STEVEN ADLER Says His New Band's Debut Album Is Better Than 'Chinese Democracy'

Earlier this week, Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited conducted an interview with ADLER, the new band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Classic Rock Revisited: The last time we talked you were trying to get Slash to record with you. Slash and another great player, John 5, both appear on this album. How did that happen and what was it like working with them?

Steven: Slash has been my favorite guitarist since I was twelve years old. We did a couple of singles with ADLER'S APPETITE and I wanted Slash to come down, but I wasn't in the right state of mind and it wasn't the right time. Now that I have been working with Lonny [Paul, guitar], Jacob [Bunton; vocals; LYNAM, MARS ELECTRIC) and with our producer, Jeff Pilson, I have found that I'm in a better place in my life. Slash isn't going to come down just for anybody or anything. He came down because I've earned his respect and I've paid my dues. I am making an effort with my life and my career. John 5 came down, too. These guys are superstars. Slash is the guitar hero of the world and John 5 is like the Eric Clapton of the 21st Century. I had to earn their respect for them to come down and I did.

Lonny: From my point of view, I've always been a fan of GUNS N' ROSES and DOKKEN, so it was great to work with these guys. I love John 5, as well. I was telling my girl that I feel like I am in an out-of-control car accident but I am not freaking out. I am totally staying in control. I mean, I am playing with these guys and I'm not freaking out, but inside I am totally beside myself.

Steven: The way that Lonny felt inside, I felt that way, too. The last ADLER'S APPETITE thing that we did with the old circle of friends and family was New Year's Eve. On January 2nd, I started working with my new circle of friends and family, Lonny, Jacob and Jeff, and it has been ho, ho, ho, it's been heavy.

Jacob: When Slash walked into the room, it was a goosebump moment. You can genuinely feel the love that these two guys have for each other. These guys have been best friends since they were 12 and you can feel it. I remember being in the vocal booth and looking through the glass into the control room and thinking, "Everyone in that next room, Jeff Pilson, Slash and Steven Alder, were hanging on my bedroom wall." I really had to pinch myself.

Classic Rock Revisited: I hate comparing bands, but if you had to how would you describe [ADLER]?

Steven: It is where "Appetite For Destruction" takes off. We did everything possible to not be like the bands that are out there now. Jacob writes songs for a lot of other musicians and singers. When we were in the studio Jeff would say to try this sound, or that sound, and we would. The engineer said he has seen a lot of bands record entire albums with the same guitars and the same amps all the way through. We liked experimenting with the sounds. The world needs a new rock and roll band and we're just the guys to give it to them.

Jacob: Our sound has the GUNS N' ROSES edge to it because Steven has such a signature sound on the drums. He is one of those drummers that you hear and you instantly know it is him. We listened to a lot of old albums from bands that had identifiable sounds because we wanted to have an identifiable sound as well. This is really a great rock and roll record.

Steven: We stole from the best. You show me a musician that has never stolen anything from anybody and I will show you a band that doesn't have a record deal.

Classic Rock Revisited: Is this album better than "Chinese Democracy"?

Steven: Of course it is. Can you name one song off of that album? Within one day of this record coming out, you're going to know the names of every song.

Classic Rock Revisited: If Axl won't get up and play at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction, why don't you get Slash and Duff [McKagan] and the three of you up there and play some tunes?

Steven: That is a thought, but if that doesn't happen, then I am going up there with just a drum set and I'm playing along with the CD. GUNS N' ROSES, the original band, has not performed for 22 years and we are still respected around the entire world. I feel that when a band is put into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, then they should play. I am dedicating my award to the bands that should be in there. If it wasn't for KISS, UFO, DEEP PURPLE and JOURNEY and bands like that, then there would be no GUNS N' ROSES. We owe it to the fans to play and it is just a god damned rock and roll band. All we do is play music. Why can't we just get on stage for ten minutes and play for the fans? Are you telling me those assholes can't get onstage and do that? We should do it for the fans.

Read the entire interview from Classic Rock Revisited.