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Review: Slash at Rams Head Live May 3

The iconic guitarist worked in Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver songs and more

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Slash (feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) performed at Rams Head Live on Thursday night. Contributor Jay Trucker has this review:

The banner atop the stage during Thursday night’s tour-opening performance said it all. In size-72 font was the billboard for monosyllabic lead guitarist Slash, followed by a colorful size-48 font promo for his current lead singer-collaborator, Myles Kennedy. Below Kennedy’s name, in 12-point font was the name of their touring rhythm section, the Conspirators.

For their part, the Conspirators were a capable and enthusiastic group, tearing through a 19-song set that showcased Slash's solo material and his work withGuns N' Rosesand Velvet Revolver equally. Bassist Todd Kerns brought a particularly high-octane stage presence to Rams Head Live, working every part of the stage and providing standout backing vocals for the golden-piped Kennedy. Kennedy, too, was game. The 42-year-old rock veteran’s octave-scaling range was on full display throughout the evening.

That said, the setlist, the songs and the crowd reinforced what the sign suggested: this was a Slash concert. The crowd consisted mostly of fans who were around during Slash’s heyday and beer sales were no doubt brisk for this distinctly “of age” demographic. When the band took the stage at 9:45 (more than two hours earlier than Axl’s Guns N’ Roses showed up for their recent set at the Fillmore) 1,800 beery fans popped for Slash, who appeared in full regalia, wearing all black with his trademark long curls and tophat. Slash’s post-Guns song catalogue are all distinctly Slash, highlighted by recognizable bluesy guitar solos played atop fast-paced, straightforward rock riffs.

While the crowd cheered enthusiastically for each portion of the 19-song, 100-minute set, "Night Train," the first of five Guns songs, got the most bodies moving. Kennedy, who at this point probably possesses greater vocal ability than Axl, hit every note of the Guns songs. However, his clean-throated high-range is in stark contrast to Rose's raspy yowls. Songs such as "Night Train" and "My Michelle," which tell tales about a seedy underworld of booze, drugs, and prostitution, don’t have the same dirty feel with Kennedy’s crisp vocal delivery.

Also interesting is the fact that the set pays nearly equal homage to Velvet Revolver as it does to GnR.  Surely, it is an easier task to replace the deep-throated Scott Weiland than it is to approximate Axl, and the crowd was happy to have four Revolver songs on Thursday night. Chart-topping ballad “Fall to Pieces” was a mid-set crowd pleaser.

For their part, the sold-out crowd responded enthusiastically all night. They were there to see a Hall of Fame guitarist, and even when his guitar died during “Back to Cali,” forcing the band to hit rewind and restart, he did not disappoint. A few times during the cover-heavy set, Kennedy looked like he didn’t want to be playing the replacement rock star the way he did in the movie "Rock Star." During “Sweet Child of Mine,” he incited the crowd to do the wave with more than a hint of detached irony. Still, as the confetti rained down during closer “Paradise City,” Slash had put on another great rock show and Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators proved worthy touring partners, if not peers.

Set list

Mean Bone (Snakepit)
Dirty Lil Thing (Velvet Revolver)
Ghost
Night Train (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
Rocket Queen (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
Back From Cali
Sucker Train Blues (Velvet Revolver)
Standing in the Sun
Fall to Pieces (Velvet Revolver)
Dr. Alibi
Speed Parade (Snakepit)
Watch This
Starlight
You’re a Lie
My Michelle (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
Just Like Anything (Snakepit)
Sweet Child of Mine (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
Slither (Velvet Revolver)

Encore:
By the Sword
Paradise City (Guns ‘n’ Roses)

Agree. Continuing VR with a Scott replacement just doesn't make sense. But I see some chance for them, I mean Slash, Duff and Matt starting another band in a few years with a different singer and another rhythm guitarist. VR had a style, but I don't think there would be a huge demand for a second run with a different guy singin'. But a more rock and roll band could do well. Later.

Anyway, I'm much more happy with Slash playing his ass off with his solo band, than a restricted Slash in VR. I prefer his solo songs, too, so I don't miss VR at all. Even Loaded is much better than VR was.

Next time you'll need give back your AFD CD to buy CD II.

Anyway, this T-shirt is looking really good. One of the best GN'R merch ever.