Velvet Revolver stepped onto the stage in the Konocti Field Amphitheater around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, to a melee of screaming fans anxious for the show to begin. With the opening act canceling, the night”s entertainment rested solely on the shoulders of the veteran rockers, who appeased the crowd with ease.
“You may be little,” frontman Scott Weiland said to the pool of screaming fans as he took centerstage, “but you”re packing a big punch!”
With a cigarette hanging from his lips, master-shredder Slash joined Weiland on stage, adorning his signature black top hat and round, purple tints, followed by fellow ex-Gunners Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. The five piece ensemble rounded out with backup guitarist Dave Kushner (who had played with McKagan in his band called Loaded) on the right hand side of the stage.
The stage was set in simple form and hosted the image of a woman, the same of which is depicted on the cover of VR”s “Contraband” album. The high energy possessed by the crowd was incomparable to that of Weiland, former Stone Temple Pilots frontman, who bounced around the stage letting the intensity of the music overcome him.
Weiland seems to have fallen comfortably into the demanding role of fronting an ensemble of such powerhouse musicians as the former Guns N Roses muscle. Although he is no Axl Rose, Weiland strutted the stage as if he was and even carried out the screeching vocal demands of such GNR songs as “Mr. Brownstone” and “It”s So Easy.” Weiland”s antics also showed the influence of Jim Morrison with the band”s awesome performance of the Doors” song, “Roadhouse Blues.” Equally impressive was Velvet Revolver”s Pink Floyd cover.
The spotlight, however, was easily stolen by heavy metal poster child, Slash, who gave fans a masterful example of his fingers” capabilities. Although obviously well aware of his impeccable talent, the persona Slash projected to the audience was one of confidence rather than conceit. He seemed to have known that the music he was sharing, held with it a gift in the experience of witnessing his talents live.
Along with the intense shredding of his guitar, Slash induced spine-tingling chills with the soft strum of the chords as the band delivered a mesmerizing performance of its song “Falling to Pieces.” Velvet Revolver”s song “Dirty Little Thing” picked up the pace and allowed for further head-banging in rhythm with the bone rattling rock and roll.
Velvet Revolver first exited the stage around 9:30 p.m. only to return twice, playing until 10:05 p.m.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
