SLASH Wants People To Stop Asking Him If He'll Rejoin GUNS N' ROSES

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has told BBC 6 Music that he's taken his time telling people about the big names on his upcoming solo album. "I've been very low key on this, because I was waiting for all the releases for all the different singers, but some of the cats are out of the bag," he said. "There's a lot of people on the record."

Slash said it felt great to work on his own project, telling BBC 6 Music, "It's just nice to be in charge of my own destiny, even if it's just for one record. Just not to be in a group situation, and at the mercy of what everybody as a whole feels, but being responsible for my own decisions and having the final say. It's nice, 'cause I've been doing this diplomatic band stuff for so long, I needed to get it out of my system."

"As a musician, the more experience you get from playing with a lot of different people, the more you learn how to adapt. The other is perseverance — keep going no matter what. To establish in your mind what you're going to do, and you just keep plodding along. The longer you do it, the more you realize that you have a purpose."

Slash has another hope for his solo effort — that it might stop people asking him if he's going to rejoin GUNS N' ROSES. The guitarist told BBC 6 Music he's keen to put those days behind him. "I just feel for people that don't seem to get it. All things considered, it's been a really long time, and everybody's moved on. At the same time, I appreciate that I was part of a band that had such a huge impact and touched so many people, and I feel bad for them that it's not around — but it is what it is."

Slash will release a two-track CD single in Japan on November 11 containing the song "Sahara" (featuring singer Koshi Inaba of the Japanese hard rock duo B'Z) and a version of the GN'R classic "Paradise City" (featuring CYPRESS HILL and Fergie [a.k.a. Stacy Ann Ferguson] of the BLACK EYED PEAS).

Video footage of Slash talking about his collaboration with Koshi Inaba during a Japanese TV interview can be viewed below. (Note: The "Sahara" track can apparently be heard in the background.)

Slash tracked most of the CD with former NINE INCH NAILS drummer Josh Freese and ex-JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Chris Chaney. Other confirmed guest singers so far include Ozzy Osbourne, AVENGED SEVENFOLD's M. Shadows and Chris Cornell (SOUNDGARDEN, AUDIOSLAVE). The CD was produced by Eric Valentine (GOOD CHARLOTTE, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) and features additional appearances by ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea and former NIRVANA drummer and current FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl.