Band revolves back to the days of rock 'n' roll

By NYRIE KARKAZIAN

Flames lit the floor of the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night as hundreds of fans held lighters high in the air awaiting Velvet Revolver's grand entrance.

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd as the band took the stage. Lead singer Scott Weiland immediately captured the audience’s attention the moment he strutted across the platform in his taut black pants and police cap.

Guitarist Slash walked on the stage rocking a brilliant red guitar. He had on leather pants and a cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth.

“We are Velvet Revolver and we play … rock and roll,” Weiland screamed after the first song.

Weiland used a megaphone during parts of some songs, holding the microphone at the other end, which gave his voice more of an electric sound. He was glamorously dressed in black and red, but shed most of his clothes, and halfway through the performance he was shirtless.

Gina Contreras, 19, said she's a huge fan and came just to see Slash.

“Scott Weiland is good for representing rock n' roll's edge and sexiness," Contreras said. "He represents sex, drugs and rock n' roll.”

Velvet Revolver consists of five musicians formerly of different rock bands. Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum are all former members of Guns ‘N’ Roses, a band that’s been considered as one of the greatest rock groups.

“It's all about Guns ‘N' Roses, but [Velvet Revolver is] still good, even though it’s not Axel Rose (on vocals)," Contreras said. "Axel's still with them in spirit."

In 2002, the three came together to play a benefit in remembrance of fellow musician and friend, Randy Castillo. According to the Velvet Revolver Web site, the members sensed a buzz while playing and being back together again.

"That chemistry never went away," McKagan said on the Web site.

After the benefit, the musicians joined forces with guitarist Dave Kushner, who has been in such bands as Wasted Youth, Electric Love Hogs and Jane’s Addiction. The four began making music but were still in need of a lead singer. Kushner said on the Web site that the search for the right singer was brutal.

"To front this band, we needed someone who was above and beyond, and we got one," Sorum said on the Web site.

McKagan had been spending time with Weiland and mentioned what they were doing. After hearing a CD of what the band had already done, Weiland, the former frontman for Stone Temple Pilots, decided to join the band.

Wednesday’s opening act was Hoobastank. It opened with “Crawling in the Dark,” one of the band’s most popular songs. Hoobastank ended its performance with one of its newest hits, “Same Direction.”

At the end of the night, the members of Velvet Revolver put out their cigarettes and left the stage.