Slash quits Velvet Revolver takes his gear from studio?

SLASH Says That He Has Hasn’t Quit VELVET REVOLVER – Apr. 2, 2006

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash spent time at a Los Angeles recording studio on Friday (March 31) laying down a guest guitar solo on an album from an up-and-coming female singer that is being produced by one-time GUNS N’ ROSES producer Mike Clink, informed sources have told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. When asked about his current status in VELVET REVOLVER, Slash reportedly responded that as far as he knew he was "still in the band," despite rumors to the contrary.

As previously reported, rumors of trouble in the VELVET REVOLVER camp have been swirling around the group for the past few months, with several reports suggesting that much of the strife between Slash and the rest of the camp stems from Slash‘s wife Perla‘s alleged involvement in the band’s business affairs. The situation allegedly came to a head last week after an attempt was made by attorneys to mediate in matters related to the lawsuits filed by Slash, VELVET REVOVER/ex-GUNS N’ ROSES bassist Duff McKagan and GNR frontman Axl Rose over the rights to the old GNR songs. The rumors continued to gain strength a few of days ago when unconfirmed reports surfaced that Slash had picked up his gear from VELVET REVOLVER‘s rehearsal studios after allegedly announcing that he was leaving the band.

A representative for GUNS N’ ROSES frontman Axl Rose has shot down persistent rumors that former GNR members Slash, Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan are in talks with Rose about taking part in a "reunion" tour this summer. The rumors gained strength a couple of days ago when unconfirmed reports surfaced that Slash had picked up his gear from VELVET REVOLVER’s rehearsal studios after allegedly announcing that he was leaving the band.

Rumors of trouble in the VELVET REVOLVER camp have been swirling around the group for the past few months, with several reports suggesting that much of the strife between Slash and the rest of the camp stems from Slash’s wife Perla’s alleged involvement in the band’s business affairs. The situation allegedly came to a head last week after an attempt was made by attorneys to mediate in matters related to the lawsuits filed by Slash, Duff and Axl over the rights to the old GNR songs.

Slash and Duff, who left GNR in the 1990s and are joined in VELVET REVOLVER by ex-GNR drummer Matt Sorum and former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland, had filed suits in 2004 and 2005 seeking the rights to the early GNR material, accusing Rose of killing deals that would have put their songs in a half-dozen movies, including "Old School" and "Black Hawk Down". Rose filed a counterclaim last month asking a Federal Court to confirm his ownership of his "creative works" and defending his decision to choose when to license the music and to whom.

At press time, there has been no official comment from the VELVET REVOLVER camp regarding any of the rumors currently making the rounds. It is also not presently clear if VELVET REVOLVER will go ahead with their previously announced plans to enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording the follow-up to their double-platinum 2004 debut, "Contraband".

In other news, the Sludge feelers have been put out and and more than a few sources have told us "annoymously" that Velvet Revolver is indeed breaking up! Stay tuned…

Guitarist Warren DeMartini (ex-RATT) is the latest "guest of honour" to be added to the dates for ULI JON ROTH’s SKY ACADEMY Concert Series which is being held at the Ralph Freud Theater at the University Campus of Los Angeles (UCLA) on May 24th, 26th and 27th.

As previously reported, other "guests of honour" participating in the concerts include: Don Dokken (DOKKEN), Jon Levin (DOKKEN), Tony Franklin (ex-WHITESNAKE, THE FIRM, BLUE MURDER), CHRIS POLAND (OHM:, ex-MEGADETH, DAMN THE MACHINE), Jürgen Rosenthal (SCORPIONS), Francis Buchholz (ex-SCORPIONS), Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD), Jeff Kollman (COSMOSQUAD, JKB, GLENN HUGHES), Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER), Andy Aledort (Guitar World Editor), Phil Woodward, JOE STUMP (REIGN OF TERROR, OBSESSION), JEFF SCOTT SOTO (SOULSIRKUS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, TALISMAN), STUART SMITH and Doug Doppler.

A previous posting at Roth’s site stated, "The list is growing steadily, and there are many artists who would like to attend, but have not yet been able to fully confirm due to their schedules. Note: not all of the above artists may necessarily perform on stage with Uli on the same day."

Tickets for the Sky Academy Concert Series featuring Uli Jon Roth & Friends are now officially on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Upcoming Uli Jon Roth North American tour dates are as follows: