Live Review: Scott Weiland Launches "English Laundry" Clothing Line, The Roxy

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:35:02

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Scott Weiland's brand new clothing line for English Laundry is a lot like his music.

It's classy, compelling and captivating.

Weiland debuted the line on Wednesday night at The Roxy, and he did it the right way—mixing a chic catwalk fashion show and an unforgettable rock n' roll set. Weiland always makes an impression, and this evening was certainly no exception.

The legendary voice of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver spent the night conjuring transmissions from a better time—in terms of sound and aesthetic. As he tinkered with vintage gear on stage, Weiland summoned a strangely hypnotic dissonance. That dissonance gave way to a poignant rendition of "Paralysis" from Scott's latest solo album, Happy (In Galoshes). Snaky riffs intertwined with Weiland's poetic lyrics, and the singer glided across the stage perfectly projecting each and every note. Of course he donned a brand new English Laundry suit while doing so...

He wears his clothes like a true gentleman, calling to mind Frank Sinatra, but he expounds emotion like an unbridled rock star. The smoky noir of "Killing Me Sweetly" allowed the singer to push into '60s dream pop territory, as an ethereal chorus sailed through the Roxy. The very "industry" crowd couldn't take their eyes off of him as he rolled his sleeves up and dazzled. Even in a designer suit, he still gets down and dirty.

Weiland segued out of his solo material and into STP territory during a blazing "Unglued." He ripped and roared flawlessly along with Doug Grean's guitar, and his energy ignited the venue. "Missing Cleveland" channeled classic English rock n' roll royalty just as much as the clothes did. A psychedelic jam gave Weiland's band time to shine, and it eventually morphed into a kinetic cover of The Libertines' "Can't Stand Me Now." Weiland was all smiles, engaging the audience on the big chorus. "Barbarella" proved gorgeously elegiac, while "Blind Confusion" exerted raw arena rock power.

Finally, a raucous "Vasoline" closed out the evening. Weiland's passion and fervor for the clothing line came through in a magnetic and majestic performance that did justice to his classy new endeavor. From the opening fashion show of stunning female models donning the threads to his unforgettable solo set, Weiland put on the perfect rock n' roll theater.

It's Weiland's world, we all just want to look like we're a part of it.

—Rick Florino
09.10.09