Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Every since the somewhat lackluster Slash performance at my Atlanta show, Ive been a bit concerned.

My friend Gunnerdownunder sent me a Philly boot and holy shit my concert wasnt anywhere near this.

very little interaction by the bandmembers

now they are cancelling the 4 and 5 star thing

anything wrong?

or am I overreacting?

It doesn't look good, but I hope nothing is wrong.

They did seem to going so well, a great tour, gearing up to record a new album...

yer gettin wurked up  over nuthin.

they were on eachother in jone's beach.. Not everyone follows bands this close..

Didn't seem like anything was wrong to me : ok:

Do you feel like interacting with your collegues every day ?  ;D I bloody don't, some days, i'd hide in some igloo and sleep, but i have to come out, it's called WORK.. ;D ;D ;D ;D

They've been touring for about a year now, hitting some markets as many as 3 times. 

Could be a bit road weary....

Something not right in VR land or just Slash land? Seems every time lately I read something about him it mentions how drunk he is. That doesn't sound very encouraging to me.

I think I'd be more worried if Slash had a long bout with sobriety...

Oh no slash isnt losing it again is he.....oh no its GNR all over again, next he will be passing out on stage,

I can't believe it, you're all so quick to judge on rumors and probably weren't even there, within the band, to actually have an idea...

Slash has never " truly" sobered up, he said he still drank but not as heavy as before.

That's didn't stop him from getting involved in VR or touring with them....It actually never stopped him from doing music altogether.

Kobys, seems to me you have a tongue sharper, and surely faster, than most women here on this board.

What goes around, comes around.

They are fine man, they are a rock n' roll band.  Take the rough with the smooth. They are bound to have off moments now and again it's only natural.  Especially on tour with their families back at home ect. It's bound to be harder now they all have those commitments.

Jessica, I am a woman. I'm merely pointing out that it's very disconcerting to read about Slash being drunk so much.

when is slash drunk so much.. he drinks he's a rockstar.. I saw him playing his ass of saturday at jones beach and he didn't miss a beat.. When did everyone get so concerned about rock guys drinking, gnr was founded on that as were their idol's music.. As long as he isn't shooting up then he's over 21 let him be..

Well, sorry about being so quick on you, i guess pregnancy hormones, lack or tobaco and personal problems make me a less nice person.

All the same, slash never stopped drinking, so although you feel concern, if he isn't the first concerned about it, what's the use you know ?  :-\

good luck jessica with the baby... :love:

Maybe when he was sent to the hospital with alcohol poisoning?




/jarmo

slash should quit drinking if he doesn't wanna die, keep drinking if he does...
i'm sorry that's just all there is to it

Slash was on fire at the Mullins Center on the 3rd.  His best of the 4 VR performances I have seen.

Everyone needs to calm the fock down.  Slash is a guy that will never let an addiction or vice get in his way of playing.  When I saw him in Detroit he was focking amazing.  Slash is one of the 5 greatest guitarist ever.  He is not washed up.  He is on his A game.  He is doing what he loves and will never let his talent go to waste.  In his days with guns he said he had to kick it back a notch because he didn't want his addiction hurt his guitar playing.  If he couldn't play guitar, he would die.  Jarmo, your witty ways crack me up.  Ha!  You are such a smart azz.

I don't think that Jarmo was trying to be funny I think that he was trying to express why Slash drinking hinself into oblivion is worrisome.

koby's, i am not a spokesperson for Yarmo, however, it is my beleif, that he was being a smart azz.  Right now Slash may be a little bored and is having fun, but I would like to see the so called "drunk" show. Is he passing out?  Is he puking on stage?  Can he not play a song?  Well, how is he drinking himself to death?  Its focking Rock N Roll.  Look at Keith Richards.....  I think Slash is fine and is very happy and loves his job.  He is ready to record the next album.

I'm not so sure that he was being a smart ass (though I don't know because I don't know Jarmo or his personality). What I do know is that on the Snakepit tour he was hospitalized with heart probs due to excessive drinking. Since this VR thing started I have been reading reviews of shows on Belowempty.com and the last few are the only ones where several of the people mention Slash being noticibly drunk. It kind of concerns me. Then when Duff and Slash perform at Gilby's show people are saying that Slash is noticibly wasted. I just wonder what is going on with him that he's staying so drunk. I would hate to see him drink himself to death.

Scott seems like a real interesting dude.

He and Matt were into it over Matt's groupie obsession

Duff and Scott are on the wagon and If any of u are recovering addicts, Do u have any idea how hard and tempting it must be for those guys?

When  u are in Scott's position, the last thing u need is to hang around someone who is doing what u are fighting the battle of your life against.

So I'm just curious if that causes any problems?


For those who have never had drug habits

it would be like being on a diet and your best friend constantly brings large pizzas and cokes over to your house every night.

Makes it damn hard to stay on your diet

being around Slash must make it tough on Scott and Duff. just like being around half naked groupies would make it tough not to cheat.

Yeah but Scott is a recovering drug addict.. Slash is drinking.. kinda different I guess.

Just got home from the Cleveland show and if that is a band in turmoil than they deserve an academy award because you would have never been able to tell from the way they were acting.

This show was light years better than the show I saw in November in Cincinnati. The guys seemed much more into it and talkative than last time I saw them.

I feel bad D that you didn't catch them on a good night because you really really missed out.

no shit dude, i hear bout Scott walkin into the crowd into the cheap seats and shit, and slash running around etc

but none of that happened at my show.

Yeah,

Scott was out in the middle of the crowd tonight. Slash was talking a bunch which he didn't do at the last show I was at. And 2 boot the 2 of them were interacting alot, which from what you were saying didn't happen at all at your show.

Scott said tonight they just finished recording the fantastic 4 single yesterday in Cleveland, so maybe the band had a chance to hang out and get straightenend out whatever was going on. Scott also said it will be the lead single of the movie, so let's hope the movie does well and the song gets popular.

You had me a bit worried about what to expect from your comments about the poor show you saw, but I was blown away given I had low expectations. There were guitar solos, and Scott in the crowd, and all sorts of other stuff that just made it so much better than the show I saw previously. Plus, Scott lived in Cleveland for a while so he was in a good mood tonight which really helps get everyone else going. Couple that with a hot crowd and it made for an awesome night.

that was the nyc show, scott loving the fans talking about rock n roll and how great the respective former bands were treated in my hometown.. Slash and scott were always by eachother's side, scott adn matt just talking away... There was no signs of any riff in the band.. Most people just se a show, then buy an album, not many get this deep into each members every move.. There should be no reason to worry until there is one.. Scott matt both mentioned a new album, scott has called these guys brothers and said duff saved his life with martial arts, so I know they are good.. Every family has battles but the thing is to understand and let them go..

Well, maybe you're wrong.

I can understand why people are worried, his rock n' roll lifestyle almost killed him.




/jarmo

I've definitely noticed that Slash's alchohol consumption seems to be on the rise of late. Even that 5star pic someone posted showed him drinking with his preshow meal. I guess I just expected a little more out of him since he's now married w/ children & seemingly has so incredibly much to live for. I guess it goes to show everyone that we're all human & even Slash still might need a little help getting out there on stage.

But everyone knows that someone who has an addiction will have ups...and...downs..

Recovering means just that, it doesn't always mean stopping all, it means being able to control a bit.

But slash hadn't toured like this in years, he needs reajustment, that's all. he needs support, not people making him weaker.

I posted that pic, it wasn't slash :rofl: The properties say not slash

(http://home.comcast.net/~a.lewis/misc/not_slash_05_14_05.jpg)

that is some dude from jone's beach who was in the vip section dressed like slash :hihi:


everything looked great saturday

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/_weiland/electricwonderland/vr64.jpg)

HAHA, that's cool it's not Slash, as I thought the tophat looked a little smallish, the hair a little long & it was strange he was drinking a Bud or two. Like Slash actually hangsout with a tophat on nowadays anyway. I just really hope Slash can keep his shit together cause i want this band to be around for a long time. Just don't want him going all Eddie Van Halen on us & not taking care of himself.

am I missing something here? Have there been bad gig reviews concernig Slash's drinking? Is drinking disturbing his playing?? If not, let the man drink his guinness every now and then.


John Daniels asks:
Dear HTGTH, what should I do? I'm having more than couple of six packs per week, should I be dead worried?

HTGTH-messageboard answers:
Please John Daniels. Stop your self damaging lifestyle, you have another leg in a grave. Do not take more than one six pack per week.

;)

As I was saying I just saw the last show saturday he didn't miss beat he was everywhere switching double neck guitars and like 4 others playing his ass off.. SOmeone who saw slash up with gilby in cleveland said he appeared drunk.. I'm sure he was having a great time drinking at the club,.,, Next thing we'll see how many times he masturbates a week or cleans his ass.. :hihi:

I don't see why his drinking is a such a big deal.  Obviously, it's not affecting his playing or his ability to do interviews and so forth.   Yes, a concern for this health is always understandable that none of us would want or wish anything bad to happen.  I am sure he is on top of his health and even if he isn't, he is a big boy and has been drinking for years, I am sure he knows his limit.   The man is Slash after all, it's part of his lifestyle. 8)

Slash is fine.  I am sorry if he missed a note on a solo that 99% can't even play.  So everyone calm down.  He is having fun, and I think it is great.  I don't want him to die either.

i think the reason they cancelled the vip at soundcheck is because they are working on new material during soundcheck as Slash said in that new interview that was just posted here

This is a hard one, Slash is drinking alot recently, I thought the show was great when i saw em recently !,  -----The thing i have been starting to notice , On bootlegs and live performances i pick up on the internet, Slash has been hacking alot of solos, :no: I dont remember him doin this back when GNR still existed,

You obviously haven't seen many GN'R performances then.

I've seen and heard many GN'R and VR performances and Slash can go from brilliant to sloppy to brilliant again, often in one solo, and even within one song.
He's always played like that live, he's not a flawless player, but allot of that he makes up for with feel and style, and also cause he looks so damn cool. : ok:

I don't need to drink, I am a social drinker.  Drinking wine with dinner is NORMAL.  Drinking Beer is normal.  Having shots is normal.  Getting a buzz from drinking is normal and legal.  Do I want to watch a wasted Slash?  No....  But if he was really wasted, he wouldn't be able to go through a whole show.  The are so active the would probably vomit.  This is the gaest thread ever.....  Slash is focking Slash, deal with it people, he is the real deal.  AA is not for him, he knows, when to tone down.  How many interviews has he said this in?  Jarmo, why do I get the feeling you secretly want him to become a drunk, washed up piece of sheot?  Slash Rules!

Probably because you're clueless?




/jarmo

That really is the truth.. I have seen slash in a  trance at shows where he couldbe kneeling with his eyes closed sweating or headbanging just playing the guitar like it's crying, the emtions flowing.. Like the guitar really is an extention of his body.. His eyes shut, him playing the guitar like he is romancing a women or charming  a snake.. Bending strings with very rapid finger sped.. I think with his style you are bound to fuck up.. He was head banging like crazy at jones beach and was playing them extrodinary.. I hope his health stays good, but as said he is a big boy, sure he must have  aphyscial or blood test to chedck his liver enzymes..

little boys at war, am i allowed to sit down with a sandwich and give points ?  :rofl:

fuckin chill out people,  Slash has 2 kids, i dont think he'd do anything so over the top after all hes been through to start killing himself via alcohol, hes a rockstar and he drinks maybe a little too much, but thats what its all about, Slash is God. If slash was going too overboard, dont you think somebody like Duff would step in anyway?

Jarmo, you sarcastic fock, you don't ever surprise me anymore.  Thing is, we all know how you think.  When is the last time you ever said anything good about Slash?   :no:  Everything you say is just so bitter sounding.  Its like when Dan Rather had to admit Bush won the election.  He hated doing it, but it is his job.  You report about VR, and you only give your opinion on them when it is usually negative.  I just don't get the hate anymore.  How many times have you seen them live?  3 or 4 right?  Each time you said it was a good show.  You don't like weiland, but you like the band enough to see them, but you hate how they act, but you still go to capture some gnr stuff and so you can be objective.  But you are no longer objective.  You are biased against VR.  Its fine, but please don't act like you are concerned for Slash's health.  You are only commenting on this because it is a negative subject about Slash.  You and I both know that people are over reacting about this.  Period. 

Thanks for the analysis. Too bad you got nothing right, but I guess it makes you happy that you "know" the real me.

Stop acting like you fucking know me or what I think, you have no fucking clue. Which is kinda obvious considering all the rubbish you just posted.




/jarmo

I understand Slash's style and the way he plays he is bound to fuck up occassionally

but guys, he missed a slow bend during the YGNR solo

a solo that a 16 year old beginner could play with ease.

I understand fuckin up a tad during a fast blistering solo
'
but this was like a whole note bend and he missed the fucking string.

I expect a garage band down the street to do this but this is Slash, one of the greatest guitarist of all time.

Im all into YGNR and the solo kicks in and he misses the entire fuckin string?

CMON!

Slash is my fav guitarist of all time but that was amateurish and ridiculous.

He just didnt blow me away and that kind of disappointed me, call it high expectations or what not, but I really didnt feel any vibe at all from Slash.

Scott Weiland however had me jumpin out of my skin.

I just find it sort of disrespectful to do stuff around a guy who has had a life long battle with it.

Jarmo, calm down.  you actually acted like I was right.  I am just messing.  why do you get so defensive?  sheesh!  I like the Scott Weiland performance (i know that is off subject).  D, sorry Slash had an off night the show you saw him at.  Jarmo, can we learn to get a long?  Do you want to address my post or just make personal attacks?  Please advise, I don't like the leader of the greatest GNR site ever on my bad side?  I will never speak you name in vain again.  I am sorry I misunderstood the point of your VR related posts.

Smoking Guns..

Because your "act" was nothing new. It's been all said before by others who think they know me because they've seen my posts.




/jarmo

Well i think i saw the worst slash performance the other day on the st louis 91 riot bootleg, hes way to stoned/drunk and he plays terrible,.

I noticed that during some of the 93 shows.....I forget which DVD i have but Slash gives a really lackluster performance......of course I would attribute it to being on the road for almost 2 years straight, but i was really let down by some of his antics that night......all his solos were pretty sloppy and he didn't run around at all......he even played one solo i think for nightrain on his knees without moving at all.........compared to the appetite era dvd's i've seen and the tokyo 92 show he was on fire then.....totally all over the place and wailing on every solo doing amazing improvisations and this and that.   I'm sure just like anyone he has his off nights but I wouldn't worry about Slash, he's one of the greatest and he knows what he's doing.  I mean I can remember hearing about shows where Axl just sat down and sung 3 or 4 songs.

Are you talking about Slash doing it in front of Scott? Scott's battle is with herion and other drugs (yes if someone wants to get technical alcohol is a 'drug'), not with the bottle as far as I know.

some people, including myself believes that one drug can lead to another.

Some people it doesnt, but Scott is obviously a getting high junkie.

some start out with alcohol then go to marijuana, then go to pills and then so on and so on.

Scott needs to stay completely away from any kind of drug, including alcohol and it would have to be hard someone constantly doing it under your nose.

Just like Matt and his backstage whores.

If u are trying to be a faithful husband but 50 gorgeous groupies are walkin around naked backstage, tempation would set in.

I think someone recovering and in the fragile state Scott's in, doesnt need any temptations.

I'm sure it's tough, but recovery is never easy.  I for one thought Scott would fall off the wagon and succumb to his demons.  Hell, I think I predicted it would happen 3 weeks in to the initial leg of the tour and have since been proved wrong, big time.

Being in a successful rock band lends itself to temptation, he knew that the second he got on board.  They've apparently found a way to coexist so I wouldn't be chastizing any particular member for any particular behavior anytime soon.

scott doesn't drink anymore either. I don't think he was ever a big drinker. All he does is smoke cigarettes now

Scott isnt out of the woods yet, didnt de stay clean for almost 2 years once?

then look what happened

so its been close to a year but he is never gonna be out of the woods.

except he's around guys who are clean now whereas the guys in STP predominantly Dean and Eric were occassional users making it really hard for Scott to stay clean. That plus the fact that he almost lost his family for good but won them back and has been clean ever since with the help of Duff gives us all the season to believe he has turned the corner. If you're going to be waiting for the day when he falls off the wagon then you're going to be waiting forever might friend, its not happening. Sorry to disappoint ya!

Agreed.

All bets are off when addiction is involved.

anyone can crack wether you've been clean a year or seven.. I just don't feel like sitting around thinking about when it will or might happen. The band is playing and rocking out so that's all that matters to me.
Scott said he tried every "normal" rehab in the rise of vr, then he said duff hooked him up with martial arts, so maybe this time it will be different../ Many people fall time after time then eventually they stop.. ;)

okay so when exactly 2yrs past and Scott sets his record for staying clean then can we stop talking about it please. How many more months til he hits 2yrs left so I can start counting down?...

Ask Keith Richards or the Aerosmith guys.

Drugs will probably always be mentioned in the stories when Scott's name is mentioned.


/jarmo

That's for sure.

Sadly enough, Scott's name is almost as closely associated with drug use as it is with music.

I think Duff would be a great mentor in that department for Scott. Look at how he stood by him during his court troubles.

Anyways, looks like D unfortunately didn't see Slash at his best, which really is a rare occurance, from what I've heard, all is back on track, thankfully  :yes:

I just saw them lastnight in Jersey and it was the best VR show out of the 6 I've seen! Great setlist and they were on there game especially Scott! :beer:

I don't think it makes it more difficult. I've quit smoking (had been smoking for 15 years, 1 pack a day minimum) 5 months ago and I am constantly surrounded by smokers. It doesn't make it more difficult to me, either you have or not have the will and strength. By the way, the book by Allen Carr does help a lot!!!

The key to staying clean (from my own life experiences) is keeping away from booze, that is the gateway to everything.. I know some people can do just booze without drugs, but booze impaired your common sence and you tend to do things you normally wouldn't, and shit like blow is definetyl one of them..  When I first quit I was able to keep my cool sober but once the drinks started flowing and some old apl showed up it was on..

I think it's a one day at a time process and that's why you have friends to help you throught the bad time..
Rigth now I think vr is running on all cylinders and each time I have seen them they have gotten even better,,, Eevryone is going to have  a bad show, doesn't mean anything is wrong..

I disagree with your alcohol comment. I drink regularly and get drunk regularly and Ive never wanted to do drugs. As Zakk Wylde says "Stay true to the brew" I have no interest in drug abuse sober or drunk. Its all about the individual

I said drinking as a former drug user : ok: Maybe I didn't make it clear.. I was speaking for myself saying if you ever were into drugs the best way to stay clean is by NOT drinking

Fair enough man :peace:

I finally got around to putting 02-May-05 Bridgeport onto DVD and listened to the Raliegh CD, and VR and definately kicking some serious ass!  :yes:

Im loving the addition of Dirty Little Thing and You Got No Right to the setlist (I saw them played in Sydney too and it was great) and since, the Wish You Were Here cover, brilliant stuff  : ok:

I think all is well, they are probably just tired but i seen them in Pittsburgh on the 18th and they were on fire. It has been said a million times but there chemistry as a band is unbelivable.

nothing is perfect, they are eating breathing and living the same life for a year straight now.. if I see anyone to damn much i want to flip out..

after the recent cancellations, maybe I was right?

Guys,

Relax. Think about it, these guys have been flogging this album to death on the road. They are not in the huge acts they were so they can do 5/6 shows a week against say 3-4 a week when you're a stadium/ large arena act.  If anything, I think they are right to close out the summer on the Ozzfest high and hunker down for a new album.

I believe Scott will stay clean; read his article about his drug use, the man has had enough bad luck associated with his old habit. He lost everything: wife, kids, STP, a lot of his money, his self-respect and his sanity.  He's back with a band he is clearly proud of, he may get pissy with Matt and Slash sometimes but tell me who in a band doesn't have their spats?

They are probably jaded with the Contraband tracks and are looking forward to moving on. The fact that 4 wives and 6 children now have to be considered also changes things. They are not a bunch of 21 year old tearaways anymore. Marriages crumble and children get fucked up when Daddy is away too long with too many old temptations hovering around. Those men love their families so much, they have all said so and they probably would like to chill out by the pool with the wife and watch the kids enjoy the summer. Contraband has probably sold about 4 million worldwide which along with the tour was a nice earner. They have earned the rest.

I hope to see them all back with a killer album for Christmas or soon after. Thanks for rockin' the last year VR.  : ok:
Cheers,
Intercourse.

they played last night and I read rocking review.. : ok: They probably just have to much on their plate.. If they did break up they would back out of live aid,

im sure they just wanna get started on the new record sooner, so that they can play the new songs sooner

I agree, I say they are pretty sick of the same ole same list every single night.

But if there were just 4 more shows u would think they could tough that out, maybe poor ticket sales?

Man someone said they played come on come in live.. It's also on the radio.. Good sing to me.. Damn I want to hear the entire thing..

4 more shows and the same song list? sure why not. they should'v emad emore material while on tour, see how the fans reacted to it. imput.

most intelligent post i've read in a long time. i agree. I think they just decided that Live 8 would be the biggest and best way to end their touring for Contraband. I mean think about it- when they started a year ago there was so much doubt about them, they were playing small shows. Now they're gonna be playing in one of the biggest concerts in the world. Fuckin A man, what better way to go out?? What better way to cap off a truly great and successful year for VR? It's like Axl ending the gnr tour after MSG- it wasn't getting any better than that (even if he didnt end it on purpose, you still get the point). Those 5 shows after Live 8 would just be a letdown, and i think they realized that and decided to just fuck it. Let them rest. They earned it. At least they're not cancelling 2 hours after the show was supposed to start.

There's something going on... Bad or good ?

Is Axl behind it ? Reunion ?

last night at the vr show scott said they )press) are fucking assholes and the band is not breaking up,, He said as long as you guys come out we will be there to play.. Just don't listen to the press.. In so many words..

They'll be playing at the festivals if the fans show up?? :hihi:



But so far they've only cancelled the last five European shows, they're still scheduled to tour in August/September in USA.




/jarmo

I have no idea why they are not going to play those last 5 shows.. There must be some kind of conflict//... At least he said something on stage to adress that they aren't having problems the press is claiming..

Tickets for VR concert in Montreux Festival are still on sale...  ::) www.montreuxjazz.com

then they want a break over the summer. or they don't like europe. take your pick. i'm fine with either.

I think it really sucks they had to pull out for whatever reason, but I also look at it like they have been though europe twice and the states twice so it's time to get back to making new music and taking a rest. It could be as simple as they are tired and burnt out.. maybe they are trying to better their show by adding to their setlist but need to record new songs.. I hope the shows were festivals that had some other cool bands to not make it a total lose.. At leas there was notice of some kind..

They just want to end the tour on a high note at the Live 8 show.  It totally makes sense.  It's the climax to everything that Contraband and VR were meant to be.  Think of it as a movie and this is the final scene.  How dramatic would Purple Rain had been if the last show was just another show and not some dramatic event.  Let's give them the benefit of the doubt.  They've earned that by releasing a damn good album and playing their balls off all around the world twice.  I know I'm ready for some new VR tunes.

But the tour isn't ending.


They only cancelled the last European shows, not the August/September dates.



/jarmo

Then lets just call it the finale to this leg of the tour.  I still think its a great way to finish off before they go into the studio again.

I agree that it would've been a great way to end the tour if they hadn't booked the 5 dates. Sure it is more dramatic, and wow, but the people who bought tickets to the last shows, _especially_ festivals since they're prolly not getting a refund, won't think it's such a cool idea. I'm just glad I'm not one of those people.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand that they're tired, I just feel bad for the people who lost money on this.