The Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver Thread

[Chowder]

Sorry Steve, but Axl's totally out of order. It's not as if he got hit in the face with a real bottle, or even a can. These were apparently plastic glasses. So he's not the tough guy he thinks he is, either. Back in the punk days, I remember seeing Gaye Advert (the Adverts' female bass player) getting a full beercan in the face. Yeah, they stopped for a bit and told the offender to fuck off, but then they just carried on. No melodrama, no hissy fits, and guess what - there was no repeat offence. Plastic glasses, FFS - what does he expect when he totally disrespects his own crowd? I saw Gnus 3 times in the 80s & early 90s, and the only time they made it onstage punctually was the first time, in autumn 87, when they weren't yet Big Stars and couldn't get away with that shit. Christ, even Zeppelin didn't keep me waiting.

With all his millions and after all these years, you'd think he'd have found a way by now to control his demons and get his act together. Maybe he has, and maybe all that's left now is his hard-wired truculence and disrespect.

Axl, if you're reading this, here's something Beta probably won't have told you. It will solve all your problems. It's something I learned from my Looney Tunes ex-wife. Are you ready?:

If you don't want to be late, set your watch an hour fast.

[bigzepfan]

I only saw them twice. They warmed up Aerosmith early on and were ontime.

for the Use your Illusions Tour they played Saratoga, NY. They were very late. Over an hour but

not sure exactly how long.

Skid Row warmed them up on that show and toward the end someone from the audience

jumped onstage and knocked over the speaker tower and then the band trashed the whole

stage. Did I see a unique show or was that done at every show??? thanks.

[TypeO]

A lot of sides to this story.

Yes, Axl is a complete and utter asshole with a terminal primadonna complex.

I saw them way back around '92 in Columbia, SC when they were doing that combined tour with Metallica when the black album came out.

It was the middle of the week, like a Tuesday, so it's not like I (or probably a whole lot of other ticket-holders) didn't have to get up for work the next morning.

Metallica played first and were total beasts. Incredible show.

They were done by probably 10:30 p.m.

Sure it takes a while to switch out, but it was hardly the first time they had played this combined show.

The stage was set less than an hour later, and there was absolutely no activity as far as further setting up the stage.

Somewhere around 12:45 a.m. GnR finally came out.

I stayed for maybe 3 songs and left.

I like the original music, but Axl is a total asswipe.

I've seen Judas Priest recently play an incredible show and then hang out after the encore high-fiving people, throwing picks and drumsticks, and verbally expressing their gratitude for those who came out to the show.

And then to see Axl, after all these years, still pulling this "fuck 'em, I'll be out when I get out there" bullshit, as though it's still 1989 and everyone is falling all over theirself for him is pretty pathetic.

On the flip side, what are these ticket-holders thinking?

Sure it sucks he's late, but it's not like he doesn't have a history for this shit.

Why would you pay whatever ungodly price for the ticket just to do your best to get them to leave the stage?

So yeah, fucked up on many levels.

[Hand_Of_Omega_91]

I was at Reading a couple of weeks ago and it was a truly amazing show (even if we didn't get the last two songs due to the power being cut). I'd say that Axl and co do definitely put on one of the greatest live shows around. Definitely as good as Slash's solo shows if not better in some respects.

I read about the train wreck that was the Dublin show. Whilst it is to be expected that Guns won't take to the stage until around 22:30 at the latest its not necessarily acceptable. At the end of the day people need to get buses and trains back home and these usually stop around midnight. So obviously a show that starts at 22:30 will finish at 00:30 at the earliest and therefore you're kind of screwed.

Bottle throwing isn't acceptable in any shape or form but then neither is punishing an entire audience made up of thousands for the actions of two people. Axl could have came back out and given the fans a great show. Instead he deliberately gave them a half arsed performance they paid good money to see by which time no doubt after the 'break' the idiots who threw the bottles had left therefore the only people he as punishing were his fanbase. As a huge GN'R fan and supporter of Axl's musical endeavours it saddened me to read about his behaviour at the Dublin show, especially after they took Reading by storm.

I hope the Birmingham show in October isn't like the Dublin show...

[Matjaz1]

And also, people would probably stop throwing bottles by themselves, if they would just keep playing. Yes it's a bit dangerous, but if they would continue, everybody would start enjoying it after a while and there would be no more problems.

When they stopped, people got pissed again and the circle started again.

[JethroTull]

Axle merely got a taste of his own medicine.

[Chowder]

Axle merely got a taste of his own medicine.

I don't think they were throwing Thorazine, Jethro.

[danelectro]

Usless there is a techical issue that prevents the show from starting or something like a rain delay I think musicians coming on late for no apparent reason is inexcusable. Any show I have attended where there was fussy musicians on the stage was only memorable for that reason, not a standard I personally find appealing.

[danelectro]

Without a doubt. However my opinion of GnR, Axl in particular, is that they were\are as famous for that type of behavior as the music, maybe even more so. As much of an impact as AFD had it wasn't long after it's release that the music became secondary to the GnR lifestyle.

[SteveAJones]

Live review: Slash @ the Ogden Theatre

By Jason Blevins and Nathan Iverson

Denver Post

September 3, 2010

The veins in his neck are bulging. His face is reddening by the second. Spittle flicks from open maw.The dude next to me looks like he's screaming. As loud as he can. But I can't hear him at all. My body, from sole to skull, has been invaded by Slash, who is doing his best to deafen everyone at the Ogden Theatre. He's so loud, with his three Marshall stacks and rotation of Les Pauls, he's changing heartbeat rhythms. He's loosening mortar. The ground is, quite literally, trembling.

Aside from the over-the-top volume, the iconic guitarist with the impossibly perched top hat knows his way around frets. A few dozen times during Wednesday's mass deafening, he struck his signature Slash pose: unruly mop of black curls framing massive, mirrored shades, Les Paul neck vertical as his nimble hands dance closer and closer together, creating increasingly higher pitches of ascending jam.

Only hours after news broke that 45-year-old Slash, born Saul Hudson, was divorcing his wife of nine years, the rocker took over the Ogden. He didn't seem bothered. Backed by immensely gifted singer Myles Kennedy, Slash pounded through a 25-year career as a metal god. The Guns N' Roses offerings — "Nightrain," "Civil War," "Rocket Queen," "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" — were heralded by inaudible screaming. The Velvet Revolver covers — "Sucker Train Blues," "Fall To Pieces," "Slither" and the never-played-before "Do It For The Kids" — saw slightly less adulation, but were played with increasing passion as the show neared three hours.

Kennedy, whose poise and glass-shattering voice rivals anyone in metal and compares to Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale or Slaughter's Mark Slaughter, aptly channels both Scott Wieland and Axl Rose. He nails both singer's often overly-affected nuances, mirroring Rose's inane ability to stretch words like "war" into three, even four syllables. He really does sound like Rose in 1987, before his raw, high-pitched siren turned crackling growl. Ditto for pre-junkie Wieland.

Kennedy, longtime frontman for Florida's Alter Bridge, can hit and sustain the highest notes, mirroring the best on their very best day. When the band dove into Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown" as its second encore, it was Kennedy who outshined Slash's Jimmy Page, climbing to staggering crescendos that rivaled the guitarist's screaming notes. Kennedy's wail is proof that a Led Zeppelin reunion doesn't necessarily require the suddenly folksy Robert Plant.

At one point in the show, Slash introduced Kennedy as "the guy who made it possible to come out and do this f***ing tour." Slash seemed fond of F-bombs and dropped more than a few, usually to underline an apparent surprise with the very happy and near-capacity house of worshippers.

Slash, while killing on the metal riffs, displayed some range Wednesday. His bluesy instrumental "Watch This," off his debut eponymous solo album released this year, featured an exploratory blues jam that would make Buddy Guy jealous. "Watch This" led into a sometimes distracted solo, which wound into a captivating "Godfather Theme," where Slash prodded his guitar into mournful, classical-tinged tones.

The band, with rudimentary bassist Todd Kerns, rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck and former Alice Cooper drummer Brent Fitz, kept mostly in the shadows, staying tight in the pocket while Kennedy and Slash prowled the high end. The duo's "Back From Cali" and "By The Sword" ranked as highlights Wednesday night, debuting dynamic songs off Slash's new solo album as well as a potentially explosive new pairing in the world of hard rock.

Photo Gallery:

http://blogs.denverp...-ogden-theatre/

Edited September 7, 2010 by SteveAJones

[Walter]

I saw them way back around '92 in Columbia, SC when they were doing that combined tour with Metallica when the black album came out.

It was the middle of the week, like a Tuesday, so it's not like I (or probably a whole lot of other ticket-holders) didn't have to get up for work the next morning.

Metallica played first and were total beasts. Incredible show.

They were done by probably 10:30 p.m.

Sure it takes a while to switch out, but it was hardly the first time they had played this combined show.

The stage was set less than an hour later, and there was absolutely no activity as far as further setting up the stage.

Somewhere around 12:45 a.m. GnR finally came out.

I had the exact experience on that tour here in Orlando. Plus they played a lot of slow songs (after opening with 4-5 up tempo songs) and put everyone to sleep.

I saw them in '91 in St. Pete, with Soundgarden, and that was an average show and then again a few days later in Miami for a New Year's Eve show. Axl was on the edge, emotionally, that night but the show was pure magic! So, you never knew what you were going to get.....

I never took the chance on them again after that Orlando debacle though.

[SteveAJones]

Billboard to Promote Billy Idol and Slash @ Caesars Casino in Windsor, Ontario on September 9, 2010

Located on Southbound I-94 (Detroit, Michigan).

Photo Credit: Steve A. Jones.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=kF6mRv4_RgM&feature=related

[SteveAJones]

Slash Rehearsing "I Don't Live Today" for Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix Album (1993)

Drums: Buddy Miles

Bass: Billy Cox

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=cwyoLC4Rtkc

[SteveAJones]

[bigzepfan]

Poor Slash. The frigging guy came at him from behind. Lucky the security guy was on him or he could

have hurt him at that speed.

I can see somebody going after Axl, but Slash?

[Xtazy]

Actually that guy appears to have wanted to only hug Slash, not hurt him. But the security guy pulled him, so he instinctively grabbed Slash causing the guitar also to break down.

[Juliet]

Billboard to Promote Billy Idol and Slash @ Caesars Casino in Windsor, Ontario on September 9, 2010

Located on Southbound I-94 (Detroit, Michigan).

Photo Credit: Steve A. Jones.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=kF6mRv4_RgM&feature=related

When there two very different bands on one bill...how is one supposed to dress...in punk or heavy rock style? Tell me...PLEASE..PLEASE...PLEASE

Juliet

[The Pagemeister]

PHOTOS: Slash @ Caesars Windsor

MORE PHOTOS

[Juliet]

Good Morning:

I won't add the photos of the billboard again to save space..

I see that the billboard is on US soil but Caesars Windsor is on Canadian soil...I assume CW is a private business;however, provincial and federal governments in this country keep a watchful eye and hand in gaming institutions as they provide much tax revenue...I wonder if any tax dollars went into the revamping of CW a few years ago? If I'm not mistaken I believe there were provincial tax dollars involved. This caused much controversy

If some of my tax dollars were invested in CW then why was there no similar billboard in Ontario on Hwy 401? If there was then I approve. I agree with publicity like that...my money has been spent wisely....however if I have any say from now on, Mr. Premier.. please make the pic of Billy Idol much bigger!!!!! No offence, Slash...

Juliet...dancing with myself

PS HEY SLASH..... bring your show to London next time,eh? Centennial Hall is a bit smaller then the JLC...but I assume you could fill the JLC or RBC theatre in the JLC...

Edited October 8, 2010 by Juliet

[Jahfin]

Considering this is also the Velvet Revolver thread I'm surprised there's been no mention of Weiland's recent troubles. The STP tour was slated to run through here a few weeks ago but has since been rescheduled for later this month. I have next to zero interest in seeing it aside from opening act, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

[Hand_Of_Omega_91]

Duff McKagan Reunites With Axl Rose Onstage

McKagan plays with Guns N’ Roses for the first time seventeen years

Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose onstage for the first time in seventeen years tonight, playing bass on (at least) "You Could Be Mine" and "Knockin' On Heavens Door" at London's 02 Arena. (The band confirmed this [on Twitter https://twitter.com/gunsnroses].) Rumors of a full-fledged Guns N’ Roses reunion are sure to come, but Rose has made it abundantly clear that he will never share a stage with Slash again. "One of the two of us will die before a reunion," Rose told Billboard in 2009. "However sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."

Axl did play with original GNR rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin at a number of shows in 2006. "I could see doing a song or so on the side with Izzy or having him out [on tour] again," Rose said in 2009. "I'm not so comfortable with doing anything having more than one of the alumni. Maybe something with Duff [McKagan], but that's it." Last year McKagan told Rolling Stone that he's also open to the idea of working with Rose again. "I'm not going to be one of those guys who's like 'fuck that, that'll never happen.' he said. "It could very well happen. I love Axl. We've been through a lot of shit together that nobody can take that away from us."

McKagan joined Jane's Addiction this year, only to split with the group in September over musical differences. Earlier this week, Slash announced on his MySpace page that Velvet Revolver is auditioning new singers. "It's great to hook up with Duff, Matt & Dave after all this time," Slash wrote. "I'll keep you posted on any interesting developments from those sessions as they happen. The creative juices are definitely flowing. I'm positive something awesome is going to surface soon."

[Taken from the Rolling Stone website]

Edited October 15, 2010 by Hand_Of_Omega_91

[SteveAJones]

Duff McKagan Reunites With Axl Rose Onstage

Outstanding! Can't wait for recordings to circulate.

[SteveAJones]

Why was there no similar billboard in Ontario on Hwy 401?

There may have been billboards on the Canadien side as well, I just happened to be passing through I-94 on the US side. Billboard did cause me to do a double take as for a split second I thought perhaps a Detroit date had been added to the itinerary, then realized it was promoting the upcoming Windsor gig. Detroit is of course the much bigger market and Billy Idol, the headliner, is more popular in the US which may explain why it was placed there.

[Hand_Of_Omega_91]

Outstanding! Can't wait for recordings to circulate.

There are a couple on YouTube I think. I wonder if he'll be onstage at Birmingham as well? I can but hope! I doubt it as it seemed like a spur of the moment thing.

[Jahfin]

Cool. If Duff rejoins G n' R then that means Tommy Stinson can get back to making some music that's actually worthwhile again.

On a somewhat related note, I recently read that Velvet Revolver are back together and are searching for a new singer (again).