New Almack’s correspondant, Dena Singer, went to check out Guns N’ Roses on Friday night… well, not really GNR, a GNR cover band, but probably just as fufilling. Axl is kinda Wacko-Jacko these days, and I don’t know if I like it. Seeing a cover band is kinda like dating someone because they look or remind you of Johnny Depp, which I’m guilty of, so basically, I endorse it.

Dena’s tale to tell after the jump (w/ pix!):

Some very wise men once said that, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” It is with that exact sentiment in which I went to see “Appetite For Destruction: A Tribute to Guns N’ Roses” at B.B. Kings Blues Club this past Friday night.

Guess what? I love Guns N’ Roses. Sometimes saying that these days is like admitting you watch “The Hills.” It’s embarrassing, but it’s just so damn good.
Ever since the original GNR line up broke up, I always prayed that one day they all would get emotionally and financially desperate enough to see past Axl’s ego and Steven Adler’s drug induced facial paralysis and get the band back together. It makes sense that tons of therapy, personal gurus, rehab, private kick boxing lessons and investing in a defibrillator for Scott Weiland would eventually take its financial toll on the guys. I’m not one for personal gain at the expense of others, but this scenario works. Unfortunately, the former band mates must have invested wisely-probably in art and antique motorcycles- since that time has yet to come.

On top of that, every 6 months someone declares that the long awaited, mythic album “Chinese Democracy” will definitely be released sometime soon. By my calculations, that means that about six months ago I should have been listening to the best and longest kept secret in music history. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m still sleeping in my tent outside of Tower Records. At least the construction workers who are converting it into a Finish Line have stopped trying to assault me with their spackling equipment. Apparently no one has the 1991 pioneering spirit anymore. I’m trying really hard to keep the dream alive within normal parameters of 2008 and civilized adulthood. That is where Appetite For Destruction fits into the equation for a loon like me.

Tribute bands fill a need for certain fans to see and hear live music by their favorite musicians that would be absolutely impossible to experience in real life. I am one of those people who love to hear GNR music in any way, shape or form. The Axl- Slash reunion is unfortunately likely never to happen, and if it does I will probably be 50 and on blood pressure medication, rendering me incapable of attending. However, that means whenever any incarnation of Guns N’ Roses plays in the Tri-State area, I am there (except anything involving Scott Weiland. I hate that prick). So basically within the last 5 years I only saw Axl Rose and the new GNR play twice, but also saw several GNR tribute bands play many times, including at my most fantastic 30th birthday party.

I don’t have high expectations from cover bands, except that they don’t take themselves too seriously and that they are there to have fun and foster the fantasy. As far as tribute bands go, Appetite for Destruction did a solidly entertaining adaptation of the real GNR, playing to a full house of people who just wanted to get lost in a bizarre, drunk recreation of something great. So, with that said I hereby applaud Appetite For Destruction for generally recreating a good version of the best music ever.

All in all, the concert was a satisfying substitute for the real thing, not unlike lactose free cheese or Splenda. It was not as good as the real shit, but it does the trick. First of all, my ticket was $10, and I was able to secure a table on the floor with a $10 drink minimum per person. That alone gets major points for affordability and effortless intoxication.
Appetite for Destruction was prompt, and came on stage exactly at 12:00 am, unlike the real GNR who are infamous for keeping fans waiting for days. I like to think my time is valuable and I’m glad these guys could appreciate the need to keep it tight like that. Plus, I am sure they were aware that much of the audience had to catch the LIRR back to Ronkokoma, and they wrapped it up in a concise 2 hour show.

The band also had a pretty good attitude, and did their best to keep things light throughout the performance. They did not get angry when the crowd chanted “Let’s Go Rangers” between songs, which takes a brave face, in my opinion. Also some fool threw a coin at Faux-Axl during one of the songs. Afterwards, he casually told the crowd to not throw coins, it hurts to get hit by them, and then proceeded to launch into another song. We all KNOW that Real Axl would never have let that craziness go unpunished, and the poor fool who had the balls to throw something at him would have been lucky to leave with his life. Chances are the concert would have ended right then and there, but not before some people set things on fire and beat each other senseless with folding chairs.

As far as the look of the band, they all wore ridiculous wigs and outfits to best identify them as their famous counter parts, and you can tell that they had a good attitude and were in on the joke. Faux-Axl managed to resemble the look of real Axl from days past. Not only did he sport very accurate wardrobe ensembles such as kilts, Charles Manson shirts, Catcher gear, white leather jacket, etc., but he had every mannerism, affect and expression down to a T. Pseudo-Slash had the convincing hat and hair combo, and did a great job of standing there with the same lack of charisma as Real Slash. Something tells me those guys definitely get laid on a regular basis just from their wardrobe alone.

Fauxl:

When it came to the actual music, Appetite for Destruction pleased everyone by playing all the songs we wanted to hear, and managed to sing and play them convincingly enough that the overall fantasy was kept in tact. Faux-Axl was decent, but would never have made it to the top 24 on American Idol. The rest of the band are ok musicians, but delivered the songs with as much heart as any fan could hope for. The crowd went crazy for most of their set list including fun renditions of “Paradise City,” “Rocket Queen,” and “Night Train.”
The bottom line is I truly enjoyed it. I also drank something called a Vanilla Vixen, 2 vodka tonics and about 6 coronas. I danced, I sang, I may have broken a sweat.
Obviously, it is very difficult to recreate the musical magic of the original GNR. I don’t think anyone went into B.B. Kings Blues Club looking to be blown away, but am pretty sure that everyone got their dose of fun music and pumped up camaraderie that you can only find in moments and places like these.
Experiences such as this remind me that some music is simply about enjoying yourself and being yourself. So if I can’t be with the ones I truly love, then I can certainly get down with their slightly uglier, less talented friends.

Tags: appetite for destruction, bb kings, Cover Bands, dena singer

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am and is filed under B.B. Kings Blues Club, Cover Bands, Live Shows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.