BITE ME! Velvet Revolver Live

Velvet Revolver

At The Wiltern

I’ve never been a big GNR fan, nor have I ever been a huge STP fan either. What I didn’t like about GNR was Axl, and what I found unappealing about STP was the band’s lack of enthusiasm (Weiland excluded). However, in Velvet Revolver you get the best of both worlds -- GNR’s high energy and enthusiasm mixed with Weiland’s outlandish character.

I saw STP live once and was very disappointed because there was absolutely no chemistry between the members. Thankfully, that is not the case with Velvet Revolver. In fact, there’s loads of chemistry going on. Weiland’s Bowie meets Iggy stage persona meshes well with the bad ass boys of rock ‘n’ roll have to offer. Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum have been and still are a tight unit. These boys belong together and new addition Dave Kushner also fits like a glove. And, lets face facts people, there is no man better suited to front this band than Scott Weiland. The sexy, stylish frontman has the moves and knows what it takes to work a crowd, instead of pissing it off.

Velvet Revolver’s mind blowing set kicked off with “Sucker Train Blues” of their lethal debut, Contraband. Slash & Duff were decked out in their trademark hip-hugging leathers, and Weiland was his usual flamboyant self – sporting a feather boa and leather motorcycle cap. The sound system wasn’t the greatest, but the band was amazing nonetheless. Slash, the great guitar player that he is, shred just like the old days, while Dave pumped out the perfect complimentary riffs. Matt & Duff locked into the rhythm and never let up, while Weiland shook and twirled his hips like a male go-go dancer. The best part was…NO EGOS! No one hogged the spotlight. Each player was given equal opportunity to shine.

Velvet Revolver gave Hollywood what it needed – a double fisted shot of down & dirty rock ‘n’ roll. These bad boys did it up right and dished up a blazing set that consisted of a number of smokin’ hot tunes from Contraband, such as “Do It For The Kids,” “Set Me Free,” and Illegal I”. The boys also treated the crowd to a few GNR and STP tunes, all of which sounded so much better than their original forms. The encore began with “Slither” and was followed up by “Sex Type Thing,” and a few other surprises.

It’s so damn good to have great rock ‘n’ roll band back on the scene again. It’s what’s been seriously lacking in music lately. Whatever it takes, whatever you have to do, make sure you catch these guys at least once. If you miss it, you’ll be sorry. Because, honestly, it just doesn’t get better than this. -NIN