Appetite was formed out of a mutual admiration for Guns N' Roses. Bill Shores (Appetite Lead Singer 1998-2009) and John had occasionally jammed out GN'R songs at parties because everyone knew there were no bigger fans of Axl and Slash than these two. Everyone always crowded around to hear them whip out Mr. Brownstone or Patience. Bill had been a Guns N' Roses fan since they came on the scene. He had always been able to amaze people with his great Axl impersonation right down to the voice and the moves. Having been friends for years, Mike, Bill and Drew were in the thrash band DISILLUSIONED, before Appetite, and occasionally whipped out MY MICHELLE or PARADISE CITY at a show. John was in an original band, CONVICTION, with his cousin and original Appetite guitarist, Greg Terzian. They had always been GN’R fans jamming out Mr. Brownstone and Knockin' on Heaven's Door at their shows.
In 1997, at one of the parties, Bill approached John about doing some Guns covers in the studio for fun. John had recommended his cousin Greg play guitar and Bill had recommended to bring in Mike to play bass. Keith Soper (Appetite Drummer 1997-2003) was also at the party and thought it would be fun to jam too. Six months later they finally got together to jam and did so every weekend for a few months.
They finally decided to play a show in June 1998 which Mike had booked at Dr. Shay's in Lindenhurst. For a bar the size of most bathrooms at bigger places, the place was packed from front to back and outside. With just word of mouth (if you remember in 1997, this whole internet and email thing wasn't big yet), they had drawn about 200 people. With many fans wanting to see some GN'R in 1997 and no GN'R news, album, or anything, fans were hungry for some Appetite for Destruction. They figured they were on to something and started booking more shows in different venues. In 1999, Greg decided to pursue other interests, and that's when Andrew was brought in. A big GN’R fan who had been to every AFD show he brought a new level of energy to the band. In April of 2003, Shawn was brought in to replace Keith who had enough touring after five years. In February 2010 the band found their new lead singer in Rob Pfeffer. A huge GN’R fan with the voice to match we are expecting huge things out of Rob and just wait until you see him live After over 10 years the band is still going strong and is looking forward to another 10 of bringing Guns N' Roses fans what they want -- GUNS N' ROSES!!!!
Appetite for Destruction has been paying tribute to Guns N' Roses for over ten years, packing out venues throughout the tri-state area. Among their most noted gigs was performing as the opening act for Gilby Clarke (twice), countless headlining gigs at BB King's in Manhattan, and a co-headlining act for Upstate New York's Stemstock which boasted over 3,000 people. They've also performed at other popular New York venues such as the Vanderbilt, L'Amour's, Jones Beach, Northern Lights, Mulcahy's, the Village Pub, and Sullivan Hall with some of the best tribute bands in the business.
Unlike many other tribute bands, AFD focuses explicitly on the audio and visual aspects of Guns N' Roses, and strives for duplication in both areas. These days, it's not enough to just sound like the band you're impersonating; patrons can get that act from countless cover bands. They come to see a show, and that includes the appearance, enthusiasm, and on-stage antics expected from a national act. Appetite for Destruction delivers that and more. They focus on GN'R's earlier music, like Appetite, but they also play many songs from GN'R Lies and Use Your Illusion I and II and even the Spaghetti Incident? Sometimes they even throw in a song that GN'R played live that never made it to an album to keep with the GN'R spirit.
Their catalog of Guns N' Roses songs is greater than that of any other tribute band in the country. They are able to perform over fifty songs, which allows them to tailor every set to each venue's specific needs. All of the hit singles, rock radio staples, and GN'R fan favorites are there. Not to be missed is the incredible attention to detail that the band exhibits while recreating some of the most memorable shows that GN'R ever performed.
The bottom line is that no one plays it like GN'R. And that's exactly why they're Appetite for Destruction. Fans will remember that Guns N' Roses was not a poser band like many of the ones that came out of Hollywood. Like GN'R, they may not take the stage wearing makeup, but they can guarantee you that the music will kick your ass. With Axl Rose and his new lineup finally delivering the highly anticipated Chinese Democracy album, along with the on-going "will they or won't they" reunion gossip, audiences are craving a Guns N' Roses fix all the more, and AFD aims to please. |
