fueled Guns ´N´ Roses and their unquenchable "appetite for destruction" and shot his latest project, Velvet Revolver, to similarly lofty industry heights. Duff McKagan enlightens your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler on beating the odds, modern day travel and why you shouldn't fuck with his gang.

Crawler: Duff, as someone who´s followed your career from the first muted palm notes of "Welcome To The Jungle" through all G´N´R and your solo album, it´s truly an honor. And for you to be back on top again in 2005 with Velvet Revolver is just amazing considering how fickle and cut-throat the industry is ­ even if this is a "supergroup." And I know you hate that tag.

Duff: Well, thanks, and I do hate that label because I just think it's a record label word. But to be honest, there were actually a lot of critics and skeptics when it first came to this project.

Why I think we succeeded was mostly because the whole process was very organic. Both myself and [guitarist] David Kushner were friends with each and [singer] Scott [Weiland] for years, then there was the demise of Stone Temple Pilots. And secondly, none of us came to the table looking to grab some past laurels ... or a paycheck, you know? We just wanted to make some good rock 'n' roll.

That´s probably easier said than done. Lots of bands say that, but if you buy the last few Kiss or Van Halen records, for example, the music just doesn´t hold up. "Slither," "Fall To Pieces," "Set Me Free" . These songs are as fresh and relevant as anything out there.

I appreciate that, and I guess it has to do with the fact we are not just rock stars relying on image over substance.

But then, I and many others feel that Velvet Revolver are actually the only rock stars out there, too. Just the look, mystique, the danger of a Led Zeppelin or a Black Sabbath. And the funny thing is, it´s not even about legendary partying or mischief with Velvet Revolver. Most if not all of you are clean and sober. You´re even into martial arts, and ran a marathon. Velvet Revolver is like a gang that people want to be in.

And we are a gang, you know. And you don't want to fuck with us. By the way, I have to stop saying "you know." I was reading an interview I did somewhere else and it said "you know" 21 times.

I'll cut some of them out.

I'd appreciate that.

So what current bands do you listen to?

There's still a lot of great music out there. I have a place in Seattle and go out there a lot to the local clubs. Seattle isn't cool anymore as far as the industry is concerned, but I think the scene is better than ever.

What about national acts?

The Muse. Queens of the Stone Age. ... But I know what you mean about the lack of danger and energy. We have this Guatamalan au pair who loves Nickelback, so I took her to see them. And nothing against them personally, but as a musician, I could just tell they were punching a time clock and going through the motions, saying the same thing, every city. I gave her cab fare to get herself home and split.

I'm especially interested in your thoughts on touring today, post-9/11, as opposed to the Guns' days. I can´t imagine it´s gotten any easier for long-haired, leather-wearing tattooed guys with bad reputations to cross borders.

Actually, in Europe it has. You don't even need a passport there anymore. But sure, everywhere else, we get stopped and have to go through checkpoints and that. It's a hassle, just like checking in out of hotels and everything else. But that one hour and 45 minutes on stage makes it all worthwhile.

And you know, it doesn't hurt to have sold-out arenas, Grammy awards and all of other successes Velvet Revolver is currently enjoying thrown into the mix.

It doesn't. But it isn't us who saved rock and roll, it's the kids that come out to see us. And, by the way, you just said "you know."

Guess it´s contagious.