STEVEN ADLER: I Haven't Seen 'A**HOLE' ROSE In 15 Years

La Voz del Interior On Line conducted an interview with former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler prior to Adler's appearance in Córdoba, Argentina last week. Several excerpts from the chat follow (translated from Spanish by Xozy):

On the commonly held perception that he was fired from GUNS N' ROSES because of a drug problem:

Adler: "That was a ridiculous official explanation. They were stupid. They said they fired me because of drugs, but I wasn't experimenting with the hard ones. And if I was doing any drugs, they were as well. So, I think [I was fired because] of monetary issues, which is ridiculous too because we were on our way to making loads of money.

"Izzy Stradlin (guitar) was the only one who apologized to me. Anyhow, we were a great team, and I hope one day we can reunite."

On how he remembers the "Appetite for Destruction" times?

Adler: "I remember it as a great time in my life, even with the bad moments. We made the record in six days, which was pretty [ridiculous considering] the impact it [had after it was released]. Almost everything was done with first and second takes. There are few songs that are the product of a third take. It was all fresh, sponteaneous, furious. It was great. And now that I'm older, all I can do is fuck around with my friends."

Q: Are you in contact with your ex-bandmates?

Adler: "Yes, with Slash. With Izzy too. I don't see Axl though. I don't see 'Asshole'."

Q: Have you heard VELVET REVOLVER's album, the new group of Slash and Duff McKagan?

Adler: "Yeah, but I'm not gonna comment on it because, actually, I would have liked to have participated in that project. I'm hurt. They didnt let me participate on any of the songs. But, yeah, I think it's a fantastic record."

Q: And "Chinese Democracy", the album Axl did with the new version of the band?

Adler: "Do you know anyone who has heard it?"

Q: No.

Adler: "No one did. I know he recorded a couple of songs [over a period of] several years, until someone from the company came in and thought they sucked. I would say to 'Asshole', 'If we got together again, not only we'd have a great time but we'd also make lots of money'. But the truth is that it's been fifteen years since I last saw him."

Q: Why do you think you have a right to cover GUNS N' ROSES songs?

Adler: "Have you read the [songwriting] credits to the songs? I wrote some of them. 99 percent of the music, not the lyrics, was made by all of us. Axl, Izzy, Duff, Slash and me. Although, in the week they wrote 'Use Your Illusion', I could only play one song. I couldn't write anything.

Q: Do you feel you are the Pete Best of GUNS N' ROSES?

Adler: "Is that THE BEATLES drummer who missed everything, right? The difference is that my music, my [contribution can be heard on] 'Appetite for Destruction'. We are connected, in a way, because he was kicked out of the band too. Someone fucked us up, but I didn't end up that bad. After I got fired, I played with amazing musicians. The only one I really missed was my great buddy Slash."

Q: Your income still comes from GUNS N' ROSES?

Adler: "Certainly. I receive 15% of everything 'Appetite for Destruction' generates. Slash, Duff and Izzy get 20% and Axl gets 25%, because he's the one who wrote the lyrics. Fifteen percent of 85 million is a lot of money, dont you think?"

Q: Yes, of course.

Adler: "Well, I live off that."

The original Spanish-language article can be found at www.lavozdelinterior.com.ar.