7:45 PM passes – “Where’s Weiland? Call his hotel room maybe he’s there” – can be heard over a security’s walkie. The start time continues to pass, 8:15, 8:30, until the piped in Cheap Trick music finally goes silent. Slash enters stage left, lights a cigarette and so begins the tour opener at Chicago’s Riviera Theater nestled in the Uptown neighborhood.
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Velvet Revolver
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 Entertainment
 Art
Riviera Theater
Chicago, Ill.
January 24, 2008
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Drama has always followed Scott Weiland and the boys of Velvet Revolver, 2008 seems to be no different. This year has barely begun and Weiland has already found a way to make headlines. First rumors came out that he is going to reunite with his Stone Temple Pilots band mates, and then he was a no show at their one-off gig at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Yet, the minute Weiland walks onto the stage all is forgotten. Say what you will, but Weiland is one hell of a front man, you just got to get him there.
Opening with the first two tracks from their latest CD, Libertad, the boys set out to give the crowd an introduction to an album they’ve done little to promote. In turn, the album hasn’t made a dent in the charts and many in attendance might be unaware its even existence. None the less, tonight the band showcases six new tunes through the course of the night.
“Did you have a good day…or a fuck this shit day?” Weiland addressing the crowd early into their set, before letting Slash step in center ring with his double neck acoustic guitar for a GN’R classic. That’s the advantage that VR has over other bands - their catalog. Not just the VR catalog, but that of their two former bands. You take Guns N’ Roses, Stone Temple Pilot and add the VR songs, and you have one great live show.
In the shadows, Matt Sorum, sitting at the drum kit, whistles the classic opening of the GN’R “Patience” as the crowd goes wild. Sorum might be the most under-rated member of the band, serving as both rhythm master and backing vocalists. Sorum tackles both duties strong and flawless and is the MVP of the night.
Slash nails the solo to “Patience” as Weiland delivers his best Axel Rose. The band follows the tune by introducing the crowd to two new tunes in a row, “She Builds Quick Machines” and “Get Out the Door.” The new songs deliver mix results and could be the simple fact of the crowd being unfamiliar with the new material. As with any band trying to showcase new material, fans can be fickle and are often biding their time for the hits.
During the Contraband song “Fall to Pieces”, Weiland catches a member in the audience giving him the finger. Weiland makes a few chosen comments as the band goes into yet another GN’R classic, “It’s so Easy.” Weiland takes the opportunity to make an example out of him during the lyrics, “I see you standing there-You think you’re so cool-Why don’t you just fuck off”. This brings great cheers to the crowd and becomes the perfect transition for a glorious bluesy Slash solo. Weiland satisfied, starts prancing around the stage like a flamboyant matador after a successful kill.
After a brief break, the band comes back for a four song encore. First up is Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” followed by the delicious GN’R, “Mr. Brownstone”. Weiland really sheds his skin for this one as the crowd creates a make shift mosh pit in the center of the floor. What year is it again?
The band keeps the heat up with the grunge ting of STP’s “Sex Type Thing”. Weiland really shines in his most heroin chic as he slithers around the stage like a demon possessed.
Closing the night, VR builds up the momentum until finally unleashing the now classic VR track, “Slither”. The stage is unable to contain the beast as Weiland pounces into the crowd. Tardy or not, Weiland knows how to entertain. Before you know it, he has scaled the walls until finally arriving into one of the opera boxes, sharing it with a sea of adoring female fans. One fan who can not contain herself, takes the opportunity to even lick the rail thin frontman.
It’s a perfect end to a night of great rock and roll tunes by the current super group of the moment. Let’s hope that even if the STP reunions are true, these guys make at least one more try at a third studio album. This band has everything you need to be one of the hottest bands out there today, and are a nice breather to the current formula of the British pop sound.
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geez
Written by Guest on 2008-02-06 07:44:21
no photos of Matt? What the heck. boo |
SOrry...
Written by publisher on 2008-02-06 11:27:13
It's true I failed there along with Dave Kushner. You get so absorbed tryign to nail a fun shot of Weiland that before you know it your 3 songs are done. Plus, Sorum is hiding in the back and can be a challenge to get as well. All drummers get screwed when it comes to photos. I even had this same conversation with Sorum at Sundance this year. We talked about getting me special access but nothing came of it....so you can blame Sorum. ;-D |
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