Guy Gets In the Ring

Loyal bloggist Guy trekked to the Big Apple to catch last night's Guns N' Roses show. Here's his unexpurgated report on Axl's dreads, Izzy's cameo and Sebastian Bach's return. Ticket to see Guns n' Roses at the Hammerstein Ballroom: $63 Long Island Iced Tea: $10 Being called a motherf

Comments

[SoManyJs]

Guy,I couldn't have said it better myself. I, too, was at the show last night and I have to say it was one of the best rock shows I've seen, well, since there stopped being rock shows.Somewhere in the mid-90s the "rock star" died and bands tried everything they could to be the anti-rock star....dressing like it was raining indoors (Pearl Jam) to being an anti-hero and dressing like you were too uncool to actually be cool (Weezer). I was reminded last night that there is nothing wrong with being a rock star...and a dangerous rock star at that.From the opening riff to "Jungle" to the closing crescendos within "Sweet Child" and "Rocket Queen", Axl played the consummate rock star part....and, yeah, despite looking a little different that he did in 1987 (I luckily haven't changed a bit), what remained was a frontman with more personality and pipes (he can flat out blow, Dawg!) than any of the "rock stars" of today.Yeah, would we rather see Slash up there instead of Robbie Fortus...and Duff instead of Tommy Stinson....yes, without a doubt. That being said, with that not currently an option, Plan B isn't so bad.

[Guy]

I think anyone would agree that with your sentiment, Somanyjs that Slash, Duff et al. would be preferable to the current incarnation of Gunners. All things considered, though, the band was relatively tight.Can't recall a show I had looked forward to more - for all the reasons you suggested, plus the fact that I had tickets to the 2002 Philly show that was the first one cancelled (along with the rest of the tour) after Axl's flame-out.

[Rick Gershman]

Cool, I'm pleasantly surprised that the new-world Gunners might actually be worth checking out.And the best sign, I think, is Izzy Stradlin's participation, for two reasons:First, Izzy's contributions to Jungle and the Illusions albums were extensive, though he was understandably overshadowed by such an iconic character (not to mention a killer lead guitarist).Second, Izzy left in the first place because Axl was acting like, well, a prima donna jerk (as has been extensively documented...and yeah, I wish I could use a more appropriate word than jerk). If Izzy's back, maybe little Billy finally has matured a touch... at 44.

[chilledbongo]

did they do 'mr brownstone'? thats one of the funniest songs ive ever heard.i guess the good news is izzy showed up. the bad news is they had to resort to playing 19 yr old tunes.

[Chase Squires]

Mmmm, new obsession .. Jack Johnson, "where'd all the good people go?" ... great, mello, sound ... can't we all just get along?if you ain't been turned on to Jack Johnson, my boys at the Russian download site, www.allofmp3.com .. got him on the cheap, 9-cents a song .. play it my Russion Broderz .. "where'd all the good people gooooo?"chase

[Anonymous]

new? ha! slacker. no seriously, jack is freakin awesome. i wanna be him when i grow up, but a girl.

[Too Busy To Care]

Anyone know what happened to the local band The Hazies?

[P-Train]

Wow, the fact that Axl Rose is 44 threw me for a loop.I also can't believe it's been 20 years since Appetite.To put this Chinese Democracy thing in perspective...The entire Beatles career spanned about 7 years, right? Think of all those amazing albums. Axl has been working on this one album for more than 7 years.

[Anonymous]

I was all ready to give Axl a chance, but not so sure now. I mean, what self respecting or not-so-self-respected-but-with-enough-of-the-required-arrogance-to-make-up-for-it rocker is going to admit to a scuffle with Tommy Hilfiger? I mean the only time that should be an issue is if he starts gnawing on you or trying to dress you.