And to be honest, it wasn't all that bad. Axl definitely has lost a step (or seven), but his band is really tight. In fact, they saved the show for him in numerous spots. It was mostly a greatest hits show, with a few of the newer songs mixed in. I'd say about half the set was Appetite for Destruction. Certainly not the best show I've ever seen, but it was fun for a one-night nostalgia trip. It definitely brought this thirtysomething back to high school for a few hours.
Originally posted by SimbaAnd to be honest, it wasn't all that bad. Axl definitely has lost a step (or seven), but his band is really tight. In fact, they saved the show for him in numerous spots. It was mostly a greatest hits show, with a few of the newer songs mixed in. I'd say about half the set was Appetite for Destruction. Certainly not the best show I've ever seen, but it was fun for a one-night nostalgia trip. It definitely brought this thirtysomething back to high school for a few hours.
my biggest problem i have with the tour is axl's calling his new group "guns 'n' roses." i mean, i guess he'd have to do that in order for them to be able to play the old songs, but really, there's not much of the original band in this one, if it's the same "g'n'r" who played the MTV video music awards. replacing guys like izzy stradlin, duff mckagan, and slash with a bunch of young guys is NOT the way to have a "guns 'n' roses nostalgia tour." axl was always the weakest link in that band to me, and he certainly doesn't appear to have aged well. bleh.
Axl uses the name Guns N Roses because he owns the rights to it. As was brought up in an earlier thread in this section, it hasn't made sense to call them "Guns N Roses" since Tracii Gunns left. But alas, they still did. Another HUGE misconception that people have is that this is some sort of "nostalgia" tour. It's NOT. It's a fucking comeback after a 10 year hiatus. The band has evolved (for better or worse) over that time, and all of the "founding" members are gone with the exception of Axl. I saw him in Albany last week, and yes, he has lost a step in that he's not running around the stage like a fucking crackmonkey anymore. But his voice was UNREAL in Albany. He screamed and howled better than he did on the "Live Era" double cd. I think that the main problem that people have is that it's not slash playing guitar, it's some random guy with a damn bucket on his head... Then when they see him live, the majority of the response is "Well shit, he can wear whatever the hell he wants to on his head." The new band is in every way better than the old one. From top to bottom, the players are more talented. Of course it's going to be a "greatest hits" show... it's the first leg of the tour. After the album comes out (HA!), they're going out again to showcase it and won't be playing old material with the exception of maybe Jungle and Paradise City. The MSG show would NOT have sold out had they played all new material. It just won't happen after taking 10 years off. The man (AXL) has a plan. He's brilliant, and hopefully it will work because if the few new songs that they played on the tour so far are any indication, the new shit is gonna rock. And god knows that Rock and Roll needs a serious kick in the ass right now. The shit is just stagnant.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. -Malcom X
I saw Guns in Albany, and they absolutely rocked! The band was TIGHT and the old songs sounded great. The problem was that the show was billed for 7:30 and it must've been 10:30 before they took the stage. OK, it's GnR, so you know things will be far far off schedule, but their opening act was a lousy DJ! For $45 I want to hear live music before 10:30. The crowd definitely got a bit restless.
Originally posted by count olafI saw Guns in Albany, and they absolutely rocked! The band was TIGHT and the old songs sounded great. The problem was that the show was billed for 7:30 and it must've been 10:30 before they took the stage. OK, it's GnR, so you know things will be far far off schedule, but their opening act was a lousy DJ! For $45 I want to hear live music before 10:30. The crowd definitely got a bit restless.
Yeah, they didn't take the stage in Boston until 10:45! They wrapped up at like 12:50, which is just ridiculously late for a Monday night. It definitely took away from the 2nd half of the set being so late at night. And yeah, MixMaster Mike hardly kept the crowd warm. He wasn't that bad, but the crowd just didn't care.
I had the chance to see them in Philly but declined because Axl is an ass and will remain one until he proves otherwise. Waiting until 11PM to cancel the Philly show was just wrong. But so was not being in Vancouver for opening night.
From the infamous Wrestleline SS interview:
DTD: If you were to make changes in WCW, if you were in charge and not Ric Flair, what would they be?
SS: I'd get rid of all the old guys, and push the talent that has waited to get the push. The things they are doing, it's back in the 1980s. It's just bad, man. Flair doesn't even deserve to be on the show. You've got to get rid of all the old guys. Like what Vince did, they started pushing guys. Nobody knew who The Rock was 2 years ago. He made The Rock. Now The Rock just did Saturday Night Live. You've got to start with the young talent, talent people can relate to. Who are we trying to relate to if we've got a 50 year old man out there? Are we trying to relate, so a 50 year people and above will go out and buy a f*cking little toy? That ain't gonna happen. It's a f*cking joke.