A sold out crowd eagerly awaited the return of some of rock's greatest names in their new incarnation as the mighty Velvet Revolver. In the stalls of the Hammersmith Apollo, a sea of black T-Shirts collectively anticipated the rock n' roll spectacle that was to come. Just after 9 o clock, the lights dimmed and a mighty roar from the crowd welcomed the band to the stage...

Kicking off with album opener "Sucker Train Blues", from the start Velvet Revolver made it clear that they were here to rock! Scott Weiland proudly announced to the crowd "We are Velvet Revolver! We are not Guns N' Roses, we are not Stone Temple Pilots!" to thunderous applause and cheering. A tour of some of the album's best moments followed, including "Do It for the Kids", "Big Machine" and the obligatory power ballad, "Fall to Pieces". A couple of unexpected treats were also dished out, including 2 Pilots songs, "Sex Type Thing" and "Crackerman", both of which sounded completely fresh and could have been written for this band rather than the now defunct STP. Gunners fans were treated to "Used to Love Her" and "It's So Easy", the latter getting the biggest singalong of the night. Of course we were treated to the VR staples also, "Set Me Free" and "Slither" both delivered with energy and power.

Throughout it all, Slash kept his trademark hair hanging down, cigarette in mouth as he delivered the riffs and solos. He and Duff have lost none of their chemistry, the 2 of them often standing a foot away facing one another, feeding off each other's energy and enthusiasm. Matt Sorum kept a steady beat up the back and Dave Kushner (the guy no one knows) did an admirable job of dishing out the dirty rock n' roll riffs. Up front Weiland proved himself quite the frontman, prancing around the stage in leather pants and a policeman's hat that would have looked more at home in Oxford St than a rock gig.

All in all, Velvet Revolver proved one main thing to the the punters tonight, that they are a brand new band who plan to stay around, and they rocked harder and better than most bands 15 years their junior. Poseurs like The Darkness take note: THIS is how you do Rock n' Roll.

Review by Gaw aka Evil G aka the Metal Master

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