Photo: WENN
Strokes guitarist turned solo star Albert Hammond Jr has spoken out about the revelations of his heavy drug use, saying that it shocked his mother and fans.
The US rocker entered rehab in 2009, but only recently revealed the severity of his substance abuse issues, admitting he was an addict for much of his 20s - telling NME Magazine that he became addicted to cocaine, heroin and ketamine, shooting up '20 times a day'.
Speaking to Gigwise, Hammond said that it felt natural to open up about his substance abuse.
"I guess for me, it doesn't feel like a weird thing to have out there," he said. "I didn't show it in a 'reality TV show kind of way'. It was just that you have to explain where you were to explain where you are now and for people to understand why you're saying certain things. It was about showcasing 'oh, look what I did' - it was more about 'wow, how did I make it through that?
"Therapy is when I talk to my therapist. Talking to the media isn't therapeutic but it's definitely interesting to see the reaction and I definitely didn't feel strange to talk about it. Funnily enough, the only reaction that I really get is from people responding on social media. That and my mom was like 'why didn't you tell me?' - but you can't tell your mom all of the gory details."
Hammond added: "It was good, and 99% of people had no idea and it was nice to see so many of the younger generation not into stuff like that. Young people have always been curious but the thing I found out is that if you don't knock on doors then you don't get the information that you need. Then there's the 1% who just want to say something negative - that's just normal and it's fine. Whatever, if it makes people laugh, think or they don't pay attention at all, that's fine."
Albert Hammond JR in 2008 - the year before he entered rehab
Talking to NME earlier this month, Hammon said: "It was, like, oxycontin and cocaine at 24, 25, 26. and then I became [addicted to] heroin around then. So from 26, 27 'til 29. It's not so much that I wasn't in a happy place," he tells NME in their latest issue. "I was just... God knows where I was. I was just very high. That's where I was.
"I used to shoot cocaine, heroin and ketamine. All together. Morning, night, 20 times a day. You know, I was a mess," he adds. "I look back and I don't even recognise myself. I did my own thing."
Check back soon for more of our interview with Albert Hammond Jr
Albert Hammond Jr will release new EP, AHJ, on 8 October via Cult Records
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