Velvet Revolver frontman starts charity foundation

Velvet Revolver's Thursday night (May 3rd) kick-off of its North American tour in Los Angeles was also slated to serve as a benefit performance for singer Scott Weiland's new charity foundation. According to Blabbermouth, Weiland's organization will be aimed at helping the families of people who have died from substance addiction. Proceeds from Thursday night's show are going to support the widow and children of Weiland's brother Michael, who died of a drug overdose during the recording of Velvet Revolver's upcoming album Libertad.

Weiland's own battles with drugs have been well-documented since his years with Stone Temple Pilots. He recently told Q magazine that the loss of his brother "played a big part in the writing of this record," adding, "The way I see it, he's finally free from pain. He's achieved final liberty."

Libertad arrives in stores on July 3rd.

Meanwhile, another date pairing Velvet Revolver with Alice In Chains has surfaced, on August 17th at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. This follows the appearance of an August 18th show in Long Island, New York. The presumably co-headlining run has yet to be officially announced or confirmed, although a source close to one of the bands told us it was definitely in the works.