Guns N' Roses

[VCK]

Now, I was too young to be interested in festivalling it back in 2002, but from what I gather they were one of the most anticipated headline acts to ever play Leeds, possibly the most anticipated behind Oasis 2000 and RATM 2008. I have heard stories about how the entire atmosphere that day at Temple Newsam in 2002 was basically building up to their performance. There was no Slash or Duff MacKagan for this show, and people knew this before they bought tickets.

Fast forward eight years later and people are basically spitting at seeing their name printed on the yellow poster. People saying "Axl will just be a tit", "GNR tribute band", "2 hours of karaoke", "No Slash, it will be shit". Why say this now when the circumstances were pretty much the same when they last played Leeds, the obvious exception being that Chinese Democracy is now out. I'm just wondering, why the sudden change in attitude?

I quite like Arcade Fire and they are good live, but I'm unsure how they'll do as a headliner. Blink 182, a band for 12 year olds. Going by what I've seen of their performances last year, I have a feeling GNR will be the performance of the weekend. I wish Slash was there as much as the next person, but hands up. Who has been excited at the prospect of seeing Audioslave for their previous band's songs? Ian Brown? Morrissey? Even Smashing Pumpkins without Iha or Wretsky? How about QOTSA post-Nick Oliveri who are funnily enough, subbing GNR. I stand guilty as charged on all those counts...

I'm really looking forward to them, they will make a fantastic singalong, classic line-up or not.

[Dirty Boots]

I don't think you can compare the absence of Nick Olivieri (QOTSA) to the current state of GnR.

GnR were once a great band, they will please a lot of people and will get a big crowd. However, to me they are nothing more than an easy, lazy booking.

[mrtourette]

I was at Reading that year at the general feeling was that it was a good thing that they were only playing Leeds.

There's no sudden change in attitude, they were a bit of a joke back then and all the things you mention were being said then but at least they had the novelty factor. Eight years later and with Axl still plodding on the jokes are bound to have increased.

Edited March 30, 2010 by mrtourette

[Mamba]

Back in 2002. it was one of GnR's first shows back if I remember correctly and hype was starting to build for the new album (which came 7 years later). I was at Reading and pretty annoyed they weren't there.

I think, since then, people have got a bit tired of Axl's antics. I'm still pleased to see them on this year's lineup. At Download 2006, the first 4-5 songs were amazing until Axl through a tantrum. I'm just hoping they can stretch that out to 2 hours this time.

[Dropkick Murphy]

They'll still put on an awesome show.

[theramm]

I'm confident that they;ll deliver a quality show. This is based purely on the Osaka gig that I watched on Youtube (after a mate pointed me to it) & the reviews from the Canadian tour.

The comparison with Nick Oliveri is a good one IMO. Both QOTSA & GnR only have the lead singer from their original line-ups. Oliveri was the spark in QOTSA, his erratic & unpredictable behaviour gave them an edge. Likewise, Slash was/is an iconic figure & a fantastic guitarist. I'd argue that for the most part casual GnR fans wont be too upset about the absence of Izzy or Duff as it was Axl & Slash that people remember & for the most part people who want to see QOTSA just want to see Homme.

[VCK]

Back in 2002. it was one of GnR's first shows back if I remember correctly and hype was starting to build for the new album (which came 7 years later). I was at Reading and pretty annoyed they weren't there.

I think, since then, people have got a bit tired of Axl's antics. I'm still pleased to see them on this year's lineup. At Download 2006, the first 4-5 songs were amazing until Axl through a tantrum. I'm just hoping they can stretch that out to 2 hours this time.

[Dropkick Murphy]

I love Blink 182, but I personally don't think they can pull off a big enough sound for a headline slot - however, much like Metallica, GnR will put on a huge show and, in my opinion, a much bigger sound than Blink.

If 2002 is anything to go by, I think GnR will win a lot of people over.

Edited March 30, 2010 by Dropkick Murphy

[VCK]

I'm confident that they;ll deliver a quality show. This is based purely on the Osaka gig that I watched on Youtube (after a mate pointed me to it) & the reviews from the Canadian tour.

The comparison with Nick Oliveri is a good one IMO. Both QOTSA & GnR only have the lead singer from their original line-ups. Oliveri was the spark in QOTSA, his erratic & unpredictable behaviour gave them an edge. Likewise, Slash was/is an iconic figure & a fantastic guitarist. I'd argue that for the most part casual GnR fans wont be too upset about the absence of Izzy or Duff as it was Axl & Slash that people remember & for the most part people who want to see QOTSA just want to see Homme.

Edited March 30, 2010 by VCK

[ShockTK]

I'll tell you a story...

When I was 6 years old my eldest sister was cleaning out her cupboard of old music to make way for new music. It was 1990 so this was the transition from hair metal bullshit and Belinda Carlisle to Nirvana on the other side of the Atlantic and Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, My Bloody Valentine over here.

She casually handed me a tape because she "didn't need it any more". The cover of the tape was black and had a cross in the middle with 5 skulls on it, and the words 'Guns n Roses' on the top and 'Appetite for Destruction' on the bottom.

When you're 6 years old, you don't understand what Axl is singing about when he says, "when you're high you never ever want to come down", you don't understand who Mr. Brownstone is... but when he turns around and tells you to f**k off in the middle of It's So Easy, suddenly all those images of Rick Astley and Gordon Gopher in the broom cupboard disappear and you wake up.

I've been a fan of Guns n Roses for years. The first song I learned to play on guitar was Night Train. My sister's Use Your Illusion tour t-shirt fit perfectly on me for come as you please day in junior school.

Do I give a shit if it's just Axl and his band of hired "guns"? No, because Guns n Roses isn't about what band members it doesn't have. It's not about how many years an album takes to make in the studio. It's about that perfect moment in history where you see a waltzing lunatic onstage telling each and every single one of you to f**k off. It always has been and always will be about the attitude, and Guns n Roses have that in spades...

...regardless of how many horns sections they employ.

[Mamba]

Axl was hardly a mild tempered angel back in the days of Slash and Duff though. I mean, it's Axl Rose, after over 20 years of him being in the public eye you know what to expect.

[Dirty Boots]

I love Blink 182, but I personally don't think they can pull off a big enough sound for a headline slot - however, much like Metallica, GnR will put on a huge show and, in my opinion, a much bigger sound than Blink.

If 2002 is anything to go by, I think GnR will win a lot of people over.

[Role Model]

one way or another i'm expecting a performance to remember, either great or terrible. which is a shame, rather they would just be middle of the road so i could go see LCD without the worry of missing something that'll to be talked about for years.

[Dropkick Murphy]

Axl is Axl and he's got huge stage presence. The other band members aren't just gonna be people he's dragged from the street, they're gonna be hugely talented musicians - they will produce an immense noise.

[theramm]

From what I've read ever since Chinese Democracy was (finally) released Axl's had a huge weight off his shoulders & is thus back to enjoying himself onstage. Playing 3hr sets & connecting well with his backing band. He's still had a couple of strops on stage, he recently threatened to stop a gig when someone threw something at the band onstage but IMO I don't find that unreasonable.

If in doubt go on YouTube, search for Guns & Roses Osaka and I reckon you'll be convinced. They sound a LOT better live than Blinks recent performances for sure.

[VCK]

I'll tell you a story...

When I was 6 years old my eldest sister was cleaning out her cupboard of old music to make way for new music. It was 1990 so this was the transition from hair metal bullshit and Belinda Carlisle to Nirvana on the other side of the Atlantic and Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, My Bloody Valentine over here.

She casually handed me a tape because she "didn't need it any more". The cover of the tape was black and had a cross in the middle with 5 skulls on it, and the words 'Guns n Roses' on the top and 'Appetite for Destruction' on the bottom.

When you're 6 years old, you don't understand what Axl is singing about when he says, "when you're high you never ever want to come down", you don't understand who Mr. Brownstone is... but when he turns around and tells you to f**k off in the middle of It's So Easy, suddenly all those images of Rick Astley and Gordon Gopher in the broom cupboard disappear and you wake up.

I've been a fan of Guns n Roses for years. The first song I learned to play on guitar was Night Train. My sister's Use Your Illusion tour t-shirt fit perfectly on me for come as you please day in junior school.

Do I give a shit if it's just Axl and his band of hired "guns"? No, because Guns n Roses isn't about what band members it doesn't have. It's not about how many years an album takes to make in the studio. It's about that perfect moment in history where you see a waltzing lunatic onstage telling each and every single one of you to f**k off. It always has been and always will be about the attitude, and Guns n Roses have that in spades...

...regardless of how many horns sections they employ.

[ShockTK]

Axl is Axl and he's got huge stage presence. The other band members aren't just gonna be people he's dragged from the street, they're gonna be hugely talented musicians - they will produce an immense noise.

[ShockTK]

Also, now you mention it, Happy Mondays and a (finally) reformed Stone Roses for 2011?

[Dirty Boots]

"The feud dates back to 2006, when EODM played to an unfriendly Cleveland crowd as Guns N' Roses' opener. When Rose took the stage later, he called the band the "Pigeons of S--- Metal," and fired them from the rest of the tour. Hughes, though, seems to view it as a blessing. "When we showed up it was a 25,000 seat arena with 5,000 kids there; not a single one of 'em born when 'Appetite For Destruction' came out," he tells NME Radio. "I remember looking at my manager going, 'Dude, I think we made a mistake, man. Apparently the rock went to Velvet Revolver.'"

[monkeyrock]

For those recalling Download 06 when Axl was angry with various issues on the stage set-up (fair play to him) - those who were there (me) know that yes there was a horrible 20 mins or so when we thought it might all fall apart - but the entire band pulled it back on, Axl was professional and picked it right back up and they played a fkn brilliant set from then on. Izzy Stradlin even popped in for a few songs during their set, as did Seb Bach. It was a great turnaround. Hearing Used to Love Her live was fkn brilliant.

I'll always remember them starting Nightrain as a plane flew low overhead (flyin' like an aeroplane) - it was a "moment". I've seen GnR a lot in venues big and tiny and I cannot wait to see them again at Reading.

And kudos to the first post - its been largely the same line-up in GnR now for a very long time - Slash aint been in the band for about 15 years. have a look on YouTube and see how the crowds of 40,000+ in Sth America currently are receiving them - like gods! Come on Reading - make them welcome.

[shoptildrop]

Epic post mate! That was my attitude towards the Pumpkins in 2007, when a few people were cynical about Billy Corgan The Tyrant playing with a bunch of "session musicians". When you love a band so much, and have loved them for years, sometimes since childhood, the opportunity to see them is too great to turn down just because it's not the original line-up. GNR aren't my favourite band of all time (though I do like them and they are one of my "must sees" this year) but I can imagine the excitement someone who is a diehard GNR fan must be buzzing with, at the prospect of seeing Axl Rose singing Welcome To The Jungle, Paradise City and Sweet Chilld O Mine in the flesh. Like I was when the Pumpkins were announced a few years ago.

Also, now you mention it, Happy Mondays and a (finally) reformed Stone Roses for 2011?

[shoptildrop]

GnR were once a great band, they will please a lot of people and will get a big crowd. However, to me they are nothing more than an easy, lazy booking.

[headshrinker1979]

I for one am pleased with GNR playing this year, yes we all know it's not the original line up blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong I love the old GNR, Slash is a true guitar legend, BUT i saw the new incarnation when they toured over here in 2005, and i was very very impressed with the new line up. Axl still has the stage presence that he always had and still has that fantastic voice that is so unique to the sound of GNR.

I would urge anyone who has never seen them in any capacity to give them ago, Axl has put together a very talented bunch of musicans to do justice to a back catalogue of tunes that most fly by night bands these days would give their right arm for! For me these songs should be perfomed live as GNR or whatever version of it as long as there is at least one original member arounrd to perfrorm them IMO! Bring it on i say!

[ShockTK]

Agreed with post and OP - I've loved this band since 1988 and after seeing them on the Use your illusion tour in 92 I am more than happy to see them. I'm buzzing more about seeing these again than I was about FNM last year (who actually supported said tour)

I don't give a s**t what people think of them when you love a band for a long time seeing them in any shape or form is enough - I wasn't even gonna go to Leeds again but after seeing lineup last night convinced the fella and tickets have been bought - roll on August

[mrtourette]

I think they're trying to make up for Reading getting Metallica and Radiohead the last two years.