July 31, 2004 - Latrobe, PA - Westmorelands Fairgrounds

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General Information

Date: July 31, 2004
Location: Latrobe, PA
Venue: Westmorelands Fairgrounds; RT # 5 Mt. Pleasant Rd.;Latrobe, PA 15601 [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: 1-877-9LATROBE
Additional Info: Velvet Revolver joins Staind, Disturbed, N.E.R.D., The Crystal Method, Hoobastank, Sevendust, Finch, Finger Eleven, Three Days Grace and more at Rolling Rock 5.0 Festival

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do It For The Kids
• Headspace
• Big Machine
• Fall To Pieces
• Set Me Free
• Mr. Brownstone
• Sex Type Thing
• Slither
• Surrender

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

Thanks to Olivia Smith: I thought it was awesome. I hadn't really known a lot of their songs or anything I just knew Slither because of the video. And when I saw them at Rolling Rock I immediatly like fell in love with the band! They rocked. So the next day I went out and bought the CD and listened to it non-stop! I love Velvet Revolver and can't wait to see them again!

Thanks to Kerrang! Magazine: Latrobe, Pennsylvania is the kind of place where bands find out what the real America thinks of them. Many an over-inflated ego has been burst in unglamorous, shit-kicking Midwest backwaters like this, where metropolitan cool means fuck all compared to the basic, old-fashioned ability to rack a crowd to their short and curlies.

Luckily that latter qualification has never been a problem for the likes of Slash, Duff McKagan and Scott Weiland, and tonight's no exception. Despite their age and their years of science-defying excess, the two ex Gunners are up on the foldback speakers from the first notes of 'Sucker Train Blues' with the enthusiasm of teenagers playing their first gig at school assembly, while guitarist Dave Kushner and drummer Matt Sorum attack their instruments as if they've made uncomplimentary remarks aboll+ their mothers.

But the star of the show is unmistakably Scott Weiland. Admittedly, there are a few bemused looks in the crowd when practically his first words to them are a surreal rant about the media ("Locusts! Fucking Locusts! The fucking mosquitoes who try to feed off my agony!"). but whatever strange mania drives this man, a few other frontmen could do with a dose.

Strutting and swaggering around like some alien dictator delivering a victory speech, even Slash's effortlessly iconic presence can't upstage him. This despite the top-hatted one's typically stratospheric centre-stage solo during forthcoming single'Fall To Pieces', greeted by 'we are not worthy' genuflecting from the mosh-pit.

When Weiland runs through a gangway in the crowd out to the sound desk in the middle of the arena followed by a spotlight, it's the kind of trick only a seasoned showman could pull off without looking like a wanker and it makes the show feel like a proper arena event rather than just a good festival show. Whereas for the initial few songs only a minority at the front are mashing at first, by the time the penultimate song 'Slither' (This was not me! Ems) blazes out of the PA, the best part of 18,000 people are stamping in the mud and throwing horned salutes.

It doesn't hurt that they've been warmed up by two old favourites from our heroes' illustrious back catalogues. Stone Temple Pilots "Sex Type Thing' seems to have an extra injection of vicious intent behind it, while the one Guns song played tonight turns out to be a highly symbolic choice. When Weiland puts his arm round Slash to sing that famous chorus 'We've been dancin' with Mister Brownstone..: it's a snapshot of two people who've come to terms with their chequered pasts. And on this evidence, they're carving out a seriously exciting future.

Thanks to Missy 499: Velvet Revolver totally rocked!! They were phenomenal!

Fantastic, I wish they would come back to PA or OH this year. They played for at least an hour. Scott ran into the middle of the crowd, Slash jammed. Velvet Revolver played Mr Brownstone by GNR and Sex Type Thing by STP. The rest were their own songs. The guys sounded great. If you get the opportunity to see them live, take it. Velvet Revolver rocks!!

Thanks to Autumn: This show was awesome, despite the short setlist. All of the bands were good, but I mainly went to see the boys from Velvet Revolver. The other reviews pretty much sum it up, but I'd like to say that seeing these guys together was like a priceless moment in rock history for me. They controlled the crowd like no one else could. Everybody knew all of the songs and totally rocked out-mud and all. This was the best rock show I have ever seen and I can't wait to see them again and again.

Thanks to Jimmy Anderson: The show was completely kick ass and a great way to end a day of (for the most part) kick ass music. It was all muddy and Slash jumped off the stage and played guitar standing in the mud right in front of the pit. Totally awesome.

Thanks to Whirlwind Girl: How many times can you say "wow", "amazing", "awesome" and "phenomenal"? I saw these guys in Philadelphia May 28, and I just had to see them again. Now that I've listened to the CD a few hundred times and memorized all the lyrics, it made the show in Latrobe that much more fun. Let's not even forget that mudslide! ha ha. I looked at my bright green shirt and tan capris and then looked at all the mud people. I was just too clean so down I went. It was great!

I got up to the 4th row of sweaty muddy boys and was to the right of Slash's mic. Not as close as Phillie but hey, I was there and I was close enough. The fellas around me hadn't seen Velvet Revolver yet, so I took it upon myself to give them the review I read on this site from Sayerville. One guy said,"Yeah, but I want to see the hat". I said,"Dude, not only do they bring the hat out, Slash wears it." I ran off the set list from last night and told them about the May show. They couldn't believe it. Seeing their faces as Velvet Revolver played was so great. There were no skeptics left! The crowd went wild! There were a lot of people who sang along to not only the singles of Set Me Free and Slither, but to Suckertrain Blues, Do It For the Kids, Big Machine and Headspace. 4 very strong songs.

So to the Velvet Revolver boys I say thank you once again, and I cannot wait til you come back to the States.

Thanks to Serpico: Slash's top hat got a bigger response then 1/2 the bands there!!! I'm not exaggerating. Velvet Revolver is amazing, a 4 hour drive well worth it to push up to the front row. After waiting 10 years to hear Sex Type Thing in person....good Lord. Sucker Train Blues was out of control. Surrender was beautiful. Scott is in my prayers, leave the guy the fuck alone and let him rock. I can't wait till they get back to the U.S, they are the rock band for today.

Thanks to Sherry: I wanted to let everyone know that this was a fabulous day! Rain, mud and all. Everything had such a rock and roll vibe. Most of the bands that played were surprisingly good. I didn't have much interest in seeing anyone except Velvet Revolver but I was quite impressed. Finger Eleven was good and Three Days Grace was quite impressive. I didn't like Finch but I loved the fight. Disturbed jumped the band as soon as the revolving stage turned to face the crowd, just so everyone could watch. There were about 20 involved in this brawl (including the security crew). A lot of hard punches were thrown and there were guitars swinging at peoples heads. It was definitely a rock show! The sound quality of Hoobastank and Sevendust was excellent and the crowd loved them. I thought that Disturbed was good, they played all their hits - the crowd was rocking out hard. Staind played good - I just don't think that they would have been a good headlining band for this show, the singer doesn't have much of a stage performance (none at all) but their guitarist rocked out! Thank goodness that Velvet Revolver was added to the list because they are rock gods!

I stood up in the pit for 10 hours waiting to see Velvet Revolver up close and it sure paid off. Covered in mud and standing in 4 inches of water I was able to be closer to Velvet Revolver then I ever dreamed. These men are true rock stars! Their presence was immense when they walked out on the stage.

Bryan Pounds pretty much covered the basic details of the show. The things that I can add is that Slash jumped down off the stage twice (once on each side) and rocked out the people in the front few rows. Scott also jumped off the stage once and went down the middle of the crowd. Security was very tight around them during this time. One thing that I noticed was that Scott was hitting an inhaler during the show. I saw him do it twice and after the second time he lit a cigarette immediately afterwards. Scott sounded amazing and looked amazing. Everything just seemed to be falling in line for the band. When Scott started Sex Type Thing saying "Here I come, I come, I come" the crowd went nuts. When he finished the song he stated "I came, I came, I came". He did use the megaphone during a few of the songs too. Slash lost his shirt during the performance and so did Scott. Slash added in his signature top hat and cigarette in the mouth. It was just like seeing GNR back in the day. I couldn't believe how good Duff and Slash looked and performed. It was as if no time elapsed since the late '80's. I really concentrated on Duff, Slash and Scott so I can't say much for Matt and Dave, I just couldn't take my eyes of the other three. The set list did seem a little short but I could have watched them for hours and hours. Velvet Revolver kicked ass and being up front fulfilled a long time dream that I have had - and I wasn't the least bit disappointed. I took A LOT of pictures and I will get them up here in a few days. Thank you Velvet Revolver and Rolling Rock for a day that will last in my memory as one of the best days of my life.

Thanks to Kris: Fucking awesome! I've been dying to see both Scott and Slash! Their stage presence, sound, style, everything was just absolutely amazing! When I heard members of my two favorite bands were joining forces I was just blown away. Everyone was just full of energy and all into the crowd. These guys definately left a great impression on Pennsylvania. I just wish they were touring more in the NorthEast. I just want to thank Velvet Revolver for the great expierence. Thank you Velvet Revolver! Can't wait for more!

Thanks to Smoking Guns: I came from Alabama to see this show. And I am glad I made the trip. The weather did suck for much of the day. 90% of the people were covered from head to toe in mud. You had to drink beer in a seperate area from the concert. That kind of sucked. But onto my review of my most anticipated concert in some time for me. Velvet Revolver rocked. It was awesome. When Slash jumped off the stage was a highlight for me. He was all over the place but played perfect. The set was just way too short!!!! But what they played was good. Still no mix on the song selection. Still no "You Got No Right," or LTA. Weiland put on such a bad ass show. He is such a great frontman. Even though I am a GNR fanatic, it was Sex Type Thing that made the place go nuts. Everyone was clapping in unison and Scott got everyone quiet. Then the place exploded again. It was great. Just sucks that it is STP and GNR songs that everyone goes nuts over. Headspace was great, but where was Superhuman? Just seeing Slash, Duff, and Matt in this forum with the huge crowd was enough for me. It was a great show and they were really tight. Can't wait for the fall tour!!

Thanks to Will: WOW! I have read everything, and hoped all of the reviews were true and I was not let down. I got right in front, first row, in the pit during Hoobastank, and stayed there for the end. Disturbed was great (they kicked ass, literally, Finch knows what I mean). David (head singer, beat the shit out of a couple of them).

Anyway, to Velvet Revolver. Same beginning. STB, DIFTK, then Headspace, where Scott started screaming before hand "Those fucking locusts. I hate those motherfucking locusts. Fucking mosquitos. The media keeps fucking with me." It ended with him saying the are trying to "fuck with him and his family again" and how this song is about that. Headspace. My highlight for the night. He poured everything he had into that.

Big Machine kicked ass, Fall to Pieces was incredible, as well as Set Me Free (extra ending), Mr. Brownstone (drum into, but Matt didn't play the whole drum into to You Could Be Mine), incredible Sex Type Thing (with Scott before hand standing on his monitor with the megaphone saying "here I come, I come, I come). At the end of STT, he organized the crowd to make noise, and then would lower his arms and crouch to make the crowd quiet, only to jump up again. He did this three times.

Finally Slither, with Slash in front of the pit, two feet away (but on the other side of us), playing his solo (second time he did that for the night. Both on the same side. SHARE THE WEALTH! ).

The final song was "Surrender". Scott announced the song by saying "Is Pittsburgh ready to Surrender". WOW. The only word for the song. Then they left to a chant of "One more song". To no avail.

Great end to a great day. Glad I got to see them this close (even though my body didn't like it, I hurt like shit). But to watch these guys before they get bigger then they are, and they will, will live with me forever. Also the energy was fucking great, with them running all over the place. Considering I drove 1 1/2 hours to see them in D.C. 2 months ago, and couldn't find a ticket, it made it even more special. Thank you.

Thanks to Dave: Awesome show. The sound was great, and it was cool to be a part of such a huge crowd (tens of thousands of people). It was also cool be at this venue, out in the middle of farmland. Mud was everywhere and it was being thrown at everyone including Slash and Scott. They of course skillfully avoided it with their snakelike moves. All of the songs were performed perfectly and Scott was a master with the megaphone. Slither, Mr. Brownstone, Sex Type Thing, Set me Free, and Headspace were out of control rockers. It would've been cool to see a longer setlist after driving 6 hours from Detroit. They could've played for hours and you still would not get enough.

Thanks to Scott R: Velvet Revolver was awesome. There were some surprisingly good bands and then some let downs, but Velvet Revolver made the trip worthwhile (despite having to wait over three hours after the show to get shuttled back to the cars and the fact everything was ridiculously expensive). From the moment they came on stage they worked the crowd like the seasoned vets they are. You really could tell that they were on a whole different level compared to everyone else who played there. I really wished though that they had taken NERD and Crystal Method off the line up. NERD wasn't bad, but didn't really fit and felt like a waste of time, time that could have been added to the final three bands sets. Anyway, Velvet Revolver rocked I'd recommend anyone go see them, you'll definatly get your money's worth.

Thanks to Andrew: Oh my god!! I soo loved this show. I was embarresing everyone around me, cause I was just sooo into the music. Singing along with every word, cheering Slash's solos, and just screaming Fuck Axl every chance I got. Highlights of the night was an extended intro to Slither, and Scott's rant prior to "Big Machine" about the mtv.com news article on his "warrant for his arrest". I wish there weren't so many bands at the show, not because I didn't think they were all good, Hoobastank and NERD really suprised me, but I wish we could of saw a longer set from Velvet Revolver. I'm going to see them again next time they are in PA, or OH, or NY if possible.

Thanks to Michael: Velvet Revolver blew me away, the most energy I have ever seen in a band. And then the G.N.R and S.T.P covers were breathtaking. The crowd chanted f-ck Axl Rose. Best performance ever! Disturbed needs to give it up though. I have seen them twice now, they play the same shitty show.

The lead singer looks like an out of shape personal trainer that chants the same 1 liners. Horrible band. Keep on rockin V.R.....

Thanks to Steve: Thought that Velvet Revolver was fantastic. I saw them in May and I have to say that the sound at the town fair was much improved. I don't mean the band's playing, I mean the mix/soundboard. I don't know if it had to do with the venue or what but they sounded great. I really can't imagine what it would have been like if Velvet Revolver wasn't there as the headliners because as great as Disturbed and Staind were, they were kinda boring to watch. Once Velvet Revolver came out it was quite clear who the real entertainers were. Headspace was great. The biggest bummer was that the whole thing was over at about 8:30 or so and because it was a festival they played a considerably shorter set list then when I saw them as a headliner - but I guess that is to be expected. That and the fact that there was no real light show because it was still light outside. For those who wonder what it was like at the fair in general think of what pictures you saw of Woodstock '94 and there you go. All in all it was fantastic - can't get over how fun Weiland is to watch. Let's hope for lots of fall tour dates!

Thanks to Ben: Velvet Revolver was great...while they were onstage. The set was too short and there was no encore. I don't know who's fault this is but it is bullshit. I wanted more, the crowd wanted more. I hope they come back to the US without losers like Hoobastank (I could have picked any of the other bands there, don't know why I chose Hoobastank) taking up time that Velvet Revolver could have been kicking ass because I would definitely go back. When I saw STP, they were great but I only watched Weiland. Now you get Slash and even Duff to pay attention to and it makes the show that much better.

Thanks to Bryan K. Pounds: First off, let me say that this was one of the greatest times of my entire life. Seeing Velvet Revolver would have been enough but being amongst so many great people all day just there to have a good time and rock out in the mud was awesome. It rained a while in the morning, which was enough to turn the place into a mudpit. Everyone was covered in mud, especially those of us in the front, it was so fun. I'm going to try to cut to the chase on this review, since there is so much to talk about. I thought the bands that put on the best performances were Three Days Grace, Disturbed (who literally got into a fight with the band Finch on stage.. wow.. that was sweet), N.E.R.D.(surprisingly!), Staind and of course, Velvet Revolver is just in a world of their own. While Staind was playing, I could see Scott on the side of the stage smoking a cigarette, all decked out with his cop hat and ready to rock. I was RIGHT in the front.. there was maybe one person in front of me, and I stayed there the entire show.. then the time came that I had been waiting for all day.. Staind finished their set at about 7, and we all awaited the greatest rock band of this generation to enter.

Velvet Revolver came on about 7:30, Matt walked out first, waved to the crowd, then Duff, Slash and Scott followed. People were going insane! They broke into Sucker Train Blues, and Slash came and played right in front of me on the front right side of the stage. He wore a shirt that said "Fuck", that was a replica of the Ford symbol. I took a few pictures, so hopefully they turn out. After STB, Scott said" This is the biggest fucking orgy I've ever seen! You're all fucking in the mud!" Then he said.. "That's good, because this next song is about fucking." They busted into a hardcore version of Do It For The Kids, and at this point I was pretty much in awe. They sounded flawless. Scott's voice sounded better than I've heard on any live versions or videos that I've seen so far. He danced around the stage with his red hair, glittering pants, sash, cop hat and aviators, reminiscent of the No. 4 days.. he's never looked better in my opinion. Once they finished DIFTK, Scott went on a rampage about the media, saying "I'm sick of all the fucking locusts, the mosquitos.. the media.." he started going off about how they are trying to take away his wife and kids.."don't believe them.. fucking liars, liars, liars!" Everybody was cheering him on. Then he busted into Headspace. Fall To Pieces came next, and I was surprised at how many people knew the words.. not only to Fall To Pieces, but to all of the songs! Afterwards, he said.."This is something that we're all trapped in.." and they played Big Machine, which was one of the biggest crowd pleasers of the night.. he let the crowd sing it!!!! There are Velvet Revolver fans among us!! An extended, kick ass version of Set Me Free came next, which was great.. it really showcased some of the musical talent that the guys have, while Scott danced all over the stage. Slither ended the Velvet Revolver originals, and then it came time.. SEX TYPE THING. This was definitely the highlight of the concert. EVERYBODY knew the lyrics, Scott controlled the crowd, and he knew it. At one point, he hushed the crowd, then brought them up to a roar, then back down again, then up once more! It was awesome to see someone with that kind of influence on a large crowd of people! Mr. Brownstone followed, with once again everyone singing along to every lyric. Tons of GnR fans there were on cloud nine at that point. Scott then said.."Do you surrender to rock and roll?" And they finished the evening off with a cover of Cheap Trick's "Surrender". Scott blew a kiss to the crowd, and they gracefully walked off the stage. My socks had officially been rocked off from the best rock experience that I will probably ever have the chance to see in my lifetime.

Let me say in closing a few comments: This was one of the greatest days of my life. I was covered in mud from head to toe, and aside from getting hit in the face a bunch of times, just from being in the pit all day it was definitely worth every second. I only left the pit one time, that was when Crystal Method was on, but I thought that all of the bands performed GREAT. The fight between Disturbed and Finch was pretty ridiculous in my opinion, but it was clear that the crowd was on Disturbed's side. Hoobastank needed to turn up the vocals, b/c I really couldnt hear him that well. Staind was awesome, but Aaron looked bummed out, and didnt say much.. he made a comment about the fight.. saying "I guess you guys saw that fight on stage ealier.. that was some silliness.." And finally, there's so much more to say about the Velvet Revolver part of the concert so I'll leave that up to the rest of the reviewers. As long as there are festivals like these, there's still hope for music. I hope that everyone else had as great a time as I did, and I'll get my pictures up as soon as they are developed! Long live Velvet Revolver and rock and roll!