VELVET REVOLVER's DUFF MCKAGAN Shoots Down 'Rehab' Rumors

VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) has rejected as false recent rumors that he has entered a rehab center in the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington near his home to "get clean."

The Metal Sludge web site quoted an anonymous source last week as saying that Duff "went to the same place he did last time to get clean and also where they took [Scott] Weiland [VELVET REVOLVER frontman] to get clean. The rehab place is up in Washington state in the mountains. From what I have heard everyone is trying to keep this really quiet."

In an April 4 posting in the "Forum" section of the VELVET REVOLVER fan site Velvet-Revolver.com (where Duff is a registered member and has posted before),the site's webmaster, Rik, shot down the report, stating, "Duff just wanted me to let everyone know that this rumor is as far from the truth as possible. He's enjoying some 'spring break' time off with his family at the moment."

Rumors regarding both VELVET REVOLVER and GUNS N' ROSES boiled over in the last few days, with unconfirmed reports claiming that lead guitarist Slash had left VELVET REVOLVER, according to Launch Radio Networks. The rumor was first reported by Metal Sludge, which reportedly received the news from sources close to the band. Other sources, however, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET over the weekend that Slash, when asked at a Los Angeles recording studio on Friday (March 31) about his status, allegedly responded that he was "still in the band." Slash was in the studio recording a solo for an album by a new female singer produced by one-time GUNS producer Mike Clink.

The speculation about Slash's status follows reports that Slash, VELVET REVOLVER and ex-GUNS bassist Duff McKagan and GUNS singer W. Axl Rose recently attempted to settle their legal issues through mediation. The attempt allegedly failed, according to several sources, when the wife of one of the musicians interjected herself into the business dealings, leaving the problems unresolved and contributing to a rift between Slash and McKagan.

To add to the confusion, England's Classic Rock magazine published a story suggesting that Rose attempted a one-time reunion of himself, Slash, McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Izzy Stradlin for two upcoming GUNS N' ROSES shows in the U.K. Those negotiations ended, however, when it was allegedly revealed that one of the conditions of the deal was that all rights to the GUNS name and back catalog would revert solely to Rose.

McKagan recently told Launch that he really had no idea what was happening with GUNS N' ROSES these days. "You probably know more than I do, you know, to tell you the truth," he said. "But, you know, I treasure the friendship I have with the people that I've been friends with or have known throughout the years, and there's certain things I will say and certain things I won't, and there's just a lot more things that are more important to me, in my life."

McKagan and Slash sued Rose last year over royalties and licensing issues, with Rose issuing a countersuit and claiming that Slash had come to him privately and slammed the other members of VELVET REVOLVER.

VELVET REVOLVER are scheduled to enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording the follow-up to their 2004 debut disc, "Contraband", while GUNS N' ROSES have several European festival appearances on tap for the summer.