Duff McKagan supports homeless charity with video for Cold Outside

By Scott Munro
( Classic Rock )
published

Duff McKagan releases video for his new single Cold Outside in support of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission

Duff McKagan and his solo band, featuring Shooter Jennings
Duff McKagan and his solo band, featuring Shooter Jennings (Image credit: Jesse DeFlorio)

Duff McKagan has released a video for his new single Cold Outside.

The track has been taken from the Guns N’ Roses (opens in new tab)bassist’s new solo album Tenderness (opens in new tab), which was released earlier this year.

The video addresses the growing homeless crisis facing the US and has been released today on Giving Tuesday – an international day of charity which has been running since 2012. The promo also coincides with the Propeller campaign that benefits Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.

Duff says: “In my early days I was in similar situations, so I know what it’s like to not have anyone to turn to and sometimes need a helping hand to get back on my feet. 

“I know many know others in need and I am hoping that, if we come together, we can help make a real difference.”

McKagan has donated memorabilia to the Propeller campaign, with all proceeds going towards the Seattle charity.

Speaking to Classic Rock about the song, Duff said: “I just visited a homeless camp in Seattle called The Jungle. It's one of the worst in America, and it's not the kind of place you or I could just walk up into. But I went with a gentleman who used to live there, but is now sober and in an outreach program. 

"So a dude who lives up in The Jungle walks past me real fast and he says, 'that guy who walked by? He didn't want you to see him – his eyelid was eaten by a rat when he was nodded out on heroin.' I talked to some people living up there. They fell through a hole and they can't get out. 

"I've seen homelessness all over the planet, and I don't make eye contact. I do what we all do. You keep your keys in your hand in case you got to swing. You fucking walk faster. You get in your car and get the fuck out of that. Right? 

"I hope to do something with this song bring some awareness and to lessen the stigma. I don't know if I have an answer. I'm not saying I'm a fucking politician. I just hope to do something positive with that song."

For more information, visit the Propeller campaign and Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission's websites.

Duff McKagan: Tenderness (opens in new tab)

Duff McKagan: Tenderness (opens in new tab)
Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan has released his new solo album titled Tenderness. It was produced by Shooter Jennings who also appears on the record.

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers and magazines as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. After initially joining our news desk in the summer of 2014, he moved to the e-commerce team full-time in 2020. He maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott grew up listening to rock and prog, cutting his teeth on bands such as Marillion and Magnum before his focus shifted to alternative and post-punk in the late 80s. His favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Drab Majesty, but he also still has a deep love of Rush.