NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ RCA Records) -
Velvet Revolver ushered visceral rock back into the top of the Billboard album charts this week with the July 3 release of their second CD Libertad (RCA Records). The album debuts at No 5 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart amidst a field of rap, pop and country music. This is the second Top 5 debut for the band and the first single, "She Builds Quick Machines," has been dominating the rock charts, hitting the Top 3 at Active Rock and Top 4 at Mainstream Rock.
"Libertad proves that big rawk is alive and well; it's the perfect soundtrack for cruising to the beach with the windows down and the knob cranked to 11," reviewed Time Out New York. " ... break out your air guitars, and bask in the glory of Libertad," advised Entertainment Weekly.
"Libertad might just be THE rock record of the summer," declared Associated Press.
The band is Scott Weiland (lead vocals), Slash (guitars), Dave Kushner (guitars), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums). The members each bring a wealth of rock history to the band: Weiland fronted Stone Temple Pilots, Slash, McKagan and Sorum were the heart of Guns N' Roses, and Kushner hails from the LA rock scene, including Wasted Youth.
Produced by Brendan O'Brien, Libertad is the follow-up to Contraband, VR's debut album, released in June 2004, which earned three million in sales worldwide and was awarded a Grammy for the lead track, "Slither."
Libertad is the Spanish term for both liberty and freedom. It reflects the album's lyrical nod to the eternal struggle for both personal and social freedoms.
"She Builds Quick Machine" is supported by a video directed by Dean Karr and produced by Arthur Gorson. Monte Hellman, well known for his early westerns, "Two Lane Blacktop" and his involvement in "Reservoir Dogs," also consulted on the ambitious production. In the spaghetti western-styled video VR Velvet Revolver rescue the Angel of Liberty from evil.
"They're fresh and fierce," declared Los Angeles Times. " ... thoroughly vital enterprise," added USA Today.
"Velvet Revolver proved to a sold-out crowd that, in just three years of existence, it's outgrown the 'Supergroup' label and deserves to be recognized as a blistering rock band on its own terms," noted The Washington Post.
Inveterate road warriors, Velvet Revolver performed in South America, Europe and on theater trek across the U.S. to warm up before the release. They will take off on a more extensive tour of the U.S.A. starting August 5 in Baltimore for Virgin Fest, running through to October.
Alice in Chains will provide support for Velvet Revolver dates except August 5, 6 and 8. Tour dates are:
Aug. 5 - Baltimore, MD@ Pimlico Race Course
Aug. 6 - Verona, NY@ Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Aug. 8 - Sturgis, SD@ Buffalo Chip Campground
Aug. 11 - Montreal, QC@ Bell Centre
Aug. 12 - Toronto, ON@ Molson Amphitheatre
Aug. 14 - Mansfield, MA@ Tweeter Center
Aug. 16 - Darien, NY@ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Aug. 17 - Holmdel, NJ@ PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 18 - Wantagh, NY@ Nikon at Jones Beach
Aug. 20 - Camden, NJ@ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Aug. 21 - Uncasville, CT@ Mohegan Sun Arena
Aug. 23 - Saratoga, NY@ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 24 - Scranton, PA@ Toyota Pavilion
Aug. 25 - Atlantic City, NJ@ Borgata Hotel and Casino
Aug. 27 - Clarkston, MI@ DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 28 - Tinley Park, IL@ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 29 - St. Paul, MN@ Xcel Energy Center
Sep. 8 - Vancouver, BC@ Pacific Coliseum
Sep. 11 - Santa Barbara, CA@ Santa Barbara Bowl
Sep. 12 - Fresno, CA@ Sell and Arena
Sep. 14 - Concord, CA@ Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
Sep. 15 - Marysville, CA@ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Sep. 16 - Chula Vista, CA@ Coors Amphitheatre
Sep. 18 - Phoenix, AZ@ Cricket Pavilion
Sep. 20 - Irvine, CA@ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sep. 21 - Las Vegas, NV@ Mandalay Bay Events Center
Sep. 22 - Tucson, AZ@ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre
Sep. 24 - Englewood, CO@ Coors Amphitheatre
Sep. 25 - Albuquerque, NM@ Journal Pavilion
Sep. 27 - Dallas, TX@ Smirnoff Music Centre
Sep. 28 - Spring, TX@ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct. 2 - Pelham, AL@ Verizon Wireless Music Center
Oct. 3 - Atlanta, GA@ HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
Oct. 5 - Mobile, AL@ Bayfest
Oct. 6 - Tampa, FL@ Ford Amphitheatre
Oct. 7 - West Palm Beach, FL@ Sound Advice Amphitheater
Oct. 9 - Southaven, MS@ Snowden Grove Park
Check Velvet Revolver's website for more tour details: https://www.velvetrevolver.com
