Despite the mini-blizzard we had in NYC, it was a full house - even that tired old showgirl, Axl showed up!
The opening band was CKY - have I been under a rock lately? I’ve never heard of ‘em before and they effin’ kicked!
The follow-up act was Mix Master Mike ~ his spinning included Rush samples ~ tres coolio, man.
G n’ R opened (at 10pm - early!) with Welcome to the Jungle. They played most of Appetite, a few from Use your Illusion and a couple from the new album. They closed with Paradise City, whipping the Garden into a frenzy.
A highlight was Axl at the keys performing November Rain.
Bucket-head was finger-lickin’ goooood.
All in all, a killer show, despite the fact that they didn’t play Civil War - sob!
Axl had the Bo Derek corn-row action going on, and thankfully he nixed the bikini and opted for a Jets jersey instead.
If he did mention it, I couldn’t understand him. I never understand what they’re saying in a concert arena - too distorted. I can only make out the occasional “fuck.”
Buckethead was tossing a CD-like object to folks in the first row at one point, and even though I had pretty good seats, I couldn’t see what it was, but I doubt he was giving away a yet-to-be-released album.
Well if you heard him say “fuck”, you probably got the gist of his speech. I remember him talking about the album and its release, he said that it would be released “if Uncle Axl turns out not to be an asshole”. Unfortunately, I suspect that he is in fact a bit of an arsehole.
Still, he rocks! Speaking of which, a friend of mine works in a pub in London which is Lemmy Kilminster’s (from Motorhead) local. I think that I’ll go and see if I can have a couple of drinks with the man this weekend.
Mixmaster Mike then went over to the Bowery ballroom and did a midnight set. I saw the BB set but not MSG one. That kid has got skillz galore. I was an hour late to work today because I just had to go to a few more hip-hop lounges after. Hung-over and danced out. Good time in the snowy city last night . . .
