Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Now that I've been home for a couple days I've really had a chance to think about these shows and I think they were nothing short of an amazing success. In my opinion Izzy Stradlin taking the stage with Axl Rose was not a slap in the face of the new members, but was an utmost show of respect by Izzy and Axl toward one another. It seems to me Izzy wanted to be there to wish this new incarnation of gnr well, and Axl wanted his old bandmate/friend up there who helped write a lot of the old classic tunes to jam out with him before he embarked on a huge comeback tour. It's quite possible that Izzy's eyes welled up with tears because in that moment he realized what Gnr still was to so many people and what? the new gnr is going to be when the new cd is released.
There is something special about when a great champion returns to defy the odds and recapture his glory, there is something special when a person or a sports team rises to the occasion when people simply say that they can't, that's why we all root for cinderella storys, that's why we all like movies like Rocky, that's why we still wait for Axl Rose. We all know how great Axl Rose was with his original set of musicians, we all want him to be that great again, and I think that's what Izzy was feeling up there. There was his old friend Axl, who had been knocked down, but not knocked out over the last 4-5 years, there was the hardcore fans cheering him on, singing word for word, cheering just as loud for Izzy as they were for Axl.. and that emotion probably touched his soul.. I wish I could have been there to see it live. I'm so happy for all of you that did.
Lastly, these shows have helped unite the fan base, I think Robin Finck, Richard Fortus, Tommy Stinson, Pittman and Brain have solidified themselves in being valid parts of this band. I don't want to leave Bumblefoot out, he proved he is a good guitarest and I look forward to checking out his music more, he seems like a great guy. Finally, we all seen how happy Axl Rose looked up there on stage.. he had that look in his eye that has been missing for too long... he was hugging on all the members... something happened that we don't know about in the last 4 years.. he looked at peace with himself, he looked better than ever, I don't know what he was talking about when he said that Sebastion "saved his life" or when he said "I met Sebastion when I was trying to save my life and he was trying to destroy his"... but something great happened in Axl's life and lit a fire under him... I'd just like to thank everyone involved in the pre-sale, the message boards, and all the great gnr fans for coming from all around the world to see these shows. I believe these four shows will ultimately be the catalyst for the greatest comeback in rock n roll history. In the end I believe Axl will have ruled the music in parts of 3 different decades. :peace:

Good post - I think thats some insightful stuff about Izzy.

I would also say the shows were a smashing success. Think about how differently we think of the band now - Axl is back to himself, Robin has come out, the lead guitar player doesnt look like a freak and the band seems happy. Setlist complaints aside I think GnR are really giving their fans a treat (in Europe and the US anyway  :P)

Yeh good post agree with most of that  : ok:

I think the Bach saved my life comment was in reference to Bach sending Axl to a voice therapist when he lost his voice on the after the 1st show. He's probably got a good point, if Axl hadn't made the second show it could have been catastrophic, so well done Baz  :yes:

Yeah, but am I the only one that thinks Axl looks more happy/confident now than he did in the pics taken from 2000-2005... am I the only one who sees that the old look in his eye is back???

no you aren't the only one, he looks refreshed happy and sounds amazing, all the shows were a hit..

the " old look" in his eyes ...

Life is back into them, but he seems fully " loved" too. ;)

Maybe axl has found happiness at last.

Awesome. That's all I can say.

Axl sounded amazing - far better than most 02' shows.

One things for sure - Rock In Rio is going to be AMAZING

Well if they were 'warm up' shows, I can't wait to see what we've got in ?store for us Brits : ok:

The whole vibe feels so much better this time round

My only dissapointment from the reviews is was there was no mention of a single, video or album. Hopefully Axl is saving this for Rock In Rio.

yeah! The Axl we came to love is back! Thats for sure! Thay all looked happy,

I'm thrilled with the way the shows went. ?I unflortunately didn't attend any but from all accounts they were more fantastic than any of us could've predicted. ?The only things that could've made them just a tad better would've been one NEW song or possibly an appearance by Brian May to play CITR. ?Other than that, A+++. ?They're back baby!!!

if i remember correctly there was a moment during ycbm on the 15th, where axl usually says with your ass in the air, and again if im remember correctly he didnt scream it into the microphone but had a big smile on his face, when the crowd actually sang that part.? they all looked like they were having fun, i really appreciated him mentioning that we re the diehard first day ticket buying motherfuckers or something like that, but we re all diehards, so hopefully their new found enthusiam will lead to big things for the rest of the year.? im just so surprised how much better, and i mean like 100000x better the band was during these 4 shows, then really any point in 2002

Yeah, I remember the "with your ass in the air" part too... because I always sing that part!! I did see him kind of smile when the crowd yelled it.. you know he had to think that was cool...

I only made it to last night's show, but that turned out to be an awesome decision. Axl and the band were on the top of their game, Izzy's appearence was just awesome, and i loved baz and kid rock. I was so close to Axl's platform last night i couldnt believe it. It was by far the best concert I've ever been to, I don't know how anything will top it. Hopefully the full tour following CD's release will be a huge success, but i dont think it could top last night.

From someone who didn't attend, I can only say that things looked to go pretty well. Great reception from the fans all four evenings. Good performances given each night by the band. New songs received well by fans. New songs performed well. Some special apearances. ;) And some good reviews.

intensity-

great post, i agree with everything you said. it was also good to finally meet you, albeit briefly, on friday i believe (i was with dark/craig). anyway, axl seems completely rejuvenated (i think part of it is that he loves the new york lifestyle) and the band has totally reconnected with the fans in a way that it wasnt quite able to do in 2002. good job all around!

No I agree with you, I didn't go to any of the shows but from what I've seen so far he seems so much more into these shows than anything in 02. The old Axl is back ?: ok: Even little things like he's running around again, I know it's not much but he hasn't really shown that energy since the UYI tour. He has his swagger back, in 02 from what I have seen he seemed somewhat lost in the show like a sheep in headlights, but even just from pics from these shows he looks like he knows he's the greatest living frontman today and he wants his throne back ?:peace:

I think Izzy is the most respected former member of GN'R amongst the community, so for him to effectively endorse this new band and the fact that it is now 'Guns N' Roses' and endorse what Axl is doing by appearing on stage with them, is really a big compliment and thing for Axl and the other guys in the band. Hopefully a lot of fans can join this too ?: ok:

I think he wants it and he's going to take it soon, only Halford can stand in his way... :hihi:

There's no doubt that the shows were a great success and i'm happy about that, especially the Izzy appearance which just blows me away. But, there is a LONG WAY to go. Only in the fall when Chinese Democracy is released (tentatively) will we see whether or not the new incarnation will be able to continue onward and upward. Remember, there are a lot of pissed off people in North America especially who got fucked over by Axl's no shows and the aborted 02 tour. There's the lingering legacy of the original members and the seminal strength of the back catalogue to deal with. There's the 13 year wait for a new record, the press with their knives at the ready to trash it if CD isn't a classic and then there is the much changed face of music to think about. Remember, hard rock ruled in the late 80's early 90's but that's not the case now, and this is a band that is used to multi million selling records too. It will be an eventful rollercoaster ride for sure... like we're not used to that by now. ?:hihi:

I saw all 4 shows, and you could almost see the band gel more and more each night. The last time I saw "GnR" was in '93 so the only constant is Axl and Dizzy. The little time that Dizzy had in the spotlight (The Blues), he made the most of it. That little intro he does of The Beatles will become a classic GnR intro, in my opinion. Axl looked like a kid on Christmas morning. The louder the crowds were the bigger the smile on his face grew. You could tell he was impressed and appreciated the crowds response to him and the entire band, even if we are a bunch of "Downloading Motherfuckers" and "Thieving Bastards" :rofl:

Robin just impressed the hell out of me, and yes he nailed all the solos this time so I hope everyones happy now. From the stagediving, to walking around in the security pit and laying back into the crowd, to the jam with Richard on Christina Aguileras "Beautiful", I feel Robin shone the brightest during these 4 nights.

I loved that the audience spent more time chanting "GnR" than for just Axl.

I think the band has been welded together by these live performances. Robin has become a true companion with Axl from the pictures and videos we have seen, as they are always standing next to each, holding arms and rockin' the stage together. It seems as though Robin has taken Tommy's spot from the 01' and 02' concerts. Tommy seems to be less comitted somehow, doesn't seem like he's "out there" enough anymore. Fortus on the other hand seems to be more energetic than EVER.

As for Dizzy, I love the dreadlocks.

As far as Axl's voice goes...I refuse to make any judgements until we see quality audio of the performances.

I never want people to forget the old band so please don't think that, but it really seems that now after all these years, this line up is really becoming almost as loved if not as much as the old by the current set of fans  : ok:

So I'm keen to hear from those who went to all four shows? Overall which one was the best? The first for it's amazing energy, anticipation and adrenalin waiting for Axl after all these years or the last with Izzy? Was his voice the best first night and was it worn a bit the nights after?

I'll have to disagree about the Tommy comment although I agree about Robin.

Friday night:
Tommy walks past Axl and says something.
Axl into the mike: Wait, say that again
Tommy: I'm having a great fucking time
Axl gives Tommy a big hug
Axl to the crowd: You all dont know how much that just meant to me.

Tommy, I feel, will be the glue that holds this band together. He's been doing this longer than Axl and wouldn't hesitate to tell Axl to fuck off, if the situation warranted it. Watch his interaction with everyone in the band, he's having a good time up there, and is the biggest cheerleader for Richard, Robin, or Ron when they are doing their solos.

After just the first night I knew why Tommy was being called The General

I feel the warm up shows were a great success. ?Axl sounded absolutely amazing, he looked happy, and genuinely pleased to be there, and performing again. ?He was moving around like a mad man, screaming and singing just like the old days. ?The duet with Bach was phenonmenal. ?I couldn't believe what I was experiencing. ?The May 15th show (as well as 14th :)) was the best concert I have ever attended. ?The band was very good - played well and had a lot of fun on stage.

I am so glad that they decided to open with a small venue. ?What a once in a life time sort of treat for the fans. ?Although they will eventually do stadiums, I do hope GnR will once again do a few small gigs as well. ?It was just an amazing atmosphere. ?What a great series of concerts!!

I went to all 4 shows. All were great but each one was better than the previous show, for its own reasons

I think the energy from the band was best during the 4th show, the energy from the crowd was the best during the 2nd but the 4th was realy close. Axl's voice was at its best the first night, by the 4th night some of that old Axl rasp/growl was back.

How can you beat Izzy coming out and playing? For me the 4th night was the best for that reason. But I would be hard pressed to rank the other 3. The only major difference with the first night was it was the only performance of TWAT.

I went to the first three.. my favorite was the first night... 6 new songs was awesome. :peace:

Okay, was Izzy really tearing up or is that just someone's fanwank? ?How many saw it?

I see what you mean. I just don't feel he is as energetic as he was in the previous shows, but that might just be because Robin is more energetic than anyone else at these shows, which I doubt anyone can deny.

Thanks for the response dude, and Mr I!

Mobenrad: You are 100% correct, in my opinion, Robin was the star of those 4 nights. (Other than Axl of course)

I'm really dissapointed at the few people who would yell for Slash during his solo's... Robin doesn't deserve that. :no:

I also went to the first three shows, and it was clear that Robin is *the* lead guitarist.  There's no question that he's the man.  He's gotten so much better as far as stage presence since 2002.  I never doubted his guitar skills though.   : ok:

They were just awesome.. even better than i had imagined, even though the band was a bit rusty (which was to be expected).  these shows were SO HUGE for this band, it really will set the tone for what is to come.  Europe is going to get some freakin amazing performances since they will get better and better as time goes on.  it was so great to see Axl out there again with the guys having such a blast.  I do believe we are going to get the album more so than any other time before and it is going to blow people away!!!!
Ron Thal is also going to be really great after a while.. and Robin and Fortus are better than i could have imagined.

One of the best things is that i Rarely ever thought of the old lineup, which was a bit surprising even!!! This means that now, more than the last tour or the last vegas shows, I believe they definitely deserve to BE the band and saga that is Guns n' Fuckin' Roses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great post mr Intensity i'm so emotional these days that i cried when I read about axl and Izzy :crying:


 :love: i love this band! i pray to god i can have the chance to see them live someday 



i'm so happy for all of you who could go to the shows  : ok:





 

WOw, great great post! Mr.Intensity....like you said, these show were nothing short of an amazing success! and it really meant a lot to me, seeing them for the first time, being so close to the stage and watching my favorite band ever perform is just something that may never be toped. So many great memories that will stay with me 'til the day I die, and even then, I don't think I'll let those fuckers go :hihi:

Kannon.

You are quite right Mr. Intensity. QUITE right. Robin has worked hard than any other member of the band (besides Stinston possibly and Axl) and he deserves only our praise and approval of his guitar skills.

I thought Robin was amazing...IMO, he played the classics much better than 02
To me, he seemed so much more comfortable in the band than he did before.  Robin kicked some major ass on Better and TWAT.

like i just posted in another thread.i didnt attend these shows but i have heard what dankrass has recorded for us all and after hearing these bootlegs,im FUKIN SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED about the shows im goin to.if i close my eyes and listen to the bootlegs its like 1992 again.axls voice is way better than in 2002 and the band is tighter than a nuns ass.

                              rock on to a summer of fukin metal  : ok:

Wed night's show was the best I have ever seen Axl....and I have now seen 7 UYI shows and one new band show. Izzy absolutely made the night however. I almost passed out when he came on. Then, seeing Izzy and Tommy locked up in the groove just was magical for me. Those two are cut right out of the same cloth. My voice is shot from screaming. :beer:

I wondered if Robin is a boston red sox fan after seeing his red socks on Sunday night :hihi:

I also want to add:

Guns really had something to prove during these warmup shows and they f'n Proved it!!!!!!!!!

The shows were incredible.  I saw them on the 12th from the second row of Mezz 1 and on the 15th on the floor, working my way up to second row from the stage by PC.  It was great to experience the shows from both perspectives.  Axl was in top form, voice sounded amazing and he looked great.  The band was tight and 4 years after 2002 they more than ever seem like a real band now.  How can they not?  They all with the exception of Bucket stuck around.  I was very happy with the setlist and know that they will play more new songs once CD is released.

In 2002 we did not see Axl out and about like we're seeing today.  Its obvious that there is a huge shift in his attitude.  He's confident now and that is why 2006 will be different than any other year.  I'm certainly looking forward to the release of CD.  I'm also looking forward to an in depth interview (my guess is that the first will be Rolling Stone) that really touches on some of the issues over the past 15 years that have not yet been addressed.

i remember that too and on the 17th he actually held the microphone out to the crowd so they could say it. axl sounded amazing. i just went back and watched the vma performance and a bootleg of when they played albany. axl's voice and movement on the stage improved so much. he was hitting notes at the warm up shows he couldnt hit back then. then new songs sound like the blues/maddy/chinese democracy all sound better. you can tell they have been working to improve them. also i think richard, tommy, and robin all improved on the songs they played. everyone seemed more comfortable on stage and most importantly seemed to be having fun. although i dont like kid rock i think bringing him on stage was good for the new band. the old gnr would have guest singers from time to time and it was cool to see the new gnr have that as well. izzy being on stage was an amazing moment. i wish all the die hard fans could have been at the show for that. dont get me wrong the crowd went crazy, but if everybody that loves gnr replaced the casual fans we would have blown the roof off of the hammerstein. the last few days were amazing.

one more note. i went to the last 3 shows and although i am not a bumblefoot fan just yet i have respect for him. he seemed to improve a tiny bit in different ways in each show. i didnt like how he did some of the solos like KNOD on the 15th. but i thought he did a good job on noverember rain the 17th. hes only been in the band for a week, so i dont think anyone can really pass any kind of negative judgement on him for while.

Yeah, I am trying to dl some Bumblefoot stuff right now to get a feel for his work.. he's been such a nice guy to all us fans, I hope he pans out.

You can look at posts leading up to the May 14th 2006 show at Hammerstein - I was a tremendous skeptic. I thought i'd be wasting my money again like I did in 2002.

AS Honest as I can say this, I see the best Axl out there since the early UYI Tours. THe bandmates are playing with enthusaism.
I don't know how the new songs will be overall, its clear to say that they haven't made the impact of GNR's prior classics, but Im glad with the way the setlist worked out and how everything was.

I liked the way Axl ranted on stage, he was walking back and forth like he used to, rather than just standing to the side blabbering awat. Axl is now fully expressing himself and he looks great - his braids belong now and his style is chic but rock.

Have Fun in Europe, MARK N ROSES

It was my pleasure to have seen them on Sunday - My first GNR concert also.  Philly 2002 was to be my first but we know what happened.

I am glad that I did not see that version since the band and especially Axl seem to be much improved from audio - video and comments from the 2002 shows.

Now the problem is the wait till they are back in the US - So I can see them live again.  I had a great time - especially meeting so many fans like myself.
 :peace: