Velvet Revolver's lead singer Scott Weiland has been called a lot of things -- a patriot, feminist, junkie, genius, glammed-out amalgamation and a sexy bad ass. But strip down the former "Stone Temple Pilots" frontman and the reformed rocker claims he's just a family man who's always ready to rock.

You remember Weiland, right? C'mon, go back to the 90's. Core ... Purple ... Plush. Ahh. Stone Temple Pilots. That's the ticket! Well, he's back, and if you think Weiland is washed up, have a listen to Velvet Revolver's debut album, "Contraband," which snuck its way to the top spot on The Billboard chart during its first week in action. Their song, "Dirty Little Thing," is the official song for the 2005 Winter X Games held Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 in Aspen, Colo. (ESPN nightly, 9 p.m. ET).

Page 3 caught up with Weiland hours before he set sail for his European tour. While other Velvet Revolvers -- former Guns n' Roses bandmates Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and former Wasted Youth guitarist Dave Kushner -- prepared for the big trip, Weiland was kind enough to step away from breakfast with his kids, Noah and Lucy, and chat with us for a few minutes.

Eat your heart out Axl Rose.

Do you know Slash's real name?

Yeah.

Ever call him Saul?

No. No one calls him Saul, except for maybe his mom. Actually, I've been around his mom a couple times and she calls him Slash too. He's had that name ever since he was a little boy.

You're a hairstyle maven. What would you do with Slash's hair?

I don't know, I think there are [like] spiders, scorpions and snakes in there.

He likes snakes.

He sure does.

Rumor has it you like Notre Dame. Is that true?

Oh yeah, that's true. I love Notre Dame. Notre Dame runs deep in my family. My dad went there and played football [there] actually. I grew up in Cleveland and I remember going to my great aunt's for Thanksgiving. She lived in Evanston, Ill., so when we were in the area, we would all go over to South Bend for Notre Dame football. Now I sit on my couch every Saturday during the season and watch them. I sit there with my fingers crossed and I sweat and say my Hail Mary's. When they lose, I'm depressed for like three days!

Seen "Rudy"?

Oh, of course. It's funny, my wife isn't really into college football but "Rudy" is one of her favorite movies. She still cries every time she watches it.

Are you able to go to any games?

Recently, my dad has reconnected with some friends that he went to school with and he has gotten to know some ex-players and some folks who work in the school. I actually had the chance to go to their game at USC. I went down to the sideline and got to meet my dad's friends and some of the players. They were so nice and treated me so well. They actually invited me to go out to as many games as I can. When my touring schedule calms down next year, I'll definitely be taking advantage of that offer and go see some Irish games.

You're a self proclaimed fashion whore, what do you think about the little leprechaun's outfit?

Well, I'm definitely a real traditionalist, as well as a modernist, so I like this get-up.

The tails?

Yes, the tails. They're retro classy. Love it.

Did Ty Willingham deserve to be fired?

No, he didn't deserve to be fired. He's a great guy, one of the most honorable coaches of all time. But, I just think that Notre Dame is the biggest tradition in college football. When you think of NCAA football, you think of those golden helmets, you know? With that comes hardcore fans who expect to be in national championship contention every year. They don't just want that dominance, they expect it.

They hold real high standards academically at Notre Dame and they will never let those slide. Because of that they don't get the real talented kids, who for instance Florida schools are willing to accept. Notre Dame and their football coach are at a real disadvantage there. Recruiting is a problem.

Can Charlie Weis turn the program around?

I think Charlie Weis is the perfect choice. Just look at Pete Carroll at USC. There's a guy that's been tested at the pro level and has gained confidence there. He has high ethics and tons of experience and that translates to success at the college level. Pete Carroll knows big games and high pressure. He's used to being on TV and young players want to play for guys like that. The formula makes sense and, I mean, it's working!

So, I think Charlie Weiss is the perfect choice. Although, I was saying all season to friends that I was hoping Notre Dame would go after Bill Parcels. I'm not a Dallas fan. I'm a Browns fan, of course, but I'm [still] a huge Bill Parcels fan. We didn't get Bill, but Charlie is perfect.

Do you follow any other sports?

I'm a big Lakers fan.

Kobe fan?

Yeah. You know, everybody's got their sights on Kobe and their crosshairs on him. They are using him as a dartboard these days. Just two years ago he was the darling of the NBA, now people are gunning for him! That's really a shame. It just shows how disposable our society is. I think we really have to take a look at the NBA.

What's wrong with the NBA?

These players are constantly talking trash about each other all the time. It's that playground mentality. To tell you the truth, I think it's all just to sell tickets, but it's still disgusting. They use the media for their own motives but then the media grabs a hold of it and further exploits those players, taking it a step further by digging into their personal lives. That's a horrendous process.

As a rock star, do you empathize with athletes in the spotlight?

Sure. I've been on the receiving end of those media darts and bullets although I didn't have any interest in playing that game in the first place. So, I guess I understand what some of these players are going through, but overall, I have a really bad taste in my mouth from a lot of stuff that goes on in the NBA. There is a lot of negativity there. There is a lack of positive leadership and role models -- the talk that goes on the court carries over off the court.

It's not very professional and it's childish.

That back-and-forth doesn't happen between musicians?

Yes, sure it does, definitely. It happens a lot. Look at the recent incident between Elton John and Madonna. That's on a huge international platform.

For Elton John to demand the title Sir before his name and then to say the things that he has about Madonna, that's along those same lines as athlete trash talking. It's unprofessional.

I'm not flying a big Madonna flag by any stretch of the imagination. But if you are going to be knighted by the Queen of England, I think you should hold yourself to higher standards, don't you? I mean, at that point, you have a responsibility. You are a role model and you are expected to act noble. To wager power and esteem for your own ends is a total misuse of that title.

What's the difference between professional athletes and rockstars?

I think that people, especially kids, really look up to athletes more so than musicians. Yes, you have negativity in the music business but people don't pay as much attention to musicians as they do world-class athletes. All over the world, especially in inner cities, I think kids look up to athletes. And those kids do not need any more negative influence, you know? I really believe strong positive role models are what's going to change things for the younger generation. When athletes [their heroes] are repeatedly suggesting negative opinions and saying derogatory things, then I think that sends a message that that mentality is okay and their behavior is something that should be followed. That's kind of a sad thing.

So rock stars are off the hook?

No. I mean, not everybody has to be perfect. I think a lot of rock and roll is about being rebellious and seeming dangerous. By no means have I flown the straight arrow and I've certainly lived my life very "off the cuff." But all things considered, one thing that I have done is when I have fallen, and I definitely have, I've always picked myself up and walked forward. I've never stayed down and I've never given up.

The fight for life is something to never give up on.

We all have our own paths through this life and we all have our own individual belief system that we are allowed to follow. That's what makes this country a great country. The choices I make allow me to negotiate my own way along this path. I think this path I have chosen allows me to spread my message -- that is you don't have to give up on anything or NOT to give up on anything. I truly believe that life is a miraculous thing and it's something I hold very passionately and very dear. Life is always worth living.

You're ready to rock?

I'm always ready to rock.

All right, sounds like you've got your hands full with some beautiful babes over there?

Yeah, I do. I've got a hungry 4-year-old and a 2-½-year-old.

Family man.

Yup, that's me. Family man that runs blue and gold!

"Dirty Little Thing" by Velvet Revolver

Can't stop thinkin musta been trippin this evening
My mind is racing demons and all of my feelings are numb

Yeah and when I roll with my head in the wind
And I feel like the king of the
Dead men wishin they had gotten together with you girl
But you're a dirty little liar with a message of obsession to come

You got your head in the clouds and your world's upside down
Get away from the life you're living
Get away from the man that's stealing your life
Get away from the drugs you're taking
Get away from the film of sex in your life

Can't stop drinking I'm cold kicking and bleeding
The wine is numbing feelings and all of my memories are gone

Mary Buckheit is an editor for ESPN.com and can be reached at mary.j.buckheit@espn3.com