Chris Mautner of The Patriot-News recently conducted an interview with former GUNS N' ROSES and current ADLER'S APPETITE drummer Steven Adler.
The Patriot-News: How did the current [ADLER'S APPETITE] tour come together?
Adler: It was something I've wanted to do for the last two years, but I was on drugs so I wasn't capable of doing any of these things. I got an opportunity to do "Celebrity Rehab" and I took it for everything it's worth and got everything I could out of it.
The Patriot-News: Tell me about the band lineup.
Adler: We've got seasoned veterans of the touring circuit of the world. I've got Michael Thomas (of FASTER PUSSYCAT) on guitar, Alex Grossi (of QUIET RIOT) on guitar, a young guy named Tarsha [on vocals]. And of course I've got the famous Chip Z'Nuff (of ENUFF Z'NUFF) holding the rhythm down. It's a great bunch of guys.
The Patriot-News: When you look back at those days in GN'R —
Adler: Oh, those were great days. It was a great time. It's a shame that Axl [Rose, GN'R singer] put me through all that ... he did. He likes to blame people, like everything's Slash's fault, that's why we're not going to do a reunion. What did Slash do? He didn't do anything.
The Patriot-News: Well, that's what I was going to ask. With all that bitterness, does it tarnish your memory of those early days?
Adler: Oh, those memories are tarnished. They've been tarnished for a long time. But I survived it, and am a better person and stronger person for it.
The Patriot-News: You talked about your recent appearance on "Celebrity Rehab" and "Sober House". What was that like?
Adler: I was lucky that it worked for me. I had strangers coming up to me like they were best friends, saying "We're praying for you. We want the best for you." It's been a really, really wonderful experience.
The Patriot-News: Is it fair to say being on the show was what sobered you up?
Adler: Oh yeah. I went in to rehab eight days before I started the show because I wanted to do the show properly and I didn't want to go through withdrawals like everyone else did.
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Video footage of ADLER'S APPETITE performing the GN'R classic "Civil War" on March 7, 2009 at Route 15 in Greenville, Wisconsin can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "stevenadlergnr").