2021.09.26 - Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore, MD, USA

Live debut of Hard Skool.

I have no idea why Axl uses this voice... He is not doing himself or anyone any favours... and he is not making any friends...

No Paradise City for the finale?

ludurigan wrote:No Paradise City for the finale?

The show is still on. I'm updating the setlist as it goes.

wow, long one! do you know what is the reference on the poster artwork?

ludurigan wrote:wow, long one! do you know what is the reference on the poster artwork?

Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven.

Great set!

After reading at mygnrforum I expected a much worse vocal performance of Axl on Hard Skool. It wasn't too bad. I think some of the criticism is that it sounds different to the vocals from last the millennium. I also expect him to deliver more steady performances in the future. I am sure it must have been great to hear it live.

With this show, Melissa has played more shows than Matt ever did.

Blackstar wrote:

ludurigan wrote:wow, long one! do you know what is the reference on the poster artwork?

Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven.

Thanks! I thought he was British!

Listened to to the Hard Skool from yesterday again, it is really not that bad. Some kinks he will undoubtedly iron out before the next show. The energy was there and he didn't run out of breath when I thought he would. It sounds different than on the released version, especially since there is not so much transition between "clean" verse and distortion in chorus, but the intensity is absolutely there. I think it must have been a great song live. And before I have been on the fence regarding the new intro, in a live setting the new intro kicks ass. It is just a headbangin' tune.

Soulmonster wrote:Listened to to the Hard Skool from yesterday again, it is really not that bad. Some kinks he will undoubtedly iron out before the next show. The energy was there and he didn't run out of breath when I thought he would. It sounds different than on the released version, especially since there is not so much transition between "clean" verse and distortion in chorus, but the intensity is absolutely there. I think it must have been a great song live. And before I have been on the fence regarding the new intro, in a live setting the new intro kicks ass. It is just a headbangin' tune.

What did you think about the "middle" part where the song slows down and Axl sings "Ay-Ay" for a while?

ludurigan wrote:

Soulmonster wrote:Listened to to the Hard Skool from yesterday again, it is really not that bad. Some kinks he will undoubtedly iron out before the next show. The energy was there and he didn't run out of breath when I thought he would. It sounds different than on the released version, especially since there is not so much transition between "clean" verse and distortion in chorus, but the intensity is absolutely there. I think it must have been a great song live. And before I have been on the fence regarding the new intro, in a live setting the new intro kicks ass. It is just a headbangin' tune.

What did you think about the "middle" part where the song slows down and Axl sings "Ay-Ay" for a while?

Waste of space. I liked it more in the demo version, because then there was this intertwined guitar melodies that slowly built up in intensity. On the released version you have Slash's slide that is okay and some pointless "hey-heys" from Axl. In the live setting I felt it robbed the song of momentum and intensity, expect for when it kicked back in again.

I like the slow breakdown. I think it makes the song less "monotonous".

I liked it in the the demo version, too, as a standalone part (the guitar melody and even the little piano bit), but I felt it didn't fit with the main part of the song that much and made it sound disjointed. I think Slash's slide solo fits better and Axl's "hey-heys" (seemingly pasted from the vocal session of another song) go surprisingly well with it.

Blackstar wrote:I like the slow breakdown. I think it makes the song less "monotonous".

I liked it in the the demo version, too, as a standalone part (the guitar melody and even the little piano bit), but I felt it didn't fit with the main part of the song that much and made it sound disjointed. I think Slash's slide solo fits better and Axl's "hey-heys" (seemingly pasted from the vocal session of another song) go surprisingly well with it.

There is a GN'R youtuber in Brazil claiming that those vocals were taken from the "Eye on You" recording or something to that effect, does that make any sense? I am not familiar enough with those leaked songs to say anything and I threw most of them away so I can't verify!

ludurigan wrote:

Blackstar wrote:I like the slow breakdown. I think it makes the song less "monotonous".

I liked it in the the demo version, too, as a standalone part (the guitar melody and even the little piano bit), but I felt it didn't fit with the main part of the song that much and made it sound disjointed. I think Slash's slide solo fits better and Axl's "hey-heys" (seemingly pasted from the vocal session of another song) go surprisingly well with it.

There is a GN'R youtuber in Brazil claiming that those vocals were taken from the "Eye on You" recording or something to that effect, does that make any sense? I am not familiar enough with those leaked songs to say anything and I threw most of them away so I can't verify!

Yes, those "heys" and the scream before the chorus are vocals from Eye on You.

ludurigan wrote:

Blackstar wrote:I like the slow breakdown. I think it makes the song less "monotonous".

I liked it in the the demo version, too, as a standalone part (the guitar melody and even the little piano bit), but I felt it didn't fit with the main part of the song that much and made it sound disjointed. I think Slash's slide solo fits better and Axl's "hey-heys" (seemingly pasted from the vocal session of another song) go surprisingly well with it.

There is a GN'R youtuber in Brazil claiming that those vocals were taken from the "Eye on You" recording or something to that effect, does that make any sense? I am not familiar enough with those leaked songs to say anything and I threw most of them away so I can't verify!

They are definitely similar but I don't know if anyone has checked to see if they are identical. There are other similarities between the breakdown in HS and the chorus of EoY.

Shackler wrote:Yes, those "heys" and the scream before the chorus are vocals from Eye on You.

wow.

just wow.

I don't even know what to say about this!

ludurigan wrote:

Shackler wrote:Yes, those "heys" and the scream before the chorus are vocals from Eye on You.

wow.

just wow.

I don't even know what to say about this!

I know what to say. I HATE that they might be stripping great songs for parts to use in other songs if it means those great songs won't be released. It's like taking a brand new Ferrari and stripping it for parts to put in a Kia. I absolutely love Eye On You. (I also love Hard Skool so the Kia analogy wasn't very good). I am listening to it now and it is even better than I remembered. It just gets better and better. It is terrible as a GN'R song, yes yes yes, so different and so little guitars and so funky, but my god what a wondrously quirky thing it is. And that drum and bass groove makes me wanna do dirty things. GN'R is not known for sexy songs, but that one is. I know people have a problem with the MacDaddy vocal line - personally I think it is fine and I don't think it is meant to be taken too seriously. Don't get me wrong, the song should be taken seriously, but only as a non-serious, fun song. I have this growing suspicion that some fans have forgotten that many GN'R songs were just made for fun, the fun of playing, the fun of partying to. Not all their songs very these deep, epic, serious things. Axl also has the most impressive screams of GN'Rs back catalogue in it. So don't rip it apart!!

Soulmonster wrote:

ludurigan wrote:

Shackler wrote:Yes, those "heys" and the scream before the chorus are vocals from Eye on You.

wow.

just wow.

I don't even know what to say about this!

I know what to say. I HATE that they might be stripping great songs for parts to use in other songs if it means those great songs won't be released. It's like taking a brand new Ferrari and stripping it for parts to put in a Kia. I absolutely love Eye On You. (I also love Hard Skool so the Kia analogy wasn't very good). I am listening to it now and it is even better than I remembered. It just gets better and better. It is terrible as a GN'R song, yes yes yes, so different and so little guitars and so funky, but my god what a wondrously quirky thing it is. And that drum and bass groove makes me wanna do dirty things. GN'R is not known for sexy songs, but that one is. I know people have a problem with the MacDaddy vocal line - personally I think it is fine and I don't think it is meant to be taken too seriously. Don't get me wrong, the song should be taken seriously, but only as a non-serious, fun song. I have this growing suspicion that some fans have forgotten that many GN'R songs were just made for fun, the fun of playing, the fun of partying to. Not all their songs very these deep, epic, serious things. Axl also has the most impressive screams of GN'Rs back catalogue in it. So don't rip it apart!!

I agree! I'm grateful we have the Eye of You rough mix though, best of both worlds

Soulmonster wrote:I know what to say. I HATE that they might be stripping great songs for parts to use in other songs if it means those great songs won't be released.

I think I know what to say too but I was afraid that I would be a tad too negative. Since you "started" I believe I can "follow". We are a bit in the same page here but for a bit of different reasons. I agree with what you said. I think the "taking parts from one car to put into another" is a great analogy. It perfectly sums up the situation. But what REALLY bugs me (and puzzles me) is how Axl is the ultimate lazy-fuck for doing something like that. Yeah, this is him, not they, right? I can't fucking believe that Axl is doing this sort of lazy, lazy stuff. It is just too lazy. Even for him. What is wrong with this guy? Is his brain so fried that he can't fucking create a new melody line for a new song part? And he needs to resort to a melody that he created a decade ago? And he can't even re-record the vocals? He just copies and pastes it?

Soulmonster wrote:That drum and bass groove makes me wanna do dirty things

hahahahaha that was a funny line man.

Soulmonster wrote:GN'R is not known for sexy songs

No? I don't think that there are too many rock songs that are as sexy as Rocket Queen! That groove is unbeatable!

Soulmonster wrote:I have this growing suspicion that some fans have forgotten that many GN'R songs were just made for fun, the fun of playing, the fun of partying to.

Oh I always thought that is was Axl who had forgotten all about having fun with music! I would be so happy to have him back doing silly songs. Like I keep envisioning how easy it would be for him to call Izzy and sit with Izzy with acoustic guitars and write silly three-chord songs like Used to Love her, making fun of whatever they wanna make fun of!! Izzy's albums have quite a few songs like that...

Soulmonster wrote:Axl also has the most impressive screams of GN'Rs back catalogue in it. So don't rip it apart!!

I need to listen to that again

Good performance of Shadow Of Your Love

Blackstar wrote:Good performance of Shadow Of Your Love

Brilliant. I hope they put this out at some time. I think with a proper recording and mixing, this would be absolutely killer. Just imagine Axl singing this song almost flawlessly at 60.

ludurigan wrote:

Soulmonster wrote:I know what to say. I HATE that they might be stripping great songs for parts to use in other songs if it means those great songs won't be released.

I think I know what to say too but I was afraid that I would be a tad too negative. Since you "started" I believe I can "follow". We are a bit in the same page here but for a bit of different reasons. I agree with what you said. I think the "taking parts from one car to put into another" is a great analogy. It perfectly sums up the situation. But what REALLY bugs me (and puzzles me) is how Axl is the ultimate lazy-fuck for doing something like that. Yeah, this is him, not they, right? I can't fucking believe that Axl is doing this sort of lazy, lazy stuff. It is just too lazy. Even for him. What is wrong with this guy? Is his brain so fried that he can't fucking create a new melody line for a new song part? And he needs to resort to a melody that he created a decade ago? And he can't even re-record the vocals? He just copies and pastes it?

Soulmonster wrote:That drum and bass groove makes me wanna do dirty things

hahahahaha that was a funny line man.

Soulmonster wrote:GN'R is not known for sexy songs

No? I don't think that there are too many rock songs that are as sexy as Rocket Queen! That groove is unbeatable!

Soulmonster wrote:I have this growing suspicion that some fans have forgotten that many GN'R songs were just made for fun, the fun of playing, the fun of partying to.

Oh I always thought that is was Axl who had forgotten all about having fun with music! I would be so happy to have him back doing silly songs. Like I keep envisioning how easy it would be for him to call Izzy and sit with Izzy with acoustic guitars and write silly three-chord songs like Used to Love her, making fun of whatever they wanna make fun of!! Izzy's albums have quite a few songs like that...

Soulmonster wrote:Axl also has the most impressive screams of GN'Rs back catalogue in it. So don't rip it apart!!

I need to listen to that again

I also have no idea why he would have to strip one song instead of just going to the recording studio and record new parts. It could be that Axl, or the people around, supposed that would take a lot of time, a lot more than they are willing to spend when they can just find something suitable in the vault.

I actually thought of Rocket Queen, and yes, I suppose it is sexy. But one swallow does not a summer make.

Yes, Axl sounded kinda good, all things considered

Curious interaction between Axl and Slash. I don't recall ever seeing Axl go to Slash during a song to share vocals -- he did it twice one this one. Is he doing that on this tour?

Now... I sincerely can't understand how you guys -- or Axl, Slash and Duff -- can enjoy the sound of this... It's butchered in so many levels. Axl employees --specially the drumer but also the guitar player -- really don't understand the songs and really don't fit. Everything they change is unnecessary and for the worse. I have no idea how Axl, Slash and Duff allow, accept --- enjoy? -- what these guys do...

ludurigan wrote:Curious interaction between Axl and Slash. I don't recall ever seeing Axl go to Slash during a song to share vocals -- he did it twice one this one. Is he doing that on this tour?

Is Axl trying to convince Slash that Izzy must return?

ludurigan wrote:Yes, Axl sounded kinda good, all things considered

Curious interaction between Axl and Slash. I don't recall ever seeing Axl go to Slash during a song to share vocals -- he did it twice one this one. Is he doing that on this tour?

Now... I sincerely can't understand how you guys -- or Axl, Slash and Duff -- can enjoy the sound of this... It's butchered in so many levels. Axl employees --specially the drumer but also the guitar player -- really don't understand the songs and really don't fit. Everything they change is unnecessary and for the worse. I have no idea how Axl, Slash and Duff allow, accept --- enjoy? -- what these guys do...

Musical preferences are subjective? It's why we like different things. I can imagine it must be a bummer to you that GN'R likes stuff you don't, but I don't think you will find a guy who likes everything GN'R has ever released, considering how varied the discography is. And apparently they like Frank and Richard.

Soulmonster wrote:

ludurigan wrote:Yes, Axl sounded kinda good, all things considered

Curious interaction between Axl and Slash. I don't recall ever seeing Axl go to Slash during a song to share vocals -- he did it twice one this one. Is he doing that on this tour?

Now... I sincerely can't understand how you guys -- or Axl, Slash and Duff -- can enjoy the sound of this... It's butchered in so many levels. Axl employees --specially the drumer but also the guitar player -- really don't understand the songs and really don't fit. Everything they change is unnecessary and for the worse. I have no idea how Axl, Slash and Duff allow, accept --- enjoy? -- what these guys do...

Musical preferences are subjective? It's why we like different things. I can imagine it must be a bummer to you that GN'R likes stuff you don't, but I don't think you will find a guy who likes everything GN'R has ever released, considering how varied the discography is. And apparently they like Frank and Richard.

Oh, I am that guy!

In my book Guns n' Roses hasn't released one single bad song to this very day.

(Ok, maybe So Fine isn't that great)

There were bad songs released under the GN'R name but those were just Axl Rose songs, I don't consider them to be GN'R songs anymore than an Izzy solo song, or an Slash solo song, or a Duff solo song.

Guns n' Roses is undefeated to this day. Not one bad song written, recorded and released by these guys.

About how people perceive them?

Oh sure. I can understand people enjoying this lineup and all the other lineups of the band. How can you not enjoy a band playing some of the best songs ever written? You put Axl singing with a wedding band and if they are professional and skilled enough to play the right notes at the right tempo then people will enjoy it. Specially if you didn't grow up used to GN'R, specially if you don't have Guns n' Roses music ingrained in your mind/heart etc.

For people that started listening to GNR in the 21st century, maybe Axl's clean voice is "normal"? And those employees are "normal"?

Now that is about the fans and their perception.

What worries me is that Slash and Duff are fully embracing this *musical* nonsense. These are guys who spent years talking about how the original band was this and that etc

I specially remember reading quite a few Duff interviews where he said how a good drummer is crucial to a band, how it can make or break it, how it changes everything etc

And then they compromise to the point of accepting playing with this Axl employee who absolutely butchers the songs?

And then you have a Matt Sorum book leak where he says with all the words that Duff and Slash didn't want to pĺay with the Axl drummer but accepted anyway

What are they doing this for if they think the drummer sucks?

To what extent they had to compromise to get this going?

If you compromise the very heart of it -- the music -- then what is the point?