Velvet Revolver Record Release Show

A recent article in Spin magazine talked about how the idea of the "rockstar" was dead and gone. Well on July 5th the rockstar in all its glory was alive and well at the Whiskey A-Go-Go on sunset. The Whiskey hosted the record release party of Velvet Revolver. The band comprised of three members of Guns and Roses and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots released their second disc "Libertad" earlier this month and decided to celebrate with a live show on the sunset strip. The release of this second effort from this "supergroup" seemed in doubt as band tension, a change of producers and a lack of musical direction seemed to plague the group. There had also been rumors of a couple band members slipping into old bad habits with regards to substance abuse. All of these issues seemed non existent as the group took the stage and quickly took command of the historic Hollywood nightclub.

Weiland is the consummate rock and roll frontman. He sang, danced, shimmed and slithered across the stage, all the while pushing the band and himself vocally, to new heights. Slash is still a master guitarist firmly immersed in the blues rock tradition. His style seems to be expanding thanks to the alternative rock push of rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner. The band powered through tunes from their latest disc and their first offering Contraband. The audience was also treated to songs from the Stone Temple Pilots/G n' R catalog along with a rocked up version of The Talking Heads classic, "Psycho Killer".

From the energy of the live performance it is clear that this band has found its stride. While some of the lyrics and songs might sound a tad cliché ("like transformers girl there's more than meets the eye") one has to remember these rock veterans invented these clichés and have more than enough street credibility to use them. The idea of the rockstar is dead? Don't tell that to Velvet Revolver. To paraphrase Mr. Weiland, "they are a rock and roll band and they play mother f*&kin rock and roll!" As the band grows tighter this supergroup is well on its way to becoming a superb group.