Tampa Tribune Review

[kyrie]

Dunno if this was posted, found it via another board.

Wee Hours For Paradise City

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By CURTIS ROSS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 26, 2006

TAMPA - A concert review isn't really the place for a lecture on tardiness but good grief. Guns n' Roses' set didn't start until almost midnight Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

Is singer Axl Rose that unfamiliar with the real world that he isn't hip to the whole job-responsibility-up before noon lifestyle? Or does someone need to point out that even the pre-teens who bought "Appetite for Destruction" in 1987 are now in their 30s? Whatever. If you can get past the time element, the show was about as good as one might have hoped and at times considerably better.

The two-hour plus set relied heavily on songs from "Appetite … " and it's likely few in the crowd of 10,522 would have complained about that.

Few seemed bothered by the fact that Rose is the only member of the "Appetite … " lineup currently in the band. That took away some of the potential excitement since the old Guns was a band of loose cannons. Now it's one loose cannon and eight hired guns.

Excellent hired guns, mind you. Most of them got solo spots which gave Rose a chance to catch his breath, change his shirt and do whatever else he needed to away from the spotlight.

Rose remains a natural front man, sprinting around the stage, baying and howling and expressing all the rage and fear that made the band so intriguing when it appeared 20 years ago.

His voice, though, was erratic, mostly strong and true but occasionally pinched and thin. In contrast to his old rabble-rousing image, Rose was unfailingly polite between songs, telling the crowd it was "very, very nice to be here" moments after telling them they were in the jungle, baby.

Such is the dichotomy of Axl Rose: charming and possibly insane.

The band was almost too reverent in its treatment of the older material, replicating each solo and fill with a classicist's touch. Only on "Out ta Get Me" did the players make the song their own, and that one left the "Appetite … " version in the dust.

However, new material, from the oft-delayed "Chinese Democracy" album, sounded vibrant and raised hopes that the disc may one day actually be released.

In the end, despite any longing to see the original lineup back together, Rose established his new Guns as a vital, exciting force and threatened to once again inject some excitement into a stale mainstream rock scene. If only he could do it a couple of hours earlier.

Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568 or cross@tampatrib.com

Edited October 26, 2006 by kyrie

[Spoon87]

Fair review, a good read.

[W. Axl Kev]

Fuckin' yes! Another good review, this band is kickin' some serious ass!

Such is the dichotomy of Axl Rose: charming and possibly insane.

That one made me grin!

I swear there can never be a better opening to a show than 'Welcome to the Jungle'.

[shades]

how about a fan review?

When they wake up

[radioflyer]

That's a fairly positive review - but notice that this is the second published review in a row saying how silly and rude it is to hit the stage so late. If I was at this show, even after buying tickets, parking - the whole deal, I would have had to leave early due to work - and that just plain sucks. I can't be out until 3 am on a weeknight.

Plus - don't these venues have curfues?

[Montrealer]

They're getting great positive review so far!! Surprising!

[PrettyTiedUp763]

Fuckin' yes! Another good review, this band is kickin' some serious ass!

Such is the dichotomy of Axl Rose: charming and possibly insane.

That one made me grin!

I swear there can never be a better opening to a show than 'Welcome to the Jungle'.

I liked that part too! It was a fair review. Nice to hear postive things about this band.

[JONEZY]

Plus - don't these venues have curfues?

If there is one, its probably a small fine which Axl can afford to pay.

10,000 + people, I assume the venue holds around 15-18000 for a concert?

10,000 + is good in my opinion, especially without a new album.

[jonx12]

That's a fairly positive review - but notice that this is the second published review in a row saying how silly and rude it is to hit the stage so late. If I was at this show, even after buying tickets, parking - the whole deal, I would have had to leave early due to work - and that just plain sucks. I can't be out until 3 am on a weeknight.

Plus - don't these venues have curfues?

Trust me, if he turned up on time every night the reviewers would be saying GnR have lost their edge, its all too predictable blah blah blah. Its Axls way of keeping that whole aura of mystery surrounding him while also scaring people by making them think he isnt going to show. It doesnt do anyone any real harm but looks kinda controversal!

Jonx

[rocketking]

That's a fairly positive review - but notice that this is the second published review in a row saying how silly and rude it is to hit the stage so late. If I was at this show, even after buying tickets, parking - the whole deal, I would have had to leave early due to work - and that just plain sucks. I can't be out until 3 am on a weeknight.

Plus - don't these venues have curfues?

Trust me, if he turned up on time every night the reviewers would be saying GnR have lost their edge, its all too predictable blah blah blah. Its Axls way of keeping that whole aura of mystery surrounding him while also scaring people by making them think he isnt going to show. It doesnt do anyone any real harm but looks kinda controversal!

Jonx

Exactly. I kinda like the fact that the show starts somewhere between 10-11pm. Remember in the club days, GNR always hit the stage around 11pm. Punctuality is for us "job-responsibility-up before noon" peeps, not Guns N' Roses. So you sacrifice one night's sleep for seeing the greatest rock show around... stop whining, gramps! :xmasschef:

[zakk]

I agree. It is once a year. So you go to work tired. Take the morning off or don't go to the show. Great review on the music though. Rock on!

[life_247]

GnR have always hit the stage late, look at the illusions tour, tardyness was the norm.

Why change it now?

[abw1987]

GnR have always hit the stage late, look at the illusions tour, tardyness was the norm.

Why change it now?

Because it's annoying. Haha. And I think it's just a power trip for Axl -- he thinks that people must reallllllly want to see him if they wait for 2 hours.

[DCGNR]

Plus - don't these venues have curfues?

If there is one, its probably a small fine which Axl can afford to pay.

10,000 + people, I assume the venue holds around 15-18000 for a concert?

10,000 + is good in my opinion, especially without a new album.

Agreed. I'm beginning to think some of these venues were chosen for a specific purpose. 15,000 seat arenas with 10,000 people in the house can make a strong audience - If album was released a month or two ago and a video and single were out there, does anyone really doubt this place wouldn't be sold out?

Or that they would have picked out bigger places? This really is not bad so far -

[Zint]

Rose established his new Guns as a vital, exciting force and threatened to once again inject some excitement into a stale mainstream rock scene.

B)

[Urlacher54]

That's fucking bullshit. All the media does is hate on Axl. They never say he does anything right, they just pick on every little thing he did wrong. Fuck the media. I'm never going to take a review seriously again.

Just posting the response all the asskissers would have made had the review not been as positive as it was.

[Zint]

had the review not been as positive as it was.

[Urlacher54]

had the review not been as positive as it was.

It's pretty plainly written. Are you confused?

[Zint]

not in the least..

[Philly Guns]

being late during the UYI tour didnt hurt gnr that much, but being late during these tours is gonna make them lose some fans. Sounds like the time period of 9:00 to 11:30 doesnt provide enough magnetic forces for axl to perform. jk lol .

[kannon21]

Very nice!

Kannon.

[blzbub]

I looked at my tix for MSG and I can't seem to find the part that states when GNR will hit the stage. So often reviewers complain that they go on late, but for fuck's sake- it's rock n' roll. If they want early, they should hit a gospel brunch on Sunday morning. Late is when the fun happens. If I'm half zombie at work the next day, so be it . . .

[welcometothespunkle]

GnR have always hit the stage late, look at the illusions tour, tardyness was the norm.

Why change it now?

Because 1991 was a loooooooong time ago. If you'll notice, the band is quite different now... i.e. unpopular.

We're all fanatics here, so we understand that's Axl's thing and we expect it.

Not every casual fan is going to be that forgiving. You can understand that, right?

Can someone please forward this question to Axl... Why go out of your way to be a dick to the very people who are paying money to save your trainwreck of a career? Why not just go on stage when you told them you would? Don't be a fucking pussy ass bitch. I know you don't like having to work, but enough's enough. Just take the fucking stage at a normal hour. Imagine how much better this band would be received if 10000 people weren't just booing them for an hour and a half. It's not fucking rocket science.

Did 2k2 teach these guys ANYTHING?

I can't believe this guy Axl Rose. Love the music. Was raised on the music, but he is definitely the king of procrastination. "Oh No...please don't dirupt the gentle bruteing genious that is Axl Rose.... " I mean come the F@*CK on! He needs to put out the album now or go away....forever. He has been quoted as saying that he doesn't want to throw a brick with respect to the quality of the album. I don't know about you but I'm getting a little annoyed at all this stuff being blown my way from the GnR camp or lack of information thereof. The guy has had over 10 years people!! He's suppose to have upwards of 32 songs....3 albums within the next 3 years starting with CD!!! Yea like that will happen on time!!! Give me a freakin break. I've seen them twice, once in 2002 at MSG just before the Phili upset. and before that UYI tour MSG where I nearly popped my eardrums cause the soundboard tech guy juiced the volume over capacity for the 2.5 our show!!!

I'm 33 yo now, a full fledged adult and would never ever risk life and limb to see them. Why would I they show up late and if they don't play your in the middle of a riot. No thanks!! Not for me!! It occurs to me that Axl doesn't really care about his fans only his legacy. Perhaps we should all do the same, that is, not give a crap so much about this jerky guy with a clear manic depressive/bipolar chemical imbalance and more about our own legacy.

Thank you for allowing me this rant....

nuff said.

PS:YOU BETTER NOT SCREW THIS UP AXL PALEY, YOUR FANS DESERVE PERFECTION FROM YOU MR. PERFECTIONIST!!!

[pebbles]

Anyone who knows anything at all about gnr knows that Axl Rose will never be on time and thats just part of his fuckin badass self and he doesnt care how much people wine about it. He is definitely worth the wait.

[rockerman]

Right fucking on review.

My thoughts on the subject are this. If the ticket says 8 pm be there at 8pm. Why did the riots happen..or at least fuel the fire? People felt like they were getting ripped off. It doesn't excuse assinine childish behavior and Axl can't take 100% of the responsibility but he needs to shoulder some of it.

This isn't a club band anymore andhasn't been since 1987. Since Axl has made it clear that he's left the sunset strip theres no need to revel in the moniker of "worlds most dangerous band." Do the fucking show.. do it well..plug your album.. generate awesomeness...entertain.

As an employer I despise my workers showing up to work with less than 100% of thier ability..especially when they ignore thier responsibility to thier job. It costs them and it costs me. So dragging your ass into work after partying all night.. you damn well better be able to do your job and do it well. If staying up till 3 am to see Axl get it on is what you do Fine...I'm all for that but this is the real world and money isn't easy to make especially when your job requires you to be in the public- and just know that 9:00 finds you ready able and willing to do your job. Thats the reality of how the real world works.

That being said when and if GNR get to Denver my clinic is gonna be closed and my employees are getting a mini paid vacation.