VELVET REVOLVER Frontman: 'Libertad' Goes Places The First Album Didn't Go

"The feel, the energy of 'Libertad' is about the eternal struggle for freedom — personal and social freedoms."

So says VELVET REVOLVER's frontman Scott Weiland in describing the band's forthcoming album "Libertad", scheduled for release July 3 on RCA Records. It will be preceded by the track "She Builds Quick Machines".

"'Libertad' has soul," Weiland continued. "What we're trying to say on a musical and lyrical level is clearer this time. The songs may have started out being very personal but they took on a more universal truth as they were nurtured by the five-headed beast that is VELVET REVOLVER."

The band is Scott Weiland (lead vocals),Slash (guitars),Dave Kushner (guitars),Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums). The members each bring a wealth of rock history to the band: Weiland fronted STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and Slash, McKagan and Sorum were the heart of GUNS N' ROSES. Kushner, formerly of WASTED YOUTH, was in McKagan's band LOADED.

"The songs took on a life of their own in pursuit of groove," said Weiland. "When it was nearly done, we realized the idea of freedom kept coming up. Serendipity hit when Duff came to a session wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with 'Libertad' and Slash found a coin struck with 'Libertad'. It all added up to naming the album 'Libertad', which is Spanish for freedom."

Produced by Brendan O'Brien, "Libertad" is the follow-up to "Contraband", VR's debut album, released in June 2004, which earned three million in sales worldwide, debuted on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at #1 and was awarded a Grammy for the lead track, "Slither".

"O'Brien really helped us challenge ourselves on a musical level," explained Weiland. "'Libertad' definitely rocks, but there are a lot more textures and everyone really raised the bar on their skills. It just goes places the first album didn't go."

Between "Contraband" and "Libertad", VELVET REVOLVER toured the world and supported each other through personal struggles, becoming even more tightly bonded as brothers-in-arms. "We toured for two years and got really close in the making of this album," said Weiland.

VELVET REVOLVER has confirmed a swing of 12 North American concerts launching May 3 in Los Angeles and concluding May 22 in New York City. The shows, primarily in intimate settings, will include a sampling of tracks from "Libertad".

The road warriors will spend June on tour in Europe with an emphasis on festival appearances, followed by a Canadian swing, and a big American tour at the end of the summer.

VELVET REVOLVER North American dates:

May 03 - Los Angeles @ Avalon Hollywood
May 05 - San Francisco @ The Warfield
May 07 - Seattle @ Showbox Showroom & Lounge
May 10 - Chicago @ The Rivera Theatre
May 12 - Detroit @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
May 13 - Toronto @ Kool Haus
May 15 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
May 16 - Boston @ Avalon Ballroom
May 18 - Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 19 - Columbus @ Columbus Crew Stadium for Rock On The Range
May 20 - Philadelphia @ Tweeter Center
May 22 - New York City @ Nokia Theater Times Square