[Deicide]

What follows is a piece I have written for various on-line sources about last nights gig. Before you read this, PLEASE bare in mind that I am a huge GNR fan. They are the only band i am interested in - seriously. Since I picked up Appetite For Destruction in 1989 I have benn OBSESSED by them. Therefore, please do not think that i am jumping on them, or slagging off the new band - I am not. The review is is honest and from the heart.

The reason I say this is because I have had a lot of negative comments from a certain webmaster about the column, but i fail to see why being honest can upset somebody.

Anyway, without further ado, I hope you enjoy and agree/disagree with my words, and please mail me with any feedback (roland_savage@yahoo.co.uk)

GUNS N ROSES - NEWCASTLE METRORADIO ARENA - 19/07/06

We arrived at the MetroRadio arena in good spirits around 6:15. Since the Use Your Illusion Albums had been released myself and Craig had dreamed of one day seeing GN'R live, and to be honest, never actually believed we would have the chance. I had bought tickets for the show they were supposed to be doing in Leeds a few years back but it was cancelled.

Anyway, when we saw that they had announced a European tour for 2006 we jumped at the chance and purchased our tickets and waited patiently for 19th July.

Having arrived early (the doors were advertised to open at 6:30) we found a notice on the doors of the arenas. 'The show is not due to finish until 11:45pm and the management offers apologies on behalf of the artist.' Did this mean they were going to play for three hours, I thought. We would find out later.

After cuing at the concessions stand the first strange event of the evening took place. Axl had seemingly personally requested that no (plastic) bottles be sold to the audience. I couldn't believe this, as it meant carrying cups of water/beer/fanta about all night, spilling everywhere. You couldn’t even take a bottle of water into the pit with you later! The reason for this request by Axl would become apparent as the night wore on.

Just after seven we sore the stage lights go down and Sebastian Bach came on. After a really solid, well paced set he left and soon after we sore upstarts Bullet for my Valentine take the stage. We were not here for the support acts at all, but have to admit that BFMV looked pretty good as the arena was filling up nicely for the arrival of who we all wanted to see. BFMY left the stage at I think was about half eight.

As happens at gigs such as this, everybody with standing tickets then started to make their way to the front, and everybody with sitting tickets began to sit down and be ready for the main event. Little did we fans realize that Axl would keep us waiting until 10:15 before he came on! Squashed onto the floor like an overcrowded tin of sardines, dying of thirst (but being unable to carry a bottle of water) for a couple of hours was not the most enjoyable experience. We heard many people saying throughout the ordeal that they would give him ten more minutes and then they would go home.

I was heard saying Craig on more than one occasion, 'How can he do this to his fans? We have paid nearly £50 for these tickets and he just doesn't care.' By this point the crowd was booing raucously, unlike anything I have ever heard after ten years of gigging. I really did not think that Axl would come out at all after hearing this.

As the clock hit 10:15, however, the lights went down, the fireworks went off and out came Axl, and his ever growing, band of merry men. They ripped through an awesome rendition of Welcome to the Jungle, before following it up with possibly the best moment of the night (It's So Easy) and then Mr. Brownstone.

The show plodded along at a good rate from here, as the crowd went mental for classic covers of Live and Let Die and Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Now, I understand that GN'R have always incorporated solos into their live show, but what happened tonight was a joke. All three guitarists, and keyboard player Dizzy Reed (who looked painfully thin) all had their own solos. To me this meant one thing - time wasting. An example was when one of the guitarists used his solo to play a full instrumental version of Don't Cry. It left me asking why Axl didn't just come out and play the song, vocal and all.

The night did pick up, however, with storming success as they belted their way through Sweet Child, November Rain and You Could Be Mine, and Madagascar.

At around half eleven, Sebastian Bach came out for his usual rendition of My Michelle and then Axl invited 'Old Friend' Izzy Stradlin onto the stage for a moment of jamming (although by this point we have four guitarists, a bass player, two keyboardists...) and a rundown of some old classics.

I was surprised when the band ripped into one of my personal favorites (and most underrated GN'R songs) Think About you, although when they played Patience I was in Guns heaven.

By this point I had forgiven Axl for all the stupidity earlier in the evening, and was already considering trying to get tickets to another show on the tour. Things soon can change in this business…

The band burst into Nightrain, with the crowd going crazy, singing every word in unison. Then something very strange happened. A fan threw a pound coin which hit Axl in the face. He muttered something, told the band to stop playing and then walked off the stage, mid-song, and said ‘Good night.’ He then returned a few minutes later, told the crowd to tell security if they saw anyone throwing anything, and started Nightrain again.

The song drew to a close, the lights went out and Axl simply said ‘The show is over,’ and the houselights came on.

I couldn’t believe this childishness. We had just seen a GN’R set without Paradise City. Everyone expected an encore but none came. I was so angry that for the entire journey home I cursed the man and promised to end my musical relationship with him.

Having slept on it I stick to my Guns (no pun intended). The man walked off stage like a spoilt brat and didn’t finish his set. I understand that he did play for 2 hours (by this point it was 12.15am) but by not playing Paradise City it was like going to see Sabbath and them not playing Paranoid.

All in all, much of the set was fantastic, but there were too many signs of the lack of respect which Axl has for his fans. He couldn’t care less what we think of him, because he knows we will still all listen to his music, and if the album ever comes out, we will buy it in droves.

That is all except me, however. Axl, you have lost a fan of twenty years with you dummy-spitting performance tonight.

This post has been edited by Deicide: 20 July 2006 - 11:48 AM

[Pronk]

everybody knows don't throw anything to Axl because he get's pissed off, You can't blame Axl, you can blame the motherfucker who has thrown the coin..

This post has been edited by Pronk: 20 July 2006 - 11:52 AM

[Thunderstruck]

Well, would you be saying the same if Axl had been blinded by the coin? throwing coins is a really dangerous thing to do, and I personally wouldn't have risked it by going back out to finish the song, so I give the man his credit

[Johnny_rottenuk]

You talk about a lack of respect from axl towards the fans, what about the lack of respect shown towards him by the fans, throwing a pound coin at the guy ffs! if some dick head chucked a coin at me i sure as hell wouldnt just shrug it off and go on as if nothing had happened. axl shold have dived into the crowd like the old days and kicked that fools teeth down his neck.

[GNRDude]

Pronk, on Jul 20 2006, 11:50 AM, said:

everybody knows don't throw anything to Axl because he get's pissed off, You can't blame Axl, you can blame the motherfucker who has thrown the coin..

Ever heard the saying two wrongs don't make a right?

I totally agree with Deicide. I've heard the 'supposed' coin ( I don't care what anyone says, no one saw it), hit him in the leg.

But that’s' ROCK AND ROLL!!! Axel is old school, he'll have had much worse chucked at him in the past.

I was so enjoying the gig up until that point. At one stage I found myself saying, "this is the best gig I've been to". And I've even seen the original line up play.........Axel was on top form. I even forgave the ropey lyrics on 'Out Ta Get Me' and 'Think About You'. But to stomp off like that is no way to treat your fans. That action ruined what was a brilliant gig for me.

This post has been edited by GNRDude: 20 July 2006 - 12:24 PM

[Hampi]

shit hope this dosent happen on sunday

[invisible_rose]

How anyone can blame Axl for this I'll never know. Throwing coins is absolutly insane! What must go through someones mind in order for them to throw a coin/bottle.

I'm guessing it wasn't the first thing that was thrown - otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have taken off. It is stange that Axl didn't give any warnings though.

GNRDude, on Jul 20 2006, 12:23 PM, said:

Pronk, on Jul 20 2006, 11:50 AM, said:

everybody knows don't throw anything to Axl because he get's pissed off, You can't blame Axl, you can blame the motherfucker who has thrown the coin..

Ever heard the saying two wrongs don't make a right?

I totally agree with Deicide. I've heard the 'supposed' coin ( I don't care what anyone says, no one saw it), hit him in the leg.

But that’s' ROCK AND ROLL!!! Axel is old school, he'll have had much worse chucked at him in the past.

I was so enjoying the gig up until that point. At one stage I found myself saying, "this is the best gig I've been to". And I've even seen the original line up play.........Axel was on top form. I even forgave the ropey lyrics on 'Out Ta Get Me' and 'Think About You'. But to stomp off like that is no way to treat your fans. That action ruined what was a brilliant gig for me.

Axl is in his mid 40's - he's not a kid anymore with a "dont give a fuck" attitude. If he chooses not to put up with this shit, then that's his choice. We all know from the past that he is, shall we say a little tempramental (sp?), so why antagonise him by throwing a coin. How the hell would you like it?? You say it only hit him in the leg - why would he continue - maybe so he can have the "pleasure" of getting hit in the face. You have to remember he also has a responsiblity to his fellow band members.

[Pronk]

GNRDude, on Jul 20 2006, 07:23 PM, said:

Pronk, on Jul 20 2006, 11:50 AM, said:

everybody knows don't throw anything to Axl because he get's pissed off, You can't blame Axl, you can blame the motherfucker who has thrown the coin..

Ever heard the saying two wrongs don't make a right?

I totally agree with Deicide. I've heard the 'supposed' coin ( I don't care what anyone says, no one saw it), hit him in the leg.

But that’s' ROCK AND ROLL!!! Axel is old school, he'll have had much worse chucked at him in the past.

I was so enjoying the gig up until that point. At one stage I found myself saying, "this is the best gig I've been to". And I've even seen the original line up play.........Axel was on top form. I even forgave the ropey lyrics on 'Out Ta Get Me' and 'Think About You'. But to stomp off like that is no way to treat your fans. That action ruined what was a brilliant gig for me.

No, because English isn't my home language, so appologise for that.. and if we start bitching, you can't even spell Axl's name right:) but that's pretty lame for some adults, isn't it?

[GNRDude]

invisible_rose, on Jul 20 2006, 12:32 PM, said:

Axl is in his mid 40's - he's not a kid anymore with a "dont give a fuck" attitude. If he chooses not to put up with this shit, then that's his choice. We all know from the past that he is, shall we say a little tempramental (sp?), so why antagonise him by throwing a coin. How the hell would you like it?? You say it only hit him in the leg - why would he continue - maybe so he can have the "pleasure" of getting hit in the face. You have to remember he also has a responsiblity to his fellow band members.

Axl has never put up with shit.

At the end of the day he went off stage and made his point. Leaving before the encore was just pure spite.

He should be thankful that he has such loyal fans that are willing to pay £40, and wait nearly four hours for him to show. Not stomping off stage because 'one' fan threw something and what no one knows.

Pronk, on Jul 20 2006, 12:35 PM, said:

No, because English isn't my home language, so appologise for that.. and if we start bitching

Wasn't bitching........was just saying..

Just wait until a similar thing happens at one of your gigs.......I guarantee you'll be just a peeved.

[Deicide]

I have thought about this so so much today.

Nobody deserves to have a coin thrown at them for any reason, so i do feel for Axl. But there is no way he should have left without an encore. He ruined one of the best nights of my life. And what is really annoying mne is the amount of people who are defending the man! I understand that he is temperamental and he was pissed off, but a proffesional does not leave a job incomplete.

Someone mailed me today and told me that we should be happy cos they played 22 of the 23 songs they usually play. WHY should we be happy? We pay cash to see a full show.

What aslo annoyed me was the way he went off. If he was that worried about what had happened, then why did he come back on at all? And if he was coming back on, then why didnt he play Paradise City then instead of restarting Nightrain?

[thorhail91]

I think that AXL is under a lot of stress!! He is leading and creating the superband of the 21st century! Everyone knows that he is hot tempered, so give the guy some slack! He will shut up many mouths around the world with the new album, wait and see..
HAIL AXL!!!!

Deicide, on Jul 20 2006, 06:53 PM, said:

I have thought about this so so much today.

Nobody deserves to have a coin thrown at them for any reason, so i do feel for Axl. But there is no way he should have left without an encore. He ruined one of the best nights of my life. And what is really annoying mne is the amount of people who are defending the man! I understand that he is temperamental and he was pissed off, but a proffesional does not leave a job incomplete.

Someone mailed me today and told me that we should be happy cos they played 22 of the 23 songs they usually play. WHY should we be happy? We pay cash to see a full show.

What aslo annoyed me was the way he went off. If he was that worried about what had happened, then why did he come back on at all? And if he was coming back on, then why didnt he play Paradise City then instead of restarting Nightrain?

By the way, I really like "Deicide"!

[rosemc]

Your "honest" review is clouded by
your anger,my friend.
YOU sound like an angry spoiled brat.
Would you still be so angry if you'd
gotten your "paradise"?
You got 2 hours!! You got to SEE them!!
You should know(I think you're old enough) that
as the "stones" say "you can't always get what you want"!!
Ask yourself " what would I do in his situation"? "HONESTLY"!!

[Rainman]

Deicide, on Jul 20 2006, 12:43 PM, said:

What follows is a piece I have written for various on-line sources about last nights gig. Before you read this, PLEASE bare in mind that I am a huge GNR fan. They are the only band i am interested in - seriously. Since I picked up Appetite For Destruction in 1989 I have benn OBSESSED by them. Therefore, please do not think that i am jumping on them, or slagging off the new band - I am not. The review is is honest and from the heart.

The reason I say this is because I have had a lot of negative comments from a certain webmaster about the column, but i fail to see why being honest can upset somebody.

Anyway, without further ado, I hope you enjoy and agree/disagree with my words, and please mail me with any feedback (roland_savage@yahoo.co.uk)

GUNS N ROSES - NEWCASTLE METRORADIO ARENA - 19/07/06

We arrived at the MetroRadio arena in good spirits around 6:15. Since the Use Your Illusion Albums had been released myself and Craig had dreamed of one day seeing GN'R live, and to be honest, never actually believed we would have the chance. I had bought tickets for the show they were supposed to be doing in Leeds a few years back but it was cancelled.

Anyway, when we saw that they had announced a European tour for 2006 we jumped at the chance and purchased our tickets and waited patiently for 19th July.

Having arrived early (the doors were advertised to open at 6:30) we found a notice on the doors of the arenas. 'The show is not due to finish until 11:45pm and the management offers apologies on behalf of the artist.' Did this mean they were going to play for three hours, I thought. We would find out later.

After cuing at the concessions stand the first strange event of the evening took place. Axl had seemingly personally requested that no (plastic) bottles be sold to the audience. I couldn't believe this, as it meant carrying cups of water/beer/fanta about all night, spilling everywhere. You couldn’t even take a bottle of water into the pit with you later! The reason for this request by Axl would become apparent as the night wore on.

Just after seven we sore the stage lights go down and Sebastian Bach came on. After a really solid, well paced set he left and soon after we sore upstarts Bullet for my Valentine take the stage. We were not here for the support acts at all, but have to admit that BFMV looked pretty good as the arena was filling up nicely for the arrival of who we all wanted to see. BFMY left the stage at I think was about half eight.

As happens at gigs such as this, everybody with standing tickets then started to make their way to the front, and everybody with sitting tickets began to sit down and be ready for the main event. Little did we fans realize that Axl would keep us waiting until 10:15 before he came on! Squashed onto the floor like an overcrowded tin of sardines, dying of thirst (but being unable to carry a bottle of water) for a couple of hours was not the most enjoyable experience. We heard many people saying throughout the ordeal that they would give him ten more minutes and then they would go home.

I was heard saying Craig on more than one occasion, 'How can he do this to his fans? We have paid nearly £50 for these tickets and he just doesn't care.' By this point the crowd was booing raucously, unlike anything I have ever heard after ten years of gigging. I really did not think that Axl would come out at all after hearing this.

As the clock hit 10:15, however, the lights went down, the fireworks went off and out came Axl, and his ever growing, band of merry men. They ripped through an awesome rendition of Welcome to the Jungle, before following it up with possibly the best moment of the night (It's So Easy) and then Mr. Brownstone.

The show plodded along at a good rate from here, as the crowd went mental for classic covers of Live and Let Die and Knockin' on Heavens Door.

Now, I understand that GN'R have always incorporated solos into their live show, but what happened tonight was a joke. All three guitarists, and keyboard player Dizzy Reed (who looked painfully thin) all had their own solos. To me this meant one thing - time wasting. An example was when one of the guitarists used his solo to play a full instrumental version of Don't Cry. It left me asking why Axl didn't just come out and play the song, vocal and all.

The night did pick up, however, with storming success as they belted their way through Sweet Child, November Rain and You Could Be Mine, and Madagascar.

At around half eleven, Sebastian Bach came out for his usual rendition of My Michelle and then Axl invited 'Old Friend' Izzy Stradlin onto the stage for a moment of jamming (although by this point we have four guitarists, a bass player, two keyboardists...) and a rundown of some old classics.

I was surprised when the band ripped into one of my personal favorites (and most underrated GN'R songs) Think About you, although when they played Patience I was in Guns heaven.

By this point I had forgiven Axl for all the stupidity earlier in the evening, and was already considering trying to get tickets to another show on the tour. Things soon can change in this business…

The band burst into Nightrain, with the crowd going crazy, singing every word in unison. Then something very strange happened. A fan threw a pound coin which hit Axl in the face. He muttered something, told the band to stop playing and then walked off the stage, mid-song, and said ‘Good night.’ He then returned a few minutes later, told the crowd to tell security if they saw anyone throwing anything, and started Nightrain again.

The song drew to a close, the lights went out and Axl simply said ‘The show is over,’ and the houselights came on.

I couldn’t believe this childishness. We had just seen a GN’R set without Paradise City. Everyone expected an encore but none came. I was so angry that for the entire journey home I cursed the man and promised to end my musical relationship with him.

Having slept on it I stick to my Guns (no pun intended). The man walked off stage like a spoilt brat and didn’t finish his set. I understand that he did play for 2 hours (by this point it was 12.15am) but by not playing Paradise City it was like going to see Sabbath and them not playing Paranoid.

All in all, much of the set was fantastic, but there were too many signs of the lack of respect which Axl has for his fans. He couldn’t care less what we think of him, because he knows we will still all listen to his music, and if the album ever comes out, we will buy it in droves.

That is all except me, however. Axl, you have lost a fan of twenty years with you dummy-spitting performance tonight.

I understand how you feel as I missed Paradise City in Detroit 2002, but it was due to an AXL fuck up and he ended the show a few minutes later. GN'R are and will always be my favorite band and stuff like this comes with the territory. I say, if you follow GN'R then be prepared for this to happen. It is part of the unknown !

[chrissen]

looks like axl acted like an italian football player. acts like sissy after basically nothing. it's a fucking rock gig. things like that (and even worse) happen. doesn't mean it's ok what the idiot did by throwing a coin

[Slashlow]

Thanks for that review Deicide. i was going to do one but i don't thing i could follow that one. i agree with you for most of it, but if someone threw a coin at me when im on stage i would tell them where to go. I respect Axl for coming back on stage.
I've been to loads of gigs ok and that was the first one that didnt have a encore. I was gutted about that because its one of the best parts of a show for me. it feels like the start again. But you never know. Axl could have ben planning a encore but Newcastle Arena turned the lights on 30 seconds after they left stage and everyone left. if they kept the lights of for a bit longer you never know what could have happened.
I enjoy Guns set, but it could have included new songs such as Better and There Was A Time. and one of the best songs Guns Wrote Rocket Queen. Also they didnt play Madagascar it was the Blues. Was a good Review thank you.

P.S it isnt a GNR gig if Axl doesn't walked off stage haha
Peace out!