As Axl Rose's version of GUNS N' ROSES geared up for an ill fated 2002 world tour, erstwhile Gunner and guitarist Slash announced the dissolution of his SLASH'S SNAKEPIT combo, shortly after revealing that the ex-GUNS N' ROSES triumvirate of Slash, IZZY STRADLIN' and DUFF McKAGAN had ensconced themselves in the recording studio working on a brand new venture. The ex-gunners collective would soon be making news with Slash, McKagan and another GUNS N' ROSES credited player drummer MATT SORUM uniting with BUCKCHERRY members Josh Todd and Keith Nelson for a set at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th as a part of tribute concert for the late OZZY OSBOURNE and MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo. As if the band line-up alone was not enough Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH joined the ad hoc band onstage for an encore of 'Mama Kin'. Todd and Nelson's tenure lasted little over a month and following this gig the Slash / McKagan / Sorum axis would rehearse with a view to assembling an all new band.

As the omens for GUNS N' ROSES return initially looked good, as a full scale US tour was announced, fans would have double concern to celebrate as it was learned that the Slash / McKagan / Sorum band project was taking shape with IZZY STRADLIN' also contributing to the song-writing process. By October and McKagan's LOADED bandmate Dave Kushner employed as a session guitarist. Shortly after it would be learned that former SKID ROW singer SEBASTIAN BACH was in rehearsals with the band. This projected alliance did not transpire though and it was learned that NEUROTICA and ATHEIST frontman Kelly Shaefer had also jammed with the band.

As anticipation built for the project another former Gunner, drummer Steven Adler, also weighed in with his own venture highlighting the interest in the GUNS N' ROSES family tree. The as yet still untitled Slash / McKagan / Sorum venture retained its media status too as auditions for potential frontmen became the subject of a reality TV show. In March the musicians performed versions of 'Paradise City' and the CYPRESS HILL song '(Rock) Superstar' with CYPRESS HILL rappers Sen Dog and B-Real on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' show. The group, utilising the services of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman SCOTT WEILAND cut a rendition of PINK FLOYD's 'Money' for use on the soundtrack to the remake of the cult robbery flick 'The Italian Job'. Keyboard player Teddy Andreadis, of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, also performed on this track. Soon after it would be learned the group, having seemingly settled on the title RELOADED, had cut a further track with Weiland at the helm, an original composition 'Set Me Free' for use on another movie soundtrack 'The Hulk'.

Although Weiland informed the press in mid May that he was indeed the chosen singer for the band some cautionary tones came from other sources citing concerns over the frontman's well documented struggles with narcotic abuse. Unfortunately Weiland, stopped by Burbank police for driving without lights, was caught in possession of drugs on May 18th. An official press statement quickly made claims Weiland's passenger was to blame but on 20th May the singer was charged with cocaine and heroin possession. He was released after posting $25,000 bail. Despite these tribulations Weiland was finally officially confirmed as the band's singer in early June, shortly after the band officially announcing the title of VELVET REVOLVER.

DUFF McKAGAN, alongside IZZY STRADLIN, guested on the 2003 'Bubblegum' solo album from QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE/ex-SCREAMING TREES singer MARK LANEGAN.

VELVET REVOLVER made their live debut on 19th June at an invitation only gig at El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, California. A short set was punctuated by renditions of the SEX PISTOLS 'Bodies', GUNS N' ROSES 'It's So easy', STONE TEMPLE PILOTS 'Sex Type Thing' and NIRVANA's 'Negative Creep'. Recordings from this show were projected to be released as an EP and DVD set but as the band became embroiled in major label negotiations these plans were curtailed.

In the midst of all this activity MATT SORUM issued his debut solo album ''Hollywood Zen' in October. Unfortunately Weiland was also back in the news too but for all the wrong reasons, being arrested on his 36th birthday. The singer apparently crashed into a parked car in Hollywood and then left the scene of the accident. He was charged with driving under the influence, released on $15,000 bail and ordered to attend a live in detox centre. Undaunted, VELVET REVOLVER put in a two song acoustic performance, of an original ballad plus a take on the ROLLING STONE's 'Angie', at a fashion premier held by McKagan's wife Susan Holmes.

At first granted a May 18th the VELVET REVOLVER debut 'Contraband' then had its US release pushed back to June 8th. A single, 'Slither' backed by a promotional video shot by Kevin Kerslake, would be serviced to radio networks in April. That same month Weiland, having resided for several months in a court ordered drug rehabilitation establishment after pleading no contest to heroin possession, was granted leave by Californian authorities to tour with VELVET REVOLVER.

Despite his band activity, SCOTT WEILAND made time to cut a cover of PINK FLOYD's 'Wish You Were Here' with producer Douglas Grean for use in a movie soundtrack. Meantime VELVET REVOLVER geared up for live dates by performing a brief live set for KROQ's 'Bean Show' on 30th April, performing the single 'Slither', STONE TEMPLE PILOTS 'Interstate Love Song' and GUNS N' ROSES 'Used To Love Her'.

The band put in a pre-tour "secret" show at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California on 9th May, performing to contest winners and industry figures. Included in the set list would be GUNS N' ROSES tunes 'Mr. Brownstone', 'Used To Love Her' and 'It's So Easy', STONE TEMPLE PILOTS 'Crackerman' and 'Sex Type Thing' and a closing version of NIRVANA's 'Negative Creep'.

The album sold over 256,000 copies in its first week of sale in the USA, easily grabbing the no. 1 spot on the Billboard charts. Within two weeks it had shifted over 380,000 units. Such was demand for the band that tickets for their 29th July concert at the Starland Ballroom in Sayerville in New Jersey reportedly sold out in less than a minute â?? the quickest sellout in the club's history. Meantime, the album's first single, 'Slither' grabbed the No. 1 spot on all rock formats for four weeks straight.

Scott Weiland's recent past caught up with him in July as he was sentenced to a six month term in a drug programme. The singer had pleaded no contest to driving under the influence in Los Angeles. In addition, Weiland was placed on probation and ordered to repay the owner of a parked vehicle he rammed shortly before his October 2003 arrest on the misdemeanor DUI charge. Under the terms of Weiland's probation, he would be required to enroll in a six month drug treatment course and attend three Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week for three years.

VELVET REVOLVER's promotional video for second single 'Fall To Pieces', shot in July on the Santa Monica pier not only featured all five band members but all five of their wives too. That same month 'Contraband' was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, signifying shipments of more than 1,000,000 units. On the live front, reaction to VELVET REVOLVER was enthusiastic, the group mixing album tracks alongside takes on STONE TEMPLE PILOTS 'Sex Type Thing' and 'Crackerman', GUNS N' ROSES 'It's So Easy' and, surprisingly, CHEAP TRICK's 'Surrender'.

Scott Weiland appeared in a Pasadena, California court on 3rd August and was granted permission by the judge to leave the country for the group's European tour, commencing on the 8th with an appearance at the Skanderborg Festival in Denmark. The singer had complete a six month treatment programme and had provided negative samples throughout. That some month the group cut covers of CHEAP TRICK's 'Surrender', AEROSMITH's 'No More, No More' and QUEEN's 'Tie Your Mother Down' for stockpiling as future B sides. Meantime, Slash found some recognition in a new area when McFarlane Toys revealed they were to manufacture a Slash action figure for 2004 featuring the guitarist in trademark top hat and leather jacket.

Support band for further European gigs would be Swedish Rockers BACKYARD BABIES. On hand as notable guests for the band's 2nd September London Carling Hammersmith Apollo gig would be no less than JIMMY PAGE and BRIAN MAY. Slash responded to the latter by teasing the audience with a quick lick from QUEEN's 'Tie Your Mother Down'. IZZY STRADLIN joined VELVET REVOLVER onstage at the 'Independent Days' festival in Bologna, Italy on 5th September for a rendition of GUNS N' ROSES 'It's So Easy'. Stradlin repeated his guest spot in Paris two days later, jamming on both 'I Used To Love Her' and 'It's So Easy', and in Barcelona on the 9th.

Such was VELVET REVOLVER's rapid rise to major status that in October Vitamin Records issued 'The String Quartet Tribute to Velvet Revolver', less than six months after the debut album release.

The intrigue generated by Stradlin's frequent appearances at VELVET REVOLVER gigs was boosted when an acoustic session held at the Snitch nightclub in New York City, co-owned by Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan, on 17th September was noticeable for Dave Kushner's absence. An official explanation claimed the guitarist had arrived at the venue too late to participate. The band performed a three song set comprising 'Dead Flowers' by the ROLLING STONES, 'Surrender' by CHEAP TRICK and GUNS N' ROSES 'Used To Love Her'. That same night Slash joined Soul legend James Brown and Lenny Kravitz onstage at Miller Brewing Company's 'Rock Through Time' event at the Roseland Ballroom.

The band's Autumn US dates, officially scheduled with a 16th October kick off in Nashville, Tennessee, was to be preceded by a one off roof top concert on the 12th, VELVET REVOLVER performing atop the Hustler building on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. However, the group was unable to secure a city permit and the gig took place in the Amoeba Music parking lot the following day. Over 3,000 fans managed to make the event, witnessing a set which included a rendition of AEROSMITH's 'No More, No More'. VELVET REVOLVER had another surprise for fans when, on 31st October the group delivered a set at the Little Rock, Arkansas 'Rocktoberfest' dressed up as GUNS N' ROSES, Weiland sporting a ginger wig and bandana whilst Slash took to the stage with a bucket on his head.

In December the VELVET REVOLVER track 'Slither' would be nominated in the 'Best Hard Rock Performance' category for the 47th annual Grammy Awards. The band appeared live at the Grammys, featured as part of an all-star live performance of THE BEATLES song 'Across The Universe' alongside U2 lead singer Bono, Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Tim McGraw and Brian Wilson. The tsunami benefit track was made available for download at Apple's iTunes Music Store with the video downloadable at at CBS.com.

Scott Weiland gave an unsigned UK act the opportunity of a lifetime when, after meeting SECOND LINE by chance at Camden's Jazz Café, he offered them the opening slot to VELVET REVOLVER's Brixton Academy on 21st January by way of a thank you for advice on London night life.

On 26th January VELVET REVOLVER entered Lavish Studios to record an acoustic cover version of 'Fall To Pieces'. January also had the group headlining major arena shows in the UK, pre-empting February gigs throughout New Zealand and Australia, the latter with support from the THE SCREAMING JETS. That same month, VELVET REVOLVER scored a Grammy Award in the 'Best Hard Rock Performance' category for the track 'Slither'. Summer European and Scandinavian gigs had VELVET REVOLVER playing direct support to BLACK SABBATH. A third single, 'Dirty Little Thing', was promoted by a video featuring animation by Japanese artist Rockin' Jellybean.

Resuming live action in the USA, gigs dubbed the 'Electric Wonderland Show' commencing on 22nd March in Montreal, Canada had HOOBASTANK in support. In May the band entered Lakewood, Ohio's Lava Room Recordings to record a brand new track entitled 'Come On Come In', co-produced by the band along with Doug Grean and Nick Raskulinecz, for use on the 'Fantastic Four' movie soundtrack. An accompanying video would be directed by Wayne Isham.

The band gigged throughout Europe from 3rd June but encountered difficulties. Scott Weiland choice of headgear for German shows, an SS peaked cap, caused consternation with all Nazi regalia illegal in that country. The singer claimed the hat was a "protest against tolitarianism". Shortly afterwards, rumours appeared in European newspapers claiming the band had split up. The band did indeed cut its tour short, scrapping five gigs, returning to the USA citing "family obligations". An appearance at Bob Geldof's "Live 8" charity event in London on 2nd July was unaffected.

VELVET REVOLVER replaced IRON MAIDEN as special guests to the 'Ozzfest' festivals commencing 16th August at the USANA Pavilion in West Valley City, Utah.

On 8th August, VELVET REVOLVER were set to debut their new track 'Come On, Come In' on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' TV show. However, this was postponed when Matt Sorum broke his wrist in a waterskiing accident. On 5th August VELVET REVOLVER members Slash and Scott Weiland turned up onstage at the Hollywood House Of Blues as guests to DAVE NAVARRO's jam band CAMP FREDDY, performing on renditions of CHEAP TRICK's 'Surrender' and SEX PISTOLS 'Bodies'.

With Sorum still in recovery, VELVET REVOLVER's live dates commencing with an 11th August Mount Pleasant, Michigan gig found Brian Tichy acting as stand in drummer. Tichy's impressive credentials included terms of duty with FOREIGNER, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, PRIDE & GLORY and OZZY OSBOURNE. For the 'Ozzfest' shows the band drafted Mark Schulman of STEVIE NICKS, FOREIGNER and BILLY IDOL repute on drums.

The band's intended concert stop at the Biloxi Hard Rock & Casino on 9th September was cancelled when the venue was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. In its stead, the band performed a benefit concert for victims of 2005 hurricanes at the Hard Rock Live concert venue in Orlando. Slash put in a guest appearance, jamming on a cover of BAD COMPANY's 'Can't Get Enough', for the QUEEN & PAUL RODGERS 22nd October stop at California's Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl.

In December Scott Weiland dropped a working title of 'Libertad' for a second, concept based album. During January of 2006 it would be learned that a potential "Supergroup" union, dubbed CIRCUS DIABLO, was in the works involving MATT SORUM. The unit, conducting rehearsals and songwriting sessions at Drac Studios, owned by Sorum, involved former THE CULT bassist Billy Morrison, also handling lead vocals, THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy and former THE ALMIGHTY frontman RICKY WARWICK.

Renewed speculation then arose linking Slash to a final release date for 'Chinese Democracy' and a mooted reunion of the classic GUNS N' ROSES line-up. Indeed, as Slash issued a public statement cryptically confirming his anticipation for the new record by February the rumour mill was suggesting that his place in VELVET REVOLVER had been taken by DAVE NAVARRO. All of this conjecture would be denied swiftly and the band wrapped up final mixes in March 2007.

Frontman Scott Weiland and lead guitarist Slash inducted VAN HALEN into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ceremony being held on Monday March 12th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. VELVET REVOLVER honoured both the DAVID LEE ROTH and SAMMY HAGAR eras by playing 1978's 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love' and 1991's 'Runaround', the latter featuring Hagar onstage.

VELVET REVOLVER lent support to AEROSMITH in South America during April. US concerts in May were supported by THE ACTUAL, a band signed to Scott Weiland's custom imprint Softdrive Records.

With Weiland's exit to re-front STONE TEMPLE PILOTS in May 2008 rumours soon circulated suggesting former MTV VJ and THE PANIC CHANNEL frontman Steve Isaacs had secured the vacant post. Isaac denied this in June. Other reports focussed on LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington, again being swiftly denied as Matt Sorum revealed in an interview the group had been processing auditions via email.

Band members remained active, with Slash plotting a solo album and also scoring the soundtrack for the Mexican movie 'This Is Not A Movie' directed by Olallo Rubio, whilst Duff McKagan re-activated his side act LOADED for European touring that September. The group confirmed that former SPACEHOG frontman Royston Langdon had auditioned in July but had not secured the position.

Amidst rumours that the band had lost their deal with RCA Records, manager Carl Stubner issued a statement in November advising the group had in fact requested to be let go of their contract.

In March 2009 Slash commenced recording his Eric Valentine produced debut solo album with Josh Freese, of A PERFECT CIRCLE and NINE INCH NAILS, on drums, and Chris Chaney, from JANE'S ADDICTION, on bass. Rumours surfaced that Canadian singer Gord Prior, of BLU BONES, had secured the position of VELVET REVOLVER frontman, but this was quickly refuted. The following month Matt Sorum revealed VELVET REVOLVER had come close to choosing a new singer but opted to persevere with their search. By mid July Slash revealed they still had not located their man.

In September Matt Sorum subbed for Mikkey Dee on US dates for MOTÖRHEAD, the band's regular drummer otherwise engaged with a Swedish reality show.

Garry Sharpe-Young