Editing Velvet Revolver (section)

===Formation (2002–2003)===
When musician [[Randy Castillo]] died from cancer in 2002, Slash, McKagan, and Sorum performed at a benefit concert to raise money and commemorate Castillo,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fcukingcontagious.net/WorDs/memorialconcert.html|title=Randy Castillo Benefit Concert - Exclusive|website=Fcukingcontagious.net|access-date=August 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/423 423] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> with [[Josh Todd (musician)|Josh Todd]] and Keith Nelson of [[Buckcherry]] as well as [[B-Real]] and [[Sen Dog]] of [[Cypress Hill]].<ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/424 424] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> Recognizing that their musical relationship was still intact,<ref name="AMG Bio">{{cite web | last = Loftus | first = Johnny | title = Velvet Revolver Biography | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = July 20, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p651389/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> the trio began rehearsing with Todd<ref name="AMG Bio"/> and Nelson, working on material that would become "Dirty Little Thing",<ref name="Contraband booklet">{{cite AV media notes | title = Contraband | title-link = Contraband (Velvet Revolver album) | others = Velvet Revolver | year= 2004 | publisher = [[RCA Records]] | type = CD booklet}}</ref> but eventually decided against forming a group with them.<ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/425 425] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref><ref name="Slash p.426">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/426 426] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> During a Loaded show at [[West Hollywood]]'s [[Viper Room]],<ref name="Slash p.426"/> McKagan re-introduced Dave Kushner to Slash, who were previously friends in junior high and high school.<ref name="Dave Kushner KNAC"/><ref name="Slash p.427">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/427 427] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> Kushner was invited to jam with the group and was soon invited to join with Slash, stating that "Dave brought a cool vibe to what [they] were doing. There was no deliberation; that was it, it was a perfect fit."<ref name="Slash p.427"/> Their former Guns N' Roses bandmate [[Izzy Stradlin]] also joined them for two weeks,<ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/428 428] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> eventually suggesting that "Duff and [Stradlin] will sing and [they] will just do a club tour in a van." Slash states in his autobiography that it was hard to tell if Stradlin was serious or kidding.<ref name="Slash p.429">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/429 429] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> After auditioning Kelly Shaefer of [[Atheist (band)|Atheist]] and [[Neurotica (band)|Neurotica]],<ref name="AMG Bio"/> Stradlin left the group.<ref name="Slash p.429"/>

[[File:SaulHudson.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] performing at a concert in [[Nijmegen]]]]
While Shaefer's audition was unsuccessful, the quartet continued auditioning for a lead singer. [[VH1]] filmed the recruitment process,<ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/431 431] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> which was referred to as the temporary name "The Project".<ref name="AMG Bio"/> The resulting documentary was aired as ''VH1 Inside Out: The Rise of Velvet Revolver''. A number of lead singers auditioned for the band, including [[Stephen Shareaux]] of [[Kik Tracee]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://musiclegends.ca/stephen-shareaux-interview/|title=Stephen Shareaux Interview {{!}} KIK TRACEE frontman {{!}} June 2017|date=June 22, 2017|work=Music Legends Online|access-date=May 21, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Steve Ludwin of [[Carrie (band)|Carrie]] and [[Little Hell (band)|Little Hell]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Supergroups like Chickenfoot never live up to the hype | publisher = [[theguardian.com]] | date = March 27, 2009 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/mar/27/supergroups-chickenfoot-velvet-revolver-ranconteurs}}</ref> [[Todd Kerns]], formerly of [[Age of Electric]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Canada's TODD KERNS Among Candidates For Singer Slot In Ex-GNR Project | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = December 31, 2002 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8550}}</ref><ref name="Kerns/Albro">{{cite web | title = Canadian Singer Confirms Audition With Ex-GUNS N' ROSES Members | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = January 4, 2003 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8641}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Canadian Singer TODD KERNS Misses The VELVET REVOLVER Boat | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = September 8, 2004 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=26629}}</ref> [[Sebastian Bach]], formerly of [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]],<ref name="Slash p.432">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/432 432] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> Shawn Albro of [[U.P.O.]],<ref name="Kerns/Albro" />  [[Travis Meeks]] of [[Days of the New]],<ref>{{cite web | title = DAYS OF THE NEW Frontman Collaborates With Former GUNS N' ROSES Members | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = December 9, 2002 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=8101}}</ref> and [[Ian Thornley]] of [[Big Wreck]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Rocco Sofee |date=2012-12-03 |title=Interview: Vocalist/Guitarist Ian Thornley Discusses Auditioning for Velvet Revolver and Reuniting with Big Wreck |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-vocalistguitarist-ian-thornley-discusses-auditioning-velvet-revolver |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=guitarworld |language=en}}</ref> [[Myles Kennedy]], formerly of the Mayfield Four, declined an invitation from Sorum to audition.<ref>{{cite web | title = SLASH, MYLES KENNEDY Interviewed In London | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = June 25, 2010 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=142121}}</ref> [[Ian Astbury]] of [[the Cult]] and [[Mike Patton]] of [[Faith No More]] also declined audition offers.<ref name="Classic Rock Contraband">{{Cite book | last = Milas | first = Alexander | title = Classic Rock presents Slash: Forbidden Fruit | work = [[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] | year = 2010 | page = 123 | publisher = Future Pub. | isbn = 978-1-85870-318-3 }}</ref> The band were also interested in auditioning [[Stone Temple Pilots]] singer [[Scott Weiland]], who had become friends with McKagan after attending the same gym.<ref name="Weiland Washington Post">{{cite news | last = Freedom du Lac | first = J | title = Velvet Revolver, A Legal Substance | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | date = August 2007 | url = http://blog.washingtonpost.com/virgin-festival/2007/08/post_1.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120913042749/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/virgin-festival/2007/08/post_1.html | archive-date = September 13, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Weiland Details">{{cite web | last = Hendrickson | first = Matt | title = Scott Weiland Sobers Up . . . Again | work = [[Details (magazine)|Details]] | date = April 2010 | url = http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/music-and-books/201004/scott-weiland-stone-temple-pilots-singer?currentPage=2 | access-date = December 10, 2010 | archive-date = August 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814004946/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/music-and-books/201004/scott-weiland-stone-temple-pilots-singer?currentPage=2 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Weiland once played on the same bill as Kushner,<ref name="Slash p.432"/> and was in rehab at the same time as Sorum.<ref name="Slash p.432"/><ref name="Weiland Details"/> Weiland was sent two discs of material, and felt that the first disc "sounded like [[Bad Company]] gone wrong."<ref name="Weiland Washington Post"/> When he was sent the second disc, Weiland was more positive, comparing it to ''[[Core (Stone Temple Pilots album)|Core]]''-era Stone Temple Pilots,<ref name="Weiland Washington Post"/> though he turned them down because Stone Temple Pilots were still together.<ref name="Slash p.432"/>

{{Quote box
| width = 28%
| align = right
| quote = "I just thought he was a great singer, and he'd always been on my mind for this band. He was the one vocalist that I knew had the kind of voice that would serve what we were going to do: he had a [[John Lennon]]-ish quality, a little bit of [[Jim Morrison]], and a touch of almost [[David Bowie]]. He was the best singer to come out in a long time in my opinion."<ref name="Slash p.432"/>
| source = —Slash on Scott Weiland
}}
When Stone Temple Pilots disbanded in 2003,<ref name="Slash p.433">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/433 433] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> the band sent Weiland new music, which he took into his studio and added vocals. This music eventually became the song "Set Me Free".<ref name="Dave Kushner KNAC"/><ref name="Slash p.433"/> Weiland was still unsure whether or not he wanted to join, despite delivering the music to the band himself<ref name="Slash p.433"/> and performing at an industry showcase at Mates.<ref>{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/434 434] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> They recorded two songs with producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]],<ref name="Slash p.436">{{Cite book | author = Slash | author2 = Bozza, Anthony | author-link2 = Anthony Bozza | title = [[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2007 | page = [https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/436 436] | isbn = 978-0-00-725775-1 }}</ref> a recorded version of "[[Set Me Free (Velvet Revolver song)|Set Me Free]]" and a cover of [[Pink Floyd]]'s "[[Money (Pink Floyd song)|Money]]", for the soundtracks to the movies ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]'' and ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]'', respectively.<ref name="Slash p.436"/> Weiland joined the band soon after.<ref name="Weiland Washington Post"/> "Set Me Free" managed to peak at number 17 on the [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock Chart]]<ref name="AMG Singles">{{cite web | title = Velvet Revolver Singles Charts | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = July 20, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=velvet-revolver-p651389/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> without any radio promotion or a record label.<ref>{{cite web | last = Steele | first = Laurie | title = Exclusive! Interview With Velvet Revolver Drummer Matt Sorum | publisher = [[KNAC]] | date = July 26, 2004 | url = http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3152}}</ref>

It was prior to a screening of ''The Hulk'' at [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] that the band chose a name. After seeing a movie by [[Revolution Studios]], Slash liked the beginning of the word, eventually thinking of Revolver because of its multiple meanings; the name of a gun, subtext of a revolving door which suited the band as well as the name of a [[Revolver (Beatles album)|Beatles album]]. When he suggested Revolver to the band, Weiland suggested back Black Velvet Revolver, liking the idea of "something intimate like velvet juxtaposed with something deadly like a gun." They eventually arrived at Velvet Revolver, announcing it at a press conference and performance showcase at the [[El Rey Theatre (Los Angeles)|El Rey Theatre]] while also performing the songs "Set Me Free" and "Slither" as well as covers of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s "[[Negative Creep]]", [[Sex Pistols]]' "[[Bodies (Sex Pistols song)|Bodies]]", and Guns N' Roses' "[[It's So Easy (Guns N' Roses song)|It's So Easy]]".<ref name="Slash p.437">{{Cite book|author=Slash|title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]]|author2=Bozza, Anthony|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2007|isbn=978-0-00-725775-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/437 437]|author-link2=Anthony Bozza}}</ref>