 After performing at a benefit gig for Randy Castillo in 2002 , McKagan began collaborating with his former Guns N ' Roses band mates , Slash and Matt Sorum , on a new project . Because of this , Loaded 's tour of Europe was cancelled . Loaded played a show at Hollywood 's Viper Room , where afterwards , McKagan introduced Kushner to Slash , who were previously friends in junior high and high school . Kushner was invited to play with the group and soon after became a member of " The Project " which , after auditioning a number of singers , became known as Velvet Revolver following the addition of Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland to the line @-@ up . Loaded were effectively put on hiatus . However , they would still continue to play shows on occasion , though they did not play together again until December 2006 for the benefit show for Jerry Allen 's Cancer Fund , with both Squires and Rouse returning to the group . 
