TimmyB

Tonight I saw Velvet Revolver perform in Canada for the first time during their "mini promo tour" as referred to by Duff McKagan, before their release of their new album "Contraband" on RCA which hits stores on June 8th.

After the brutally embarrassing opener called Silver Tide from Philadelphia, PA, who were a bad crossover of The Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin, Velevet Revolver took the stage and rocked are asses for the whole show.

I often do not enjoy seeing a show where I am unfamiliar with the majority of the set because an album has yet to be released. But for some reason this gig did not seem to matter. During the fourteen song short set, which would be my only complaint of the night as the show only ran 1 hour and 23 minutes and getting out at 9:43pm! the band peformed eight songs from their yet to be released album. Of which I only knew two songs "Set Me Free" which appeared on "The Hulk" soundtrack and the first single "Slither". The title "Slither" makes me laugh because it makes me think about Slash's Snakepit.

The rest of the set included two Stone Temple Pilots tunes "Crackerman" and "Sex Type Thing" both of which appear on their debut album 1992's "Core". Three Guns 'N Roses tunes "It's So Easy", "Used To Love Her" and "Mr. Brownstone" with a drum tease of "You Could Be Mine" by Matt Sorum before "Brownstone". I thought the "Brownstone" selection was fitting and humourous due to Scott Weiland's on going difficulties with the law due to his addiction problems. Also I noticed that off the G'N R selections none of them were Axl Rose cuts. "It's So Easy" lyrics are by McKagan and Arleen, "Used To Love Her" is credited to the whole band, and "Mr Brownstone" lyrics are by Izzy Stradlin.

The final tune of the night was "Negative Creep" a Nirvana cover on their 1989 Sup Pop recording "Bleech".

I have been a fan of both bands since they both started out. Seeing STP three times. In 1994 opening for the Rolling Stones at the Exibition Stadium. In 2000 co-headlining with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at the Molson Amphitheatre. Finally headlining the Family Values Tour in 2001 at the Skydome. And I witnessed Guns 'N Roses once in 1993 at Copps with Brian May opening. I also saw Slash perform with Boz Scaggs at the Concert For The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995 at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. That day Slash and Boz did a great version of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House".

I was excited about the news that Weiland was joining up with Slash, Duff and Matt. Also in the band is Dave Kushner of Suicidal Tendencies on rhythm guitar. I was also happy to see this show as with Weiland being in and out of court and/or jail. I was wondering if he would ever be able to cross the border or if he would even be alive to see him again alive and well. Well last night I did and the hybrid of the two bands was a nice mix of both groups. Weiland might not be the songwriter that Slash and Duff are used to, though I think he's pretty good. Scott is currently a better frontman to Axl. Weiland is in amazing shape and taking off his shirt only a couple of songs in shows it. He also can belt it out live and has an amazing stage presence of a man possessed, moving about the stage in a very sexual way that does not come off as cheesy. And this is coming from a man that is straight, I can only imagine what women or someone who is gay thinks of him. While Axl is currently an overweight loser that loses his voice all the time during live performances.

Of the new material I feel they sound more like STP songs rather then G'N R songs, for me this is fine as I'm a fan of both. Though if you love G'N R and hate STP you might not like the album as much as you would like.

Here was the setlist (to the best of my ability):

Start time 8:20pm

1. It was a new song that I didn't know, though I'm guessing it was the opening track off the new album called "Sucker Train Blues"

2. Do It For The Kids (Velvet Revolver "Contraband" 2004)

3. Headspace (2004)

4. Crackerman (Stone Temple Pilot "Core" 1992)

5. Illegal i Song (2004)

6. It's So Easy (Guns 'N Roses "Appetite For Destruction" 1987)

7. Fall To Pieces (2004)

8. Big Machine (2004)

9. Set Me Free (2004 originally on the soundtrack for "The Hulk" 2003)

off 9:10pm (51 minutes) back on 9:12pm

Encore: 10. Used To Love Her (Guns 'N Roses "Lies")

11. Slither (2004)

12. Sex Type Thing (1992)

off 9:30pm (1 hour and 11 minutes) back on 9:32pm

Encore 2: 13. Mr. Brownstone (1987)(with "You Could Be Mine" drum tease from Guns 'N Roses "Use Your Illusion II" 1991)

14. Negative Creep (Nirvana "Bleech" 1989)

End show 9:43pm (total time 1 hour and 23 minutes)

My favorite artist on the planet (along with Neil Young) turns sixty-three on Monday. I'm happy to actually have May 24th off this year as often the holiday weekend doesn't actually fallon the 24th of May.

I'll be definitely listening to Mr. Zimmerman that day and will looking forward to seeing him again in Manchester, TN on Friday June 11th at Bonnaroo.

Let me share with you my favorite Dylan birthday. It was in 2001 when I saw U2 on Bob Dylan's 60th Birthday. It was U2's first gig since a week or two off so Bono could be with his wife during the birth of their child.

During the opening song "Elevation" Bono said "Happy Birthday Bob". Also in the beginning of one of their other songs Bono quoted from "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)". The line was "That he not busy being born, Is busy dying", but Bono changed the lyric to "He not busy dying, Is busy being born" obviously a reference to his newborn baby.

Before the show my friend Andrew and I were wondering what Dylan song U2 was going to cover of Bob's if in fact they were going to do that. Andrew suggested the obvious being "All Along The Watchtower" which was previously covered by U2 and documented on their 1988 album "Rattle And Hum" (the album in which Dylan also appears on backing vocals for the song which Dylan cowrote the lyrics with Bono entitled "Love Rescue Me"). I suggested "Forever Young" in reference to not only Bono's baby, but the eternal youth of Bob Dylan and his music. I actually ended up being right with Bono and The Edge performing a mini verison of the song during the encore.

Though Bono had vocal problems that day, probably due to the layoff to be their for his baby's birth it was a special day being Dylan's birthday. It was nice to see a band that has actually performed with the greatest songwriter of all time on his day of birth.

I have attended the first two bonnaroo's and will be going again this year as well. It has definitely been the musical highlights of my last two summers and I am anticipating that this year will be no different.

In the first year I saw seventeen different groups. Of those shows eleven were complete sets. I also witnessed seven groups for the first time during the first festival.

When the second year bonnaroo rolled around I knew what I was getting into and was more efficient in my music watching. In year two I saw twenty-one different groups. This time I saw twelve complete shows. And five first timers.

This year I should see at least seventeen to twenty bands with at least two to five first timers. I am going to push the envelope of past years and try and see thirteen to fifteen complete sets.

Each year I've waited twelve and fifteen hour respectively to get into the venue, but it is well worth the wait. Looking at this year alone to pay to see Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews & Friends, The Dead, and Trey Anastasio Band you would be paying more than the cost of admission to bonnaroo. At the festival I can see these four bands plus another twelve to sixteen acts.

Not to even think of the possible interplay between the artists. In the first year the great Steve Winwood came out to perform with the String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic. In the second year Dr. John who's album back in the seventies is where bonnaroo got it's name was apart of the superjam. Also John Popper showed up as well. These are just artists that were not on either of the festivals bills. Artists like DJ Logic, Les Clapool, and especially Warren Haynes perform with acts through out the weekend.

I'm definitly rambling now but in my opinion you can not beat bonnaroo for how well it is organized and the quality of artists on the stage, period. If you don't like crowds or waiting in lines don't go, but if that doesn't bother you and you are into even just a few of the bands on the bill find some cash and put it on your credit card and buy a ticket.

Hey tatterdemalion, I totally agree with you "go see him if u can". I'll be checking Mr. Byrne out at his BONNAROO set on June 13. It's pretty cool since he's sandwiched between two big groups of Talking Heads fans with Guster (Gusters new live DVD/CD set entitled "Guster On Ice" has a performance of "(Nothing But) Flowers" on it) and Trey Anastasio playing the same day.

I saw David Byrne perform in Toronto a couple of years ago at the Phoenix while promoting his last release 2001's "Looking Into The Eyeball". He did perform "(Nothing But) Flowers" that night, but no "Heaven" which I'll be looking forward to at bonnaroo. I vividly remember how much fun it looked like David was having performing for us that night, he's a great front man.

The first time I saw moe. was at the Furthur Festival in 1997 at the Molson Amphitheatre. I was impressed and purchased their 1996 album "no doy" the next day, which is something I don't often do.

I have since seen moe. nine more times with the highlights being the Halloween gig in Buffalo and the first Bonnaroo gig (I agree with you Booche they should release a DVD/CD set of that show).

I don't think they are on the same level as Phish live, but I think they are equal to Phish in the studio. Though I do enjoy them more than the String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.

Love both bands but I'm going to have to vote off Roger and Pete.

Zeppelin Rule!

Happy Birthday \/\/illy,

I hope you have a great day and long weekend.

from TimmyB and Rachael too.

I'm usually listening to material from artists that I have seen and/or about to see live. My current list of favorite tunes are:

"Modern Love" by David Bowie

"Big Bang Baby" by Stone Temple Pilots

"(Nothing But) Flowers" by Talking Heads

"Not Dark Yet" by Bob Dylan

"Let It Rain" by Eric Clapton

"Alone Again Or" by Calexico (originally by Love)

"Feel A Whole Lot Better" by The Byrds

"Do You Realize" by The Flaming Lips

"Sunken Treasure" by Wilco

"Purple Rain" by Prince

Three of my all time favorite bands, a tough decision. I think I'll vote off The Who.

I hope that Rush performs some of these covers during their 30th Anniversary Tour this summer.

I've been waiting for this announcement since they announced the "mini" summer tour! I know people think the festival is expensive, but you get three sets a day. Three sets a day is like three shows in two days. So now at $150 plus service charges it is like paying for three shows.

I have been going to these Phish festivals since Lemonwheel and I have always had the best time.

I've been voting off the AC/DC duo everyday so far, it finally looks like I'll be write. I only had two strikes so I guess it's OK.

Bye bye Brian and Angus.

Happy Birthday Marc, I was so busy today that I didn't get online until 2:25am so I'm a little late, sorry.

How's the Ryan Adams album treating you? Pretty mellow, eh?

Day 2: I'm going again with voting off AC/DC's Brian Johnson and Angus Young as I feel that Bon Scott wrote half the great songs AC/DC still perform today.

I was just pulled out VIDA BLUE'S debut and then I read this post (Insert Twilight Zone music here).

I'm looking forward to seeing the Chairman Of The Boards this summer at Bonnaroo and hopefully Vermont.

I can not vote off Axl Rose and Slash this round as I'm going to be seeing VELVET REVOLVER this Friday at the Kool Haus, so I have been listening to a lot of G'N R lately.

I think I'm going to have vote off the AC/DC duo even though I grew up on the Brian Johnson era of AC/DC. Many of the of the great material by AC/DC was written and recorded with the original lead vocalist Bon Scott until his eventual death on February 20, 1980 after drinking himself to death.

Bon Scott was the vocalist on hits and albums like 'High Voltage', 'TNT', 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap', 'Let There Be Rock', and 'Highway To Hell'.

No other great songwriting team of lead vocalist and guitarist on this list has their material split as much as AC/DC's.

I wish I had MTV, well at least at this moment.

Did you dry up yet Steve? My feet were soaked until I got home and then they felt it felt like I had been swimming for hours!

I'm so looking forward to the Theatre Stage on Saturday the 17th! Anybody out there that loves the Byrds, or the Eagles and obviously Gram Parsons should attend this show.

Chris Hillman is the original bassist with the Byrds and stayed with the band until Parsons convinced Hillman to leave to create The Flying Burrito Brothers. After Hillman left the Burrito's he worked with Stephen Stills group called Manassas. Hillman also worked with another member of Buffalo Springfield (there was a lot of inbreeding in this genre) by the way of Richie Furay in the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band in 1974. Also did work on and off again with former Byrd members like McGuinn-Clark-Hillman and went on in the eighties to form the Dessert Rose Band. Hillman's recent work has mostly been with Herb Pedderson.

Bernie Leadon after working briefly with Dillard and Clark (Clark as in Gene Clark another original Byrd. The inbreeding continues) joined The Flying Burrito Brothers for their second album in 1970 called 'Burrito Deluxe' (also with Michael Clarke another originial Byrd!), which was the last with Parsons. After which Leadon started the Eagles with Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner and stayed until their 1975 album 'One Of These Nights'. Leadon has not done too much other than a couple solo albums and session work (most recently with The Jayhawks on their last album 'Rainy Day Music') since his departure from the Eagles. Leadon does have a new album out and will be touring with Dave Kemper on drums (former Jerry Garcia Band, and Bob Dylan drummer).

Now this whole day of music you will get Gram Parson songs (obviously since there's a tribute to him), but you will also more than likely get songs by The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Dillard & Clark, and some country and bluegrass classics.

I think it will end up being the highlight of my summer as far as shows go.

For those of you who have seen The Rolling Stones 'Gimme Shelter' and/or the film about the Grateful Dead with many others on their train ride through Canada in 1970 entitled 'Festival Express' the Flying Burrito Brothers are in both films.

It definitely has 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' on the soundtrack. The original release didn't have 'Lady Stardust' but there has since been a remastering job on this record and I'm not sure if there are bonus tracks.

It's so true Steve, Nero would fit this bill better than any moe.down festival or anything similar to that. Any of you Nero fans out there should make sure to check out Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, etc. Or if you're really lucky you should head up to a G3 show.

Does anyboby know if Deep Purple will still be doing all of 'Machine Head' during this summer tour as they did during the winter tour?

My bad Steve, 'The Supermen' is on 'The Man Who Sold The World' and 'White Light, White Heat' is on 'Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture' soundtrack.

First I was supposed to see DAVID BOWIE'S "A REALITY TOUR" in December, but then Bowie get the Flu. Then I was going to attend the make up date on April Fool's Day, but found out about this gig in London. Based shift work I was on days for the John Labbatt Centre and nights for the Air Canada Centre. So London was a better fit for me, now I had to wait for another month and a half to see the Thin White Duke. It was well worth the wait.

I had attended two prior Bowie gigs during "THE EARTHLING TOUR" in 1997 at The Warehouse and "THE HEATHEN TOUR" a part of "AREA:2 FESTIVAL" in 2002 at the Molson Amphitheatre. Out of the three this show in London was my favorite Bowie show. David was in form and in a great mood too. The crowd was also more into the London show than I had seen at the previous gigs.

First timers last night for me were many and great, 'Rebel, Rebel', 'New Killer Star', 'Sister Midnight', 'Hang On To Yourself', 'The Lonliest Guy', 'Sunday', 'Station To Station', 'The Supermen', 'Modern Love' and 'Suffragette City'.

Highlights of the night for me included the new debuts as well as 'All The Young Dudes', 'Fame', 'Panic In Detriot', 'Under Pressure', 'Quicksand', 'White Light, White Heat', and 'Heros'.

Here's the whole set in order:

1. Rebel, Rebel (Diamond Dogs '74)

2. Fashion (Scary Monsters '80)

3. New Killer Star (Reality '03)

4. Cactus (Heathen '02)

5. Sister Midnight (Iggy Pop's 'The Idiot' '77)

6. Hang On To Yourself (Ziggy Stardust...'72)

7. All The Young Dudes (David Live '74)

8. Fame (Young Americans '75)

9. China Girl (Let's Dance '83 also on 'The Idiot')

10. The Lonliest Guy (Reality '03)

11. The Man Who Sold The World (The Man Who... '71)

12. Panic In Detroit (Aladdin Sane '73)

13. Halo Spaceboy (Outside '95)

14. Sunday (Heathen '02)

15. Heathen (The Rays) (Heathen '02)

16. Under Pressure (single '81)

17. Station To Station (Station To Station '78)

18. Ashes To Ashes (Scary Monsters '80)

19. Quicksand (Honky Doary '71)

20. The Supermen (Ziggy Stardust... '72)

21. Modern Love (Let's Dance '83)

22. White Light, White Heat (Ziggy Stardust...'72)

23. I'm Afraid Of Americans (Earthling '97)

24. "Heros" (Heros '77)

E:25. Suffragette City (Ziggy Stardust...'72)

26. Ziggy Stardust (Ziggy Stardust...'72)

One question for you Sheikyerbouti, would you rather be humiliated or beheaded? Me personally I would take the former rather then the latter.

Now I'm not defending the actions of the American soldiers here whatsoever. It is just that I am finding this American bashing is becoming a bit ridiculus.

I do not know what "sickness scale" you are speaking of, but to me being humiliated and/or tortured would be preferred by all to being killed.

I am assuming that your point is that American media is now covering the beheading more to the footage of Americans torturing prisoners. Why are any of us surprised by this?

Once again I'm not defending the actions of American soldiers, but I assume that the majority of us on this message board are relatively informed and not naive. Humiliation and torture tactics are and have been used by all armies through out recorded history. This is nothing new and not just something that occurs under the command of the American armed forces. British, French, German, even Canadian (does anybody remember Somalia?) armed forces have been involved in much worse than what the Americans have just been caught doing, during recent events.

What the American soldiers did was wrong, period. Am I against the United States invading Iraq, yes. Do I want America out of Iraq, yes. Do I think I am better than Americans, no. Do I think that it is the few rather than the many in America that make it a danger to the stability of the world, yes. Are we going to influence America to change by putting them down and feeling superior to them, I do not think so.

The thread I put up doesn't seem to want to work now. Now go to www.bonnaroo.com and go to ARTIST LINE-UP