The Art of the Megaphone

GO Cyclones!!!

The concert last night was pretty kick ass. Only way to describe it! Pros: It was pretty sweet to see Alice in Chains - they were one of the better opening bands I've seen in a long time! Cons: When they started playing Them Bones, I instantly felt REALLY OLD!!! As it reminded me of my senior year in high school and I realized that was 12+ years ago. Highlight of their set: The overweight drunk guy with the tattoos and long gottee dancing and serenading the security guy. He was very entertaining and was fine until he groped some girls and was "escorted" out by security.

Oh yeah, the original opening band was Kill Hannah. They sucked. At least they kept it short. I'll give you $5 if you can sing a song by Kill Hannah without using Google or other web search.

THEN comes Velvet Revolver. I saw them last about 3 years ago after their release of Contraband. They now have 2 albums to play from their "Velvet Revolver" era... but some 12 albums when you include the repertoire from their "STP" and "GNR" days. Last night's performance was much more of a total performance by the entire band. First concert was a Slash highlight reel. Scott Weiland kicks ass as usual, but there's something amazing about watching one man who should be listed in the program notes as "lead singer and Megaphone virtuoso". For any STP fans, you'll realize that he's always had a fascination with the megaphone (think Dead and Bloated.... one of the greatest CD intros I know of). He even has the fancy version with the siren function!!!

So a standard rock concert, loud and clear (Excel is 100x better for concerts than the Target Center.... verified last night), and VR plays so well together! And if you're unfamiliar with the VR tunes, that's ok as they pulled out some GNR/STP tunes that EVERYONE will recognize. Vasoline (STP) was the first noticable one, but then the greatest 10 minutes of my 2007 came with Interstate Love Song (STP) followed by Patience (GNR)..... does it get any better than that?

Encore had a flashback to their last tour where they pulled out Sex Type Thing (STP) and Mr. Brownstone (probably my least favorite GNR song), and even Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd).... Then SLITHER!!!

So my 2nd viewing of Velvet Revolver live... even better than the first. Played like the experienced band they actually are, not like a bunch of individuals thrown together. Visual overload at times as they integrated the video screen that circles the Excel Center into their lighting so now the visual effects are surrounding you! Lots of lights flashing, no open flames/pyro this show unfortunately:( What happened to the age of explosions at concerts?

As for the Megaphone? I would hope that when you make your list of "Greatest Megaphone Operators" in Rock and Roll History, Scott Weiland is at the top of your list. Oh yeah, and feel free to include Slash on your top 5 "Guitarists"..... well deserved! Duff on bass probably could make top 10. And I'm very biased toward Scott Weiland.... won't discuss vocals.

Anyway - sorry for the late post. Have to keep taking a break to go get coffee to stay awake!

GO CLONES!!! Prediction: Cyclones 33, Kent State Golden Flashers 13. What the heck do you use as a mascot for "Golden Flashes"? An eagle wearing a trench coat running in front of windows?

Haiku of the Day
Kickoff is now here
"Kicking ass and taking names"
The NEW Cyclone Way!!!

Entertainment of the Day - I forgot to mention that I saw Supertroopers on Comedy Central this past weekend. That movie is quickly rising on my list of favorite movies to the elusive "top 3"! I cut in at one of the best parts.... SHENANIGANS!!! (Warning - R rated language)

Weblink of the Day - Dumbest Girl ever on Big Brother.... "what's backdoor mean?"