Here's MY review:
I gotta say something first though. the 19th blew away the 17th. They just keep getting better and better.
My buddy Boris and I went to get a bite to eat at the Hard Rock at around 4-ish. We were hoping to meet a few board members, but we were there early so we didn't expect to see anyone. So we just wandered around, got some coffee and at about 6:00, we went in line.
The line wasn't very big, so we were very thankful. We met some hardcore fans, including our very own BumbleFinck. We was wearing Axl's "Mean Machine" jersey. Very cool. GN'R fans are the coolest ever, we're so easy to get along with and we have good times.
Finally the stupid security people open the gates and we rush in! It was like the Kentucky Derby, we were all running like madmen! The asshole security guys kept telling us, "Don't Run!" but we didn't listen to those incompetent fuckers. (more on that later)
Finally we get in line, and they keep saying, "NO CAMERAS!" Hahaha, everyone snuck theirs in. I told my friend to use the classic Phone-Wallet-Camera sandwich. It works everytime! So we got our wristbands and made a mad dash to the front. I was hugging rail! I was with BumbleFinck and two guys from England and Australia.
Suicide Girls- I still don't really care for them, but I have to give them credit for trying. There was a hilarious moment when some guy yelled at the gothic girl, "I didn't order any cheese with that ass!"
Helmet- Again, I don't want to put anyone down, but every song sounded the same. Same distorted crap over and over again. Plus, the singer is really lame. It's the second time he made "gay" jokes. He's probably not gay, so why does he belittle himself like that? He needs to find a sense of humor, and maybe a guitar teacher.
Sebastian Bach! This man is the fucking fountain of youth! He gets so into performing. One thing though, he spits so much during the performance! I'm glad he didn't do that on my side.
My highlight was Baz recognizing me!
Baz: Hey, you in the hat! Weren't you here on Sunday?
Garry: YEAH!
Baz: Right on brother! (handshake)
That Baz, he's like a giant hair metal teddy bear!
His new songs are really good, I think I'll get the album. The guitarists are really good, and into the show. The bass player is one cool mofo. He helped out Helmet when their bass player was busted in Canada for smoking weed.
The Boob Show: This girl behind me threw her bra right at Baz. It hit him and he had a surprised look on his face before he finally realized what had happened. He probably thought it was another "bad" fan, because he kicked out a guy in a Metallica shirt earlier. He stopped a song just to do that. He made us all say Bye-bye!
Sebastian said, "I don't care about the bra, show us what's under! So the girl gets on someone's shoulder and takes off her top! Sebastian says, "Holy shit, those are the nicest tits I've ever seen!" At the end of the show, that girl and her friend take off their tops and crowdsurf to the front where Baz takes them on stage and continues to oggle (ogle?) them some more. Then he proceeds to take them backstage.
During the wait for Guns (WHICH WAS NOT LONG!) we were all thinking about what surprises lay in store for us. And then......the lights go down!
Robin leads us in with his teaser, and then Axl comes in and they kick into full drive! Blistering performance, and the whole crowd is singing along. Little would I know that everyone would sing EVERY WORD to EVERY SONG the whole night!
It's So Easy rolled around, and that's when I shook AXL ROSE's hand! OH MY GOD!
After Mr. Brownstone, Beta took the stage in her tie-dye shirt. Axl probably forgot an important technical what-cha-ma-call-it. I yelled BETA! like a lunatic. I yelled, "Thanks for taking care of our man all these years!"
We literally felt the heat during Live And Let Die. Axl really has everything down to a T.
Better was amazing. I was amazed at how many people knew the song. Axl really appreciated that, he had a huge smile on his face. Bumblefoot completely kick ass on the solo's. He makes the song even better than the demo.
I noticed a pick next to Robin's CryBaby Pedal during Better....I helped myself to it.
Kick ass souvenir! I just reached over and grabbed it.
Robin's solo is really nice. At first, Dizzy and Frank join him, so it's a real nice addition. Then Robin goes off into a world of his own. And leads into Sweet Child....he's such a character, he kept smiling at me because I was wearing the same hat (not the bowler, the fedora from Europe). Plus, I lead the lighter brigade AGAIN at this show. I know the band appreciated everyone showing their love with cell phones and lighters.
Tommy was in such a silly mood. He made funny faces throughout the show and came up to me and started singing along to the songs. But in a drunken sort of way...more on that later...
After YCBM...I had another highlight. After a few months of begging, Ron played Eruption especially for me! I'm so touched that he remembered, he is such an awesome dude. He did this tihng right in the middle of Eruption where he quickly went into SCOM and went right back to Eruption. Then he lead us into a sing-along of Don't Cry.
During Rocket Queen, Axl accidently threw his mic stand at Robin. He didn't really look back, but he was scared! but Robin played it off, he's so cool. Axl wanted to make sure he was OK, and Robin was all smiles.
Dizzy played Angie for us, and they did the Blues. Fortus sat down on the bench with Dizzy towards the outro, that was very cool. Dizzy recognized me too! I waved back at him when he smiled at me. But then.......at the end of The Blues...Tommy went right up to him and kissed him!
We were like OMG...right out of the blue.
IRS was met with a good reception. Did I mention that we stopped the show several times with our GUNS N' ROSES chant? It was magical, I don't think that has ever happened in the history of GN'R before. The whole Amphitheatre was in unison. We did it about 6-7 times. Axl and the guys loved it!
I love all you New York people....but you guys can't hold a candle to us.
And this is when the Perfect Crime chants began. Axl notice, and he said he had a surprise in store for us. Hence the now famous Izzy "cock-tease" so to say. Launched into a crazy version of OTGM.
They brought the piano out for November Rain, and I can't believe how many girls started crying. And that's when a part of Frank's drumset caught on fire. So after NR, the crew was working on the drumset, replacing things and whatnot. The band had a little jam in the meantime, and Axl made his Spinal Tap reference.
Then he said he had a surprise for us. DOWN ON THE FARM! The place went wild. Needless to say, my pals and I cleared up some space behind us. Stupid girl kept groping me and trying squeeze me out of my rail spot. FUCKING BITCH! Treat us men like a piece of meat....
That stopped the Perfect Crime chants. And then....IZZY! MY man! He's such a cool guy, he saw I was trying to get his picture on my phone, and he came up close. Awwwwww. He was wearing his Chuck Taylors, fedora (like me!) and a black jacket.
Michelle with Baz is always a highlight. Axl told us a story about the making of Used To Love Her. He said, being metal tough guys back in the day, we're just a bunch of pussies now.
Izzy played a little bit of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" before going into Patience. Izzy was mixed really well at this show compared to the 17th. The tears were flowing again during Patience.
Nightrain is always good with Dizzy. ENCORE!
They always open the encore with CD, and CD kicks so much ass. They had the place jumping. Then they took things down a knotch for Madagascar. Both songs were greeted with approval from the audience.
Paradise City is always fantastic. They brought Izzy back out again. We were borderling moshing during the solo, but we kept it civil. Tommy was playing on his back throughout this song. A la Slash at Ritz in '88. Tommy is a crazy mofo!
People kept crowdsurfing into the area between the rail and the stage. Axl got so pissed off, it ruined his Goodnight to the crowd. He kicked someone out, and security too. Here's my gripe with security. They care about cameras and people's tickets, but they can't even provide a safe environment for fans and artists? Stupid fat-fuck rent-a-cops! (except for the skinny Brazilian guy I became friends with)
Tommy was having too much fun with the confetti....the band took their bows and left. AMAZING SHOW!
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