2012.08.13 - Spin - Guns N’ Roses Revive Controversial Robot Rape Artwork for Vegas Residency

Guns N’ Roses Revive Controversial Robot Rape Artwork for Vegas Residency

Written By Kory Grow

In what could be a comment on the state of bipartisan politics, Guns N’ Roses have revived the original cover art for their 1987 debut blockbuster Appetite for Destruction to promote an upcoming residency in Las Vegas. The artwork, originally done in 1978 by “lowbrow” art pioneer Robert Williams, depicts a robot who looks to have sexually assaulted a woman being attacked by an orange monster with knives for teeth (its title: “Appetite for Destruction”). The cover was replaced with an image of a tattoo painting Axl Rose and his then-bandmates as skulls and Williams’ piece was tucked inside the sleeve. This time, though, the art could (maybe?) serve as some sort of commentary about the brutality as politics, as this run has been dubbed “Appetite for Democracy” and the band is performing on either side of Election Day. Maybe? Of course, the shows could simply be named after the band’s first and most recent albums, Appetite for Destruction and Chinese Democracy.

The 12-date residency will begin on Halloween and run through November 24 (full dates below) and it will take place at the Joint inside Sin City’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which has previously hosted residencies by Santana, Tiësto and Mötley Crue. The group is promising unique set lists for each show and a statement promises “fans can expect the raw and gritty heavy metal Guns N’ Roses is known for along with a few surprise elements.”

This, of course, comes on the heels of the frontman no-showing at April’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which he announced with a 1,000-plus-word open letter. Perhaps the group is trying to make up for it, though, since the press release spotlights that these shows coincide with the 25th anniversary of Appetite (which we celebrated by posting the worst cover songs of each of its tracks here), so that may lead to some “gritty heavy metal” set lists.

Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Democracy residency dates:
Wednesday, October 31
Friday, November 2
Saturday, November 3
Wednesday, November 7
Friday, November 9
Saturday, November 10v Wednesday, November 14
Saturday, November 17
Sunday, November 18
Wednesday, November 21
Friday, November 23
Saturday, November 24

https://www.spin.com/2012/08/guns-n-roses-revive-controversial-robot-rape-artwork-for-vegas-residency/