June 18, 2004 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater

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General Information

Date: June 18, 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Venue: Verizon Wireless Theater; 520 Texas Avenue; Houston, TX 77002 [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: (713) 230-1600
Additional Info: This show was filmed professionally for the VR DVD.

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do It for the Kids
• Headspace
• Crackerman
• Illegal I
• It's So Easy
• Fall To Pieces
• Big Machine
• Set Me Free
• Used to Love Her
• Slither
• Sex Type Thing
• Mr. Brownstone
• Negative Creep

Reviews (18) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Houston show ]

Thanks to Mjcv26: Awsome show! I can't wait till the next concert in Texas. The concert was very loud, hey thats what V.R. is all about.
100% Coolness, ok I'm done.
I know this is a late response coming from 2008. My Bad.

Thanks to Laila: Oh my gosh the Houston concert rocked!! I loved to here that out of all the shows so far Houston had the most females there. The lights, cameras, the sound, yells and the smell of pot brought everything in to perspective. It was the best rock concert in history. Can't wait for the next one keep on rockin guys.

Thanks to Troy Greene: The show was great Scott sang perfect! The sound was perfect! And Slash was awesome. The whole was fantasic I hope to see them again but I'm sure they won't be in a 2900 cap venue again Everybody went ape shit when they started playing (It's So Easy, Used To Love Her, Mr. Brownstone, Sex Type Thing) truly a to rememeber thank you guys. Keep on rockin

Thanks to Samuel Barker: When you’re a reviewer or hardcore music fan who sees 40-50 shows a year, it is rare that you see a show that keeps your attention for the entire set. Even rarer is a show that leaves you wanting more. This night was a really rare show.

In 75 minutes, Velvet Revolver tore through the majority of their album and of course, some well placed covers from the members’ former bands. The setlist alone is of epic proportion musically, but when you add in the showmanship and energy of the band, you are left with a band that illustrates what great rock is all about.

Coming off a cancellation in Austin due to Scott Weiland coming down with bronchitis, there was a question of the set’s quality as fans entered the building. These questions were quickly extinguished when 5 figures came out of the shadows and kicked into Sucker Train Blues.

Bassist Duff McKagan began with a chugging bass line which was quickly accompanied by guitarists Slash and Dave Kushner. As drummer Matt Sorum kicked in, Weiland slithered across the stage to retrieve his microphone. With a single wail, questions disappeared and bodies began to move. The show had begun.

As the band tore through four of the songs from their debut album, Contraband, Slash fell to his knees to complete blazing solo after another while McKagan ran from end to end on the stage taunting audience members who happily played along with high-pitched screams and cheers.

Without a word, the band kicked into a Stone Temple Pilots classic, Crackerman. Weiland took no time to gather his megaphone for the push/pull choruses in the song. This was one of two STP covers performed on the night, the other being a blistering version of Sex Type Thing to close the first encore. The edge of Sex Type Thing came off sharper than it had ever seemed before on this night.

Of course, there were some Guns n’ Roses songs thrown into the mix. The first of which was It’s So Easy, which saw Weiland’s voice drop down to mimic Axl Rose’s vocals. The highlight of the song was tightness shown between McKagan, Slash, Kushner and Sorum. The song hit with bone crushing ferocity as each downstroke was met with a hard snare.

There were also a few relaxing moments in the set, which gave the audience a bit to sing along rather than jump wildly. Fall to Pieces brought the night to life, but not as much as a back porch version of Used to Love Her. With the band lounged around on the stage and Slash opening the first encore with his top hat and cigarette that had become iconic during his Guns n’ Roses days, the audience went wild for this old favorite.

The band ripped through a set and two encores leaving nothing behind as they finally closed with a cover of Nirvana’s Negative Creep, which blew the night open. With chants of 'more' the band retreated to the backstage and the lights came up. There was not a person in the house who wanted this night to end, but happily the audience filed out giving hi-fives to each other and adding in their commentary on the night. This night moved beyond concert and became an experience.

Thanks to Evan: Absolutely incredible, I know this will be the only time that people will be able to actually get so close to this band. Big venues are next I guarantee it. To have Scott and Slash singing and playing so close you can touch them, Scott's moves onstage are insane. He is definately the greatest frontman in rock.

Thanks to John Williams: All I can say is: Fuck ya!!! This was definately the most intense rock show I've ever been too. We were on the front row. Dave handed me a pic towards the end of the show. It was great. The crowd was so into it too, which made the band explode even more. I hope it truly was recorded for a dvd release.

Thanks to Babar: Alright the starting band sucked bad. Velvet Revolver took the stage late but it was worth it..the show was amazzzzing!!! It was just freaking out of this world and my highlight of the show I got the drum stick!!! I was standing front row through out center stage and Slash did most of the solos there I could reach out and almost touch the headstock of his guitar, I caught the towel too but this other girl and her boy friend both grabbed it with me and the guard let them take it. The guy left of me caught the guitar pick the guy right of me caught the other stick and by second encore I was pissed I wasn't getting anything until the drummer came and actually handed it to me !!! Scott was right in front of me most of time and in Negative Creep when he was on his knee and singing just awesome!!! Slither was out of this world... Velvet Revolver rocked!!! Amazing concert ...

Thanks to Viet Doan Special to the Houston Chronicle: Three members of Velvet Revolver (guitar god Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum) did something Friday evening at Verizon Wireless Theater that their previous group, Guns N' Roses, could not do nearly two years ago - show up.

The last time their last band with a similar plushy-pistol moniker was slated to perform in Houston was December 2002. In true rock-star fashion, Axl Rose canceled the post-apocalyptic GNR tour, leaving fans disappointed and restless.

Whatever happened to Axl? Friday's sold-out, claustrophobic crowd - from frat boys to 40-somethings - did not know and did not care, for there's a new voice worthy of worship.

The head of this Frankenstein of an übergroup is former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland.

Slash's high school buddy Dave Kushner, a journeyman guitarist from outfits such as Wasted Youth and Electric Love Hogs, contributed the rhythmic-texture limb.

If the camera crew did not tip the audience of a monstrous performance by taping it for a future DVD, then the locomotive grooves of McKagan and Sorum did.

Razor-thin McKagan and his machine-gun bass commanded the 90-minute set, starting with Sucker Train Blues, which immediately fixed fans to their feet. The song is also the first on their debut Contraband, which has scored Billboard's No. 1 slot.

Sorum's Thor-like upper torso hammered out commanding poundings to his arsenal of cymbals and thumping drums.

The giant gong looming behind him received a salvo of smacks later in the show.

Weiland's sidewinder slithering onstage and streamlined singing to Do It for the Kids belied his bout with bronchitis, which forced the group to cancel the previous night in Austin.

"Let's all go it hog-wild," Weiland sang as he strutted like a peacock with his trusty bullhorn to accent choruses.

The blistering rock-blues solos that define Slash were not as abundant as some fans hoped, but he still made his sunburst Les Paul speak with a Frampton-esque talk box to a solo for Illegal I Song.

Nearly every song was highlighted by the guitar genius on his knees, offering his musical weapon to the gods of rock.

And what would a Velvet Revolver show be without a peppering of GNR and STP oldies-but-goodies?

Slash's upright guitar and Kushner's shredding gave everyone neck aches from boundless headbanging to the GNR staple It's So Easy.

A frenzied fury also ensued when the group tore into STP smash Sex Type Thing.

Nostalgics went ballistic when Slash donned his trademark top-hat-and-cigarette combo before the entire ensemble, shirtless and sweaty, sat down for a lighthearted jam of ditty Used To Love Her.

Slither, currently No. 1 on Billboard's mainstream rock tracks chart, snaked its way late into the lineup. The high-octane hit gripped spectators like a vise, lovingly chewed 'em up and spat 'em out.

There was an undeniable chemistry onstage. Not one song excluded group members leaning on one another's backs, arms on shoulders - Slash even kissed Weiland on the cheek during power ballad Fall to Pieces!

The show crescendoed to an end with Sorum unabashedly bashing his gong, band mates tossing their last reserves of sticks and picks to the crowd, and howling police sirens.

Let us pray Friday's cohesiveness and apparent sobriety keep real-life sirens from visiting this brooding beast of rock.

Thanks to LadyHavok: I have been to a lot of concerts over the years, I've even seen STP three times, but last night at the Velvet Revolver show, I experienced the best show of my entire life. They are what rock and roll is all about. Everyone in the band was incredible and Scott...oh...Scott...his voice was so strong and so flawless! He performed with such passion and love for his music! They all did. I know "Slither" is the song "everyone knows", but when they did it, the crowd went nuts. It gave me goosebumps...the intensity of the crowd's reaction! And when they did "Fall To Pieces", I got chills around my heart. You know the ones you get that feel like a ghost just passed through you. I cannot find the words to express how amazing the show was. Thank you, Velvet Revolver. When the concert was over, I honestly thanked God that Scott was still alive.

Thanks to Dallas: HOLY SHIT!!! What a bad ass show! My friend Charlie and I were front row baby on Slashs side. This was my first time to ever see Slash in person and it was just amazing with him being my idol and all (ha).

The show was so awesome because these guys are such performers and well because there Velvet Fuckin Revolver and they play rock 'n' roll!!! I hope everybody gets to see them up close like I did and from now on I will never miss a Velvet Revolver show in Houston! Or Texas? Everybody rock on!!! Oh yeah and we're on the DVD footage HELL YEAH!

Thanks to Dustin Beard: Last night was the coolest show I have ever seen. Over the past few months I have seen The Darkness and The Wildhearts, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick, Kiss and Poison. The best show I'd ever seen was The Darkness and it was at Verizon too. However...that's until Velvet Revolver hit the stage. They kicked our ass all over the damn arena. The highlight for me came when Slash threw out his first pick and it landed right at my feet and me and 2 other guys searched on the ground all over the thing. After about of minute rolling around in beer and whatever else was on that ground I got! So yes I own Slash's pick, and it's the hardest pick I have ever seen. Newayz the show was unreal. I figured they would be moving a lot, but they were all over the stage. Also at the beginning of Mr. Brownstone, Matt teased us with the drum intro from "You Could Be Mine". The encores were amazing. Slash is funny as hell. Scott is by far the more entertaining front man in the business and probably the last 10 years. Damn and his dancing is awesome. Slash's talk box was bad ass. Their cover of Sex Type Thing was so much better than STP ever did I thought. Duff's bass solo during it was awesome. They did not let up one bit. I have never seen a cooler crowd. Besides that one dude Scott threw out, everybody was their rockin out and having a good time. No assholes at all. Best concert I have ever been too. It sucks I'm 19 and now I have seen the best show of my life...Ah well it fuckin' rocked! Overall on a scale of 1 to 10 I give the show a 1000.

Thanks to John Estes: A Velvet Revolver show is the state of rock n' roll. I saw them on June 12th at the KROQ Weenie Roast. Velvet Revolver was only allowed 30 minutes to play but it was an appetitizer for what was about to happen in Houston.

The Houston show was an explosion of hard rock that I haven't seen in years. The band is hella-tight and having the best time of their lives. It's obivious that if you don't see Velvet Revolver on this tour you will never get to see them in a small venue again. This is a super group that can adapt more than well to the club shows, but when you see them live you'll see why their next tour will be a stadium tour. Every one in Houston got to see the band close up and personal. The place must only hold 3000 and the band had the freedom to run all over the theater. Their Contraband material is unbelievable live. The band jammed to Set Me Free for ten minutes. At one point Dave and Slash were alternating playing solo's and play rythmn, it was like a dueling guitar solo. "Slither" is what every Guns fan has been waiting for, but live it takes on something that you know is rock anthem. "Fall to Pieces" surely to be a huge single is a concert show piece. The Slash guitar solos are truly amazing and show why he is loved by guitarist everywhere. I wanted to mention the Contraband material first, cause I didn't want to take away from their awesome new material when I mention their GNR and STP songs. But needless to say hearing Matt play the "You Could Be Mine" drum intro prior to leading into Mr. Brownstone and hearing "Sex Type Thing" with 2 Guitars is too much. "Used to Love her","It's so Easy", "Crackerman", Nirvana's "Negative Creep" were legendary and are worth the ticket price alone. I seriously doubt that you are going to find a better rock performance on this planet. I got my ticket for 21 dollars plus a 9 dollar ticketmaster bullshit fee. Scalpers were taking no less than 100 on the street. Be wary of taking a chic to see this band, I'd say there is a pretty good chance they'll take her home with them. Scott Weiland puts every fucking girl in the place into a trance.

Buy their fucking album and go see them in concert or stop listening to ROCK-N-ROLL. Also help whoever runs this site because it is the best band site I have ever seen. Long Live Velvet Revolver!! I'm out

Thanks to Snappa: If you go to one show this year, make it Velvet Revolver. This band is absolutly incredible! The energy was top notch. These guys were soaken wet by the second song (it was very hot in the joint). The sound was excellent and we were 7ft from the stage. Scott is a hell of a leadman and sounded like he got over his throat problem without a hitch, sorry Austin! However, Slash is the man, live. Feghedda bout it!!

He did this solo where he mimicked every word out of his mouth with the exact sound from his guitar. He had a duet with his guitar, freakin great. Kickass show all around. I took my son to his first show last night (he's 14) and I think he is screwed. For the rest of his life he will judge every concert he goes to by being 5th row Velvet Revolver. A lot of concerts are going to suck in his future. Sorry son. Not! Thanks Velvet Revolver!

Thanks to Big Nasty: Last night, I experienced an exorcism at the V-R show. Verizon Wireless Theater was cleaned of all demons left behind from Generation Next lame assed bands who couldn't bring the house down with a backpack full of C-4. Not only did these living legends kick us in our teeth with a wall of "get the fuck out of my way" rock. They were freakin relentless and reminded us that the future of rock isn't bleak as long as Velvet Revolver continues to lead by example.

Thanks to Phyllis: What an amazing show!! I was 3' from the stage the whole night. The engery level that they all had was incredible and Scott has not lost his touch. The music was great. From STP, to Guns and Roses to Velvet Revolver's own amazing music. They had camera crews all over the place taping their DVD. The bodies were surfing one after another over my head. I have been to many a concerts but have never in my life experienced what I experienced last night. These guys all belong together and this band is going to make it big!! I love Velvet Revolver!!!!

Thanks to Jason Whiteman: I can say is this show is a must see! Awesome! So much energy..this is a real rock & roll band! The setlist was the same as previous shows. The GNR & STP songs got a huge reaction, but so did most of the new songs...Set Me Free, Slither, Fall to Pieces... Scott's voice sounded great. I was wondering if they would postpone this show since they did the Austin show the day before. All the guys looked and sounded great. Scott talked about how this venue was where STP had their last show and broke up, which led to the beginnings of Velvet Revolver. Can't wait until these guys come back and play a little longer!

Thanks to Omar Yousef: The show was pure magic with 2 encores. The setlist was most of Contraband, STP's Sex Type Thing and a GNR song. The opening band was ok not great. The show overall was the best thing Duff kicked the show off and Matt did a little solo with the drums and it was cool. The crowd was very involved and went crazy when the band played Big Machine. Also did I mention we where able to get the privledge to be in a new Velvet Revolver video there was a disclaimer saying that RCA is not responisble for your image used in a form of publicity etc.. The show was from 8 to 10:30 and it ROCKED. Only problem was someone threw some beer at a camera and Scott stoped the show said who did it the people told got free backstage passes. Awesome show, great crowd.

Thanks to T-Man: First of all let me start off with they filmed the Houston show for a DVD, that's right a DVD. They went on around 9:20 and got offstage at around 10:45. There were 10 cameras there and the show was the shit, man Scott was mesmerizing..."oh my god what a show" and I have been to hundreds of shows and the boys were right on and Scott sounded great by the way and very lively. It was same set list as all the other shows..I cannot say enough about our band Velvet Revolver in that I'm excited for the future. Scott said it was Houston in the dressing room where STP got in a fight and ended it all... he also said that a few years back having an album go #1 wouldn't be a big deal but right now it's a very big fucking deal. Fall To Pieces was awesome ending with Scott and Slash with their arms on each others shoulder's and then Slash kissed Scott on the cheek...there's definitely chemistry on stage while their playing such as leaning on one anothers backs and jamming. We won't see the last of Velvet Revolver for a long time to come!! I give their show a 10!! Energy I give it an 11!!!Thanks Velvet Revolver for such a kick ass show!!!!!