Editing Velvet Revolver (section)

===''Libertad'' and departure of Scott Weiland (2005–2008)===
{{listen |filename=She Builds Quick Machines.ogg |title=She Builds Quick Machines |description=A sample of "[[She Builds Quick Machines]]" from ''[[Libertad (Velvet Revolver album)|Libertad]]''. The band's first single from ''Libertad'' represents a change in music style compared to previous singles. |format=[[Ogg]]}}
Weiland announced in 2005 that Velvet Revolver's next album would be titled ''[[Libertad (Velvet Revolver album)|Libertad]]'' and would be a concept album. When they started writing material, they decided against the concept idea.<ref name="Santa Barbara Independent">{{cite web|last=Michaels|first=Levi|date=September 6, 2007|title=Velvet Revolver Drummer Matt Sorum Checks In from the Road|url=http://www.independent.com/news/2007/sep/06/velvet-revolver-drummer-matt-sorum-checks-road/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122134728/http://www.independent.com/news/2007/sep/06/velvet-revolver-drummer-matt-sorum-checks-road/|archive-date=November 22, 2008|access-date=December 10, 2010|work=[[Santa Barbara Independent]]}}</ref> Initially, the band started working with producer [[Rick Rubin]] on the album. However, due to his methods, such as having a crew to do the work and engineering while only popping in occasionally, and because he was also working with other bands at the same time,<ref name="Slash p.453">{{Cite book|title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]]|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2007|isbn=978-0-00-725775-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/slashautobiograp0000unse/page/453 453]|author=Slash|author2=Bozza, Anthony|author-link2=Anthony Bozza}}</ref> they decided against continuing with Rubin.<ref name="Slash p.452">{{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/452 452]|author-link2=Anthony Bozza}}</ref> At the suggestion of Weiland, Velvet Revolver began working with [[Brendan O'Brien (music producer)|Brendan O'Brien]]. Slash stated that O' Brien "brought more than just discipline to the equation, he brought a musicality that stems from the fact that he plays guitar, bass and drums. At any given moment he could play along [with the band] and it really helped the process."<ref name="Slash p.452"/>  While writing for the album, Weiland believed that his bandmates were going to reunite with Guns N' Roses when the band's manager was talking to Axl Rose about switching management companies, and were not going to record their second album. He was later convinced by the band that this was not the case.<ref name="Weiland GNR reunion">{{cite web|date=April 27, 2008|title=SCOTT WEILAND 'Would Pay' To See GUNS N' ROSES Reunion|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95790|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref>

[[File:Velvet Revolver (3).JPG|left|thumb|180px|Bassist Duff McKagan performing at [[Gods of Metal]] in 2007]]
Following the completion of the album, Velvet Revolver performed for and inducted [[Van Halen]] into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], with Weiland and Slash speaking on the band's behalf, on March 12, 2007.<ref name="Van Halen induction">{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER To Perform For And Induct VAN HALEN Into ROCK HALL | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 1, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = VAN HALEN Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME; Photos, Video Available | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 9, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68652}}</ref> The band played a medley of "[[Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love]]" and "Runaround".<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER To Perform ROTH And HAGAR Tunes At ROCK HALL | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 9, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68495}}</ref> Shows in South America with [[Aerosmith]] followed in April.<ref name="Van Halen induction"/> They released the EP ''[[Melody and the Tyranny]]'' on June 1<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER: 'Melody And The Tyranny' EP Artwork, Track Listing Revealed | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = May 14, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=72471}}</ref> to serve as a precursor to the release of their new album, which featured two songs from ''Libertad'', a cover of [[Talking Heads]] song "[[Psycho Killer]]" and a video documentary about the making of ''Libertad'' as well as a live video of the band performing "Do It for the Kids".<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER Bassist Comments On 'Melody And The Tyranny' EP | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = May 16, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=72662}}</ref>
[[File:Scott Weiland 2.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Former singer Scott Weiland. Velvet Revolver's April 1 show at the [[Heineken Music Hall]] in the [[Netherlands]] was at the time the band's last performance with Weiland.]]
''Libertad'' was released on July 3, 2007,<ref name="AMG Bio"/><ref name="Libertad AMG review">{{cite web | author = Thomas Erlewine, Stephen | title = Libertad Review | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = July 20, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=libertad-r1059225/review|pure_url=yes}} | author-link = Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}</ref> peaking at number five on the Billboard 200.<ref name="AMG Albums"/> The album's first single, "[[She Builds Quick Machines]]", peaked at 74 on the [[Billboard charts#Canadian charts|Hot Canadian Digital Singles]].<ref name="AMG Singles"/> The second and third singles, "[[The Last Fight (Velvet Revolver song)|The Last Fight]]" and "[[Get Out the Door]]", both peaked at number 16 and 34 on the Mainstream Rock Chart, respectively.<ref name="Libertad AMG Singles">{{cite web | title = Libertad Singles Charts | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = July 20, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=libertad-r1059225/charts-awards/billboard-single|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> Critical reception to the album was mixed. Though some critics praised the album<ref name="Libertad ew review">{{cite magazine | last = Sinclair | first = Tom | title = Libertad (2007) | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = June 22, 2007 | url = https://ew.com/article/2007/06/22/libertad/ | access-date = April 21, 2020 | archive-date = May 9, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120509232942/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20043357,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Libertad NYP review">{{cite web | last = Aquilante | first = Dan | title = Velvet Revolver "Libertad" | work = [[New York Post]] | date = July 1, 2007 | url = http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/item_0uXzv8F1WQtAKHS0rPu0JL;jsessionid=EAFB5857EEF093FF3AF1A596B41A84CB | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021134641/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/music/item_0uXzv8F1WQtAKHS0rPu0JL%3Bjsessionid%3DEAFB5857EEF093FF3AF1A596B41A84CB | archive-date = October 21, 2012 }}</ref> and felt that ''Libertad'' gave the band an identity of their own,<ref name="Libertad SFC review">{{cite web | last = Uhelszki | first = Jaan | title = Liberted Review | work = [[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date = July 1, 2007 | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/01/PKGT1P40MN1.DTL&type=music}}</ref> outside of the Guns N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots comparisons, others described the album as "bland"<ref name="Libertad TAC review">{{cite web | last = Hernandez | first = Raoul | title = Phases & Stages | work = [[The Austin Chronicle]] | date = July 20, 2007 | url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/issue/review?oid=oid%3A505117}}</ref><ref name="Libertad Blabbermouth review">{{cite web | last = Kaye | first = Don | title = Velvet Revolver Libertad (RCA) | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = July 20, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1173}}</ref> and noted that the band had yet to gel with them "play[ing] to their strengths instead of finding a collective sound."<ref name="Libertad AMG review"/>

In support of ''Libertad'', Velvet Revolver toured North America with [[Alice in Chains]] from August to October 2007.<ref>{{cite web | last = Harris | first = Chris | title = Velvet Revolver Team With Alice In Chains For Summer Tour | publisher = MTV | date = May 22, 2007 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1560256/20070522/velvet_revolver.jhtml| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120906031939/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1560256/20070522/velvet_revolver.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = September 6, 2012}}</ref> They also performed at the [[Virgin Festival]],<ref name="Weiland Washington Post"/> [[Gods of Metal]], and [[Download 2007|Download]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER Members Denied Japanese Visas; Tour Cancelled | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = July 4, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=76052}}</ref> A November tour of Japan was canceled after they were denied visas,<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER, ALICE IN CHAINS: More North American Tour Dates Announced | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = November 14, 2007 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84958}}</ref> and in 2008, a tour of Australia was postponed, due to health issues,<ref>{{cite web | title = Velvet Revolver delay tour | work = [[The Courier-Mail]] | date = November 29, 2007 | url = http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/velvet-revolver-delay-tour/story-e6freq7x-1111115003231}}</ref> and later canceled<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER Cancels Australian Tour | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = February 10, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90268}}</ref> following Weiland's decision to voluntarily enter a rehab facility.<ref>{{cite web | title = VELVET REVOLVER's SCOTT WEILAND Back In Rehab | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = February 7, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90268}}</ref> On November 21, 2007, Weiland was arrested after crashing his car while driving on an L.A. highway. He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs with a prior conviction and later released on $40,000 bail.<ref>{{cite web | title = Velvet Revolving Door -- Weiland Arrested Again | publisher = [[TMZ.com]] | date = December 3, 2007 | url = https://www.tmz.com/2007/12/03/velvet-revolving-door-weiland-arrested-again/?ewrd=1}}</ref> Velvet Revolver then toured both the US and the UK, as well as some European shows, on the Rock n' Roll as It Should Be tour from January 24 to April 1, 2008. They also played at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival on March 8 the same year.<ref>{{cite web | title = DUBAI DESERT ROCK FESTIVAL 2008: The Recap | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 13, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=92901}}</ref> During the tour, Weiland "got back into his old ways",<ref name="Loaded Bullz-Eye">{{cite web | last = Harris | first = Will | title = A chat with Duff McKagan | publisher = Bullz-Eye | date = April 23, 2003 | url = http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2009/duff_mckagan.htm}}</ref> which started to take their toll on the rest of the band<ref name="Duff CRR"/> with the cancellation of the Australian tour seen as the "final blow".<ref name="Weiland Split Spinner"/><ref name="UK Tour">{{cite web | title = SLASH On Last Tour With SCOTT WEILAND: 'We Gave Him The Cold Shoulder Like Nobody's Business' | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = April 16, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=95057}}</ref>

On the UK tour, the band members never spoke with Weiland, with the exception of a few arguments around the stage.<ref name="UK Tour"/> Tensions came to a head during Velvet Revolver's Glasgow show on March 20, 2008, where Weiland announced to the crowd that it was the band's last tour,<ref name="Glasgow show">{{cite web | title = SCOTT WEILAND: This Is VELVET REVOLVER's 'Last Tour' | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 21, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93384}}</ref> unaware that the other band members were already planning on firing him.<ref name="UK Tour"/><ref>{{cite web | title = Slash Exclusive! The Truth About Weiland | work = [[Guitar World]] | date = April 18, 2008 | url = https://www.guitarworld.com/article/slash_exclusive_the_truth_about_weiland | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101116023622/http://www.guitarworld.com/article/slash_exclusive_the_truth_about_weiland | archive-date = November 16, 2010 }}</ref> After Sorum posted a message about the show on his website,<ref name="Glasgow show"/> Weiland issued a statement through [[Blabbermouth.net]] in response, saying he "made many attempts to remain cordial with the members of [Velvet Revolver], but mainly, the likes of [Sorum]" and that "[the band] were a gang. But ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone."<ref>{{cite web | title = SCOTT WEILAND Fires Back At MATT SORUM: 'Ego And Jealousy Can Get The Better Of Anyone' | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 21, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93414}}</ref> Slash later stated that it would not be Velvet Revolver's last tour.<ref>{{cite web | title = SLASH: 'This Is Not VELVET REVOLVER's Last Tour' | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = March 25, 2008 | url = http://www.BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=93566}}</ref> Weiland's departure was announced on April 1.<ref>{{cite web | title = It's Official: VELVET REVOLVER Parts Ways With Singer SCOTT WEILAND | publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]] | date = April 1, 2008 | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=94021}}</ref> Weiland also departed the cover band [[Camp Freddy]],<ref name="Scott Weiland AMG">{{cite web | last = Ankeny | first = Jason | title = Scott Weiland Biography | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | access-date = November 14, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=scott-weiland-p136847/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> which also featured Sorum, and [[2008 Stone Temple Pilots Reunion Tour|reunited with Stone Temple Pilots]],<ref name="Weiland Split Spinner"/><ref name="Scott Weiland AMG"/> before being fired in 2013.