How California Singer/Songwriter Ended Up Fronting VELVET REVOLVER At SUNDANCE

Venice Beach, California-based singer/songwriter Matthew Moon has sent the following message to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"[A few days ago] I was performing at a Sundance Film Festival event in Salt Lake City, UT. After my performance at Rose Wagner Theater, I began driving the 25 minutes it takes to get back up to Park City. I checked my voicemail and there was a frantic message from my friend Jenna Lynn. 'Mattie Moon, it's Jenna,' she said. 'Call me back, it's urgent, urgent, urgent, URGENT — about tonight,' she continued, tension in her otherwise smooth voice. 'Come play with VELVET REVOLVER, please come sing...we need somebody who can sing...call me...bye!'

"If you are not familiar, VELVET REVOLVER is a rock band comprised of rock n' roll icons Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum from GUNS N' ROSES, and Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland from STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. I looked at my traveling companion, Scott Kusmirek (current drummer for the GIN BLOSSOMS),and said, 'Dude...I think they want me to sing with VELVET REVOLVER tonight!' My stomach began to turn. Five minutes later I received a text from my friend Daniel Maltzman that said, 'Wanna play vocals for VELVET tonight?' I looked at Scott and we both started laughing hysterically. 'Hell yeah!' I texted back. Apparently, VELVET frontman Scott Weiland had missed his flight from Los Angeles and would not be able to make the gig...

"We jetted up the mountain as fast as we could. While we were driving, I began downloading lyrics off the net from my Blackberry — I had never even heard a VELVET REVOLVER song before! When we arrived I was quickly escorted backstage to meet the band. I walked in, said hello, and took my guitar out — we began mapping out a game plan. Duff asked me if I knew any STONES' covers and I told him I knew 'Honkey Tonk Woman'. I started jotting the lyrics down on a piece of paper. Soon after, Donovan Leitch, son of legendary singer Donovan, arrived and began learning songs too. Then came Cisco Adler (from WHITESTARR and ex-boyfriend of Mischa Barton who was also at the festival...). He was accompanied by actress E.G. Daily, best known for her role in the cult classic movie 'Valley Girl'. We ran through the song in an empty stairwell and then made our way to the stage. My song was up second from last, so I stood by and watched as Donovan and Cisco sang 'Rock N' Roll' by LED ZEPPELIN.

"Right before their song was about to finish, I noticed Paris Hilton making her way to the front row — I actually thought about running! Could there be any more pressure than this? Then Paris jumped on the stage and made her way over to where we were standing. I took the microphone from Cisco's hand as drummer Matt Sorum started the legendary cowbell count-off that signifies the beginning of one of the best ROLLING STONES' songs ever. When the time came, I began to sing, 'I met a gin soaked, barroom queen in Memphis...' The whole crowd was singing along - everyone was grooving! Then Cisco and E.G. joined me on the harmonies — it was AWESOME! The band was so friendly and cool — there was certainly something very serendipitous about Sundance this year!"

To view photos, go to www.myspace.com/matthewmoon.