Guns N' Roses - The Palladium - 3/9/12

By Lina Lecaro Sun., Mar. 11 2012 at 4:00 AM

Lina Lecaro

See also: Tommy Stinson Interview: Guns N' Roses' Bassist Compares Axl Rose and Paul Westerberg

If you took sides during the Guns n' Roses break-up and subsequent feud, chances are it was that of the curly haired guitarist and the lanky, blonde bassist, not the ginger genius who fronted the band.

Yes, Axl Rose remains a complicated figure. While Slash and Duff always had a punk rock-ish charm and unfettered likeability, Axl sort of seemed like an asshole -- a sexy, aggressive, audacious and introspective asshole, who commanded respect even when his vision took the band in odd directions. Does he still have it, and is it enough to carry the band sans its more famous line-up? Yes and no.

Lina Lecaro

Yes, Axl Rose still has vocal chops. Yes, he can hit the high notes. And he seems to be in better shape than he has been in years. But the band's "L.A. Takeover" -- which continues at the Wiltern tonight, and concludes at House of Blues on Monday -- had some real problems.

For one thing, tickets for the General Admission show were all around $100. Then there was the fact that the band was scheduled to hit the stage at 11:30 p.m., which in Axl-time actually meant they went on well after midnight. And finally, the band itself is inherently, not G N' R. Period. All its current members are accomplished musicians, and all get time in the spotlight, through solos. But these Axl-less moments came off more like bathroom breaks. (They also gave Rose time to change his hats; during the night he donned three different wide-brim, fedora-type chapeaus.)

Lina Lecaro

Axl has got a nice rapport with his backing rockers, particularly guitarist DJ Ashba. Still, the group never felt like a true, cohesive unit. There was no chemistry, and many of the classic Guns tracks -- while instrumentally tight -- felt flat and almost rushed.

Read Steve Appleford's review of the Forum show last November to get an idea of the setlist. It was virtually the same, right down to the curious covers, including Dizzy Reed's Who moment, The Pink Panther as headbanger, and Axl's take on Pink Floyd at the piano.

They played Chinese Democracy tracks, sprinkled in some Use Your Illusion stuff and spaced-out the classics, which, lets face it, most of us were there for. The set was a lengthy three hours. "Mr. Brownstone," "It's So Easy" and "You're Crazy," done blues-style, were pretty good.

But our favorite track -- and that of apparently every gal in a studded belt there too -- was "Rocket Queen;" unfortunately, it was off tempo-wise and lacked the sizzle and climactic sweetness that makes it a great album closer.

Location Info

Venue

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Hollywood Palladium

6215 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Category: Music

4 user reviews	Write A Review
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Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses. The Palladium, House of Blues, L.A. Takeover, Lina Lecaro, March 9 2012, Wiltern

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Jennifer

Were you asleep during the whole show? There's no way you can honestly say that this current line-up is not the best you have ever seen. You sound like one of the old timers who are still sitting arouind crying and whining about a reunion. The fact that you say you were there mostly for the classics proves it. How could you have missed the gut-wrenching emotion that Axl puts into his songs such as "Sorry" or "This I Love"? And no comment at all on the two best songs ever played "Estranged" or "November Rain". I am not denying that Slash is a great guitarist. He helped to make these songs a success, sure. But the best they have ever ben played have been by the new guys Bumblefoot and Dj Ashba. I had my doubts of a Guns n Roses without Slash and Duff, but then I heard this latest line-up play together and I was blown away! After seeing them in concert last November in Houston, Texas, I was left in tears. The pure emotion that Axl exudes on stage is powerful. There was so much chemistry between these guys that I wouldn't be surprised if that alone was what was setting off the sparks onstage during the light show. And as for the famous Axl-dance, as you call it, you must have been asleep during that part too. He was shaking those hips in Texas just the same as he used to. As for Axl leaving the stage between sets, have you ever seen a GnR show before? He has always done this, and it has nothing to do with the other guys. It's personal for him. It's hard work out there, and I'm sure not one of us that are commenting could get up there and do what he does, night after night. And especially despite all the negative feedback that he has had to endure his whole career. Are you aware of the shows that he got onstage and performed despite being sick as a dog? Are you aware that he suffered double brochitis and still managed to belt out an awesome performance? The experience I had in Houston, Texas was the best I have had my whole life. I would like to personally thank Axl and the band for continuing to bring these experiences to the fans, despite the negativity and drama that always seems to follow. Love you guys!

Lina Lecaro

The passion and loyalty you show for Axl Rose is impressive, it really is. Yes, this "old timer" has seen the original GnR before... a few times actually. This did not compare. Sorry. As I said the band is technically good, but they lack the danger and voraciousness (the appetite, if you will) of the old days. Maybe the original line-up will also be lacking when they get together too, as they are all older. I reviewed this band, not that band. Also, taking the G n' R name, Axl is basically asking for a comparison. Finally, the Axl dance was half-assed: a couple undulations here and there, not the full-on dance fans know and love.

Michael Woglom

DJ Ashba looks like he got hit with an Ed Hardy Scud Missile

Lina Lecaro

Some of the corrections noted below were actually sent in after the piece (written around 3:30 am Sat.), but not added before posting. Making the changes now. Thanks GnR fans! -L

Samps

I hope you know I wasn't trying to be a smart ass or anything like that, I thought your review was spot on.

Guest

CORRECTIONS:

"It's So Easy" was actually before "Mr. Brownstone" in the set. They opened with "Chinese Democracy," followed by "Welcome To The Jungle" and then by "It's So Easy." And they played just a tick over three hours, taking the stage at 12:25 a.m. with the last note sounding at 3:26 a.m.

Samps

I was at this show and I liked it despite walking into it with a lot of reservations. But, I agree that seeing this incarnation of Guns is a "yes and no" proposition. Yes, the musicians that Axl has assembled are more than capable of playing the material; overall they sounded great and seemed to enjoy the show. Lina hits the nail on the head with regard to chemistry; there seemed to be chemistry between the band members themselves, but between Axl and the band, it was definitely lacking. Axl continually walked off the stage whenever there was an instrumental break in a song, and this had nothing to do with any of the extended solos that filled the set-list. This reinforces the idea that G n' R is, and will continue to be, nothing more than Axl and a revolving door of musicians who are hired to do a job. Would a reunion of the "classic" lineup once again capture the "tension" and "magic" that they once had? Who knows; Duff, Steven and Izzy have all recently joined Axl on stage at various points, but the acrimony between Axl and Slash continues, and it is this tension-filled, creative relationship that fueled G n' R. Until these two can put their differences aside, this version of G n' R is what we are going to get.

Just a couple of notes on the review; the House of Blues show is Monday not Sunday (they are at the Wiltern Theater), and the "Who moment" was Dizzy Reed playing Baba O' Reilly during his piano solo. Tommy Stinson sang one of his own songs (Motivation) during his solo.

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