ENUFF SAID: ADLER'S APPETITE A Chip Off The Old Block (NEW LINEUP)

Taime Downe, Steven Adler, Brent Muscat all sinnin' in the city of sin.

ENUFF SAID: ADLER'S APPETITE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK WITH NEW LINEUP
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge contributor

LAS VEGAS -- And the band played on.

In the wake of bassist Chip Z’Nuff’s shocking departure from Steven Adler’s Adler’s Appetite – Z’Nuff was either forced out or left on his admission, depending on whom you talk to – Adler’s Appetite performed a spectacular concert Saturday night poolside at the massive South Point Casino before a crowd of about 1,000 baby boomers who sprung to life at all the GNR hits like “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and an especially torrid version of “Mr. Brownstone” featuring Adler’s unmistakable, tribal percussion intro.

Former Odin bassist Aaron Samson filled in, looking a bit out of place because he was the only one not covered in tattoos but appearing to get all the notes right while having a good time while doing so.

Singer Patrick Stone has to be the genre’s most improved vocalist. He started in late spring a bit rough around the edges, but a summer tour fixed all that, and the kid is downright good, finding his best moments during a well-executed version of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

As for Z’Nuff, I caught up with him earlier in the day. The great bassist from Enuff Z’Nuff acknowledged musical differences once the band entered the studio to record a new CD – “”We just had a difference of opinion, but there were no fights,” Enuff said – but others in the band’s camp suggested there was a bit more to it.

You know how these things are, and you usually never get the whole truth, just different versions from the two sides.

“I thought I added some credibility to the band, but it’s time to move on,” said Z’Nuff, who said his new plan is to work with Enuff Z’Nuff singer Donnie Vie again and perhaps fit himself in to some other projects, too.

“I think Enuff Z’Nuff fans deserve a new record,” Z’Nuff said.

Steven Adler with guitarist Michael Thomas - Las Vegas Like A Suicide

Backstage at Adler’s Appetite were Taime Downe and Brent Muscat, who posed for pictures together but did not go so far as to say there will be a Faster Pussycat reunion.

A bit down the road, the party continued at Count’s Vamp’d, the club that used to be called Feelgoods in partnership with Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, who is no longer involved.

Hollywood All-Starz played a set to a large crowd (it was a special biker weekend in Vegas, and there were a line of Harley’s in front of the club), and the band -- featuring the great Carlos Cavaso of Quiet Riot and Ratt on guitar, Ratt’s Robbie Crane on bass, Bonham/Lynch Mob singer Chas West and legendary drummer Alan Krigger from Giuffria -- performed a great set.

Chas West & Krigger rocking the Hollywood All Starz

They played Ratt songs (Pearcy can’t even touch West’s brilliant vocals), Quiet Riot songs, Led Zeppelin and an AC/DC song that found former Hardly Dangerous singer Tomi Rae Brown joining in.

Taime Downe, ever the scenemaker, was at this show, too, along with usual cast of Las Vegas types from fake-titted strippers to nerdy tourists who think having $1,000 in their pocket makes them a big shot.

In a great night of rock that stretched well into Sunday morning. There’s more, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge contributor