Slash at Terminal 5 - 9/15/2010

Not many acts can haul my ass over to Manhattan's west side venue Terminal 5.   The venue is a former night club (anyone remember Exit?) and the massive main floor and 3 tiers of balcony do not foster the right environment for a show.  BUT, when the act playing T5, it's time to suck it up and make the trek over. Slash hit the stage to a jam packed crowd; the floor was packed from front to back (I peeped Samantha Ronson rocking out in the balcony). The touring lineup of the band consisted of Bobby Schneck on rhythm guitar, Todd Kerns on bass, Brent Fitz on drums, and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge fame behind the mic. Not being an Alter Bridge fan myself, I really didn't know much about Myles other than the few songs he sings on Slashs solo album. Well, I was blown away. He managed to morph his voice in such a unique way that he successfully sang material from Slash's Snakepit, GnR, and Velvet Revolver. This is not even to mention that Slashs solo album features a diverse group of vocalist who Myles all nailed. They opened up with Slash's "Ghost" (sung by Ian Astbury on the album), and then switched gears into a slew of GnR songs including an awesome version of Civil War. As the set went and and flipped from Velvet Revolver song to Slash song and back, I couldnt help but to be really impressed with Myles the whole way through.
OH, and then on top of that, there was Slash to enjoy. Hidden behind his classic top hat and glasses Slash does 'Slash' like no one else. The man is cartoon character of mystery and talent and at Terminal 5 he was both. Highlights of Slash's personal performances for me included his outstanding guitar-work on "Rocket Queen" and a bad ass guitar solo that was about 10 minutes long and somehow not boring. The show concluded with "My Michelle" and "Paradise City" and left everyone wanting more.  I have to admit the venue actually didn't seem as bad (the sound quality was a lot higher than I had heard it at past shows) and overall Slash's solo show proved to be one of my tops for 2010.

Todd Kerns

Todd, Bobby, Slash and Myles respectively

The man of the hour

1.Ghost
2.Mean Bone (Slash's Snakepit)
3.Nightrain (Guns N' Roses)
4.Sucker Train Blues (Velvet Revolver)
5.Back From Cali
6.Civil War (Guns N' Roses)
7.Rocket Queen (Guns N' Roses)
8.Do It For The Kids (Velvet Revolver)
9.We're All Gonna Die (With Todd Kerns on vocals.  On album, Iggy Pop sings.)
10.Nothing To Say 11.Starlight
12.Just Like Anything (Slash's Snakepit)
13.Guitar Solo
14.Godfather Theme
15.Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses)
16.Rise Today (Alter Bridge)
17.Slither (Velvet Revolver) Encore:
18.By The Sword
19.My Michelle (Guns N' Roses)
20.Paradise City (Guns N' Roses)