News > Music > Axl Rose Sticks to His Guns

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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10 2006 4:00 PM

Axl Rose's Guns N' Roses has cancelled their Portland, ME, show because Maine is crazy. They don't let performers drink on stage.

During a routine inspection to assess and plan pyrotechnics, the band was informed by state fire marshals that Maine state law prohibits performers from drinking on stage. The fire marshalls later learned that then state law prohibits Gn'R from performing.

On the Guns N' Roses website, Axl tells his side of the story:

"It was important for us to play there and it is a shame that what should have been a great night for all of us was not possible due to the actions of two people," said Rose, referring to the fire marshals.

"I agree with, and ultimately take responsibility for, the end decision not to jeopardize the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities," Rose's statement said. "We hope to find another way to play for you in the future."

Maine is safe from a crappy, sober Gn'R show.

Maybe Axl is suggesting a referendum to the state law with that closing statement, ie get your shit together Maine, then we'll talk.

The Cumberland County Civic Center, where the event was to take place, has issued a statement informing ticket holders that refunds can be claimed at the point of purchase.

Maine, do you even know me?

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Comments

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY

November 2003

NOV 10, 2006 06:36 PM

camalot said:
And yet again, everything is the fault of someone else, right Axl? What a turd. Yeah...two people brought the G'n'R "juggernaut" to a screeching halt...right.

So, SG was going to do shows with "G'n'R"!?!? I just vomited in my mouth.
Who on earth thought that this was a good idea? The only thing Axl Rose is good for is backing out on gigs and pissing people off...common knowledge...most sane people would stay at least a football field away from that guy.

What the fuck is this world coming to?

SG just got knocked down a notch on my respect pole.

Sad, so sad.

I'm sure SG is heartbroken.

MisterGone

Minneapolis, MN

March 2006

NOV 10, 2006 06:44 PM

SocietysPliers said:

mamet said:
He cancelled the show because he couldn't drink alcohol on stage. That's the goddamn dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson once got an alcohol ban lifted for a night on some college when he was scheduled to do a lecture - he refused to speak without Chivas Regal. The colege (I forget which) lifted the ban for all for the night, though.

Anyway, it's not even really GnR anymore, so let Axl buy a bottle and look for the lost vowel in his name.

I'm fairly offended that you mentioned Thompson and Cornrow McGee in the same paragraph.

sketchless

Windsor, ON

April 2006

NOV 10, 2006 06:46 PM

Off Topic: I once wrote an essay on Hunter S. In his honour, I made sure I was either stoned or drunk while writing it.

warchildrex

USA

February 2006

NOV 10, 2006 06:48 PM

i completely understood the rationale behind the sg's decision. and i was hopeful that maybe things would work out for them... and they might yet.

whether or not it's the "real" or "original" g n' r, the point is to bring sg and sg burlesque to a wider audience...

while i agree that it may have seemed dubious, and it's unfortunate that it's off to a bad start... how many garage bands out there would turn down the chance to tour with axl...even if he is a dick? i think the possible benefits easily outweigh the risks! after all, axl is still making headlines...but he's kooky enough that he'd take most of the blame if the tour bombs...sg would walk away with barely a scratch.

i don't think sg should be criticized for pairing up with csi, cbs, or gnr to expand their market, appeal, and influence.

but maybe that's just me...

nobodaddy

Burlington, VT

August 2003

NOV 10, 2006 07:01 PM

FridgeMagnet said:
i would like Axl Rose 80% more if he would get rid of the cornrows.

Forty percent for me.

And Maine, that's a stupid law. Don't make stupid laws like that. Thanks.

NotJason

Orono, ME

October 2004

NOV 10, 2006 07:04 PM

Hey, I'm from Maine! I considered buying tickets to this show, but luckily I had a fit of common sense and opted out. I've seen something like a billion shows in this state and this is the first time I've ever heard of that rule. Though, to be fair, any specific memories I have of performers drinking on stage is from shows in boston. I can't imagine being so pathitically chemically dependant that you can't possibly endure an entire set (which for GNR would probably only be a couple songs before he has some sort of fit anyway) without drinking.

GNR came to Maine once back in the Use Your Illusion days and it was a huge deal. My sister wanted to go but she was in fifth grade at the time or something like that. In any case, Portland Maine can probably cope just fine without Axl's presense. Fuck him.

demoivre

Santa Barbara, CA

January 2003

NOV 10, 2006 07:07 PM

Y2Kristjan said:

but maybe that's just me...

Nope, I'm with you. Besides, I haven't seen anyone ask the important question (although I might have missed it if they had): What do the girls on the tour think about it? Perhaps the girls are all for the exposure and taking the risks (since they're the ones on the stage anyway). The assumption that SG would yank the tour in favor of the GnR gig without the girls' approval seems erroneous at best (not that it couldn't/didn't happen, it just seems like an incredibly unempowering and cynical assumption to make.)

_panda_

I'm lost

November 2005

NOV 10, 2006 07:11 PM

This makes sense:

Arena seats 7500, only 3500 tickets sold, including 500 or so that went to sponsors and radio stations.

Firemarshalls dont want alcohol on stage with purotechniques as a safety precaution, particularly after the Rhode Island incident

Axl rose has been clean and sober for quite some time.

SGB joins show after Papa Roach complains about cost overuns after Sabastian Bach leaves tour for being booed off stage.

Buckethead is playing in a club in Los Angeles somewhere, while Slash is doing volkswagon commercials.

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