Say What: Dave Kushner of Velvet Revolver

Talk about a super band. Take the big guns from Guns N' Roses (Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum) and add in one of my favorite rockers of all time, former Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland, and throw in the mad guitarist Dave Kushner, and you have one of the hardest core bands ever.

Sweet.

For one night only, rock 'n' roll fans can see these legendary rock stars on stage in Rockford. That's bad (bleep) man. Pure rock heaven.

And forever, I can say that I was lucky enough to talk to one of the valuable rockers from this band. Thank you, Dave Kushner.

If you haven't heard the band's first album, "Contraband," it would be worth your while, as it was one of my favorite albums of 2004. Good stuff my brotha, good stuff.

Dave, for you, personally, is this like the big show? Is this what it's like to be on top?

Um, yeah. Definitely. This is like a dream come true.

I mean, in the '80s, did you ever imagine you would be playing guitar next to Slash?

I guess not. I mean, he's someone I've known and grown up with, but I never thought I would be in a band with him. It's great. This is such a great band.

It's the dream band. Heck, it's my dream band. Want to sign me up?

(Laughs) Yeah. (Laughs) I mean, it's the kind of band you dream about when you are first playing your guitar in your bedroom at 16. You have all these hopes and dreams as a kid to play for a band like this. This is a dream come true.

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?

I don't know, dude. Honestly, I never considered myself a "rockstar." 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.

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

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.

Do you think the media plays a part in that?

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.

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

Um, yeah, I mean it's weird. I guess it's not so much hearing our songs on the radio, but I still getexcited 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.

How do you feel about the whole autograph thing?

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.

Did you ever practice your autograph as a kid?

(Laughs) Yeah, when I was a little kid.

Did it stick?

Actually it did. It's exactly the same. I have this book I got when I was little and it has me practicing my signature in it (laughs). It's really funny to see that.

I bet that thing could make some bank on eBay.

Exactly (laughs). But you know, it is weird, this whole autograph thing. You get off the plane and there are 10 people there waiting at the airport, and you want to avoid all of them, but half of them could be true fans. You want to avoid them because you think they are the (bleepin') eBay guys. We don't mind signing stuff, but the eBay guys make us angry. And they are middle-aged men who probably have never heard our album.

Just trying to make a dollar off of you.

Exactly. Last time they were there I told Slash that the next time they came up to me, I was going to take their pen and scribble all over the picture and yell, "Get out of here punk."

Let's say you were a white rapper, what would your name be?

(Laughs) My brother-in-law's nickname is Tickety T, so maybe I would have to borrow that.

Speaking of white rappers, I have to ask this because I saw a note on a small little Web site: Did you really play guitar for Vanilla Ice?

(Laughs) Um, um, yeah, that's true.

Wow. Should I be reporting that?

I don't know dude. I did it. It was awhile ago. I had no money and I wasn't working so I decided to do it.

Hey man, don't worry. Everyone has to work at Burger King before making it to the big show.

Exactly. But, you know, it's embarrassing. We all have this image of him that will never go away.

Ice, ice baby. Don't worry about it. I still love ya!

(Laughs) Thanks man.