It’s been a manic week up to now. Finally feeling the effects of it and crashed at work this morning, so I left early and have retired to my boudoir where hopefully I’ll be able to work with fewer distractions. My brain blue-screened on a call this morning, which was extremely unpleasant. I reckon I’m less harm to everyone sitting here in my jocks.

Back to important business: Velvet Revolver at the Academy on Tuesday night were mental. I haven’t banged my head like that since the Enter Sandman / school dipsco years. Managed to get nice and trolleyed at the same time, so yesterday was a bit of a headache mare, but it was all well worth it. Probably the most hardcore rock show I’ve ever been to – by a long way, in fact.

I’d love to run through the set list with you, but I honestly can’t remember what the fuck they played. And I’m sure our more musically-challenged readers won’t give a continental either. I know Slash wanked his way through Fall To Pieces (and I mean that in the good sense) and I definitely recall screaming along with Slither, Get Out The Door, She Builds Quick Machines, Big Machine and Suckertrain Blues, but I’m at a ginormous loss as to what else they picked out. I know it was definitely an aggressive show (not much time for their awesome rock ballads) and I do know it was fucking sweet, but things got a bit blurry at some stage.

Some things I do remember. Very, very clearly. And I will never forget them as long as I live.

Patience. It’s So Easy. Mr Brownstone. Wasn’t expecting any Guns ‘n Roses stuff at all, but when they pulled out the old G ‘n R slow-dance standard, people went fucking Taliban. Scott Weiland more than filled Axl Rose’s shoes, making these “covers” as authentic as they come. For good measure they also chucked in Stone Temple Pilot tracks Vaseline, Interstate Love Song and Sex Type Thing. None of which was expected.

Count that. 6 classic songs from 2 of the greatest rocks bands of the past quarter century. Plus all the Velvet Revolver stuff which is really great in its own right.

This. Shit. Was. Off. The. Hook.

The clip was from Tuesday’s concert, but the video off my phone was inaudible. Piece of kak.

Ultimately, seeing Slash do his bizniz live was something of a religious experience for me. And Scott Weiland is a performer extraordinaire, complete with tight pants, sweaty back and loud-hailer. Rock superstars.

I don’t care if you’re not a big fan of Velvet Revolver – Tuesday’s gig was a lesson in rock! And they learned me, hey. They learned me good.

PS. I cribbed the photo at the top.