Appetite for Distortion · Appetite For Distortion

Anything Goes with Chris Weber of Hollywood Rose | Ep. 553

February 23, 2026·59 min·5 clips

A former Guns N' Roses guitarist explains how he now uses music therapy to help clients with traumatic brain injuries express themselves.

It starts loose at Brando's house. He welcomes Chris Weber back to Appetite for Distortion, points out the glowing living-room setup, and jokes that Chris is blocking the sun. Baby Brownstone is nearby, which gives the whole thing a lived-in pace before Brando starts measuring the gap since Chris last appeared, from episode 329 back to episode 24. The count still seems to throw him. Chris gets room to wander through old friendships, early writing rooms, family keepsakes, and the odd second life of rock history. A photo opens the door. Chris talks about Axl and Izzy living at his mom's house, and about Axl signing something to her as Bill before Axl fully became Axl. Brando gets why that matters. He treats the picture like real memorabilia, while the conversation stays loose enough for Chris to stumble around for the word for a photo holder. The music memory comes in naturally. Chris says there was no bass player or drummer yet, so the early group was writing more than rehearsing. His parents' house was the setting. He remembers listening closely to Rock in a Hard Place with Izzy, especially the riffs and Jimmy Crespo's lead playing. That record sparked something. Chris ties it to the riffing he was working through, alongside heavier listening. The ending turns soft in a good way. Brando and Chris talk about memory, pictures, connection, and how looking back can help when someone feels sad or cut off. The last beat is gratitude, shared photos, and Brando's familiar Axl Rose joke about whether the next episode will show up soon.

As heard by us

A warm memory-lane interview that uses personal detail to frame the early songwriting story.

This return visit stays grounded in memory and lived-in detail, with Brando leaning on old episodes, a signed photo, and a few family details to open the conversation up.

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Why you'd press play

For the backstory behind 'Anything Goes,' the signed photo, and the memories that go with it.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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