So, in a hell of a way to top out 2k6, which was certainly one of the more concert / event filled years so far (Peacemakers, Gin Blossoms, Pauly Shore, G-n-R, Origins, Kevin Costner/ Netflix Field of Dreams, and a couple others), Tony and I took off to Ames to see the following lineup (known at the time):
Sebastian Bach
Guns -n- Roses

I’d heard rumors about there being another opening act, but nothing was confirmed.
KNOWING full well that this was (probably) a sold out event, and the lines were going to be long (c’mon, now G-n-R AND Sebastian Bach?), we got there about 45 minutes early. Time to check in (tickets were @ will call), piss, find the seats, all that.

As we walk in, I notice that there’s nothing going on in the arena area (ie: no concert). Once we walk around a few minutes, and find our seats however (I’m talking 10 minutes), the show had begun. Funny, but it was just a shitty opener.
Yes, folks, there was an opener. Not just ONE opener, but -=3=- openers

First, we had the shitty opener, and I mean these guys stank so bad nobody knew who they were or cared. They were off the stage in a half hour, thank the gods! I can’t even remember their name, but they came from St. Louis IIRC.

Next, came these girls. THEY did everything BUT suck, and bought a bit of time at the end. More on that in a bit though.

Thirdly, the man himself, Sebastian Bach. Everything from Skid Row stuff to new Bach stuff was heard, and none of it sounded bad at all. Originally, the idea was just to go and see him. I had NO clue that G-n-R would be playing with him, that just made the deal that much sweeter though, seriously.

As Bach was leaving, we got informed that these guys would be up next. My original thinking was “WTF? WHY would Sebastian Bach put himself BEFORE them, willingly, knowing that’s an insult (he should have been AFTER them)”, but, it all became clear shortly. Bach didn’t want the response they got. By the time they came out, the audience was aware something was awry.

After a gruelling hour of Helmet (god, those guys just suck major ass, and Ames let ‘em know), them getting boo’ed off stage, we saw the typical takedown of the stage, and just waited for G-n-R . By this time , we could tell that yes, there was something wrong (it was going on midnight, and NO G-n-R).

Going into tonight, my worry was that Axl hadn’t had enough “cancellations” in this tour (so far only one) , and we’d get stuck being one, me losing $100 worth of tickets. Of course, when they didn’t show up by 1230, I’m thinking to myself “Shit, he’s done it again”, and Ames was INCREDIBLY pissed off (wouldn’t you be?). We’d been in the arena since 715, and the show was just starting to drag the fuck on.

Finally, some announcer got on and announced the suicide girls were coming back out, that G-n-R was there, there WERE a few weather related problems (expected) and we’d have G-n-R shortly. These girls, I’ll give ‘em all the credit in the world, came out and danced their hearts out, to 1000s of boo’ing people (men boo’ing strippers guys, THAT’S how bad it was). They took it like champs though, and did a couple numbers.

Finally, close to 1, 115, the lights go back out (again), and the searchlights come on. At this point, it can ONLY be one thing. G-n-R has FINALLY hit the stage, and DAMN did they hit it.

We heard old shit like Paradise City (closer) to Patience, November Rain, You Could Be Mine (still shocked that found it’s way in there), Knocking, allllll the shit you’d expect to see in a G-n-R lineup, and new shit (Chinese Democracy really sounds interesting, the only one I could really make out though).

An ass kicking setlist and an encore later, we’re through. I’ve been home about an hour, just now getting ready for bed, and let me tell you, it was ALL worth the wait. Unfortunately, the pictures disapeared from my cell (expected, because I had to remove the battery mid concert), but that’s the ONLY regret.

If you were one of the thousands that walked out tonight, TRY to understand that shit happens. This could have EASILY been the weather causing any number of vehicles to break down (RCPM anyone?), or strings to break, and that being the last one, blah blah blah. This shit happens, and getting pissed off and “boo’ing” isn’t going to make the band come out ANY damn faster. Being patient and relaxing won’t either, but it’s not going to antagonize anything or anyone, while Boo’ing WILL piss people off.

Yes, folks, the curse is still in full effect:
Weird Al (dude, I’m really sorry, you got it the worst):
within a month of seeing him, his parents died

RCPM:
A> Within a week, guitar got stolen (show 1)
B> Bus breaking down the night of the show

Metallica:
Deftones lead singer hospitalized the day of the show, serious health injuries (Summer Sanitarium 2k2/3)

Poison:
Bus caught fire while leaving the IA show a couple years back

G-n-R:
Mysterious weather related problems, causing delay of show for 2-3 hours

Gin Blossoms:
Unaffected as of yet

Pauly Shore:
Unaffected as of yet

Black Label Society:
A month before the show, switched out Bassists (not really a “curse” thing, but J. Lo had been in the band for years before leaving for Megadeth)

Motley Crue:
Just a couple weeks before our show, “Mikey” (their midget) got detained in Canada for drugs. Needless to say, he didn’t make our show (boooh).
Night of Show, Tommy Lee dropped the “titty cam”. Accident/ Not Accident? Nobody knows.

Toby Keith / Ted Nugent:
Uncle Ted got trapped in a storm in MN, day of show, couldn’t make it out to the show.

That’s a list of the shows I’ve been to since hooking up with Mike and crew. Note that of all those, only -=2=- have not had some sort of (minor or major) disaster before, during, or close to after shows. I count BLS / J. Lo as a “disaster”, because he’d been with ‘em for years and it was a shame not to see them together.

Anyways, IF you get the chance to see the G-n-R / Sebastian Bach tour this year, PLEASE do yourself a favor and DO IT! I’m not kidding, both of these guys put on a HELL of a show, and the Axl/Bach duo (my Michelle) is just sweet!!!!!!

Peace out, fuckers, I’m off to bed!