The drummer explains how an uncontrollable environment led to crazy shows and exhaustion for those involved
In the early 1990s it was no exaggeration to define the Guns N’ Roses as the biggest band in the world. Even with the increase of Nirvana and the consolidation of names such as U2, Metallica AND Happy Jovithe group of Axl Rose AND Bar was experiencing a moment of enormous popularity.
The arrival of Matt Sorum occurred in this context. The drummer was brought by The Cult to fill the vacancy left Steve Adlerfired for exaggerating with drug use, a frequent occurrence in the band. Between 1990 and 1997 he held the position, recording the albums Use your illusionthe covers album The spaghetti incident? and a cover of “Sympathy for the devil“ (Rolling Stones).
The growth of weapons during this period was also structural and artistic. The tour he promoted Use your illusion — a body of work that spawned two albums with several long songs — lasted more than two years. It started in Rock in Rioin January 1991, and ended in Argentinain July 1993. Nearly 200 presentations took place during that period, mostly in large arenas and stadiums.
In a 2016 interview with Mitch Lafon (go Igor Miranda’s website), Matt admitted his shock at the whole situation. The musician practically understood the label of “the most dangerous band in the world”, since everything that happened there was unpredictable, even with a great team behind it mobilizing to make everything work.
“We never knew what was going to happen. There was no sense of stability. It kept the band in a constant state of aggression. When we went on stage, we would pick at our instruments exhausted or angry. It made the show legendary.”
In another interview, with advertising billboardin 2021, Sorum pointed out that much of this “danger” came from Axl Rose. The singer was usually late to go on stage at shows. When he arrived and the show began, everyone involved – musicians and fans – showed enormous intensity.
“I’m in the dressing room, we’re two hours late. I’m frustrated. As soon as you get on stage, it was totally rock and roll. Before we got on, we were overwhelmed with frustration, anger, anxiety… all of this brought the show to another level. The audience would get excited, because they were angry that we were late, but as soon as we got on stage, some nights they would go up in flames.
Guns N’ Roses with Matt Sorum: experiments and effort
This intensity leads to exhaustion. Returning to the interview with Mitch Lafon, Matt Sorum He also recalled the fact that he entered the Guns N’ Roses precisely in a period in which artistic identity was more complex.
“Everything was so different from what I expected. I thought I’d find a mix between AC/DC AND Aerosmithwith Sex guns AND Nazareth. Then came the pianos and those epic 10 minute songs. I was surprised.”
Since everything was falling apart, Sorum and his colleagues had no time to prepare. In a context in which the songs were more elaborate, the recording studio dates were scarce, the schedule was immense and there was still the personality of Axl to face, there was only one guarantee: being in the Guns It was tiring then.
“We didn’t have much time to prepare. We rehearsed for a month and then went to record [os álbuns Use Your Illusion]. We had to learn 33, 34 songs and then we recorded them. I had a lot to learn. The way we operated was crazy. We had one or two takes and it was ready. There were no cuts, like today’s bands.”
Despite it all, Opaque believes the experience was immensely satisfying. No wonder, he is still known worldwide for those years. In the middle of a dynamic where Bar he presented himself as a musical leader and Axl by controlling what was happening in general – even during the shows – the drummer fulfilled his role simply of “holding the line”.
For seven years it worked. But his departure and the total dissolution of that group formation were also due to inevitable exhaustion. Rock and roll is tiring.
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Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
