In a recent interview with Rob’s School of Music, guitarist Dave Kushner shared insights about dealing with stage fright, particularly regarding his experiences with Velvet Revolver and his bandmate Slash. Despite the massive success and influence of Guns N’ Roses, Slash, one of rock’s iconic guitarists, struggled with stage fright before performances.
Kushner, who has performed with Slash in Velvet Revolver, admitted that he himself rarely experienced stage fright. He described his own approach to performing as relatively calm, not feeling nervous or requiring any specific remedies for anxiety. However, he noted that Slash would frequently get extremely nervous before shows. Kushner recalled conversations where Slash would express his apprehension, often surprising Kushner, who didn’t share the same level of anxiety.
“It’s weird, man. I’ve never suffered from a lot of stage fright or any of that stuff. I never really get that nervous. And I don’t know why that is. I can’t totally say, like, ‘Oh, I get super nervous,’ and then I throw up in a bucket, and then I go, ‘This is what I do to remedy that.'”
While Slash’s nerves were a constant challenge, Kushner mentioned that he found smaller, more intimate performances to be more nerve-wracking than larger stage shows. For Kushner, the close proximity to the audience in smaller venues made him feel more exposed and self-conscious, often leading him to worry about his on-stage presence and mannerisms.
“I remember Slash would get super nervous,” Kushner added. “Like, every time. And he would tell me, I’d be like, ‘Dude, you’re nervous?’ He’d be like, ‘Yeah, I’m fucking nervous. Aren’t you?’ And I’d be like, ‘Ah, not really.’ [Laughs]”
Kushner also shared a piece of advice for younger musicians who might struggle with stage fright. He suggested that simple techniques, like deep breathing, can be surprisingly effective in calming nerves. Reflecting on his own experiences, he acknowledged that focusing on entertaining the audience rather than fixating on potential mistakes helped him overcome his self-consciousness.
“Although I get more nervous when it’s an intimate setting. It’s what’s crazy is, when it’s the big stages, I get more in my head because you’re so far separated from the crowd that you feel more on display. And I would get more self-conscious of how I was standing. I’d be like, ‘Oh, wait, I can’t stand like this.’ [Laughs]”
“I mean, it sounds silly. But yeah, I guess I had my versions of stage fright or being self-conscious. And yes, in the intimate situations, I get a little nervous.”
Slash also mourned the passing of his stepdaughter recently.
