mashandflutter Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I've been reading a lot of comments regarding Slash's demeanor and body language last night at the Troubadour. From what I've seen on Youtube it seems like people are thinking that Slash might have been upset or was perhaps more focused rather than loose. Obviously, last night was a really emotional night for us fans, but I also think it was very emotionally charged for the band as well, particularly between Axl and Slash. The thing that I kept thinking about is Axl tried for nearly a quarter of a century to replace Slash in GnR, but simply couldn't, yet here we were with both of them on stage once again. Clearly, Slash hasn't forgotten that which is why, by all accounts, he played his fucking ass off. In watching the videos Slash had a laser-like focus that I haven't seen before (I just saw him at the Palladium last October and he was very loose). It's like he had a chip on his shoulder, that he wanted reassert himself after such a long absence. I read a review of last night's show where the reviewer said that when the band looked at each other to continue the song, Slash continued to solo a little longer. I couldn't help but remember when GnR recorded Sympathy For The Devil that in the final version of the song Axl wanted Paul Huge's lead parts included which Slash took as the ultimate sign of disrespect. I also remember reading in an interview a long time ago that 'Shotgun Blues' was the only solo Slash ever recorded with Axl in the room and that that was a very different vibe when he was recording it. There's always been a combustible element between them that has been both a blessing and a curse. I think as the tour rolls on the chemistry and dynamic between the two of the will get better onstage. Even though they have made up and agreed to do this tour (which is incredible) I think old emotions die hard which is what I think we witnessed a little last night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Russel Nash Posted April 3, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted April 3, 2016 Pardon me, but all i see in those clips (especially on WTTJ) is FUCKING SLASH rocking out to GNR tunes and an awesome performance overall. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Spade Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 We still don't even know what's happened between them, and we won't until one of them decides to actually tell us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Watching the extended Jungle clip, he's doing his trademark stomp and shimmy.... I think it's all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSeeker Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 1 minute ago, Ace Spade said: We still don't even know what's happened between them, and we won't until one of them decides to actually tell us. Slash probably signed the same gag order that all the other NewGNR guys signed "There will be no interviews" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSoRose Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 He looks fine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychoKiss344 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 The whole band looked fine to me, all looked liked they were having fun actually 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 He kicked ass! So did Axl. And Duff is a cool ass cat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashandflutter Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 1 hour ago, Russel Nash said: Pardon me, but all i see in those clips (especially on WTTJ) is FUCKING SLASH rocking out to GNR tunes and an awesome performance overall. Absolutely, it was an exceptional performance. I've just read a lot of people who were there last night commenting about his demeanor, which I found very interesting, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhazUp Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 GNR videos are analyzed more than the Zapruder film. He was probably was just in heavy concentration, plus in the videos he is rocking out, it isn't like he is a fucking statue or anything 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadcaplaughs Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I would he was concentrating immensely. Granted, he played many of these songs over the years, but he was playing with a front man he had not shared a stage with since 1993 and knew how high the stakes were. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31illusions Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Things couldn't have went better. They were on a small stage, not a lot of room to move around. You know, Slash has a PACEMAKER in his chest and he's 50. I think He's doing just fine. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoyd androyd Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) my first thought last night before they hit the stage was that Slash appeared depressed in the backstage photos that leaked online. his face, posture, everything was sluggish and kinda hard a dark undertone IMO. IF he's indeed currently depressed, there's two big factors that could be at work - first, his ongoing divorce process and second, his ongoing grief process about Lemmy's death (Slash has stated how deeply this is affecting him). when you consider the above plus add in his likely apprehension/anxiety/fear (whatever you want to call it) about rejoining Axl, it wouldn't be a surprise to me that he's carrying a very heavy heart mixed with a lot of conflicting feelings about what he's decided to do (at least for now anyway). i believe Slash will take things with this current incarnation of 'GNR' on a day-to-day basis where he won't be afraid to pull out if he feels it's in his best interest. Edited April 3, 2016 by paranoyd androyd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ak1nney Posted April 3, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) You guys are reading waaaay too much into this. Slash looked extremely focused in every video I saw. The backstage photos before hand shows a man about to reunite with the band that means the most in the world to him. It was also his first gig with a different band that he hasn't played with at a show. He seemed focused (on playing and making sure things felt right musically). This was a warm up gig in that sense. They want it to be perfect by Vegas and especially Coachella. GNR is even bigger to those guys than it is to you. I'm sure the guys were nervous and just really focused last night. They came out to kick ass and not laugh it off like it was just something they didn't care about. The fact Axl was smiling and appeared excited playing to a crowd of 500 says a lot. Slash seemed into it and killed it. This is the first band Slash has been in since original GNR that he isn't really considered the front man. He appeared to play his part as lead guitarist perfectly. You will see more obvious flash and excitement in Vegas. Last night was a statement for these guys. And wasn't there a short video of the band hopping in a bus after the show? I'm sure they all were thrilled and had a great time/sense of relief together after the gig. Now... if Axl had seemed indifferent all show, I think we would feel the need to be worried. Edited April 3, 2016 by Ak1nney 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) Its all nerves it got nothing to do with past. Just imagen being in his situation hes been hassled over the last 20 years over this reunion and he is. Have you watch his latest bluray he similar in that tense thats why this warm up shows good you wait till the next few shows Far out am in a band and we played our first show in 5 years and i was telling my sell to relax this is in front of about 100 people. id be fucked doing what slash done Edited April 3, 2016 by Gibbo 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ak1nney Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I just really really really hope these shows sell well. I wish they would do a news conference or something in the coming weeks to promote it. These guys are going to be ecstatic to be playing sold out or nearly sold out STADIUMS on their tour back together. I bet it feels like a total badass to walk into the venue the day of knowing you're going to be playing that thing to a sold out crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) 12 minutes ago, paranoyd androyd said: my first thought last night before they hit the stage was that Slash appeared depressed in the backstage photos that leaked online. his face, posture, everything was sluggish and kinda hard a dark undertone IMO. IF he's indeed currently depressed, there's two big factors that could be at work - first, his ongoing divorce process and second, his ongoing grief process about Lemmy's death (Slash has stated how deeply this is affecting him). when you consider the above plus add in his likely apprehension/anxiety/fear (whatever you want to call it) about rejoining Axl, it wouldn't be a surprise to me that he's carrying a very heavy heart mixed with a lot of conflicting feelings about what he's decided to do (at least for now anyway). i believe Slash will take things with this current incarnation of 'GNR' on a day-to-day basis where he won't be afraid to pull out if he feels it's in his best interest. Plus he never really did the GNR thing sober, right? I mean freshly divorced, GNR is starting up again, the pressure to relapse must be huge. Way bigger than when VR got going. Edited April 3, 2016 by Ant 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson87 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 He'll look more alive in Vegas. He just performed with Axl for the first time in 23 years and performed with Frank and Fortus who he hadn't played a live show with prior to last night. Plus it was a small crowd. Bigger crowd = more energy and more energy = a more active and badass Slash 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunsguy Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 He looked focus, he looked like I saw him on the last tour with his band, he may not run around now but keep in mind this was not a stadium stage by any means Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 And all up we seen about 3 minutes of the show 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashandflutter Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 Just to be clear, I'm not trying to throw shade on this at all. The night was awesome. I just kept hearing comments about his demeanor, so I wondered why that might be. On a side note: I LOVED that he was using Marshall Jubilee's again. I didn't particularly care for his AFD100 tone. 1 hour ago, Gibson_Guy87 said: He'll look more alive in Vegas. He just performed with Axl for the first time in 23 years and performed with Frank and Fortus who he hadn't played a live show with prior to last night. Plus it was a small crowd. Bigger crowd = more energy and more energy = a more active and badass Slash Totally agree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadApples87 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Slash is freaking amazing period! During his time away from GNR, he proved to more than Axl's equal. Glad to see them shake off the rust together and get things rollin' on the Nightrain one more time toniiiight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashandflutter Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 1 hour ago, BadApples87 said: Slash is freaking amazing period! During his time away from GNR, he proved to more than Axl's equal. Glad to see them shake off the rust together and get things rollin' on the Nightrain one more time toniiiight Yes. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoyd androyd Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 4 minutes ago, Ant said: Plus he never really did the GNR thing sober, right? I mean freshly divorced, GNR is starting up again, the pressure to relapse must be huge. Way bigger than when VR got going. yeah, that's certainly another potential factor that could affect him on an ongoing basis. the human mind is a lot more fragile than once thought and sobriety is always tenuous, so no doubt he's juggling a lot of things all at once here. who knows, it may feel like a bit of an outer body experience for him right now so we'll just have to see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killuridols Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 This Slash behavior you are describing I've noticed a loooong time ago. I was not an Slash follower of his solo career but I've seen some stuff here and there and yes, I have noticed that he's become more introverted than ever. Maybe I get this perception because I stopped following him when he left GNR so my latest memories of him performing with GNR are of a young crazy drug addict and alcoholic who always acted careless on stage. He had that "too cool for you" attitude but not in a bad, arrogant way. I remember Slash as a guy who spoke little but laughed a lot, his speech was like a mumble, hiding behind his hair.. Despite this, he offered a good show of runs, jumps, guitar games and being the counterpart of Axl. Lately, he's not like that anymore. I didn't see him interacting with Myles that much either. So, IMO, he's changed a lot. It could be due to being clean now, older, more responsible, much more professional and one important thing: he may feel he doesn't belong to GNR anymore. This is like returning to your parents home after decades of living alone. You have all the good and bad memories of it, but it doesn't feel the same. Now you have your own home, your own system, your own rules. Axl's been running GNR for decades. I'm sure a lot of what Slash used to do for the band is a Team Brazil task now, so he basically must feel like a guest, for the time being. I wouldn't jump to conclusions yet, specially based on the first and only show by now. Let's see how Vegas and Coachella go, with a bigger stage, a different setup and longer playtime. If none of that fixes it, then let's hand him a couple Clonazepam pills 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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