Appetite for Destruction

Appetite for Destruction, Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, was released in the summer of 1987, just one day before my 10th birthday. I was unaware, until writing this, of that fact but it does seem very fitting. This all-out assault on rock has probably had more influence on me than any other album. I have often said it is my favorite record ever, best debut release or even the best album ever.

It is an impossible task to try pick a favorite artist or song, let alone a whole album. It might be an even harder challenge to objectively say one record is better than another. Michael Jackson’s, Thriller has sold the most copies ever and is a tremendous album but I’m sure we all won’t agree that it is the best ever. But isn’t that what makes music and art so special? The individual meanings we apply and the subjectivity of it. No matter your stance if you are a rock aficionado of any kind you cannot deny Appetite's impact on the culture.

I probably first heard Guns’ N’ Roses on 99.5, WZPL (Indy’s hit music station) but I became more intimate with them through my best friend, Keith. Growing up his parents were better off than mine, so he got a lot of things he wanted, besides my parents probably wouldn’t have bought it for me anyways. No matter, he made me a copy, on tape, of course. I remember listening to it at night, trying to keep it low enough so that I wouldn’t get caught by my parents.

I don’t remember specifically when I first heard Appetite, that was way too long ago, longer than I like to think about. I can tell how I felt hearing the opening riff and the background yell of Axl on, 'Welcome to the Jungle'. I was immediately taken by its power the build toward an even fiercer energy. An exuberance that carries through the entire album, continually smacking you in the face with raw intensity. There were no power ballads which were all the rage at the time. No breaks for acoustic instruments whatsoever. Unlike most records the ferociousness, had no let up.

I also remember feeling guilty for listening, like it was something forbidden. Back in the day, you didn’t have unfettered access to the world. My musical exposure for the most part had been my parents’ solid gold country music, a Beach Boys tape, I got as a gift, and of course, New Kids on The Block. None of this prepared me for the overt drug and sexually charged lyrics of the album.

Although I did grow up out in the country I new a little bit about what they were talking about. Afterall, I did ride the bus everyday with the trailer park kids. I mean I lived in a trailer but not a trailer park. Either way between that and my older neighbor I wasn't completely naive and I knew this wasn't something my parents would find appropriate.

My parents weren’t Puritanical or anything like that, just like A Christmas Story, my Old Man, “worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium; a master.” However, they didn’t believe in me using anything close or hearing that language, unless it was from them. Come to think about it, that might be a big reason why I took this this album to heart.

Anyways, GNR became my favorite band for quite some time. They would eventually be the band to lead me fully into Punk Rock, another story I plan on telling later. The Appetite for Destruction album remains timeless, and one I still hold close to my heart and soul. A record so important I shared it with daughter.

To be honest, she probably doesn't like a lot of the songs, it’s not really her thing, and that’s cool. However, it didn’t stop me from taking to take her to see Guns’ N Roses in concert. I remember reflecting at the time, about this being my 12-year-old self’s dream and she was getting to live it. Is this what they mean by your children having a better life than you? Again, not really her thing but she had fun or maybe she pretended for me? Honestly, I don’t care either way. To make the show even more especial special event for me, one of my best friends was able to go with as well.

He is another big Guns n Roses fan, must be a Xennial thing. He flew over from England to go with us at the Olympia Stadion in Munich. It was a very hot day in Bavaria, but they played an over 3-hour set. Luckily it was at the beginning of their first reunion tour and Axl had a great voice and Slash, well Slash is Slash, absolutely amazing. He truly stole the show.

I have been to better shows and have had more fun, but it was probably as close to a religious moment as I’ve ever had. I literally had chills the entire time, not to mention a few tears. My life felt like it had completely come full circle. I think we all have those events or points in our life that shape who we are, for me it was the release of Appetite for Destruction.