SLASH Admits Some Of GUNS N' ROSES' Classic Songs Were 'Sort Of Sexist'

September 10, 2018

In a brand new interview with Yahoo! Music, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash was asked if he thinks the band's catalog has aged well in the wake of the #MeToo Movement. "I've never thought of that," Slash responded. "It's never crossed my mind. I mean, I think when the #MeToo thing really blew up, the thought crossed my mind of a bunch of musicians, not particular ones, but just musicians [who might be implicated]. But for the most part, as far as all the ones I know, it wasn't like that. We didn't have that particular [predatory] relationship with girls. It was a lot more the other way around, in some cases. Anyway, so some of the songs and all that were sort of sexist in their own way, but not to be taken that seriously. I don't think they were malicious or anything."

Slash previously voiced his concern about men being falsely accused of sexual misconduct in the wake of #MeToo, which has inspired countless women to share stories about experiencing sexual abuse and harassment. "I think the #MeToo movement is definitely justified — it's actually way overdue," he told Classic Rock. But obviously, he said, it's complicated "in the context of being in a fucking rock and roll band. Fortunately, I'm taken, so I'm not dealing with all that, but I have to admit there were times I looked into my past and [as if he's talking to himself]: 'Well that was consensual.'"

He continued: "I never had a working relationship with anybody that I was, you know, trying to pressure into having sex or anything.

"The problem is that you could be falsely accused of something, but it almost doesn't matter — it's out there. Even if you were to get your name cleared, the damage is already done. And that's pretty sad."

The #MeToo and Time's Up movements were launched following the sexual misconduct scandal surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The scandal inspired many women to come forward to accuse not only Weinstein but others in the entertainment industry and beyond.

Weinstein's career was brought to a halt after dozens of women in the entertainment industry — including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie — accused him of varying degrees of sexual misconduct over the years.

A spokeswoman for Weinstein has repeatedly denied allegations "of non-consensual sex." Weinstein has also apologized for "the way I've behaved with colleagues in the past."

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