Here Today... Gone To Hell!

First of all, thank you to the person who organised this and made this happen - you know who you are. Thank you very much, it's something I will never forget.

The Show

I was a few metres from the front. Was front row for Melbourne so was happy to hang back a bit so I could hear the vocals better. Totally honest opinion of the show..

Axl's voice sounded so much better than Melbourne. In Melbourne I thought the rasp was there when he wanted to use it and it was a bit here and there. However Brisbane Show 2, his voice was possibly the best I've heard it in this new era.. his voice was raspy and STRONG the entire show each song. I was really pleased with this! Axl and the band were in good spirits tonight, obviously having put the night before behind them. At the end of November Rain the guys were doing an extended outro and Frank kept drumming.. Axl looked at him and smiled and was laughing.. then he got up and started playing the piano from one end to the other as Frank was hitting the drums, with his foot!

The crowd seemed to be very much a 'greatest hits' crowd. They mainly knew and got going for songs like SCOM. Same for Melbourne. This really backs up the whole stop complaining about the setlist point.

I will say however, that the one thing I thought was that the show lacked momentum. It was a little too stop start. The crowd enjoyed the solos and there wasnt as many as I've seen in previous shows on boots etc. I just thought that the problem was that they would do a rocker, then slow it down for something like The Blues etc. (none of the crowd knew the new songs) and therefore, as I have read, the crowd I thought were a little tame. That's just my opinion. I thought that it would have helped to do OTGM and Nightrain together for example to get the show really going during the middle of the set. But slowing it down and giving Axl the break might also help his voice, and on the flip side, his voice that night was just perfect.

It was funny during the show he said "most people when they do 2 shows in a city, party the second night, not me, I'm a fucking idiot and have to do it after the 1st show".. he was laughing.. then he said that "before we did Jungle I just wanted a big fucking truck to come and run over my fucking head".. earlier he had said and I am fairly sure he used these words that "wasnt such a good night last night.. like an idiot I drowned my sorrows after last night till 8am" or something like that.

Meet and Greet the band (minus Axl)

So I had my after-show pass and went to the backstage area for the meet and greet. There were around I'd say 20ish fans in the room that would have been invited during the show to come back and meet the band (and Sebastian's band). I think it's fantastic that the band do this. Credit to them.

After a little waiting, Sebastian's band came in (minus Baz) and a little later Frank, BBF, Chris and Richard came in. Robin followed and hung around for a little while and Dizzy a little later than that. Tommy came in and had a quick walk around then left. Sebastian came in mid way through as well.

I have to say though, that BBF is a class above everyone. The way he talks to you, is just so sincere and personal. You can tell the guy is really taking the time out to zone out of everything else around him and talk to you, and if you said anything complimentary his thank you would be so sincere and he'd comment on what you said. I asked him about joining the band so close to the NY shows and asked him if it was literally like 3 weeks before the shows, he said 'yeah, 3 maybe 2 weeks before'. He said that he was loving Australia. I can't really remember everything but I talked to BBF for a long time, was really cool.

Frank was also really cool. I was chatting to him and midway through he turned around and started talking to this girl, later he came back to me and remembered my name from when we introduced each other and said "I'm really sorry Sam but she was just more fine than you!" and laughed and he started talking again. We talked about how different some of the drumming in IRS was with a couple of changes they have made to the song. He said that IRS was his fave new song to play live and YCBM is his fave old song to play live.

Chris was funny.. He commented on how much fun they were having here. I asked if GNR would come back and if they would do another similar lap around the world once the album is out, he said that there are just too many countries they have to visit even after the album is out still tho. He said how much of a ball they are having here and joked that it beats spending a month touring around Canada ?:hihi: ?.. actually he said that kinda serious ?:hihi: ?He said that they are so many obscure places that they wanna do shows at.

I met Richard too, he was cool, he seemed a little tired or something.. he was nice and as with all the others, very happy to take a photo etc. Dizzy came in later and signed stuff and took photos. I already met Robin in Melbourne walking down the street so I didn't really bother too much cos he had so many to meet.

They all took so much time to stop, meet everyone, introduced themselves and find out who they were meeting.. even remembered and used peoples names whilst talking to them. Full credit to the band ?: ok: They all commented on how much the previous night there sucked.

Then.. after.. Axl!

The meet and greet ended and everyone from the band drifted off down the end of the corridor towards the dressing rooms into a dark room which would turn out to be Axl and the bands private party. Half a dozen people or so ppl were invited back there by members of the band for the bands private party. Vanessa recognised my friend and so I was introduced and invited in.. she was really nice and welcoming.. thank you again!? :)

The room was totally black, all the walls had been covered with black, with dim lights throughout the room. The room had roses in all the corners and was just like I had heard Axl's backstage area to be like through all these years. For me this was insane, I knew Axl didn't do the meet and greets which we were at previously and so I never in my dreams thought I would meet the guy I've idolised all my life and is the one person on the earth I would want to meet the most. It was unreal when I was sitting on one of the couches in this room with the band, a few other fans, Del was there also, Sebastian and his band.. we were listening to Sebastian's ipod on the speaker dock and then Axl walked in! He got a drink and was signing an autograph.. so I thought that this is a once in a lifetime chance.. so I went up and introduced myself and asked him to sign my ticket. Without hesitation he took the ticket and took his time to sign it properly. No problems at all he was happy to sign. Talked to him breifly and said thanks.. then he turned to shake my hand, smiled and nodded as if to say no probs my pleasure.. I was a happy GNR fan.

It all ended at 6am. Throughout the night Axl spoke openly and comfortably in front of everyone. As it was his own little private party he obviously had trust to speak so comfortably in front of everyone and amongst gatherings of people about private stuff.. so out of respect for that I won't post stuff he was talking about. Him and Baz were playing songs off his ipod.. cant remember the songs Axl chose, I remember he picked one obscure Queen song and he said that it was his fave way more than Bohemian and stuff.. what was insane however was when I was standing to the side enjoying a drink and I hear this high pitched squeel next to me, I turned and Axl has his eyes shut and is signing to himself this song that was playing.. in the high pitched voice! I looked at my friend and both said to each other 'fuck yes'! He was enjoying dancing around the room.. it was insane to be next to Axl and he is dancing like he does on stage right next to you. Very cool.

Don't believe anything you hear, they were total class throughout the entire night! My many thanks again for the guy that organised this.. your story to tell will be worth the wait ?:)

NEXT STOP SYDNEY!

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/sign.jpg)

With Frank

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/frank.jpg)

With BBF

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/bbf.jpg)

Pittman!!

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/chris.jpg)

With Dizzy

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/dizzy.jpg)

Richard

(http://www.freewebs.com/gunnerdownunder/richard.jpg)

Awesome!

That's awesome Sam, congratulations man! :beer: : ok:

You look absolutely stoked man!

I know.. I was stoked.. it was just the greatest night ever.. thank you to everyone again.. in the one with BBF with full resolution, you can how buzzing I am.. my eyes are wide and look insane. Same with Richard.

thats awsome dude  : ok: congrats

You lucky bastard! That must have been awesome, something to tell your children about one day  :beer:

Dude that is fucken awesome!!!!!!   :drool:

You will never ever forget that night!!!!

Lucky son of a bitch  : ok:

You run into Robin on the street...now this.  Can I take you to Vegas? :yes:

totallly rocking! congrats dude! :beer:

Thats awesome. Sounds like a perfect night for a GN'R fan.
I Was lucky enough to get backstage on the 16th and meet the band.? : ok:
I think there will be a few people with fun and interesting stories after this tour. :beer:

Yeah that's what I am thinking. I took 2 weeks off work to go around and see GNR and the 2 weeks have just been awesome.. I seem to be having some pretty good luck and things going well for me lately generally.. a nice change from the usual  :)

Thats fucking awesome man, I didn't realise you pulled that off. Good work man. Well done.

did u get any cool stories from the band about how the tour is going? :peace:  the pictures are awsome especially the one with dizzy  : ok:

That's all your good karma, for all the cool shit you do behind the scenes, DVD hookups etc.

 : ok:

LIfe is all down here from here Skip. :hihi: :hihi:


Seriously how can u ever top th at moment!

WOW! : ok: : ok: : ok:

Fuckin Sweet!  :peace: : ok:

so fvcking cool!!! what you just told us is amazing......cheers : ok:

great story, great pics.  congrats  :peace: 

Great stuff. 

I love reading these stories that blow all the bullshit out of the water. 

Congrats

You're so lucky; congrats!  : ok:

Great story Glad you had a great time, its sure to be something you will never forget, even though it will all feel like an amazing dream.

So true!!!!

Absolutely, couldn't agree more.

gunnerdownunder - fantastic story and so pleased for you.

awsome night for you dude!

people have to understand that, they talk to 1000 people every week, 1000 different people... I have a band, I know how it goes, we?re not big like GNR or other bands but, imagine treating everyone the same way, answering the same questions, smiling all the time to people dont write "stuff" about you 5 minutes later... it?s hard, it?s not just get on stage, play 16 songs and disapear, axl is human, he has a lifetime on the road, sure he got his personality like any of us... reading this things you said just make me realise how human our idols are, they are just like us, but with only a "few more people" lending attention to him  :hihi:

again, cool history dude! I?m 5% jealous and 95% happy for you !!! wait, maybe 12% jealous... 20% .... AND GROWING !!!!!

Good for you man! Its not easy for them to be nice to total strangers every night. So when you make a conection like that its pretty damn cool!
amy

woah that really put i big smile on my sick face.. so happy for you :)

Cool!

That's a nice story!

 :D


/jarmo

Great stuff.

Good for you man! : ok:

That's a kick ass story.  Congrats!

Great story and i am so happy for you! I loved Australia when I visited in 1994, the people there were so nice to me!

Edit: But I am sure Australia kicks Canada's butt?

great stuff:) happy for you. dream come true:)

Really cool story!!

Seems like the Aussie fans are getting a bonus treatment from the band! LOL

this is what, the 3rd or 4th story of people meeting the band!!

Someone's gotta hook me up when they come to Brazil! heheh

Congratulations man, your'e so lucky! and great pics :peace:

Quality story! Very happy for you Sam  ;D

that sounds so friggin awesome !

i bet sebastian bach had the whole of CD on that ipod
whyds u steal it it ! :smoking:

That is class, I'd love to meet Axl. Its a life long ambition of mine to meet the guy. lucky lucky lucky you!!!!

That is one of the best stories I  have heard. I am happy for you and am glad  the band  is so grounded. BTW: how did you get greet and meet passes in the first place?

i loved the axl dancing to the ipod thing .you just hadda of laughed on that.he is too funny axl.

I wonder what queen song it was.
I loved the IRS being Frank's fave new song to play live bit.

Congrats, gunnerdownunder! amazing story. :D

no one can say this band doesn't care about its loyal fans.

Well done man! :)

That was a great read. I am so happy for you  :beer:

well mr mystryon is there,so misteryon when will we see new album?

 I do not know. I will find out when you do? :peace:

And please stay on topic....

Did you get a chance to ask Fernando about his Bon Jovi obsession?

 :hihi:



/jarmo

Oh c'mon Jarmo!  Don't tease us like that! 

Give us a little more about Fernando's Bon Jovi obsession! 

I love Bon Jovi too.  He seems like a fun guy to party with.  And he gets tons of pon.

Very great story, i loved this, thanks!  : ok:

I think I'm going back again tonight, so I'll make sure I pass on your question to Fernando  :P

Dude I hate you!!!!

Nah, I?m just a bit jealous ;D. What an awesome story : ok:

Sam, that's so awesome!  You're an asset to the GN'R community, and this couldn't have happened to a nicer person.

Very cool..! Thank you for sharing. :)
Love the part about hearing Axl singing along to the ipod AND dancing around to the music as well..   heheh  awesome...  so glad to hear the that Axl and the band are doing well and are happy and all that  : ok:

Thanks Garry and everyone? :)

I may have the opportunity to go backstage again tonight.

Last show of Australia.. it's sure to be a beauty!

Brilliant read mate! Very happy for you! Mike

fucking awesome story  : ok:

Incredible story, that was a good read  ;D