Ask Duff

[Faridbak]

And its never easy for the family and friends and its a hell for the person

[giangunner]

totally agree with what you say farid

[ladyrose]

Question for Duff: You're a History Buff, So Where Are You Going to Explore Next?


In addition to his Thursday column, Duff McKagan answers reader questions throughout the week. Write to him at [e-mail].



Q: Duff, of all the countries you have traveled in your life, is there a certain one you would have liked to explore other than from touring, and which foreign language do you speak? And by the way, what happened to those awesome "Duff" amps from the Use Your Illusion tour days? -- Matthias



Duff: Hi, Mathias. Well, I am a true student of history, and am fascinated with a ton of different historical eras--mostly war at the moment. The Ottoman Empire and things like the Moorish/Christian conflict intrigue me as well. I am really all over the place, though.

My next big "bucket list" thing to do, though, is to take a motorcycle and follow the U.S. 101st Airborne's route from the invasion at Normandy all the way to Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Austria.

[giangunner]

lady rose

[Faridbak]

wow this guy keeps amazing me, I love history too, now -i know we could talk for hours about that if we ever met

[giangunner]

[Illusion]

Duff rocks!

Q. Hi Duff! I was wondering, if one day one of your daughters dated a guy, maybe a musician like you when you were in your 20s (and maybe with the same vices and bad habits), how would you react? And what would you say to her?
Laura

A: Even though I was perceived as somewhat of a rebel and whatnot in my 20s, I WAS still a good guy. But I get your point. From what I know of the boys at her school thus far, they are pretty damn scared of me. I hope to keep it that way. Of course, if I start shutting my daughters down on whom they date or whatever, it will just cause them to go other directions (away from me). For now, I just cross my fingers and plug my ears!


Q. Have you ever seen someone with a portrait tattoo of yourself? How did you feel about that?
Cheers, Liam

A: I have seen a few. It is so utterly surreal if you are me. I mean, can you imagine? In the end, I am completely honored.


Q. I'm curious to know . . . with your busy tour schedule and your wife having her business and you both having children, how do you manage to stay connected as partners? If you have date night, what are some of the fun ideas you can share to keep that spark and connection lit? Without getting too personal, of course?

A: Yeah, we have date night. Let's just say that lingerie and "how to" videos are key in cutting that fact that we have kids and homework and play dates and all of that stuff. You've got to keep it sexy, San Diego!


Q: What was your first time playing onstage completely sober like for you? Were you nervous? What did you do to prepare and keep yourself focused?
Thank you, CJ Gunn, Cleveland, Ohio

A: I was so completely terrified of playing sober, that I actually for a time thought my career was over. Luckily for me, though, the Neurotic Outsiders formed and played a bunch of shows at the Viper. All those guys were sober, and they eased me into it. I was so totally stunned by how much easier and natural it was without the hindrance of an inebriant. I could tap into my animalistic self much better.


Q: Hi Duff, I would like to know what your pug's name is. I saw her on Susan's show and she is darling! We have a little Pug named Petunia, and she's so much fun and so sweet!


Thanks,
 Suzanna Dwyer


A: Yeah, well, I feel kind of goofy answering a question about my dog. Truthfully, if it was a big dog, like the ones I used to have, I would probably feel less chick-like in my answer. But OK, here goes....
Our pug's name is Twirlz. When our girls each turned 9, they got a dog for Christmas. Mae wanted a pug. She was so scared of that whirling dervish of a dog for the first few months that--yeah, you guessed it--Susan and I ended up being the feeders, cuddlers, and walkers of Twirlz. On those walks that I did on my own (but of course, in public), I called her . . . Chopper. I couldn't have anyone hearing me say "Go potty, Twirlz" in public, now, could I?

[Faridbak]

lol he has a pug. Chiuahua's are the boss lol

[Illusion]

blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2011/03/question_for_duff_will_you_tel.php

Hey, Duff: You said once you still keep some secrets with GN'R members that you have never even told your wife (and she's the one you go to bed with every night). Will you tell some of them in your book?! Or at least tell me?! --Igan

Duff: Yes, there are things about my past bands--and otherwise--that I haven't told anyone, including my wife. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Why tell my wife maybe something that could gross her out? Or also, anger issues that I have since dealt with handily. I don't want to frighten my dear wife . . . and a lot of these stories would.

2. I would never, EVER betray confidences with people who have entrusted them with me. Bands are a place where emotions get pushed to the top so often--and reactions to those emotions and breakthroughs because of them have been witnessed by me. Breakthroughs are not always good and fraught with relief. They can be searingly jagged. A friend helps another friend in those times. Period.

3. I have written a book that examines MY part in things. It would be wholly unfair, in my opinion, to make a few bucks off someone without giving them a chance for rebuttal within those same pages. They didn't ask to be put in MY book. Make sense?

4. Hmmm. #3 is not a bad idea for another and largely different book!




www.ugo.com/music/duff-mckagan-talks-metal

One Tough Question: Duff McKagan
"What is heavy metal?"

It's a question that has been attempted to be answered numerous times over the years, "What is heavy metal?"

Duff McKagan, best known for his work with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, was kind enough to give the question a go recently, while doing press for his upcoming album by his band Loaded, The Taking, which hits stores April 19th. So without further ado, let's see how Duff does...

"See, I don't know what is 'heavy metal.' I was on That Metal Show yesterday, and they were [discussing] heavy metal drummers...and they didn't have John Bonham. 'Well, he's not metal.' But then they had Bill Ward from Sabbath. But if heavy metal is Slipknot, it would probably be Joey [Jordison], he's killer."

"What else is metal? If Zeppelin is metal, then hands down, John Bonham. But Guns N' Roses is not - I would say we were not a metal band."

"Metal to me when I was coming up was like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. That was metal. And Motörhead wasn't metal to me. I think there is - with metal purists - a definite line. I'm probably like some dumb ass poking my nose into something I don't know much about."

Thank you for answering this tough question, Duff. We appreciate it.

[Faridbak]

Duff "The Gentleman King of Beers" Mckagan