Following on from our Preview Feature in which we discussed the impending Guns N' Roses reunion, this past week we had the pleasure of attending an exclusive screening of the new documentary film made by director Jon Brewer centred around the rise of one of the most important bands in Rock history. It is actually by complete coincidence that original members of Guns N’ Roses have apparently settled their differences and agreed to play Coachella Festival and other select dates in the US as this film is set to be released - a coincidence we’re sure Brewer is absolutely loving. As a documentary, this will go a long way in helping build up the hype towards a long awaited reunion.
Brewer has previously made documentary films about B.B. King, Nat King Cole and Jimi Hendrix and as he explained on the night this was initially going to be a documentary about Slash. After he turned down the idea it evolved in to undoubtedly an even more challenging task. We’ve all heard so many stories around Guns N’ Roses, so the task set out for Brewer was to give us an insight which was both fresh and interesting - something he has been able to achieve. A lot of the old footage used from shows and interviews have been unseen up until now, which makes it an interesting watch throughout. As if to emphasise the carnage that hangs over the Guns N’ Roses name, even now, as far as new interview footage is concerned we only really get extended views from both Steven Adler and Matt Sorum. As much as we can imagine Brewer must have tried to make it happen, it would have been really interesting to hear from other key members of the band - the previews tout new interview footage with Slash, but it was very limited.
As far as the anecdotes and views are concerned Adler steals the show. He adds a brilliant level of humour every time he pops up on screen, despite the fact that a lot of his stories are shrouded in far more tragic circumstances surrounding primarily his own struggles getting clean. Towards the latter stages of the film he begins listing how many years other members of the band have been clean, before explaining that on the day of recording he had reached 18 months - a touching moment where you can’t help but give a mini fist pump. The other really key player throughout this documentary is Marc Canter who is close friends with Slash - his insights and the fact that he provided the vast amount of the footage allowed the documentary to become such a gripping watch.
Overall then this really is an excellent Music Documentary. Brewer has been able to deliver a fresh and interesting insight in to one of the most chaotic forces in music history. He utilises a cool concept of a girl following the white rabbit down a hole into the bedlam that is Guns N’ Roses. The film closes out with her asking whether all of that was real - and to be honest despite that ‘fantasy’ element thrown in for effect, it’s not a completely ridiculous question.
The Most Dangerous Band In the World: The Story of Guns N’ Roses is set for a premiere on BBC Four at 10pm on Friday 5 February 2016.