Review by: Jay Kennedy
Photos by: Snake & Rabbit Studios
Show Photos: HERE
Meet the Band:
Erin Marsz – Axl Hose (lead singer)
Charlene Kaye – Gash (guitar)
Mia Swier – Muff McKagan (bassist)
Emmy Wildwood – Lizzy Stradlin (guitarist)
Meret Koehler – drummer
Devon C. Johnson – tour manager + “honorary Hose”
To get into the show, you walk thru the Middle East Club Upstairs restaurant. You would never have guessed that the table of nice girls, quietly dining in the middle of the room, was Guns N’ Hoses. It was less than a couple hours before they would take the stage, all long legs and badass; yet now they looked like a group of college girls, relaxing on a night out.
Two hours later, they were stalking the room like they owned it; strutting their stuff in big-hair, fishnet stockings, and leather short-shorts. Taking the stage, they overwhelmed everyone with “Welcome to the Jungle,” and never looked back, with an “Appetite for Destruction” heavy setlist.
The Hoses are not a tribute band that sound just like the original. They are not a collection of eye-candy, thrown together that can just kinda-sorta play instruments. They are not hipster smartasses mocking the over-the-top silliness of the original. They are a talented band that really appreciates the original GNR sound, and has fun with it. Any cover band would have simply played the hits. GNH dug into the riffs, from the funky bass of Mr Brownstone, to the crying Les Paul of Sweet Child of Mine.
After the show, the lights went up, and the band moved to the merchandise table, and the crowd broke out into a chant of “ONE MORE SONG! ONE MORE SONG!” The crowd showed up with high expectations, and they were met.
The opening act, Aquanutz, was visibly impressed, as lead singer (Rodd Godd?) broke into his best Axl Rose/Davey Jones sway dance. Aquanutz also has an appreciation for all things Aquanet, and covered a bunch of 80’s hair metal with the fervor only true disciples could. Closing the their opening act with Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health” was not what anyone expected, but was done with such fervor and emotion, that it was the perfect cap for the setlist.
Guns N’ Hoses Welcome to the VaJungle
