GnR Chris

Imagine if Slash brought in someone to Gn'R to be a second "lead" singer and told Axl that he basically was forced to work with him. Then it turns out Slash got the new guy to record his vocals over Axl's parts on a song.

Would Axl be pissed off?

I don't know Paul Huge. I can't say I hate him. I can't say I dislike him. But everything I've read about him, the guy seems like douche. You at least come in acting humble knowing you don't deserve to be there.

It wasn't just Slash who disliked him, as others have already stated.

What do you guys think? I personally detest celebrity worship. There's another video where she demands he say hi with a camera in Axl's face.

They're human beings. I, for one, would be too embarrassed to hold a video camera to a person's face backstage or wherever else. It's different at an appearance/signing to take photos with fans.

Either way, I'm linking because Axl seems in great spirits here.

Edit: Here's the other one:

It must be hard to have to be a nice person all the time when you deal with this on a daily basis.

I don't buy that Axl didn't have the support of the record company. They poured millions of dollars into CD for years and years without any return.

To the haters, shame on you. To fellow true fans, I'll be having a blast tomorrow in Hartford and on Wednesday in Albany!

Save it (which I guess you did in hopes of proving something later on).

People were justified in their concerns after a pretty awful Rio performance, which was their first show in nearly a year.

Axl's voice was bad, he didn't know the words to any of his songs, he was out of shape, and the rain plus late start definitely made things worse.

Fan doesn't mean blind worshipper.

I've always loved that moment. Nightrain from this concert is the definite highlight - it sounds huge and Axl nails it. That being said, I've always felt this concert was a bit overrated, perhaps the fact that it's in such good quality makes it seem better than it is. Don't get me wrong, it's a great show, but I think the LA shows from later that year far surpass it.

Then of course, there's Robin's November Rain solo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvNtF2AJL6c

On the topic of Rock am Ring, anytime I've watched a performance from it (be it Guns, KISS last year, Slash, etc...) I'm amazed at how great the mix is. The people handling the mixes for Rio could learn a thing or two.

Finck completely fucked up one of the most legendary solos in rock music. Jesus.

Anyway, yeah that '06 show was pretty sick and Axl had the best look since the classic lineup.

Dizzy is a yes man...probably the biggest in Axl's circle. Shit, wouldn't you be? What would Dizzy be doing right now if Axl, his lord and Savior, didn't swoop him up and take him for the ride of his life...he'd be playing club shows with his awesome band "The Wild". The Dizzy argument is moot, because everyone who can think logically knows that he's only stuck around for the past 20 years by having his lips tightly pressed against Axl's taint. I don't even consider him part of the band...I never have. A friend of mine said it perfectly one time....we pretty much pictured the band touring the country in a nice charter bus while Dizzy is flooring it in his 1992 Chevy pick up with his bongos under a tarp in the truck bed. Then right before the show starts he runs in, bongo's in hand, panting, out of breath, and the rest of the band just laughs as they go on stage.

lol

Some posters are pathetic.

If a fan or reviewer says something positive about axl and the current band, its because they are an ass kissing drone. But if a fan or reviewer says something negative......well they are an unbiased musical genius who is just stating a factf

That's not the case at all. You see it on both sides. There are the people who vehemently defend everything about new Guns N' Roses to the point of discrediting the Appetite lineup and then there are those who won't give anything Axl does with his new lineup the time of day because Slash and Duff and Izzy aren't involved.

Then there are people in the middle like me. I love Axl's solo work (as I do Slash's and Duff's and Izzy's and even a couple of Adler's singles). I LOVE the real Guns N' Roses. And I even really like solo work from members of the current lineup, like Tommy Stinson. I bought his record when it released and I was at a show here in Chicago in Wicker Park.

I don't see the anti-Guns slant that you people are seeing. I have seen plenty of favorable to very good reviews.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/11/guns_n_roses_izod_center_november_17_review.php

And another positive review from the same show.

Can we talk about the review now instead of how technically inept I am?

All it took was just a little patience... okay, a lot of patience, but the roaring, fire-spitting rock n’ roll machine known as Guns n’ Roses assaulted the Izod Center at the Meadowlands last night with a three hour show full of new material, cover songs, and of course, classic Gn’R hits.

It was surprising to overhear the handful of attendees last night who still thought that lead guitarist Slash was a member of the modern day Guns n’ Roses, but most of the thousands of fans who filled the floor and seats of the Izod Center were fully familiar with the saga and drama of the band, still led by singer Axl Rose but featuring no other of the original members from landmark album Appetite For Destruction. Still intact, however, was the band’s trademark tardiness; while the doors opened as early as 8pm, and opening act Asking Alexandria went on at 9pm, there was no hint of Axl & company until after 11. Still, for a band known to go on well after midnight, if they show up at all, New Jerseyians and New Yorkers who ventured across the Hudson caught a fairly reasonable start time from the notoriously finicky Rose.

The arena was a little over half full when the lights finally dimmed and the band churned into the opening title track of Chinese Democracy, the long-awaited album which finally came out in 2008. Last night, however, was the first Northeast tour date in support of the album since its release, and while many in the crowd sang along to every word, it was hard to determine if the new song had made a real impact on the fanbase at large.

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But the band followed up with Welcome to the Jungle, and it was 1987 once again as the fedora-wearing Axl danced around the stage and hit the high notes with an astounding power, his voice still shrill, yet muscular as ever. Following up with two more hits from Appetite, It’s So Easy and Mr. Brownstone, virtually everyone throughout the arena was on their feet, singing along and cheering furiously for the songs that have been a staple soundtrack of rock fans for well over two decades.

From there, though, the setlist took an interesting turn. A few more new songs were played, the doom metal-esque Sorry a heavy complement to the introspective Better, with a cover of AC/DC’s Riff Raff in between (the first of no less than five cover songs to be played over the course of the night). The crowd was noticeably less receptive to the non-classic material, but when the opening notes of Estranged rang out, all seemed forgiven.

In some ways, the 10 minute Estranged summed up the entire modern incarnation of Guns n’ Roses as well as the night’s concert. The gentle, ballad-y frame of the song, provided by the group’s dual keyboardists, was mellow and moving. Meandering interludes, while pleasant, could be seen as filler between the hard hitting, crunch-filled choruses of the song which had fans throwing up their hands in solidarity with Axl’s passionate cries over booming riffs. The same concept would play out as the night went on, each band member taking an extended, arguably indulgent solo, jamming out in between the songs fans were waiting to hear. But when those songs finally came, they were spectacular, from the catchy Rocket Queen to an explosive, pyrotechnic-filled Live and Let Die, and You Could Be Mine, easily the heaviest song of the night which even saw a fistfight break out on the floor as fans rocked out and jostled each other.

But while the old songs were met with enthusiasm, and newer ones enjoyed by some and tolerated by the rest, the heart and soul of Guns n’ Roses, and last night’s show, was always W. Axl Rose. The last remaining member of a band that was once the poster child for violent sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, 21st century Axl wears a handlebar mustache, switches fedoras and leather jackets every other song, and is rarely seen in public. But make no mistake - Axl Rose still sings, bellows, and absolutely owns his stage like the “lean machine, drinking gasoline” that he was back in 1987. He regularly ran from one end of the stage to the other with a boundless energy, taking the time to pose next to each one of the seven bandmembers hired to perform the frontman’s elaborate vision of the ultimate rock n’ roll concert experience. Every note of every song was right on key and delivered with the raw energy, passion, and endurance that is held only by the top echelon of vocalists.

Detractors like to claim that it took three guitarists to replace the much-revered Slash, but judging by last night’s show, it seems like it actually took three guitarists to realize Axl’s grand vision for Guns n’ Roses, something that surpasses anything which would’ve been of interest to Slash or Duff. DJ Ashba (not an actual DJ) took many of Slash’s solos, as well as his image, wearing a smaller version of the iconic top hat and playing solos with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Richard Fortus made less of an impression, though he ripped through a demonic version of the James Bond theme during his solo, and was matched by the bearded Bumblefoot (read my interview with Bumblefoot from earlier this week here), who managed to summon the supernatural tones of ex-bandmember Buckethead’s wilder solos as well as adding his own touches, rocking out on a fretless doubleneck and broadcasting an aura of absolute electric guitar zen.

The show’s pace ebbed and flowed throughout the night, as Axl and his band were in no hurry even if tired fans were watching the clock. Jam breaks were frequent, and while enjoyable - The Pink Panther theme made an appearance, and a slow-paced take on Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall movement was downright electrifying - there was a definite sense in the crowd that between the late hour and the long show, more songs and fewer instrumental breakdowns would’ve been nice.

More songs, though, were coming. Sweet Child O’ Mine was nothing short of spectacular, as the entire arena sang along to the love song and karaoke standard. November Rain was just as unforgettable, Bumblefoot taking a stance in front of Axl’s grand piano for the song’s epic, fret-shredding finish as stage-wide showers of sparkles burned brightly for the entire drawn out solo. And ironically, some fans even had tears in their eyes during the always heartbreaking Don’t Cry.

As the night went on, Axl seemed to get increasingly warmed up, even as his jackets and hats kept changing between songs. His energy on another AC/DC cover, this time A Whole Lotta Rosie, was nothing short of hard-charging, and when it came to Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, there was no questioning the absolute joy on his face and sparkle in his eyes as he did what he does best, singing his heart out over a thick tapestry of crunchy guitars and freewheeling keyboards. For the first time in the night, he engaged the audience directly, and the crowd roared on the call and response for the Dylan song’s classic chorus.

With the hour well past 1am, fans were beginning to stream towards the door, but those who stayed clearly gained a second wind. Nightrain revved up both band and audience, with the night’s one and only crowdsurfer tumbling over the front barricades as the seven man band blasted through the fast-paced Appetite song like a 100 piece orchestra taking on Happy Birthday (the band also performed an impromptu Happy Birthday for guitarist Richard Fortus).

After a brief break, the night’s encore meant the end was in sight, though a significant portion of the audience had already headed out to the parking lots and their beds by then. But for those left in Izod's indoor bowl, the gentle Madagascar was followed by sing-along favorite Patience, played mostly on acoustic guitars with a blazing heavy metal finish from Ashba. Both songs were bookended by additional jams, but the final song of the night would be Paradise City, and both band and crowd went out with a bang. Axl rapped through the verses with the same boundless energy he’d shown all night, and all three guitarists took turns shredding through the wild, frantic outro solo. Confetti streamed from the rafters, filling the air as the stage erupted in endless bursts of fiery explosions, creating an almost impenetrable audio-visual blanket of whirling red paper and scorching walls of flame (see the final picture in my slideshow in the left sidebar) that perfectly matched the wheeling, doubletapping guitar heroics blasting out of the arena’s amplifiers.

It’s hard to say that the night’s show was perfect - even those of us expecting a late start still didn’t appreciate waiting around for hours, and while the musicians in the band are certainly worth appreciating individually, the amount of time given for solos and instrumentals was just overkill past a certain point. But if you can live with the issues of timing and duration, Axl Rose and Guns n’ Roses delivered a top caliber performance fully worth of the band’s legend in scope, if decidedly different than the Live Era albums in style. The classic songs sounded as good as the original albums, both studio and live, even with different inflections and nuances brought in by the new players. It was rewarding to hear the new material live for the first time, and it made this Chinese Democracy fan appreciate the infamously perfectionist production on that album even more once compared to a live, raw rendition of the tracks.

With towering flames and a wild stage show, the band showed what an arena rock concert is supposed to be all about, and set a high bar for the next band, of any genre, to follow. For all the flack and criticism Axl and Gn’R get, last night’s show made a clenched fist, powerhouse argument that no matter how late they go on stage or how infrequently they tour, in the end, it’s all worth the wait. New Yorkers have two more chances to catch this show when Guns n’ Roses plays Hartford, CT tomorrow night (Saturday 11/20), and then return to New Jersey at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ next Saturday night.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Guns n’ Roses blast away at the Izod Center - New York Hard Rock Music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/hard-rock-music-in-new-york/guns-n-roses-blast-away-at-the-izod-center-review#ixzz1e7VYfN5z

Instead of saying sorry, fix the damn thng.

How? I feel like an old man. I can edit the post but not the title as far as I can see.

It seems Axl is winning people over with the latest US tour. And at this point, I wouldn't say he even comes on late. He seems to be right around 11 most of the time. Kick ass.

http://www.examiner.com/hard-rock-music-in-new-york/guns-n-roses-blast-away-at-the-izod-center-review

Edit: Crap, sorry about the long title. It was supposed to end after "Izod Center."

I swear Axl hires people to write this bullshit.

Really? I know it was corny, man, but those were my feelings during the show and now in the afterglow. I feel like I need a cigarette. Haha

But seriously, anyone who's seen me post around here lately knows I'm not a sheep or anything. In fact, a couple people just reported (wtf) me for saying something negative about Dizzy.

Whatever. Apologies for going to a rock show and loving the heck out of it.

A few days ago in Chicago is the first time I've ever seen Axl live. I was supposed to go in 2006 but it fell through.

I've been to a ton of shows in my life. A ton. And it's funny, every time I go see a concert I sort of fantasized about it being Guns N' Roses I was waiting for. It was just something that would pass through my head as I was waiting for the headliner. "How sick would it be if I was waiting for Gn'R?"

When I bought the Guns tickets for the Chicago show, I couldn't FN wait for the lights to go dark and for the Dexter theme to start, man. I couldn't wait.

I about lost my shit when it finally happened the other day in the arena. I was on cloud nine.

It was the best concert I've ever been to in my life. Axl Rose sounded amazing and I'm so glad I could see him when he's still on top of his shit. I know people were worried about his voice (as was I), but he was killer. And he had all the moves.

I know I sound like a teenage fangirl, but I honestly can't say enough about what a great time I had. I don't think anything is ever gonna top this one. I feel like it's a heroin high and I'm always gonna be chasing the dragon now.

Strongly considering scooping some tickets to the Indiana show so I can see Axl again, man.

I had the biggest shit-eating grin on my face from Dexter to Paradise City. The time flew by.

It's true, Axl is the last in the long line of true rock and roll frontmen.

Man, what an experience.

Edit: I strongly encourage smoking a little grass before heading in. It only enhanced the experience.

Thanks! I've been waiting for this.

I actually thought that was a pretty interesting article. It didn't bother me that Axl kept leaving the stage. I assumed he was going to an oxygen chamber or mask or something. But it WAS a little odd to see him disappear to the same spot then run, circling around the stage singing his heart out. Whatever keeps him going, man. He was electric in Chicago.

The problem is: Dizzy said the same in 2002, before the 1st gig of the NA Tour.

Which goes back to me thinking he's just another yes man.

All I can go by is what I saw and heard the other day in Chicago.

At times his vocals were drowned out a little by the music, as if the mix was slightly off.

But Axl killed it. He was fucking awesome. The youtube videos don't do the live experience justice.

Seriously, he's still got it. The vocals AND the moves. I'm still buzzing from that performance.

I can't believe more people aren't talking shit about Dizzy's little comment on how he feels the current version of Guns N' Roses is the best lineup he's ever been in.

This son of a bitch has really been running off at the mouth lately. He needs to know his role, which is to play his little keyboard, and shut the fuck up.

Dizzy was in the lineup that included the original members, the guys who built the legend and wrote the music that made the name famous.

He's been saying some blasphemous shit lately. I guess that's who he's stuck around all this time. Another drone.

best in his eyes.. it would make sense for him though.. he was in gnr during the turbulent times.. so it would make perfect sense for him to say that man.

I do agree with you in that he came on basically when it was all coming undone. At the same time, he should have some respect. It's the way it comes off.

You totally contradict yourself. You say he is a drone......but you then say he is being blasphemous by saying the new band is better.

Seems as if he is giving us his honest opinion, regardless of the backlash from fans like you, who think the world revolves and slash and company. In this case YOU would be the drone and Dizzy would be the one speaking a free mind.

That's not a contradiction at all. He seems like an ass kisser, as in another yes man. That falls in line with him saying the new band is the best lineup he's ever been in.

Sorry if I don't care for Dizzy. I can still be a fan of Guns, old and new, and not give a shit about him.

Wow, you guys are ridiculous. Reported? Are you his mother? A whole bunch of threads... Three? And it's because, as I said, he's been saying a lot of infuriating stuff to the press.

I can't believe more people aren't talking shit about Dizzy's little comment on how he feels the current version of Guns N' Roses is the best lineup he's ever been in.

This son of a bitch has really been running off at the mouth lately. He needs to know his role, which is to play his little keyboard, and shut the fuck up.

Dizzy was in the lineup that included the original members, the guys who built the legend and wrote the music that made the name famous.

He's been saying some blasphemous shit lately. I guess that's who he's stuck around all this time. Another drone.

best in his eyes.. it would make sense for him though.. he was in gnr during the turbulent times.. so it would make perfect sense for him to say that man.

I do agree with you in that he came on basically when it was all coming undone. At the same time, he should have some respect. It's the way it comes off.

I can't believe more people aren't talking shit about Dizzy's little comment on how he feels the current version of Guns N' Roses is the best lineup he's ever been in.

This son of a bitch has really been running off at the mouth lately. He needs to know his role, which is to play his little keyboard, and shut the fuck up.

Dizzy was in the lineup that included the original members, the guys who built the legend and wrote the music that made the name famous.

He's been saying some blasphemous shit lately. I guess that's why he's stuck around all this time. Another drone.

We hit up a sushi restaurant around 7:30 last night and then eventually worked our way to the suburbs. We had a drink or two at Shoeless Joe's near Allstate Arena. It was packed with Guns N' Roses fans. A little after 9, the place started to empty out. I assume a bunch of people headed to the show. There was a rumor going around that Guns had no opening act and just had a DJ playing, which I eventually found to be untrue. But I wasn't gonna head to the show early and wait around anyway. My group parked across the street from the arena and made it to our seats by about 10:45. Guns went on just after 11. No wait.

HOWEVER, judging by what I heard a lot of people saying at Shoeless and in the arena, there were a slew of folks who had no idea Gn'R goes on so late, and a lot of people had work the following day. I felt bad for them. At the same time, the ticket said 9 p.m. and it was advertised as "over two hours of classic music." I've never been to a show where bands go on right at ticket time. Even if Guns came on at 10-10:30, you were looking at a long night. Not making excuses for Axl or anything. Just sayin'.

They should definitely start to advertise that the shows will be on later.

"Riff Raff" was actually awesome live.

I don't care much for "Madagascar," but the live performance was great.

The crowd's first lull was when "Sorry" was played. I like that tune, but when you're firing a bunch of hard rockers one after the other then hit a slower CD song, it dulled the mood a little. I definitely know the people all around me were much more familiar with the Appetite lineup material than anything on Chinese Democracy.

A lot of people started heading for the exits after "Nightrain." I can visibly see people were wearing down as it approached 2 o'clock.

This was, no bs, the best show of my life.

It was fucking amazing. Axl killed it. Fortus plays his fucking ass off. After seeing this lineup live, I gotta say Fortus is my favorite player. What a goddamn showman.

Shoeless is heavily packed with GnR fans.

There's not much to tell.

He was advertised to show up at 4, and he did, but he didn't play till about 4:30.

Tommy came in through the front door then disappeared to the back. Several minutes later he came out and he was chatting with random people who were waiting for the set or just shopping. Seemed like a cool dude.

He played with a couple guys who backed him at the Double Door earlier this year, and the woman who sang backing vocals is his wife I guess. Didn't know that.

I can't say for sure how many songs he played. Mostly all from the latest solo record. The set lasted about 35 minutes or so. Unfortunately he didn't play the title track from his latest record but he still sounded great.

A lot of the people there bought One Man Mutiny on vinyl and were waiting around afterward because he was doing a signing. But I split after the set to head home and get ready for the Guns show tonight.

Edit: My pics didn't come out that great. Hard to capture quality shots on a smartphone with the band moving around a lot in low lighting.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296946_840853136897_48608389_37707577_1970346579_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/166939_840855512137_48608389_37707586_987554635_n.jpg

Did anyone else go? It was a good little set. Glad I stopped in.