VELVET REVOLVER's DAVE KUSHNER: 'I Never Considered Myself A Rock Star'

Nick Powills of the Northwest Herald recently conducted a question-and-answer session with VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Dave Kushner. An excerpt from the interview follows:

Q: How's life as a rock star in this band? I mean, there are so many stereotypes attached to a few of the guys in the band, so do things ever get crazy?

Dave Kushner: "I don't know, dude. Honestly, I never considered myself a 'rock star.' It's such a weird label to put on someone. There are just so many expectations and negative connotations. A rock star is a category that when in it, everyone thinks you are better than everyone. It's not really like that."

Q: Right on. I think the whole stereotype can get out of control.

Dave Kushner: "Yeah, it can. I mean, sometimes it is crazy on the road. Sometimes there's fighting and arguing and breaking stuff — you know, all the stereotypes of being a rockstar. But then, there's also the family vibe and stuff like that. I guess life on the road is pretty much everything you would expect it to be and I think all of those clichés are a part of it as well, but I think it's all labeled a little worse than it actually is."

Q: Do you think the media plays a part in that?

Dave Kushner: "Uh, definitely. You know, it's just that the media are made up of people who try to make it more interesting to help sell their magazine or sell our concerts. That's what the media does. They don't always report the facts, but make the story so it can sell."

Q: You seem like a cool, pumped-up guy. Do you still get excited when you hear your songs on the radio?

Dave Kushner: "Um, yeah, I mean it's weird. I guess it's not so much hearing our songs on the radio, but I still get excited when we walk into the arena. Walking into the arena, hearing the intro music, hearing the crowd, seeing the lighters while it's all dark — that's what really gets to me. That's heavy for me. That's bigger for me because you are actually in it. You are walking into your thing. It's like walking into a boxing ring."

Q: How do you feel about the whole autograph thing?

Dave Kushner: "It's weird man. It's weird when you are leaving your hotel and some eBay guy comes up and asks for your autograph. I mean, it's not as bad for me as it is for like Slash, but it can still creep me out."

Read the entire interview at this location.