Velvet Revolver — the supergroup formed in the early 2000s by members of Guns N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots — had the potential to rival some of rock’s biggest acts, according to former drummer Matt Sorum. In a recent interview on the Get On The Bus podcast, Sorum reflected on the band’s rise and fall, suggesting that things “could have got even bigger” if the group had stayed together longer.
Sorum, who co-founded Velvet Revolver with fellow former Guns N’ Roses members Slash and Duff McKagan, and guitarist Dave Kushner, alongside singer Scott Weiland, didn’t shy away from comparing the outfit’s early promise to that of Guns N’ Roses. “It wasn’t as big as GN’R, but it could have been,” he said, acknowledging that the band’s lifespan was simply too short to reach its full potential.
He pointed to the band’s initial chemistry and momentum — headlining tours, hit albums and early acclaim — as signs that Velvet Revolver might have become a truly major force in rock music. However, those early gains were undercut by internal struggles that eventually derailed the project.
According to Sorum, one of the biggest challenges came from familiar old habits. While the band initially enjoyed “amazing times” and a healthier mindset among its members, the same issues that had affected their previous careers reemerged as the band progressed. Sorum summed it up bluntly: “Unfortunately, it kind of fell into bad habits again … and the wheels came off.”
Despite the turmoil, Sorum highlighted moments of real achievement — including Velvet Revolver’s Grammy win for Best Hard Rock Performance with the song “Slither.” “We never got a Grammy with GN’R — ever,” he noted. “But that was a big moment.”
Velvet Revolver was active for roughly six years, releasing two acclaimed studio albums — Contraband and Libertad — and building a solid fan base during that time. But the band’s short lifespan and internal tensions ultimately prevented them from developing into a lasting, generational act.
“I was hoping it’d be more of a long thing and we’d still be here,” Sorum said, acknowledging both the excitement of Velvet Revolver’s early phase and the disappointment at how quickly things unraveled.
Today, Velvet Revolver is remembered as one of rock’s most intriguing supergroups — a band that delivered powerful music and genuine star power but never had enough time to fully realize its potential. Sorum’s reflections underscore the delicate balance required for supergroups to thrive: while star talent can build instant attention, chemistry, consistency and longevity are what turn promise into legacy.
Looking back, Sorum remains proud of what Velvet Revolver achieved, but candid about what might have been if internal issues hadn’t intervened. “It just didn’t last long enough,” he concluded, capturing both the band’s promise and its premature end.
