PUNTERS are being invited to step back in time when Newcastle band Not! perform the entire Appetite for Destruction album next month.
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The 1987, 12 track recording by Guns N’ Roses is considered to be seminal by many lovers of hard rock and metal.
Not! singer Gerant Kenneth said the album had been a big influence on his own 20 year music career.
“It’s been so integral to all our lives,” Kenneth said. “It’s a pop cultural phenomenon.
“I don’t think there is many people our age that didn’t grow up with that album and don’t know it inside and out.
“Which in turn makes it a frightening prospect to get on stage and try to recreate it … everyone knows it so well.”
The concept was developed after Kenneth fronted a Sex Pistols show as John Lydon in November last year at The Stag and Hunter Hotel. The performance was well received.
“At the same time I was doing some music with my friend Paul,” he said. “We just wanted to do some music together ‘cause we’d been out of touch for a few years.
“We were doing Appetite, ‘cause we both knew the songs inside and out and we thought it would be fun.
“We were just going to take it busking.”
Before long some of their mates got wind of the project and wanted to be involved.
“Sure enough it’s evolved into a whole band and we have learnt Appetite front to back,” Kenneth said. “We are going to turn up and play it.”
The band will endeavour to play the recording note for note. However, the lyrics bring another challenge.
“Axl Rose’s voice is like nothing else,” Kenneth said. “To recreate that is impossible … I’m trying to channel his essence.”
“I spent a lot of time watching videos from the 80s, when it was a younger Axl Rose.
“Hearing him sing these days has given me a little more confidence. He is very good at hitting the hooks. He lands all those notes.”
However, Not! has not fully imbibed the Guns N’ Roses lifestyle in their preparation for the show.
“We are all very nice, handsome, cleaning living fellows,” Kenneth assured The Newcastle Star.
The album features hits such as Sweet Child O’ Mine, Welcome to the Jungle, It’s So Easy, Mr Brownstone, Night Train, Paradise City and Out Ta Get Me.
The Not! line-up includes Paul McIntyre on guitar, Nathan Field on drums, Sean McGinty on bass and Sol Johnston on guitar.
Not! will perform, supported by Newcastle’s The Grounds and Wysper, at The Hamilton Station Hotel on March 3.
It kicks off at 9pm and entry is free.
