Duff McKagan (55) is coming to Germany with his new Americanacountry rock album "Tenderness" to Zurich on September 6. Zurich. The father of two reveals why he loves Zurich, who drives him and why he does his own laundry on tour - he calls it himself on tour - he calls it "punk rock laundry".
He has now been on the road with Guns N' Roses for two and a half years, during which time the new songs for "Tenderness" were written
on his acoustic guitar: "I didn't explicitly want to write an Americana album, it just happened." The Washington native is currently rehearsing the new songs. Songs that are well suited to a small, intimate venue: "I'm practising playing the songs in a way that does justice to this setting."
event: You will soon be performing "Tenderness" in Zurich. Do you like this city?
DuffMcKagan: Yes, very much! I love arriving by train at the main station
and riding around on the streetcars.
You use public transportation? I would have expected to see you in a Ferrari.
Me? I've never driven one. You just lose time looking for a parking space.
Apart from the streetcar, what do you particularly like about Zurich?
All those cafés outside, the river, the lake, the Lindenhof. There are cities that you like straight away. Zurich is such a city for me.
You're playing at the Dynamo - a really small venue compared to the XXL stadiums you play with Guns N' Roses.
It doesn't matter to me how big a club is as long as people come. I don't yet know how I could adapt "Tenderness" for a small room. It's not loud rock. I can write music like that, but I still have to learn how to perform it appropriately.
You worked with Shooter Jennings on this album.
Yes, he inspired me musically and personally. He's a positively driven person, he often only sleeps four hours a night.
On "Tenderness" you work with your brother Matt again. He plays the trombone. Do you come froma family of artists?
Yes, my wife Susan, for example, was a model. Now she has written the novel "The Velvet Rose", which she worked on for nine years. It's madness to write a novel, the best thing you can do. It's like you've written five concept albums. And my daughters have also taken artistic paths. Grace fronts the Pink Slips, I love her band. My youngest, Mae, is a designer, she does Vivianne Westwood-esque fashion.
You are currently rehearsing for the upcoming tour. What do you always have
with you in your suitcase?
A pair of pants, T-shirts, my shaving kit, street shoes, sports shoes and gloves for fitness. I like to travel light. Since 1979, I've simply washed my clothes with shampoo in the hotel. It's cleaner than using the washing machine. I call it punk rock laundry (laughs).
Sport seems to be important to you?
Yes, I always do it. Being on the big stage with Guns N' Roses is an athletic thing, you run around a lot. I train for every gig, sometimes in the hotel gym, sometimes with hot yoga for stretching.
You are an established artist, have a good hand on the stock market and a happy family. What else do you wish for?
What do I wish for? Phew, really good question (thinks for a moment). My girls are grown up (18 and 21) and have taken a good path. Their dreams have become mine. I have no other wishes - and materialistic things have never interested me. Wait, there's something else! My wife has always wanted to go to the Seychelles. I'll take her there one day.