Double Talkin' Jive

Cocaine smuggling, shoot-outs, and never-ending decadent parties: Matt Sorum's Double Talkin' Jive could almost be described as the autobiographical equivalent of the film Blow. But rather than becoming a premier drug smuggler, Matt Sorum became a world-famous drummer in Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and the Cult. Sorum dropped out of high school to become a drummer, but turned to selling pot to support himself and, later, smuggled large quantities of cocaine. When Sorum was given the chance to play in the Cult, he was finally able to make a living as a drummer. The very next year, Slash and Duff Mckagan recruited Matt to join Guns N' Roses, and with that, Matt's life was transformed. When Axl Rose started turning up at the recording studio more and more sporadically-sometimes not at all-Matt recounts in keen detail how he and the band staggered towards their downfall. Matt and his Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Duff formed Velvet Revolver with Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland. When Weiland suddenly left the band, Matt stepped in as drummer for Motörhead during their US tour and then started his own all-star band, Kings of Chaos. During his time as a professional drummer, Matt battled alcohol and coke addictions, but meeting his girlfriend Ace Harper helped him manage to get clean.