Velvet Revolver hiring Irish singer?

Velvet Revolver is reportedly looking into hiring Irish singer Phil Conalane, from little-known act Million Dollar Reload, as a replacement for the dismissed Scott Weiland. According to Classic Rock magazine, Conalane was apparently recommended by ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler as well as members of Stone Gods, the band formed from the remnants of The Darkness. A source that's supposedly inside Velvet Revolver's management said, "Phil is experienced but relatively unknown on the international stage, which would fit Velvet Revolver's bill of fresh blood as they try to rebuild their career following the disappointing sales of their last album, Libertad, and the G N' R return that has left them reeling."

The source added that Conalane had a reputation as a "good songwriter," and that Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash was seen talking with a representative from Conalane's label at the recent Classic Rock Awards.

Slash told us that finding the right person to front Velvet Revolver has not been easy so far: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "It's just a tough gig, because we're looking for something that isn't what you'd consider readily available these days, which is a rock singer with heart, that has a certain amount of intensity that's genuine, that's not fabricated. And this business is the way it is right now, so it's like finding a needle in a haystack."

Velvet Revolver has been hunting for a singer since last April, when the band decided to dismiss Weiland due to his erratic behavior. Although the group has reportedly auditioned several vocalists, the only one confirmed by name was former Spacehog frontman Royston Langdon.
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