Key Highlights
- Faith No More opened for Guns N’ Roses on their European stadium tour in 1992.
- The band’s album “Angel Dust” was controversial and saw them losing half of their audience.
- Axl Rose and Slash confronted the band after their performance, leading to an hour-long dressing-down.
- Despite initial success with “The Real Thing,” Faith No More chose to make a record that defied expectations.
The Unlikely Opening Act: Faith No More and Guns N’ Roses
Faith No More, the enigmatic 1990s alt-rock superstars, found themselves in an unexpected position on the spring/summer 1992 European stadium tour. You might think this was a dream come true, but for Faith No More, it was more of a nightmare.
The band’s bassist Bill Gould explained their mindset: “Every band in the world might think they want to open for Guns N’ Roses, but lemme tell you, it’s been a real ugly personal experience.” This sentiment wasn’t just about the logistical challenges; it was about dealing with the ‘circus’ that surrounded Axl Rose and Slash.
Confrontation at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl
The confrontation between Faith No More and Guns N’ Roses came to a head in Florida. Standing backstage, Axl Rose wasn’t just angry; he was hurt. “Why do you hate me?” the frontman asked, his voice filled with genuine confusion. Slash, known for his easy-going nature, joined in the dressing-down: “If you don’t like it here, just fucking leave.” The three musicians from Faith No More stood there, sheepish and ashamed.
The Making of ‘Angel Dust’
For Faith No More, making “Angel Dust” was a conscious decision to challenge their audience. “The only way to really progress is to be ashamed of what you’ve just done,” Mike Patton once said. This attitude led to a record that was dark, twisted, and unlistenable at times.
One review summed it up: “This is possibly the least commercial follow-up to a hit record in the history of recorded music.” The album debuted at No.2 in the UK and No.10 in America but saw Faith No More losing half their audience. “We didn’t expect to be Bon Jovi,” Bill Gould admitted, reflecting on how much they had changed from their early days.
A Complex Legacy
While “Angel Dust” was a commercial failure, it solidified Faith No More’s place in rock history as innovators and mavericks. Their decision to make an album that defied expectations, even at the cost of commercial success, set them apart from their peers.
So, there you have it. A tale of two bands, one opening act, and a record that became legendary for its audacity and controversy.