One thing SLASH has always like to do is solo work on other albums. This time he's really doing something cool for kids. The album, to be released October 5 from Sony Wonder, is titled Sing a Song With Six Strings. Sony Wonder is the family division of Sony Entertainment, one where you might find the Sesame Street albums. The album has been made by noted guitarists and produced by Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Kiss) and features "an eclectic mix of artists and draws from rock, blues, adult contemporary and country music". Sing A Song With Six Strings includes six songs never before released that were written and/or recorded specifically for this collection by SLASH, Kyle Cook, Marc Ford, Vernon Reid, Craig Ross and Dean DeLeo. Additional tracks come from Carol Perkins, Keb'Mo, and Santana. SLASH says he did his track, "Sing A Song of Sixpence" in the style he felt most comfortable, rock and roll. He played it for London and got smiles of approval, so SLASH figures he hit the mark! The album is not yet in the pre-order list, but we'll let you know when it is! For those of you with young children, this one is a must!

When we talked to SLASH at the Rolling Rock Town Fair Saturday, he said that they would do their shows in Europe that are scheduled. He said they will be there for 5 weeks, and asked an assistant to be sure to have 5 cartons of Gitanes packed for him. He says he doesn't smoke a carton a week, but people bum them or he leaves them around. After that European leg, they'll come back to the U.S. for a big tour here playing to larger venues. So it sounds like if you missed them in the U.S., you may get a chance to see them again in this fall tour. Another thing he said was about signing autographs. The band is being a lot more selective about how much they will sign based on the fact that so much ends up on ebay right away. They are especially leery of people who show up with a stack of items to be signed. GNR items don't seem to be very welcome either. SLASH said that when they fly into a country, there always seem to be some fans there wanting autographs and photos when all he really wants to do is get a smoke and head for the hotel. So bear in mind all these things and treat them well!

Speaking of the European tour, Scott has been granted permission to leave the country and go on tour with the band. Yesterday, the judge overseeing Scott's probation said that Weiland's efforts to stay clean have been a success. All of Scott's drug tests have been negative, and he has satisfied all terms of his probation. While he's on tour in Europe, though, he will be subjected to periodic drug testing. The judge congratulated Scott for complying with everything and being so cooperative. The judge also apologized for the technicality whereby a bench warrant was issued Friday when Scott did not appear for a hearing. The hearing had been postponed till yesterday, but the court forgot to take that Friday appearance off the schedule.

If you haven't visited the band's official site at www.velvetrevolver.com, you ought to give it a try. Each band member has a journal area where they can write messages to the fans. Matt recently posted a message, the first entry in his journal. He talked about how tough traveling is now. For example, he and Scott took a flight that was delayed 5 hours out of Pittsburgh to L.A. On the up side, he says he really feels like all the hard work putting the band together is really paying off. The fans in America were great and it was great playing for them. Back to L.A. for a week off then taking off for Europe. 5 weeks in Europe then a big tour of the States in October. And a big thank you from Matt finished it off. Thanks, Brian, for sending that in.

While Velvet Revolver is in Europe, they will appear on "TV Total", a German comedy show on September 6. SLASH will be interviewed, and the band will play their second single off Contraband, "Fall To Pieces. Check local listings for times.

Sarah found a short interview with SLASH in the Alternative Press Magazine which she typed in for us to share with you. It's here for you to read.

Saturday we went to the Rolling Rock Town Festival to see Velvet Revolver. They were headlining the show, and on the spur of the moment we decided to go. Festivals aren't normally our favorite venues, but the show was just an hour away and how could we not go? We set off at 10:30 am which was when the first band was scheduled. We had some minor confusion with tickets and passes but got inside at noon. Eating was definitely in order. Velvet Revolver was not scheduled till 7:15 pm, so we had a lot of time to kill. It was absolutely the worst weather with downpours and light rain most of the day. Fans quickly were able to start downhill mud slides and everyone was just covered with mud, but people seemed in good spirits which might have been from the Rolling Rock bottles we saw everywhere! We had a pass that cryptically said VR Balcony, so we set out to find where that was. Security were good people as the Will Call people had been, but we basically had to stumble across the right gate to get where we were supposed to be. When we walked in there was a big sign saying BACKSTAGE. Best of all, there was a big tent where you could sit down and dry off and use a restroom with no line. Paradise City! They even let us have food left over from lunch. Recovering, we looked around and checked out the stage area. The guard there showed us where we could sit/stand when VR came on...a balcony area about 3 flights up on the stage side. Wow! And SLASH got in touch and said he could see us after the show which was terrific. The show was absolutely fantastic. SLASH got a huge round of applause from the 30,000 in the audience. They seemed a little confused at first as Scott was doing his best freaky movements, but then they got into that and the whole band was applauded. SLASH and Duff were at the top of their game, playing off each other, and it was the best show I have seen so far. They played for an hour, and we were so close. As for a setlist, I didn't take time to write anything, but it was great to hear "Slither" and "Set Me Free" live again. They played Cheap Trick's "Surrender" as the last song of the set, no encore as the show was scheduled to end at 8:15. They played that almost to the minute and were gone. The fair people had kept the show on schedule all day, and they didn't let any bands run over. We went over to where the band was staying, and we waited till they came out. Matt was first looking slim and handsome. He shook my hand, and drummers can really give a firm handshake! Dave was there, and we had a chance to ask him if he preferred festivals or theaters. He said this was his first festival and it was just fine! He seemed shy but nice. Duff appeared so we said hello to him, too. He was smoking a cigar. About then Scott came out in a robe like a prizefighter would wear... burgandy, huge with VR on it and he disappeared from the area. Last was SLASH who was looking spiffy as usual. We had a long chat with him. We got everyone's autograph on a story that was in our local paper called "Velvet Revolver Loaded with Talent", and we got SLASH to sign a copy of "Set Me Free" and a bootleg Blues Ball...a couple of our treasures. We got to see some of his tattoos closeup, and he is thinking about where Baby Cash will have his name. He talked about more children, but not for anytime soon. They would love to have a little girl next time. Finally, we had to drag ourselves away to catch the bus back to the parking lot. The whole venue was empty, but we were able to catch a bus and get to the lot and head for home. Our day ended at midnight in the garage where we stripped off muddy shoes and clothes and headed for the shower. We wish more of you could have been there. SLASH says they will be playing big venues in Europe, so maybe you'll get lucky and have rain! VR is definitely worth traveling to see. We took about 50 pictures of the show, and they're here for you to see! The usual thumbnails...click on any you'd like to see larger.

While we were watching the show, we didn't know that a California judge had issued a bench warrant for Scott's arrest. He was to appear at a probation status hearing on Friday. Although Scott had requested two weeks ago that the court reschedule the hearing till this week and the court had agreed, the judge issued the bench warrant. SLASH had told us they were heading back to L.A. Sunday for a week of business, relaxing and rehearsing before they left for the European leg of the tour this coming weekend. The court agreed to postpone the hearing till this Tuesday, but for some reason the judge issued the warrant anyway. When this report appeared in MTV News, Scott lashed out at the media, in particular MTV News. He said that they just seize on anything negative about him not caring that it embarrasses and shames his family with their continuous lies and lack of journalistic integrity. Furthermore, he asked if they were so bored with Scott's personal happiness that they hover meditating and concocting a headline they will only hope will happen. Scott was furious at his treatment not just by MTV but by all the "media whores". In the end the hearing will be held on Tuesday, and we all hope Scott will come out of this just fine. Thanks, Brian, for sending that in.

For your information, you can pre-order the UK version of the second single off Contraband, "Fall To Pieces" now. HMV Japan has it for sure, and most likely you can find it in the UK for pre-order, too. HMV is also selling that 12" picture disc made in the UK. "Slither" is on the LP.

Page Updated August 2, 2004