Duff McKagan
June 10, 1993
Aftonbladet
Don't believe that rockstars only drink American whisky. Duff McKagan sticks to Swedish
vodka.
- I couldn't stand the touring life without it, he says.
*********
In Guns N' Roses is the bassist Duff McKagan holding a low profile. If it depends on
constant indifference due to intoxication or just that he's a more calm guy then the
others, we'll leave unsaid. But sure he's been maltreating and fighting and have been
given different punishments for it.
- It just happens, people probably think it's cool to fuck with us, just
because we are Guns N' Roses... When Guns released "Appetite For Destruction" in
1987, they toured for two and a half year. Now when they come to Sweden they are also on
their second year as a touring band.
- I've been touring since I was 15, but I'm still not used to it. It's not a
real life, it's very surrealistic. It's not possible to have a girlfriend, before every
tour I cut every bond I got. But you have the guys in the band, they almost become like a
family, said Duff during their last visit to Sweden. That was at the same time that the
opening act Skid Row during their press-conferance where joking about Duff's drunkeness,
how he had fallen asleep at rock-clubs and had trouble standing up...
- I can understand why Izzy jumped off. Some people that quit can stand when
other people are doing it, but not Izzy, have Duff commented previous guitarist Izzy
Stradlin's departure.
Personaly Duff is somewhat of a punker. He debuted as vocalist on Guns N'
Roses' last album "Use Your Illusion II" when he sang "So Fine", a
homage to Johnny Thunders. Duff's soloalbum is finished, but it will probably not be
released until the Guns N' Roses tour is over.
- I've written all the songs by myself and it's something totally different
from Guns, says Duff.
- I play guitar, drums, bass, piano and I sing. I've had Lenny Kravitz to
sing on one song, Slash plays on certain songs...
Everyone who have seen Guns live knows you better have protection for your
ears...
- Yes, smiles Duff. We always play in 125 decibel, that's ten decibel more
then a jet-plane.
* He grew up in Seattle, moved to Los Angeles when
he was seven.
* He's born in 1964.
* Before Duff joined Guns he had been a member of 31 different bands.
* He's the youngest of eight siblings, all of them play an instrument.
* His favourite groups are Saigon Kick and Alice In Chains - Way before they actually made
it, he reproached their success. |