It wasn’t all that long ago that Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum was praising Scott Weiland for taking the initiative to check himself into rehab, but little more than a month later, the band has announced that they are officially parting ways with the singer. "This band is all about its fans and its music and Scott Weiland isn’t 100 percent committed to either," said Slash in an announcement made on Tuesday. "Among other things, his increasingly erratic on-stage behavior and personal problems have forced us to move on."
In a statement released to EW.com, Weiland responds by saying: "The truth of the matter is that the band had not
gotten along on multiple levels for some time…. I choose to look forward to the future and performing with a
group of friends I have known my entire life, people who have always had
my back. This also speaks to my commitment to my music and my fellow
band mates in [Stone Temple Pilots] and to the fans who I feel would much rather watch a
group of musicians who enjoy being together as opposed to a handful of
discontents who at one time used to call themselves a gang." (The entire statement available after the jump.)
So what happened?
Reports point to a show in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 20, where Weiland declared
that the current tour, which ended last night in the Netherlands
(Weiland did perform, according to a band rep), would be Velvet
Revolver’s last. What transpired next was a lot of bickering between
band members, some of it public, and one angry, accusatory statement from Weiland to blabbermouth.net,
denouncing the drama but promising to fulfill his frontman duties until
the bitter end. "Ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone,"
Weiland wrote. "I wish the best and plan to annihilate the stage in the
last few shows."
Of course, Weiland’s upcoming reunion tour
with Stone Temple Pilots, the band that made him a household name, may
also play a role in the split. One insider claims that Slash is "pissed
at all the media attention" STP is getting, while Velvet Revolver’s
latest record, Libertad, despite charting at Number 5 back in July 2007, has only seen modest sales (287,301 to date, compared to the band’s 2004 debut which has moved almost two million copies).
As EW.com first reported, Stone Temple Pilots’ are scheduled to kick
off their first tour in six years on May 17 at Columbus, Ohio’s Rock on
the Range festival. On April 7, the band will announce their full
summer itinerary at a private event held in Hollywood’s Houdini house,
where they’re also expected to perform.
SCOTT WEILAND STATEMENT:
After reading the comment by Duff, Matt, Dave and the illustrious
"GUITAR HERO," Saul Hudson, a.k.a Slash, I find it humorous that the so
called four "founding members" of Velvet Revolver, better known to
themselves as "the Project" before I officially named the band, would
decide to move on without me after I had already claimed the group dead
in the water on March 20 in Glasgow. In response to Slash’s comment
regarding my commitment, I have to say it is a blatant and tired excuse
to cover up the truth. The truth of the matter is that the band had not
gotten along on multiple levels for some time. On a musical level, there
were moments of joy, inspiration, fun… at times, but let’s not forget
the multiple trips to rehab every member of the band had taken (with the
exception of one member, no need to mention his name). Personally
speaking, I choose to look forward to the future and performing with a
group of friends I have known my entire life, people who have always had
my back. This also speaks to my commitment to my music and my fellow
band mates in STP and to the fans who I feel would much rather watch a
group of musicians who enjoy being together as opposed to a handful of
discontents who at one time used to call themselves a gang.
p.s. don’t be fooled by veiled trickery
p.p.s good hunting lads, I think Sebastian Bach would be a fantastic
choice.
Reports point to a show in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 20, where Weiland declaredthat the current tour, which ended last night in the Netherlands(Weiland did perform, according to a band rep), would be VelvetRevolver’s last. What transpired next was a lot of bickering betweenband members, some of it public, and one angry, accusatory statement from Weiland to blabbermouth.net,denouncing the drama but promising to fulfill his frontman duties untilthe bitter end. "Ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone,"Weiland wrote. "I wish the best and plan to annihilate the stage in thelast few shows."
Of course, Weiland’s upcoming reunion tourwith Stone Temple Pilots, the band that made him a household name, mayalso play a role in the split. One insider claims that Slash is "pissedat all the media attention" STP is getting, while Velvet Revolver’slatest record, Libertad, despite charting at Number 5 back in July 2007, has only seen modest sales (287,301 to date, compared to the band’s 2004 debut which has moved almost two million copies).
As EW.com first reported, Stone Temple Pilots’ are scheduled to kickoff their first tour in six years on May 17 at Columbus, Ohio’s Rock onthe Range festival. On April 7, the band will announce their fullsummer itinerary at a private event held in Hollywood’s Houdini house,where they’re also expected to perform.
SCOTT WEILAND STATEMENT:
After reading the comment by Duff, Matt, Dave and the illustrious"GUITAR HERO," Saul Hudson, a.k.a Slash, I find it humorous that the socalled four "founding members" of Velvet Revolver, better known tothemselves as "the Project" before I officially named the band, woulddecide to move on without me after I had already claimed the group deadin the water on March 20 in Glasgow. In response to Slash’s commentregarding my commitment, I have to say it is a blatant and tired excuseto cover up the truth. The truth of the matter is that the band had notgotten along on multiple levels for some time. On a musical level, therewere moments of joy, inspiration, fun… at times, but let’s not forgetthe multiple trips to rehab every member of the band had taken (with theexception of one member, no need to mention his name). Personallyspeaking, I choose to look forward to the future and performing with agroup of friends I have known my entire life, people who have always hadmy back. This also speaks to my commitment to my music and my fellowband mates in STP and to the fans who I feel would much rather watch agroup of musicians who enjoy being together as opposed to a handful ofdiscontents who at one time used to call themselves a gang.
p.s. don’t be fooled by veiled trickery
p.p.s good hunting lads, I think Sebastian Bach would be a fantasticchoice.
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I just ran across VR’s “official release” on the press release site I skim at work. As with Audioslave, I enjoyed the effort and am sad that it didn’t last, but not everyone is the Stones. (And I’m sure the excitement about an STP tour helped things…)
I smell a new season of “Rock Star: Velvet Revolver”!
As a fan of VR, I’m wishing both sides the best. It’s a shame that bands like this seem to implode so commonly. But as a huge fan of STP, I am awaiting their tour announcement with eager anticipation. I hope Weiland and the STP gang have a great tour with no inner-band drama. It would be great if they record a new album after a successful tour.
By the way, the comment Scott made about Sebastian Bach cracked me up…
I really liked Velvet Revolver, but I LOVE STP, so if I can only have one or the other, STP is the clear choice…seems Weiland felt the same way.
Scott Weiland is a talented artist. Reminds me of Bowie unleashed. If i didn’t need too play with guys i didn’t get along with (the Police!) i wouldn’t. its so transparent.
Slash and the rest of the former guns are pretty good too…. they should rename themselves the PROJECTS!
Scott Weiland is a talented artist. Reminds me of Bowie unleashed. If i didn’t need too play with guys i didn’t get along with (the Police!) i wouldn’t. its so transparent.
Slash and the rest of the former guns are pretty good too…. they should rename themselves the PROJECTS!
I know Scott Weiland is a coked out mess but he is sooooooooo pretty.
Scott Weiland is a talented artist. Reminds me of Bowie unleashed. If i didn’t need too play with guys i didn’t get along with (the Police!) i wouldn’t. its so transparent.
Slash and the rest of the former guns are pretty good too…. they should rename themselves the PROJECTS!
though i liked vr the end result is that i get to see stp this summer so whatever the reasons i’m happy.
Let’s all just agree to disagree, show some love and move on! We all know these guys are mega talented and have had so much success in life. What more could one ask for? I know I have experienced so much musical pleasure from these musicians and I am grateful!
Repeat after me: I am blessed beyond my fondest dreams! I am blessed beyond my fondest dreams! I say this 400 times a day.
Namaste guys!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Good for Weiland. Velvet Dissolver is garbage anyway.
I loved Velvet Revolver. Mainly because of the Gun’s guys. Scott Weiland needs to stop being such a baby. You’ll notice he’s the only one that has a huge response full of excuses. The truth is, whether he thinks he named the band or not, he’s not what made VR what it is today. I hope that the core guys find someone that’s good, cause frankly, Scott’s not that good of a singer live.
Oh yeah, and I also suggest Sebastian Bach for vocals (What , you think thats a snide remark, wtf?!
)- If y’all still plan on opening for the Zeppelin tour, what better vocalist than Sebatian Bach? You’ll then have the BEST musucians and Sebastian would be a compliment Plant about as close as anyone could get with his ability to BELT IT OUT! I f’ing love Bas! As well as Slash and Duff! I got love for Scott, but it’s not like he played in GNR! STP is awesome, but comone. We’re talking Slash n Duff man! 
Oh yeah, and I also suggest Sebastian Bach for vocals (What , did you think that was a snide remark, wtf?!
)- If y’all still plan on opening for the Zeppelin tour, what better vocalist than Sebastian Bach? You’ll then have the BEST musucians and Sebastian would be a compliment Plant about as close as anyone could get with his ability to BELT IT OUT! I f’ing love Bas! As well as Slash and Duff! I got love for Scott, but it’s not like he played in GNR! STP is awesome, but come on. We’re talking Slash n Duff man! 
Scott has been a mess for years. He is also a terrible singer. I never would listen to that guy or buy any of his product. I like the potantial the band has and am glad to see him go. Now I may be able to listen to them.
I’m surprised it took this long to kick that retard out of the band. I’m sorry, this dude has been given more chances than an 18 year old cat. I swear, the more the guy shoots up, the more leeway he is given. And I’m sorry, didn’t STP break up like 5 year ago? Methinks it’s a bit early for a “reunion tour”. We have to miss you first. Should’ve waited another 5. So yes, go get Sebastian Bach and realize the greatness that has eluded you so far, VR. The man has the best throat in metal. And yes I know how that sounds.
You know who’d be another interesting choice? Corey Glover from Living Colour. The best black metal band ever, and the dude can mix the throat shredding with the soul, which would bring a different sound to the band. As long as we’re going with thte throwbacks… I hear Chris Cornell’s not doing anything either.
Scott Weiland a household name? Hahahaha. Yeah, right. Not everyone is a fan of STP, in fact the band isn’t a household name either.
Velvet Revolver kinda sucked. The talent was there but they never really went anywhere with it and Weiland wasn’t the best choice for the band anyway. I guess GNR’s Appetite for Destruction was a fluke of a success in a way, because none of them have came close to producing something almost as good yet.
Did anyone notice the “Sniff” in the song last fight off the new album? (around 3:07, I thought he sounded a little to nasily anyway) I would say that was a little bit of forshadowing of what was to come. It’s like 2 pac said, “you can’t make a hoe a housewife”, except reworded. You get the point.
Both STP and VR are mediocre acts, this “break up” just shows the unreliable nature of Weiland as a front man. Whenever one of his bands faces goes downhill, they seem to blame it all on Scooter, instead of facing the fact that they never sounded like more than background music. Check the album sales stats for more details….
It kills me that STP is seen as some fantastic band…they had a couple great pop hits. That’s about it. They were widely known at the Clone-pimple-cry-a-lots back in the day. And VR is a bloated ego train.
They should pick up David Lee Roth and Sammie Hagar as dual lead vocalists. Then have them battle it out like little girls for live shows. Bibadee Bop!
Scott Weiland is a talented musician and is much better off with a band like STP that suits him and appreciates his talents. True, he has encountered a lot of problems, but what musician/celebrity hasn’t (including all members of VR?) Substance abuse is an illness and a battle he fights every day. The STP reunion will be brilliant, and all of his true fans wish him well. Here’s to hoping there will be lots of STP tour dates this summer! I heart Scott!
having seen STP, Velvet Revolver, & Army of Anyone live… STP is the better band. when the other two played from the library of STP hits thats when the crowds went nuts. VR was pathetic, an aged spinal tap.
I think they are both better off without the other anyway.
Weiland’s comments seem unnecessarily nasty though.
Wishing Scott happiness, health, and many more years of great music. Who needs those VR dopes anyway? Scott was the best thing about them and the only reason I went to any of their shows.
The rest of VR are just washed-up egotistical wannabe rockstars. The STP tour sounds amazing and Weiland does really well musically with those guys, so it should be interesting. Sounds like the VR guys are going nowhere from here without a star like Weiland to keep them afloat.
glad that’s over with…back to the good stuff. can’t wait to see you again stp.
glad that’s over with…back to the good stuff. can’t wait to see you again stp.