Velvet Revolver dump bad boy singer

Reuters

PARTING WAYS: Scott Weiland has been dumped from Velvet Revolver over his 'erratic behaviour'.

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Rock act Velvet Revolver are splitting with the group's troubled singer Scott Weiland, citing his "increasingly erratic" behaviour and lack of commitment.

The announcement came in a terse statement from the group's management company as Weiland, 40, and his recently reunited original band, Stone Temple Pilots, were set next week to announce plans for a highly anticipated summer tour.

The Pilots, also known by their acronym, STP, already have confirmed a handful of upcoming dates, beginning with the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 17-18.

For Weiland, whose career has long been overshadowed by heroin addiction, Rock on the Range will mark his first show with STP since the band played 13 concerts to promote its last album of new material, 2001's Shangri-La Dee Da.

Following the breakup of STP, Weiland was welcomed as lead singer for Velvet Revolver, the newly formed grunge rock band founded by three former members of Guns N' Roses - guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum - along with second guitarist Dave Kushner.

Velvet Revolver was confronted from the start with Weiland's drug and legal problems as it juggled performance schedules, recording sessions and promotional work to accommodate his court dates and rehab.

Last month, Weiland pleaded innocent to a charge of driving under the influence of drugs stemming from his arrest on a Los Angeles freeway ramp in November.

He is free on $US40,000 bail and is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Friday.

A public feud between Weiland and Velvet Revolver's drummer already had cast doubt on the band's future when the statement on behalf of Sorum, Slash, McKagan and Kushner was issued under the headline "Velvet Revolver to Part Ways with Singer".

"This band is all about its fans and its music, and Scott Weiland isn't 100 per cent committed to either," Slash was quoted as saying.

"Among other things, his increasingly erratic on-stage behaviour and personal problems have forced us to move on."

There was no immediate comment from Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots or their representatives.

- Reuters

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Joe   #9   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Get the Rumblefish singer

card   #8   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

They need to get an Aussie to sing there stuff.

Andrew   #7   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Sebastian Bach?? NO WAY!! i saw that guy open for GnR when they were here. He just bangs his head and screams-no talent whatsoever. Velvet Revolver had just the right mix of a new sound coupled with down to earth rock and roll. Shame we're not gonna see it anymore

On the positive side there are reports that Slash and Axl were seen leaving a night club together in NYC recently and Robin Fincke seems to be causing a few headaches for GnR. A GnR reunion would be awesome! even though the likelihood is almost nil

ahr   #6   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

wonder who the new vocalist will be.... Axl Rose anyone? GNR reunion? one can only dream...

malky   #5   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

RockStar - Velvet Revolver anyone? ;)

Melissa   #4   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Velvet Revolver should have gone for Sebastian Bach instead of Scott Weiland when they were trying to decide between the two of them in the beginning. Then they would be doing much better, and not having all the problems they're having now. Sure do love Slash!!!

almostgifted   #3   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Very sad.

GnR and STP are two of my favourite bands. Velvet Revolver will never be as good as either of them but talk about a super group.

Scott you need to sort yourself out.....

Stephen   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Bring on Ian Astbury!

derekguy   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Arghh I didn't get to see them live! I had hoped they'd tack on an NZ date to their tour.