Sunday
May182014
Guns n' Roses at Rock on the Range
Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 12:01AM Rock on the Range is going down this weekend in Columbus. This is the first year in forever that I'm not at the fest. I just didn't have the time this year and quite frankly, the lineup didn't do much for me anyway. The only band I really wanted to see was GnR -- and thanks to YouTube and online reviews, I feel like I was there. Apparently, Guns did an amazing set -- Axl started on time and the band played near three hours! That's impressive considering it was really cold and rainy Friday night here in Ohio.
Reader Comments (16)
I also think that the GnR bashing has reached its limit. An off show? I totally get it, Dj. I respect your opinion. But GnR is now, and was in many ways, Axl's baby. Yes, I know the background: Izzy made it happen, Slash made it sizzle, and even Adler had the stones to slap the skins in his (far too short) prime. But this version of the touring band is a solid unit of talented musicians, supporting (with extra stress) Axl. He lives and dies by the name. He has a Replacement who inspired the man he replaced. Huh? Keep reading.
Puffy and balding? Check? Occasionally off key and out of tune (and with odd drum beats)? Yup. But this is Axl. You knew this would happen. And, yet, Izzy snd Duff still like the guy. So I think it is fair to say that this is a talented man, in a weird position (of his own making partially), who keeps on keeping on.
Far worse shows have been had. Far fewer involve a man dedicated to bringing fans more than two hours of hits (and some songs from CD that the casual listener didn't know but should). Trust me, CD suffered by its own release date. But it isn't as bad as a lot of albums released these days.
To be clear, Axl brought this on himself. But he has spent the better portion of the last decade righting those wrongs. I just appreciate the fact that he does it. You know what? I appreciate the fact that he still makes people mad. Cool ranch dressing, indeed.
To all those opposed, well . . . ?
5/17/14 starland ballroom.
opener: steve pearcy. Kicked ass.
headliner: twisted sister. Kicked all of our asses.
they are (still) doing it right.
Axl, take note.
see you in rocklahoma, peeps.
As for Slayer, now there is a band who delivers live EVERY TIME. While I am not the biggest fan of their music (there is some repetition, particularly with the past few records), the live show is - no pun intended - killer. It's good that King & Araya have kept up the ferocity and the touring, but it's also a shame that they couldn't work things out with Lombardo - a truly underrated drummer, even in the hard rock/metal world.
And bkallday, not a slap at being a sports fan at all in those King comments (or any observation re: "real men" [?!!?] for that matter). The point is King's overly affected, small man syndrome, Limp Bizkit and Jager, posturing. For the most part it is an act; to a degree it is not. But it has distracted some fans and former fans from the fact that he has kept the band together when others were less than willing to step up (Hanneman included). So I apologize if I was being too vague.
That said, I do have to ask (I think I know the answer and I am not trying to poke the bear) bkallday: what constitutes "real attitude"? I will try to be diplomatic here and just say that there are some bands, some with all the original members, who seem to lack "real attitude" these days.
ASPCA? Are they an off-shoot of ELP or YES? I might be foggy on this, but did they do covers of "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Giving the Dog a Bone"?
Fletch, I realize you are often on the outs here. But the thing is, you have every right to say what you think. And everyone else has the right to reply. So say it like you mean it and take it as it comes. I certainly don't mind your posts or take them personally.
Btw, my comment was a double entandre' cheap trick. I was taking a posters advice and being more subtle. I guess it was too subtle. Damn, I messed up again.