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December 15,
2006 |
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December 15, 2006 Guns N’ Roses regrets to announce that the following concert tour dates have been canceled:
January 10: Sacramento Because of the scheduling of these particular shows, valuable time needed by the band and record company for the proper setup and release of the album “Chinese Democracy” would have been lost. Rather than delay the album yet again, all involved have decided to remove these shows from GN’R’s schedule. We hope our fans understand and we apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused. Tickets may be refunded at point of purchase. To say the making of this album has been an unbearably long and incomprehensible journey would be an understatement. Overcoming the endless and seemingly insane amount of obstacles faced by all involved, notwithstanding the emotional challenges endured by everyone -- the fans, the band, our road crew and business team -- has at many times seemed like a bad dream in which one wakes up only to find that they are still in the nightmare. Unfortunately, this time it has been played out for over a decade in real life. The true, ongoing, behind-the-scenes triumphs and casualties are much more complicated than any negative speculation that the media or otherwise has managed to hit upon. For much of the time, various legal issues have arisen, demanding that the best way to deal with these things publicly, quite frankly, was to keep our mouths shut in an attempt to ensure the best outcome-- especially one that wouldn’t jeopardize the band or the album. It’s easy for people to point out how others have handled similar situations or how they would have dealt with these issues themselves if they encountered them in their own lives. But again, without full knowledge of the various dynamics and circumstances involved, these types of comments or commentary are just uninformed, disassociated, generally useless -- and often hindering --speculation. When I agreed to do our recent North American tour, I did it with the understanding that my manager, Merck Mercuriadis, and I were in full agreement regarding our strategy and touring plans and, most important, that any and all things needed to release the album by Dec. 26 at the latest were in place. Unfortunately, it turned out that this was not the case, and I regret to say that the album will not be released by the end of the year. Although many things went extremely well and were very exciting, there were, in our opinion, unnecessary and avoidable complications on our tour having to do with the tour routing, scheduling and album and video plans that wreaked havoc on all involved. This was compounded by an overall sense of a lack of respect by management for the band and crew and each individual's particular expertise that has resulted, unfortunately, in the end of both Guns’ and my managerial involvement with Merck Mercuriadis. In regard to a release date for the album itself, certain minor - aand I do mean minor -- additions, as well as contract negotiations, need to be completed. Barring any unforeseen complications, these things have now been adequately scheduled. The band and I, along with our record company, feel that this record deserves the proper setup and promotion, not the “13 Tuesdays left” and “It may just appear in your record store” approach offered by management. We believe this strategy may have been used as a tool by management to sell this latest tour to the various promoters, and if this was the case, this was obviously unfair to them. The stress of dealing with this situation has been considerable for everyone, including the band, but more important, in our opinion, it was something utterly insane to do to our fans. You have our apologies, and please know we have been laboring over this with management for the entire North American tour. It takes approximately eight weeks for an album to hit the shelves once it has been turned in to the record company. For whatever reasons, it appears that it may have been mistakenly inferred by management that this time period could be condensed to three weeks. With that being said, this is not a promise, a lie or a guarantee, but we do wish to announce a tentative release date of March 6. This is the first time we have done this publicly for this album. Others have made up all the other dates for their own reasons. We would like to assure the fans that everything in our power will be done to meet this date. Once it is finalized and official, you will be notified. If we are delayed for unseen reasons, you also will be notified as soon as possible in regard to a new date, and the album will be released as shortly thereafter as is possible. We thank you for your patience. In the end, it’s just an album, but it’s one that I, the band, our record company and all involved believe and feel is a true Guns N’ Roses album. Ultimately the public will decide, and regardless of the outcome, our hearts, lives and our passion has been put into this project every step of the way. If for no other reason, we feel those elements alone merit your consideration. We do hope you can hold on just a bit longer, and if not, please take a break and we’ll be more than glad -- if you so choose -- to see you again later. Once again, we offer our sincere apologies and our deepest thanks. Guns N’ Roses also would like to thank all the fans who attended the 70 concerts in 21 countries for their support in 2006. All the best to each and every one of you over this holiday season, thank you and God bless. Sincerely,
Axl Rose
By Christina Harper EVERETT - Fans of Guns N' Roses hoping to see the band on the remainder of their 2006 World Tour have been living under a rock if they turn up to a show and don't know that they're gonna rock and roll all night. And I mean all night. Sebastian Bach, that long-haired, boyish, ex-Skid Row frontman, one of three opening acts, whipped the crowd into a rock 'n' roll frenzy, all the while telling them how much ass Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses' frontman, was going to kick when he came on stage, whenever that would be. Yawn. Notorious for not arriving on stage until he is absolutely ready, Rose, has been chided throughout this tour for starting his set at 11 p.m., midnight and even 12:30 a.m., being difficult at best, and sometimes even canceling gigs. Well, people, get over it. Guns N' Roses might not have anything close to their original line-up but they do have a show that will blow your mind and take you to a place you haven't been for about 20 years. You either don't like them to begin with or you'll go to your grave growling an anthem like "November Rain" and loving every moment of this long-awaited tour. Sunday night's audience at Everett Events Center was in for the long haul, happy to air thump through opening acts Suicide Girls - described as a tattooed, half-naked, hard-to-grasp group of women - and Helmet, a hard-core thrash-rock band. Bach pumped up the audience with lashing screams and renditions of hits like "18 and Life" and "Youth Gone Wild." After a not-so-brief interlude, the lights went out, not down, and at 11:40 p.m. search lights and smoke got the audience ready for liftoff. And what a blast it was, beginning with booming balls of fire, blasting strobe lights and that all-too-familiar Axl Rose scream welcoming the audience to the jungle. Rose, dressed in jeans, black shirt and red boots to match his red microphone and stand, and was in great form. His voice, at times, was more here and there than on, but no one seemed to care. This is not the Guns N' Roses of old. These hand-picked musicians are not trying to cover anthems played by Slash and Izzy Stradlin. Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus blazed through "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Used to Love Her" and "November Rain." Those guys could have played "Jingle Bells" and it would have been a head banger's high. They rocked. During the night, a baby grand was rolled out and Dizzy Reed, long thin dreads and tattooed bare arms, stopped the show with a piano solo of the Rolling Stones classic, "Angie." He played madly and beautifully at the same time. And where was Rose in all of this? He's the central character in this tour that for the most part is full of pure musical genius, a whirling dervish kind of character thumping his leg and sway dancing in time to the throbbing rock sound of "Paradise City." Some think Rose is a rock god, maybe a rock demon. He has the Jim Morrison mesmerizing effect on his audience that pounds the air with fists and screams out his songs into the lights. You can't help but watch him and know that, for all his problems (and there have been many), he's the master of the night no matter what he looks like or if his voice is not exactly up to par. He can whistle the beginning of "Patience" and that's what fans have been waiting for, that and the 10-years-in-the-making new album "Chinese Democracy." This tour has been criticized for being a platform for a Guns N' Roses cover band or the same songs just 20 years later. It's not. It is a comet full of rock music blasting, expertly, through the night with fire and booms. This Guns N' Roses sent a charge so hard and strong that the energy lasted into the streets of Everett well after the show.
The old Guns N' Roses might have been one of the
best rock bands ever. The new one is.
GUNS N’ ROSES
(Los Angeles, CA —December 12,
2006) Live Nation and Guns N' Roses have announced that the Guns N' Roses show
at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA has been cancelled. Sincere apologies go
out to all the fans in Fresno who bought a ticket. We hope you can make it to
the band's show in Oakland, CA at the ORACLE Arena (formerly Oakland Arena) on
Friday night the 15th of December, which will proceed as scheduled. Refunds for
the Fresno show are available at point of purchase.
In the fifty-years since Elvis laid down his first vocal at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN rock n’ roll has become more than escapism and so-called “devil’s music”, but also a driving life force. We have been blessed with some truly magical artists who have elevated our hearts, minds and bodies: Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, AC/DC, Kiss, U2, REM, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Metallica and thousands upon thousand others. All of these acts mastered their craft and in their own way, changed the face of music. However, I’m not sure if there has ever been a group of artists in the annals of rock n’ roll who were more mischievous, moody, maniacal, magical and miraculous than Guns N’ Roses. With all that being said, they may also take the title as the most maddening group as well. While I’m saddened by group dissolution and preventable deaths, I firmly believe that Moon, Hendrix, Joplin, Bonham, Morrison, Presley and Cobain all chose a path where there was no looking back. Whereas every member who has ever performed with Guns ‘N Roses is still alive (and for the most part well). When they unleashed their brand of rock upon the world it was met with universal acceptance and I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a band be admired, loved and reach such a wide and diverse group of people since the Beatles. Males, females, metal heads, rockers, punks all heralded and cherished GNR’s brand of vicious rock and still do nearly two-decades later. Sadly, the group has largely existed in name only for the last thirteen years, but 2006 has proven to be a year in which the name Guns ‘n Roses becomes more than a mere nostalgia trip. Despite a brief interrupted tour in 2002, this is Axl Rose’s first full year of touring since 1993. While I’ve heard reports of blazing nights and some solid bootlegs, I wasn’t convinced I needed to see this incarnation of GNR. Here’s my reason why; There was a time in the mid 1980’s where Keith Richards and Mick Jagger did not see eye to eye. As a result, Jagger went solo on a tour to Australia and Japan, territories the Stones had never been to. Not only did this infuriate Richards as these were territories the Stones had never visited where large amounts of money could be made, but more importantly, his partner went there without him. These two men had built so much together and yet one was standing on the sidelines watching his partner claim all the glory. Richards fill in was virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani, who is a top flight guitarist, but he doesn’t have the same history with Mick. Great musicians don’t make great bands. Since then Jagger and Richards reconciled and have only played the classic Stones songs with each other enhancing their legacy and legend. My generations version of the Stones, Guns ‘N Roses, has spent the better part of the last thirteen-years out of the consciousness of the public, but never far from our hearts and minds. I received a last minute phone call to review the GNR show and I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to go. I wasn’t sure if I could reconcile these new musicians no matter how talented they may be. I overcame my reservations and headed out to the Allstate Arena where Axl Rose and seven supporting musicians, better knows as Guns ‘N Roses hit the stage at 11:35pm. Before the band hit the show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. They arrived on stage amidst an army of pyrotechnics and strobe light madness with an appetite for destruction. The crowd response was deafening which makes me wonder what reaction a full fledged reunion could bring. A reunion of this type could break all box office records. When Axl Rose screeched his way on stage, it was with an appetite that I would say is close to being unheralded in my lifetime. The opening trio of songs were all from “Appetite For Destruction” (“Welcome To The Jungle”, “It’s So Easy”, “Mr. Brownstone”) and the in succession performances put the crowd in a maddening trance. It became very apparent it would be far too easy to label these musicians as a glorious cover band. This is far more than Axl and a bunch of arbitrary musicians. Each member was handpicked by Axl for not only being a masterful musician but also a spellbinding performer as well. A lot of discussion has been had on each of the band members and how they’ll never compare to the original line up. I was one of those who had my doubts but can tell you that after seeing this eight-piece band shred through a two-hour plus show, these guys are no slouches. What you have here is not even an All Star team of musicians, but better, a group of guys who have chemistry and who are pulling off the impossible every night by winning each crowd over. Bassist Tommy Stinson roamed the stage like a veteran; while guitarists Robin Finck and Richard Fortus roamed the stage doing a damn good job on making most of the audience, even if it was briefly, forget about top hats and faceless guitarists. Axl Rose is an artist whom I have followed since the band’s inception and in truth, I’m not sure if I could ever put the artist’s actions into context, but I do know this, he will not go on stage until he is ready to give 110% of himself to that crowd. He plays by his rules and no others, not because of ego, but because he’s a perfectionist. I assisted journalist Lonn Friend with his recent memoir, “Life on Planet Rock” which allowed me into the inner workings and mind of Axl Rose. Aside from long time confidant Del James and former GNR manager Doug Goldstein, I’m not sure if anyone else really understood Axl as much. However, I must admit to proofing and assisting with the book and being mystified by the stories and thought process of the legendary front man, yet after seeing the drive and determination with which he put forth during these opening numbers, I can now say that I get it. Axl is a true rock n’ roll renegade that will do things on his own time and his own way. How else could he pull off two national tours without a new record in stores? From a business perspective, it makes no sense to tour without a new album and this is the third time Guns ‘N Roses has done this (’91, ’02 and ’06) in their career. The long awaited “Chinese Democracy” is still not on any release schedule, but it did not stop him from performing five songs from the album. “Chinese Democracy” and “IRS” are reminiscent of how one could imagine GNR in the 21st Century. “The Blues” and “Madagascar” were moody ballads, the latter of which bore images of political uprisings from the 60’s on the screen behind Axl when performed. However, there is one new song that stood apart from the rest; “Better”. A bootleg of this track leaked earlier this year and I will say that it is on par with anything Axl Rose has ever created. This triumphant composition is a cinematic poem filled with fuming guitars and perfectly textured harmonies. When one hears a song like “Better”, you realize the potential that “Chinese Democracy” holds. But until it is released, we’ll have to be content with the concert experience. As Robin ended his solo and launched into “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, the crowd responded with a response so magnetic, one had to see it to believe it. I’m not sure if there is an album from the last twenty-five years that still continues to grow, develop and resonate more than “Appetite For Destruction”. Not only do people know every word to the singles, but they know every word to all twelve compositions. Most shockingly, the new band performed these songs to perfection as if they have been performing them for decades. The seductive power with which they were delivered to the audience was hypnotic. Something I didn’t expect to see, nor did I want to see, was a band who made this material their own and this current incarnation did just that. What the current band lacks in history they more than make up for in their resolve and willpower.
While these performers took these songs to soaring heights, Axl Rose covered every foot of the stage and sprinted across it as if it were 1988 not showing his age at all. There have been numerous articles over the years that feel that Axl mistreats his fans with constant delays, late start times, and cancellations…but after assisting Lonn Friend with his memoir and now witnessing this show, I don’t believe that is the case. The truth is that Axl Rose hits that stage planning on giving the audience his all and draining every last ounce of sanity from himself in the process as well. He views the concert stage as his work desk and when people distract him with fights up front, unnecessary shoving and flashes going off, he sees these people as interrupting his job and wants them removed so he can continue to give the rest of the audience his complete and total focus. Axl Rose is attempting to accomplish the impossible and even though the task of rebuilding GNR is maybe the most daunting task ever done in the annals of rock, there is no mountain Axl will not climb to bring his vision to reality, no matter how long it takes. As the evening continued, there were intermittent solos between suites of songs by assorted members of the band. Keyboardist Dizzy Reed, the only member to continually stand shoulder to shoulder with Axl over the last fifteen years, had the evening’s most sublime moment with a piano led solo of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Reed’s playing was so dead on and inspirational that photographer Rob Grabowski commented to me that it was the highlight of the show for him. Something people tend to forget and overlook is that Dizzy Reed joined the band during the recording of the “Use Your Illusion” albums. He is the only member left from that era who is still in the band and after seeing his solo, I’m glad he stood by Axl’s side as he brings not only musical aptitude but history with him as well. Guitarist Richard Fortis performed “A Winter Shade of Pale” during his solo and the unbelievably gifted guitarist Bumblefoot performed the complete elegiac “Don’t Cry” instrumental to roars of approval. Many have criticized these solos as being unnecessary and long, however, I see them as giving these unknown musicians a chance to shine. Besides, these are more than just instrumentals; they are extended jams that are virtually songs within themselves and are anything but meandering and without purpose. The eighteen-song set had a total of eight songs performed off “Appetite” (including a vicious “My Michelle” with a guest appearance with Sebastian Bach), one from “Lies” (a reliable “Patience), four from the “Use Your Illusion” albums (including a soaring “November Rain”) and five from the still unreleased “Chinese Democracy” (with the aforementioned future classic “Better”).
I’ll be the
first to admit it was eerie seeing the non-classic line up of Guns ‘N Roses
perform these songs, however, they were delivered to the Chicago audience with
romantic sincerity as if the evening was an epic love poem delivered by an
eight-piece band. What impressed was not the sentimental essence of these songs
but the overall esoteric nature of the evening. The context with which these
songs were written and recorded will never be erased. Yet, these songs still
speak volumes to the here and now and Axl is bringing them to the crowd not
because of nostalgia, but because he has something to prove. When you want to
see truly incendiary performances, there is nothing greater than seeing an
artist who has something to prove. In the same building, once known as the
Rosemont Horizon, I saw Jon Bon Jovi leave a pint of blood on this stage in 1993
and again in 2000 wanting to prove the naysayers wrong as he tore through two of
the longest and wildest shows of his career. I’ve never forgotten those shows
because he had something to prove. I’m not sure if I’ve seen another artist of
Bon Jovi’s stature fight as hard until now with Axl. The critics can go ahead
and flame him if they want, they just don’t get it. With few exceptions, I
haven’t seen a club act give this much of their body, mind and sanity. Will the
new incarnation gauge the emotional weight of their predecessors? Only time will
tell, but in the meantime, they out there rocking their hearts out with a vigor
and resilience I doubt you will even see from the most driven club act. Getting
used to this incarnation will come with time…and a little patience. GnR a good thing for rock-loving night owls by Jen Sharpe mtscentre.ca If you had a spelling test—or a hearing test—on your Tuesday morning agenda, chances are you missed Monday night’s concert at the MTS Centre. The eye-opening, ear-busting show was definitely not for those with school night curfews or sensitive hearing, but that’s a good thing. At a Guns ‘n Roses concert, a healthy dose of F-bombs and fireballs is expected. Encouraged, perhaps, if you proved your stamina with general admission floor seats. From 8:00pm to just after 2:00am, risqué dancers, squealing guitars, and classic hard rock tunes kept 11,000 GnR fans rocking for six solid hours. After a skin-baring performance by the Suicide Girls, a heavy half-hour show from Helmet, and a 75-minute set from former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, headlining Guns ‘n Roses took to the stage just before midnight. Fronted by the fiery Axl Rose, GnR opened up their set with “Welcome to the Jungle” from 1987’s Appetite for Destruction. With two keyboardists, three guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer in his GnR army, rock star Rose commanded the stage and the crowd with veteran know-how. This isn’t surprising, because the band—in all of its permutations—has been delivering killer rock shows for over 20 years. Although Axl is the only remaining original member, the band was a cohesive unit onstage, covering classic GnR tunes like “Sweet Child of Mine” and “Mr. Brownstone” flawlessly. Though his bandmates have changed, Axl has resisted the ravages of time: plenty of pecs and nary a wrinkle, the 44-year-old looks better than he did decades ago. Sporting Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, skin-tight jeans, and neatly braided hair, Mr. Rose let his bandmates cover the grungy, gritty aspect of rock-n-roll style. Though he looks shiny and new, Axl’s voice is as nasal and squealy as it ever was. That’s also a good thing. Even through the softer tunes (and there were quite few), the famed frontman can hit the high notes and hold the long ones just like in his heyday. The show was peppered with memorable moments, including a mid-set visit by Bubbles of The Trailer Park Boys, stories about border crossing troubles, and a handful of lighter-lit ballads.
For at least one concert reviewer, Guns n’ Roses
also managed to clear up a long-held misconception: Turns out “November Rain,”
“Patience,” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” aren’t best enjoyed while slow
dancing in Junior High. The lighters, the crowd, and Axl’s on-stage antics top
any butterflies you — okay . . . I — may have felt in an echoey gym. That’s a
very good thing. ****************************** And here we thought Axl Rose didn't have a sense of humour. Well, the Guns N'Roses frontman laid that notion to rest about 90 minutes into last night's MTS Centre gig, when he was joined onstage by not only his new best buddy Sebastian Bach, but also myopic dimwit Bubbles (aka former Sandbox guitarist Mike Smith) of Canadian cult TV show Trailer Park Boys. "This is a song I like to do back at the legion,"said Bubbles, after teasing the crowd with the opening riff from Rush's Closer to the Heart, then launching into his self-penned ditty Liquor and Whores. "Ah, f---, am I excited!" The comic relief was a welcome break in what proved to be a nearly two-and-a-half hour set, one that didn't get underway until midnight on the dot, but which unfolded as smoothly as anyone could have hoped for (particularly the venue staffers who were ready to roll out an ominous-sounding 'Plan B' should the singer have decided not to go on). There were no abrupt cancellations, no riots, and no unruly fans were tackled by a pissed-off Axl Rose. Most notably, of course, there was no pissed-off Axl Rose; in fact, except for a slight sense of anti-climax, last night's show pretty much went off without a hitch. Sounding not at all temperamental (or hostile, or crazy, or any of the other things we worried he might be), Rose first took centre stage to the unmistakable opening riff of Welcome To the Jungle, looking every bit the rock star in a leather jacket, jeans and black shades. He took a few minutes to find his groove, rushing the lyrics at points and appearing a bit more concerned with executing his snake-shimmy dance moves than anything else. But he soon hit his stride with It's So Easy, switching effortlessly between a spooky lower register and the ear-piercing howl that first earned him his place as one of rock's most distinctive frontmen. "It's not that we're not into it," Rose assured the crowd of 11,000, after making reference to the repetitive nature of a touring show. "It's like dancing the tango or a bossa nova, only here we're dancing with guitars." A pyro-heavy version of the Wings classic Live and Let Die was followed by the vaguely industrial-sounding Better (from the still unreleased Chinese Democracy album). Then Sweet Child O'Mine, on which Axl proved he can (mostly) still hit all the high notes, and an appropriately epic take on Dylan's Knockin' On Heaven's Door, which had the MTS Centre blanketed in lighters and cell phones. After a blistering crack at You Could Be Mine, keyboardist Dizzy Reed (a holdover from the Use Your Illusion years), brought the lighters back with a piano version of the Rolling Stones‚ Angie, before segueing neatly into the sweeping ballad The Blues, and a cover of the UK Subs' Down On the Farm. The other musicians backing Axl last night couldn't quite erase the memory of Slash and Duff, but they more than held their own, (though we suppose it would be tough to screw up songs as genius as Out Ta Get Me, November Rain, Patience or Night Train, all of which were note-perfect last night). Besides, Axl with a new band is better than no Axl at all, as the brains behind 'Plan B' will no doubt agree and seriously, how many rockers require contingency plans? Early arrivals last night were greeted by quasi-strippers the Suicide Girls, along with last-minute additions Helmet (filling in for the Eagles of Death Metal, who were unceremoniously yanked from the bill two weeks ago). Like Axl, Helmet frontman Page Hamilton is touring with a brand new band these days, and while it was good to hear the group's staccato riffs again, we couldn't help but notice their high point was the stoner-rock throwback See You Dead, which sounded an awful lot like something Eagles of Death Metal axeman Josh Homme might have cranked out with that other band of his. As for former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, well, despite coming off as a bit of an Axl-worshipping sycophant, he still did a decent job of keeping the crowd warmed up while they waited for the real show to start, even cutting the intro to Big Guns short when fans didn't go crazy enough. "You know I'm a f---ing Canadian, right?" he shrieked repeatedly, during a vibrato-heavy set that also included Slave To the Grind, Monkey Business, 18 and Life, and American (okay, Canadian) Metalhead. "I wanna see the Winnipeg I f---ing remember!" Moments later, Bach proved his memory wasn't quite as good where national anthems are concerned, goofing the words to an impromptu version of O Canada. Oh, and before he left, he had security guards eject a pint-sized fan from the front row, apparently just to prove that he could. Now what was that we were saying about not having a sense of humour? Guns N‚ Roses Monday @ MTS Centre
4 stars out of 5 Guns N' Roses had a great night in Ames, Iowa last night. It was fantastic for everyone to get back on stage with Axl on the road to recovery from the ear infection and the strep throat that caused their Milwaukee show to be cancelled. It was also really positive to have Helmet join the band alongside Suicide Girls, Modern Day Zero and Sebastian Bach after the disappointment that was The Eagles Of Death Metal. Axl and the band would also like to thank everyone for staying extra late in Ames. They left Chicago in the morning but what was supposed to be a 1 hour plane flight turned into a 12 hour bus ride due to the severe weather that hit Chicago and most of the country. The bus was diverted several times by the police due to major accidents and for a time there was real concern that the band would not make it. In the end it was all good and once again they would like to thank everyone for their patience and willingness to stay up late as well as apologise to anyone that had to leave! They look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks and wishing you Merry Christmas! PS Regarding the Eagles Of Death Metal and their recent bogus claims Guns N' Roses bass guitarist Tommy Stinson had this to say, "As a matter of fact, Eagles of Death Metal were a suggestion of mine a while ago. Turns out they were the wrong band for our crowd. They were booed and did not play for as long as they were scheduled to.
As for all of the inaccuracies that have been said
since, I would like to say that's all they are - inaccuracies. In the past I
have thrown my bass. I have never thrown it at Axl or anyone else in the band
nor has anyone thrown my bass back at me… yet. Axl has been a dear friend to me
for nine years. We have no problem communicating and wish that people would stay
the fuck out of shit they don't know anything about. There was no GN'R mutiny or
any such thing after the Cleveland gig and as far as I'm concerned this tour has
been the most fun yet. The band is playing great and getting along better than
we ever have. With that said, either get on board or fuck off." HELMET will support GUNS N' ROSES on the following dates:
Dec. 01 - Ames, IA - Hilton Coliseum Also scheduled to appear are SEBASTIAN BACH and SUICIDE GIRLS
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