Lisa Verrico
2 for 1 tickets to Casablanca, this coming Monday

They sound like a band whose rock clock stopped ticking in the late 1970s, and dress like guys whose last shopping trip was in 1986. Yet in one respect Velvet Revolver are thoroughly modern musicians. An ongoing spat between the singer Scott Weiland and drummer Matt Sorum has been taking place not backstage, but in blogs. Catty comments about commitment, maturity and Weiland’s recent stint in rehab have pinged back and forth, with Slash, the guitarist, occasionally sticking an oar in. Last week Weiland announced that this would be Velvet Revolver’s final tour.
Weiland found fame fronting those grunge stars Stone Temple Pilots, while Slash, Sorum and the bassist Duff McKagan were members of the mighty Guns N’ Roses. In London, the American supergroup showed few signs of either friction or friendship. They arrived in the dark, struck up a raucous Let It Roll to an explosive light show and didn’t let up on the aural attack for almost an hour.
On record, Velvet Revolver’s classic rock suffers from a lack of variety. Live, their powerful sound, precision playing and preening, peacock moves allow them some leeway. In particular, Weiland’s tortured, but melodic howl gave musically similar songs a distinct identity.
But it was the singer’s soul that proved Velvet Revolver’s most valuable asset. Slash could still cause a stir with his solos – although for the past decade, they have sounded as tired as his trademark outfit of top hat and leathers has looked – but all the former Guns guys played with more professionalism than passion. But the sparrow-legged Weiland, sporting disintegrating jeans, sang as if his life depended on it. Striking surfer poses on top of an amp and strutting hands-on-hips Jagger-style, he gave no sense of pretence in his performance.
When the tempo slowed for a fabulous The Last Fight, from their current album Libertad, a grinding Interstate and the classic Guns N’ Roses ballad Patience, Weiland and Slash subtly struggled to steal each other’s limelight. But by the time they closed with Slither, their debut single and still their best song, they seemed happy to share it.
In May, Weiland is due to tour with a reformed Stone Temple Pilots. While he debates which band he wants to be in, he should splash some of that reunion cash on a new pair of trousers.
— Thursday March 27, Brighton Centre
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I was at both Brixton gigs and was in the 2nd row between Scott and Slash on the 2nd night. Being so close made me realise why the sound guys seemed to have turned Scott's mike right down. A lot of the time he didn't seem to know the words and just seemed to be moving his mouth or singing other lyrics.
While I still loved the concerts, they weren't the most outstanding gigs I've ever attended.
Sarah, London,
I was at Brixton and was looking forward to this gig. But I was bitterly dissapointed by the lack of vocal strength. This was either the guitar/drum sound drowning out the singer or the singer not strong enough. Still not sure. But when a few slower/ballad style songs were played we could hear the front man. It was a shame because both albums are fantastic but maybe better in the studio. There are lots of guitar sounds when listiening on cd but not much could be picked up on the night. But patience was fantastic along with The last Fight. Still great to see Slash and the ex GNR boys play.
Nick , guildford, UK
I was at the Brighton gig. Sound and atmosphere are at best average at the Brighton Centre - I think they need a new PA...... So this was the 2nd time I've seen VR; loved them both times - 'tho even allowing for the venue this week was not so good as Hammersmith last year. That said I just can't see how people think they were SO bad - what are they being compared against (that you can go and seen in 2008 on a Thursday night in a local venue for £40)? I'm more of a punk than rock fan - but VR still blow me away. I'm not into noodling but I love watching Slash - and Scott's front man act is world class - few 2008 front men can equal him for showmanship. And seeing the G'n'R rhythm section as tight as they should be after these years was just fantastic. Gig was a bit stodgy in the middle - first and last 30 mins were top; at least half of the VR tracks are really really great. Worked for me....!
John, Guildford, England
I saw the Brighton gig and thought that Scott's vocals lacked any depth, in fact you could hear Matt and Duffs backing vocals over his quite often. At one stage I thought a sound man was controlling his mic as more then once his mouth was moving but you couldn't hear anything. I thought as a gig it was fairly poor, although the GNR numbers stuck out, and Fall to Pieces was epic and seeing Matt, Duff in Slash in your home town was pretty special.. Not the chattiest band you'll ever see.
Tim, Brighton,
I think that velvet revolver have some of the best chemistry from the start and libertad there new album shows there great talent of writing music with each other I think it would be a really massive shame if they split up so if they read this i really hope you dont split
henry , oxted, england
I saw Velvet Revolver in the Brighton centre on the 26th March and i thought they were nothing short of incredible. I went in with no previous knowledge of them and left deaf and happy. Superb.
karl, brighton,
i saw them at at birminingham on the 23 and thought they were amazing every think was brill they played for at least 2 hours and every song rocked the crowd went mad just like they should when a graet rock band are playing ive seen them twice be fore and this was by far the best ive seen them im not a big fan of scott but he did sing great and the rest of the guys just did what they do best look good and rock with the best of them they are the best band around at the moment and no other comes close
mark, worcester, england
I saw Velver Revolver on 26 March at Brixton, and quite frankly, it was the worst performance from a major rock act that I have ever seen. In fact, it was the only rock show ever I have left well before encores because it was so bad. For the record, I was a music writer 1986-96 and interviewed both Slash (95) and Duff (91).
Kulta Turbo Platina, London, UK
I was at the Birmingham gig (Carling Academy - terrible venue - unless you get there early you can't see anything). The band played with professionalism, but only Scott Weiland seemed to put any real effort into the show. He's a great frontman, and he really engaged with the audience, who loved him. They also loved Slash, but I think more because of his iconic status than his playing. The solos are boring and unimaginative, and he appears to have lost his creative steam.
They also went on too long, and I left just before the end, having seen enough. They are the rock version of a football team struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Steve, Warwick,
I've been in both dates @ Carling Academy Brixton...
The show was amazing.To be honest I don't like Scott as a singer but I have to admit that he is a brilliant performer.
And comments like "the worst band I have ever heard" don't even have any connection with the reality.
The sound was better on the second day.
These band is the only good thing that happened to rock n roll for this decade.
Slash,Duff and Matt still rock and they are tight and play better more than ever.
argyris, LONDON, U.K.
I saw velvet revolver at brixton tuesday 25th March 2008. They were without exception the worst rock band I have ever heard, sorry heard, I mean endured. Weiland is incredibly overrated and not even a match for the much maligned Rob Halford, in fact halford would have worked bettter. The only class element was slash but so cliched now is his stance and style that even seeing for the fist time an axe demi God did not tempt me to stay. Go back home and dis-band for the love of rock..PLEASE
tAILOR, SOUTHEND,
In a word - amazing
Helen Gossling, Bournemouth, England