SLASH Issues Update On Solo Record, QUART Festival Appearance

VELVET REVOLVER and ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has posted an update on the recording process for his new solo album, which he is tracking with former NINE INCH NAILS drummer Josh Freese and ex-JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Chris Chaney. Confirmed guest singers so far include Ozzy Osbourne and AVENGED SEVENFOLD's M. Shadows.

Slash writes on his MySpace page: "We're almost done with vocals — two more songs left and a couple of odds and ends. Then, I can stand back and see what we've got. It is a fucking awesome ensemble, that much I do know, with brilliant performances from each and every singer. I do hope to have a release date soon, but I can assure you, as I said before, it won't be this year. It will, most definitely, be out be very early in the New Year.

"Even though the recording process is almost done, the legal logistics involved with so many different artists takes a minute to iron out.

"When the record is released, I plan on posting what gear was used on what songs; guitars, amps etc. Although most of it was done with one guitar and two amps. A lot of interesting mic set-ups, though. The record is being recorded anolog as well. This might be one of the last rock and roll records to be recorded that way, no joke. So, of course, I have to release it on vinyl, as well as CD."

Slash will be joined by BLACK SABBATH legend Ozzy Osbourne, THE ROLLING STONES guitarist Ron Wood and LED ZEPPELIN drummer Jason Bonham — son of the late John Bonham, the band's original drummer — for the axeman's headlining appearance at this year's edition of the Quart festival, set to take place June 30 - July 4, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. Slash will perform a mixture of old and new material on the festival's opening day.

Commented Slash: "My gig at the Quart fest is coming up in Norway, June 30, which is starting to come together. I'll [announce] who all's playing next week, but it's a great lineup and the songs so far are shaping up to be a really great set."

Slash previously played with Ozzy at the 77th Royal Variety Performance in November 2005 in Cardiff. They performed a version of THE BEATLES classic "In My Life", with family photographs projected onto the background of the stage.

Slash left GUNS N' ROSES in the mid-'90s, forming SLASH'S SNAKEPIT before later assembling VELVET REVOLVER with several other ex-members of GUNS N' ROSES and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland.

VELVET REVOLVER is currently searching for a replacement for Weiland, who was dismissed in April 2008.