Scott Weiland issues responce to Velvet Revolver sacking

Former Velvet Revolver vocalist Scott Weiland issued a statement on Wednesday (April 2nd) in response to the band's Tuesday (April 1st) announcement that it was parting ways with him at the conclusion of the group's European tour. Weiland's statement read, "After reading the comment by Duff (McKagan), Matt (Sorum), Dave (Kushner) and the illustrious "GUITAR HERO," Saul Hudson, a.k.a. Slash, I find it humorous that the so-called four 'founding members' of Velvet Revolver, better known to themselves as 'the Project' before I officially named the band, would decide to move on without me after I had already claimed the group dead in the water on March 20th in Glasgow. In response to Slash's comment regarding my commitment, I have to say it is a blatant and tired excuse to cover up the truth. The truth of the matter is that the band had not gotten along on multiple levels for some time. On a musical level, there were moments of joy, inspiration, fun...at times, but let's not forget the multiple trips to rehab every member of the band had taken (with the exception of one member, no need to mention his name)."

Weiland, who is reuniting with his previous band, Stone Temple Pilots, for a summer tour, added, "Personally speaking, I choose to look forward to the future and performing with a group of friends I have known my entire life, people who have always had my back. This also speaks to my commitment to my music and my fellow band mates in STP and to the fans who I feel would much rather watch a group of musicians who enjoy being together as opposed to a handful of discontents who at one time used to call themselves a gang."

Weiland concluded by warning fans, "Don't be fooled by veiled trickery," and saying sarcastically that former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach "would be a fantastic choice" for Velvet Revolver's new vocalist.

Velvet Revolver's statement said the band was parting with Weiland because of his "increasingly erratic onstage behavior and personal problems."

Speculation about the band's future began two weeks ago when Weiland announced onstage in Glasgow, Scotland that fans were watching the "last tour" by the group. Weiland and Matt Sorum proceeded to get into a public war of words online.

The vocalist spent a month in rehab recently, following an arrest for driving under the influence last November and his failure to show up for a Velvet Revolver gig at the Sundance Festival in January.

There's been little talk about a replacement for Weiland, but one rumored candidate is Dark New Day frontman Brett Hestla.

Velvet Revolver played their last show with Weiland on Tuesday night in Amsterdam. Stone Temple Pilots will play a private gig in Los Angeles on April 7th before making their first official live appearance in six years at Columbus, Ohio's Rock on the Range festival in mid-May. The Pilots will also perform on the May 1st edition of ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live.
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