Rolling Stone: WEILAND/Ex-GNR Band To Call Themselves VELVET REVOLVER

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland and former GUNS N' ROSES members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum are calling their new band VELVET REVOLVER, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

The group, who officially announced Weiland as their lead singer Thursday (June 5),are ready to begin recording their debut album.

"I always liked his voice in [STONE TEMPLE PILOTS]," Slash said. "He's got a great rock vibe, but also a cool, slinky thing going on. He's one of those guys who's got a dark side, which obviously fits with us."

"Scott is an identifiable guy and he has the swagger of a great frontman," said Sorum. "We have a lot of energy and we have our own identities. We want a guy who can keep up with that or be better than that."

With regards to Weiland's well-documented struggles with addiction, Slash told the magazine he's not concerned. "We've all been through it," he said. "We like Scott a lot and he's come to terms with his own stuff. We've been around the block so many fucking times — whereas he might freak some people out, it doesn't phase us."

Asked if Weiland's joining the band has created tension with the singer's STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bandmates, Slash said, "When we were recording [a cover of PINK FLOYD's] 'Money' [for 'The Italian Job' soundtrack], [STONE TEMPLE PILOTS guitarist Dean and bassist Robert DeLeo] were producing ALIEN ANT FARM in the same studio, and that was a very awkward day. Scott didn't seem like he had any ties to them, and as far as I now they're disbanded."

Adding even more fuel to the rumors of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' demise, the spokesperson for Slash and co., Arlett Vereecke, told Undercover News, "Scott is exclusively with us — No more STP."

Contacted by Rolling Stone to confirm the reports of the band's split, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' management said, "That's news to us."