Promising to be an exciting show especially if the rain stays away, the two opening acts for the night proceeded to entertain the crowd while they all patiently waited for Steven Adler’s band to take stage. First up was Stain the Skin and they managed to set the mood for tonight’s show playing many popular Metal hits including a Metallica Medley. Next up was Hidden Agenda who had a much lighter playlist, playing songs from Candlebox, Bryan Adams, Goo Goo Dolls, etc… both opening bands played very well and it was nice to know all the songs and to watch the crowd sing along and dance to the music. Steven was set to go on around 9:15 and so far the weather was looking very forgiving considering the earlier rain that pounded the area.
I’ve always liked Steven as a person and from what I’ve seen and experienced; he has always been very kind to everyone around him. Even in the past when Guns and Roses were getting started, Steven was always respectful and genuine. I showed Steven a picture of him and me and Skid Rows drummer from a 1988 photo session where we were all three screwing off before my photo shoot got started. We all laughed and he wanted to post it on their Social Media site. We will have to look for the post.
Steven seems to have the same love for Music that we here at Backstage360 have, “it’s all about the Music.” I believe the band performed the Appetite for Destruction album almost in its entirety; and they did do some songs other than the now well-known Appetite set list.
While Steven Adler was of course behind the drums the rest of the band consisted of Ariel Kamin on vocals, Tanya O’Callaghan on bass and backing vocals, Alistair James on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, and while all musicians played their parts very well. It was lead guitarist Michael Thomas who truly electrified the crowd, his rendition of Slash’s guitar solos while adding his own personal touch was quite inspirational.
While the band moved thru the tracks from Appetite and the crowd were absorbed into the moment, if you closed your eyes you would swear you were back in the eighty’s. Besides the music being as perfect as you can get Live, the Vocals were spot on; Ariel’s vocals had the grit and attitude that made these songs special to the Fans. He even had the vocal inflections down as perfect as someone could do and I along with other attendees feel as though the Vocals tonight where a near perfect imitation of Axl’s studio vocals. I guess we should have expected that considering Ariel Kamin was the vocalist of an Argentinian GnR tribute band named Son of a Gun.
As the band continued through the set list Steven Adler looked at home behind the kit, and every so often stood on his kit to wave to the audience or fist bump guitarist Michael Thomas. Towards the end of the night “Civil War” and “You Could Be Mine” both from the Use Your Illusion double albums got the crowd in a frenzy and while the crowd was still all fired up the band started a fan favorite “Rocket Queen” which seemed to drive everyone crazier and the crowd demanded more. This brought out Steven announcing which song did the crowd want and Steven delivered two of arguably the biggest hits of the night; “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City” for the Encores.
The band accomplished what many bands can’t, they took us all back to our youth and helped us reclaim a moment in time where anything seemed possible and the Music was outstanding. It was great to take a walk down memory lane and soak in the glory of those decadent days and the soundtracks that accompanied them, thank you Steven Adler and the rest of the musicians who performed tonight and gave us their hearts and talent. We Love You!
The Steven Adler band consists of:
Steven Adler on Drums
Ariel Kamin on Lead Vocals
Michael Thomas on Lead Guitar
Alister James on Rhythm Guitar
Tanya O’Callaghan on Bass
Steven Adler
Venue – Legends Event Park
Reviewed by: storm@backstage360.com