VELVET REVOLVER Cancels Australian Tour

According to Undercover News, VELVET REVOLVER has cancelled this week's Australian tour, just days after singer Scott Weiland voluntarily entered a rehab facility.

As of late last week, the Aussie shows were still planned to go ahead, according to promoter Chris O'Brien, but today the band has pulled out of the tour.

The official statement from KWS Productions reads as follows: "VELVET REVOLVER regret to announce they're unable to perform their five upcoming concert dates in Australia that were scheduled for February 15-20. The cancellation of these shows will allow lead singer Scott Weiland to continue treatment at a rehab facility which he voluntarily entered after the band's February 6 performance in Los Angeles. VELVET REVOLVER deeply apologize to their fans in Australia and thank them for sticking by the group when various members have relapsed during the last year and a half. The band — lead vocalist Scott Weiland, guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Dave Kushner — are on track to perform at the Dubai Desert Rock Fest in Dubai, UAE on March 8, to be followed by their UK tour March 15-27."

Tickets can be taken back to point of purchase for a refund.

Weiland was arrested on November 21, 2007 when he crashed his car while driving on an L.A. highway.

He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs with a prior conviction, and with an allegation that he refused a chemical test as required by law.

According to MTV.com, Weiland has been arrested multiple times over the past decade for a variety of drug offenses in California and New York, and has spent time in jail on several occasions. He was arrested in 2003 in Hollywood after a traffic accident and charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, though those charges were eventually dismissed after he successfully completed a drug rehab program and submitted to drug tests.

Weiland recently the Miami Herald to be on the lookout for a STONE TEMPLE PILOTS reunion in the months ahead. The band members are reportedly on good terms again after their less than friendly break-up in 2002, and Weiland told The Pulse of Radio a while back that he wouldn't rule out getting back together. "I think that there is always that distinct possibility," he said. "I have to say it would never come in the way of VELVET REVOLVER, but I don't think that the story has been completely told. I'm unhappy with the ending of the story."

Although he was supposed to perform with VELVET REVOLVER on January 20 at a party in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival, Weiland was a no-show for the gig. The vocalist's flight to Utah was diverted because of bad weather. The band carried on with the show, inviting audience members and singer Donovan Leitch to pitch in.

VELVET REVOLVER performing "The Last Fight" on December 31, 2007: