Fan Fare

Velvet Revolver, the Grammy-winning rock group founded by three former members of Guns N’ Roses, is not ready to call it a day even though they have yet to find a new singer.
    
The band ousted Scott Weiland in April 2008, following an unusually public feud, and he returns to the road next month to promote a solo album that he released in November.  
    
His former bandmates are also keeping busy, including bass player Duff McKagan, who begins a U.S. tour in Nashville on Saturday with his side project, Duff McKagan’s Loaded. The band, in which McKagan sings and plays guitar, released its debut U.S. album “Sick” last week.
    
Asked about the status of Velvet Revolver, McKagan told Reuters, “It is not done. We just haven’t found a singer … There’s a lot of criteria to fill.”
    
McKagan rebuffed a suggestion that he could take over as lead vocalist. He sang harmonies with both Velvet Revolver and Guns N’ Roses, and often took a solo spot during Guns N’ Roses shows singing the old punk song “Attitude” 
    
“I’m very comfortable singing, for sure. I know what my range is,” he said. “(But) we need a standalone singer, for sure. We need that rock guy.”
    
As for Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver colleague Slash, McKagan revealed that the guitarist is recording a solo project with guest vocalists, including Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie.
    
McKagan rolled his eyes at the mention of the pop singer’s name, but said he “completely” supported Slash’s creative decisions.
    
As for his own band, McKagan joined forces with three musician pals from his Seattle hometown. Their label, Century Media Records, gave them a modest budget of $20,000, and they recorded “Sick” in just nine days.
    
The album bears traces of the Stooges and Guns N’ Roses, and angry tirades rub shoulders with wistful ballads about drug-overdose casualties and McKagan’s own recent relapse.
    
“It’s accessible, not that we tried to write an accessible record,” McKagan said. “It’s left of center, for sure, But it’s not completely out there.”