Smells Like Alternative

Maybe most of you have heard that Velvet Revolver and Alice in Chains will be touring together this summer. Personally, I can’t wait to see this show. Two great bands in one night, it’s gonna rock, and somehow I was fortunate enough to get pit seats! I know that some people have some concerns with these bands, so I want to share why this tour is worth catching.

Let’s start with Velvet Revolver, who will release their sophomore album Libertad on July 3. The supergroup consist of Guns ‘N’ Roses alum Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum and former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Finishing up the lineup is guitarist Dave Kushner. 

1. We’re lucky that most of these guys are still alive, many of their peers weren’t so lucky. Slash and Duff almost died from alcohol and Scott battled a very public heroin addiction. The fact that these guys are still breathing, let alone recording and touring is something we should all be thankful for.

2. STP and G’N'R are done, it’s time to move on. I hate to say that, being that both are two of my favorite bands, but it’s an obvious fact. These guys are too talented to just fade away into oblivion. It was time for these guys to move on with something big.

3. They’ll still play STP and G’N'R songs, maybe STP’s “Sex Type Thing” and G’NR’s “Mr. Brownstone”. This is a good thing for those who want to enjoy the past or get a chance to see some of these songs live. For example, I was too young to see G’N'R, so seeing VR a few years ago was the chance to finally see several Guns songs live. Also, many of us don’t want to wait for Axl to release Chinese Democracy or worry that he won’t show up, such as the Philadelphia show in December, 2002 that of course ended in a riot and the cancellation of the remainder of the tour. Unlike Axl, VR will show up.

4. Scott Weiland and Slash are worth the ticket price alone. These guys are some of the best around right now. Scott is one of the best frontmen ever and Slash needs little evidence to support his greatness. Trust me, you will be entertained for the entire show just by watching Scott and Slash. In fact, your brain may get so overstimulated that it is possible that your head will explode.

OK, let’s move on to the revamped Alice in Chains (comprised of the original and underrated members of guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney) and address the minus Layne Staley issue.

1. Their career was cut way too short. Unfortunately, frontman Layne Staley had several problems. There was his horrible heroin addiction and some serious depression after the death of his girlfriend in 1996. Although I read that they wanted to keep together, Staley’s health could not allow AIC to remain and all hope of an original reunion was gone after April 20, 2002 when Staley was found dead. I should add that the group never officially broke up.

2. It may not be the same without Layne, but Jerry is the heart and soul of AIC. Although Layne was a great and unique frontman, Jerry was the main force behind AIC. He was the founder and primary songwriter, as long as he’s around AIC will continue.

3. Replacing a fallen singer has been done before. Look at AC/DC, did anyone think that they would continue after Bon Scott passed away? They went out and hired Brian Johnson and moved on rather successfully.

4. Their replacement for Layne, William Duvall, fits right in. I first saw William Duvall with Jerry Cantrell back in 2001. When Jerry performed Alice songs, Duvall took over Layne’s parts and I was rather impressed. I saw Jerry two more times and Duvall still impressed me. So, Duvall has been prepared for this role. For the last six years he has been Jerry’s right hand man during concerts and knows these songs by heart. He may not be Layne, but he’s not that shabby.

The tour kicks off in August and will end in October, some shows are currently on sale at Ticketmaster. The confirmed dates so far are:
Aug. 06 – Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Aug. 08 – Sturgis, SD @ Buffalo Chip Campground
Aug. 11 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
Aug. 12 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
Aug. 14 – Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center
Aug. 16 – Darien, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Aug. 17 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 18 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach
Aug. 20 – Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Aug. 21 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Aug. 23 – Saratoga, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 24 – Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion
Aug. 25 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Hotel Casino
Aug. 27 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 28 – Tinley Park, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 29 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center

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