Duff McKagan - It’s So Easy (And Other Lies): Live At The Moore DVD review

Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll... and accountancy.

Duff McKagan It’s So Easy (And Other Lies): Live At The Moore DVD cover

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Opening with a homage to the “Saigon… shit” moment from Apocalypse Now, McKagan’s autobiography in documentary form could easily be a clichéd rock self-destruction tale. It’s cleverer than that, revealing a multifaceted moral awakening. Sure, it’s self-glorifying, but the Guns N’ Roses bassist turned economics student turned writer presents his memoirs with shrewdly gauged candour.

He sits on stage, sharp-suited, and reads as a subtle band play behind him, sometimes breaking into acoustic songs. From Seattle teen-punk days to moving to LA and joining Slash, Axl and co, through disastrous vodka and drug habits, to redemption via marrying a hot model, he’s lived it and learned.

After going to college as a 30-year-old millionaire, he’s now an accountancy whizz, but still shakes his money-maker with Velvet Revolver, Hollywood Vampires and, of course, the reunited GN’R. Interviews with Slash, Nikki Sixx and others are cut in, and it’s a genial, glossy affair.

Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts has written about music, films, and art for innumerable outlets. His new book The Velvet Underground is out April 4. He has also published books on Lou Reed, Elton John, the Gothic arts, Talk Talk, Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Abba, Tom Jones and others. Among his interviewees over the years have been David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Bryan Ferry, Al Green, Tom Waits & Lou Reed. Born in North Wales, he lives in London.