KUSHNER DISHES ON RUBIN REVOLVER X

Velvet Revolver is readying their album Libertad, and the album is in the mixing stage in hopes for a March release. The band had to change course to go with famed Pearl Jam producer Brendan O’Brien after things weren’t working out with Rick Rubin.

Guitarist Dave Kushner, who was accessorizing for the Grammys at the Kate Nobelius Style studio on Wednesday, gave us the skinny on what went down with Velvet Revolver and Rubin.

“It was originally Rick who I was excited about because I had known for years but never worked with him. I think it had a lot to do with what the band needed at the time. I think we didn’t realize that we needed — because we kind of had been meandering for a year writing song — I think we needed someone to corral us and say, ‘OK, guys come on let’s go. Let’s do this,’ and that’s not really Rick’s style of working.”

While the band wasn’t nominated, he was just there to pick up some swag from the studio. Velvet Revolver has however contributed some items to the 49th Annual Online Charity Auction benefiting MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation. The auction runs now through February 15 with a special second round running February 12 through the 22. Visit www.ebay.com/grammy to check out the auction.