It's music to the ears of any hard rockin' music fan who just wants a taste, a momentary live reminder of what was once widely regarded as the most dangerous band in the world. Steven Adler's band will play Appetite for Destruction from start to finish and this week he told Sticky that "basically, we're going back to 1986 and we're showing people what rock'n'roll was like" in his hey day. Adler was at the heart of the massive engine room inside Guns N' Roses. His thumping drums on the band's chart-topping debut album, as well as the many, many live shows he played before being sacked in 1990, was a huge part of the Gunners' early success. "We could do no wrong," he said, about the build-up to and recording of Appetite for Destruction, which was released in July, 1987. "The gods and the stars were aligned," he said, adding "then 1990 happened and everything went to hell." Addicted to drugs, Adler's life spiralled horribly out of control, but he feels blessed, he says, to again be playing music and touring with his mother, Deanna, now sharing the ride with him. Her book Sweet Child of Mine: How I Lost My Son to Guns N' Roses is a gut-wrenching, heartfelt account of Adler's story, through her eyes. Looking back on the making of the band's defining album, Adler, 53, has nothing but fond memories. "It's really just a well recorded and produced demo tape," he says. "We did it in six days and every time we walked into the sound room after playing, we just kept saying 'this is going to be the biggest record ever'. We were like little kids who discovered chocolate for the first time." Steven Adler plays 170 Russell in Melbourne on May 25 and Max Watt's in Sydney on May 26. For all his Australian tour dates, go to www.facebook.com/theexperienceaus/
album of the week
Even
Satin Returns
(El Reno)
★★★★
There's a simple truth behind why this trio have not only endured since releasing their near faultless debut album Less Is More, but also wormed their way into the hearts of countless fans over 25 years. In singer, songwriter and guitarist Ashley Naylor, Even have one of the most passionate and talented musicians this country has ever produced, while bass player Wally Kempton and drummer Matthew Cotter have now, across seven albums, laid the foundations for their sound to flourish. Their first album since 2011 is classic Even; crisp, clean, silky smooth and above all, a welcome return.
Steven Adler was at the heart of Guns N' Roses' massive engine room.
Photo: Jorge Ortiz
selecta
Wide Awake! – Parquet Courts
Tell Me How You Really Feel – Courtney Barnett
King Animal – Soundgarden
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