So says Slash, the most famous rock guitarist of our generation.

THE man spent 11 years of his life as the lead guitarist of one of the biggest rock bands of the late '80s and early '90s. And then it all went pear-shaped. Well, at least for a while.

Some 14 years after officially quitting Guns N' Roses, guitarist Slash has been rather busy, having done stints with rock supergroups like Slash's Snakepit (formed while GNR were on their last legs) and Velvet Revolver (a veritable who's who of rock); earning himself a star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame; getting heralded in innumerable "Top Guitarists" lists; and now, going on tour to support his solo self-titled album.

Sure, it wasn't all a smooth ride. Along with the trappings of fame and fortune, Slash also saw its pitfalls like drug abuse and alcohol addiction. But wasn't that what rock 'n' roll was all about? Apparently not.

These days, the 45-year-old musician, born Saul Hudson, said that the "rock star" caricature many paint of him is probably off the mark.

"I imagine what people think about me is probably entirely different from what I'm like," he said over the phone from Los Angeles.

"Because I'm very low-key, I'm pretty soft-spoken. I don't think I'm a loud kind of guy.

"My lifestyle is a little crazy at times, and I'm surrounded by whatever it is that we do, but at the same time, I'm not necessarily the rock star type."

Er, dude, your face is on the cover of Guitar Hero III.

"Well, I don't think I act like one," corrected the married father-of-two.

"I'm constantly hustling to get better at my playing the guitar, arranging rehearsals, getting all sorts of s**t organised ... It doesn't all just magically happen. And a lot of people (who perpetuate his rock star status), really don't understand that I'm very insecure about that."

So in the spirit of not perpetuating that rock star misconception, we'll be replacing all expletives in our chat with Mr Hudson with a more family-friendly word "bunny".

Let's hop to it.

Time magazine named you No 2 in their list of Top 10 Electric Guitar Players last year. How does it feel to be constantly hailed as the epitome of what a rock guitarist should be?

That's an interesting question. It keeps me working hard at it and keeps me focused on trying to get better at it all the time - like, get a good guitar sound and all that bunny. Try to be consistent. I have moments where I feel like I'm hitting all the notes right, but I think a lot of what happens with guitar playing is - as much as I hate to say it because I used to do drugs - like you're always chasing that same high. I mean, you have one good night and all you're trying to do is get another one.

Well, your album has been well received and we're all excited that you're coming to Singapore.

I'm probably more excited that you are. I'm really looking forward to it. I've got a great band and everything is just coming together ... The band is just bunny great, you know? And, no, they didn't all just volunteer. I had to hire all these guys. You know how hard it is to get a good band together?

With so many stars from Fergie to Ozzy Osbourne singing on the album, was it difficult to put it all together?

It was exactly the opposite. It was an organic process. It was just me writing music, matching the music to whom I thought were the appropriate singers. I worked out the songs beforehand, which is an old habit ever since way back in the day. Then it was just calling them up, sending the demo and setting up a date to go into the studio and record. And it was a really easy, simple record to make, really a painless and fun experience. The hardest part of doing this record, hands down, was actually getting the clearances from the record companies for the singers. That was the hard part.

Have you had any Spinal Tap moments with your new band?

You know, you wouldn't be rock 'n' roll without a Spinal Tap moment. I have to say though, we don't have any of those ego guys in the band. But you know Nigel Tufnel, with the amp going to 11 though? That would be me.

Does it bug you that you're often seen as just a guitarist even though you've done so much more?

I don't feel squashed into one tiny stereotype. Mostly because I do have so many different facets. I play guitar, yeah, but I'm out there a lot. I don't think people just see me as the guy with the cigarette hanging out of his mouth, with the hat, who plays the Les Paul. I think I've sort of broadened it a little bit. But, you know, anybody can think what they want.

Considering the bad blood you've had with Axl Rose, does it annoy you when people request for Guns N' Roses songs? Are you bored of playing them?

All things considered, I don't think I fall into that rut. I mean I can think of songs throughout the years that I got sick of playing. Like I definitely got sick of playing bunny It's So Easy and Mr Brownstone - because in any group that I've been in, those were the only two Guns N' Roses songs that anybody could do. So in this band, we're doing songs I haven't played in years - 15, 16, 17 years - so it's fun for me. And I like the songs - it's really cool just because I haven't played them in so long. We keep it interesting.

How interesting will the show be in Singapore?

Judging from the shows that we've done already, it's a rock-'n'-roll band that flies by the seat of its pants. At the same time, we've got a mixed set of songs from this record, some Guns N' Roses stuff, some Velvet (Revolver) stuff. It's just bunny from pretty much my whole catalogue. And it's a high-energy band. Myles Kennedy, who sings with us, is just bunny phenomenal. This guy is so good.

What's the best thing or worst thing about being Slash?

The best thing right now is that I put together a new record and it's actually been well received around the planet, which is exciting for me. And going out on tour, having a great band, my family's healthy and happy - it's all really good. The only downside is having too many things to do. I don't know if I can get it all done.