Steven Adler & Adler’s Appetite – Powerstation May 24, 2018

Former GnR drummer Steven Adler held court at Auckland’s Powerstation, first with his mum, then with his band, cranking out potent versions of his old group’s hits.

After years of drug and alcohol use and abuse I’m sure that there were a fair number of folks in attendance who just wanted to see if Steven Adler could function behind a drum kit. After all, the guy had suffered a stroke, been in a coma and had a heart attack in the years following his ouster from the band he helped found. I mean, think of it…this is the guy who got thrown out of Guns n’ Roses for doing too many drugs!

For me, the most interesting part of the evening looked to be the opening segment where Adler and his mother, Deanna were brought on stage to answer questions posed by The Rock’s Bryce Casey and from members of the audience.

At least that was what was supposed to happen.

Instead Bryce lobbed softball questions such as, “What was it like being in Guns n’ Roses?’ while Adler took every opportunity to revel in his partying days retelling sordid tales of sex, drugs and rock & roll, while his mum looked on awkwardly.

When Deanna did speak, she tried to convey the heartbreak her family endured putting up with Steven’s irresponsible lifestyle. And while Adler is now four years sober, he seemed to be oblivious to the hurt he caused his family while at the same time glorifying the lifestyle that landed him in the hospital.

In the end, barely anyone from the audience had an opportunity to ask a question…oh, and there was no mention of the domestic violence issues Adler was involved in…beating up several women in the 1990’s and serving time in prison. Instead it was presented as one long party that he was lucky to have survived.

After the 25 minute Q&A session, it was time to rock & roll.

Despite claims that Appetite For Destruction would be played in its entirety, Adler and his band opened their set with Reckless Life, a tune from GnR Lies.

Not that anyone was complaining. The band was impressive, particularly frontman Constantine Maroulis, who sounded just enough like Axl to make the songs sound as they should, without sounding like an imitator. He also had plenty of swagger and attitude, which is almost as important as the music with a band like GnR.

The rest of the group consisted of bass player Sean McNabb (ex-Dokken), rhythm guitarist Carl Restivo and lead guitarist Michael Thomas. I reckon it was Thomas who had the toughest job of the night, trying to emulate Slash.  As anyone who saw GnR at Western Springs last year will attest, Axl’s voice ain’t what it used to be, but Slash is still a force of nature. Thomas did alright for himself, but I did miss Slash.

Adler’s drumming was, for the most part, fine. He was definitely feeding off the good vibes

the crowd was sending out, and decided to take a drum solo, which may not have been completely in his best interest. He didn’t embarrass himself, but I’ve heard plenty better.

In the end, what you got was Steven Adler playing with his own covers band. They played ALMOST all of Appetite….leaving out You’re Crazy and Out Ta Get Me…and burying Sweet Child O’ Mine in the middle of the set, when I felt it should have been saved til the end.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Reuben Raj:

Adler’s Appetite set list:

1. Reckless Life
2. It’s So Easy
3. Nightrain
4. Mr Brownstone
5. My Michelle
6. Sweet Child O’ Mine
7. Anything Goes
8. Think About You
9. Civil War
10. Drum Solo
11. You Could Be Mine
12. Rocket Queen
13. Welcome To The Jungle
14. Paradise City