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Hard Rock and Hair Metal

IN RECESS

When attorney Nathan Majors leaves the courtroom and his office behind for the day, the sharp-dressed man transformsinto an ’80s hair band bassist. Donning leather pants, a wig, and a bandana, Majors looks like a nigh-perfect copy of Guns N’Roses longtime bassist Duff McKagan. Channeling the spirit of the critically acclaimed 1987 album Appetite for Destruction,Majors’ band, The Guns N’ Roses Experience, draws the audience back to their youth and the days when the IROC was theautomobile of choice for hard rock fans. Majors plays the club scene in the DFW Metroplex.

Rockwall attorney Nathan Majors channels the music of the ’80s.

INTERVIEW BY ADAM FADEREWSKI

8 Texas Bar Journal • January 2020 texasbar.com

Bassist Nathan “Duff” Majors plays next to lead guitarist Matt “Slash” Smith during a recent performance by his Guns N’ Roses cover band, The Guns N’ Roses Experience.

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texasbar.com/tbj Vol. 83, No. 1 • Texas Bar Journal 9

When did you start playing bass? Believe it or not, I didn’t pick up a bass guitar untilI was 40.

How long have you been playing with yourband? My current project is called The Guns N’ RosesExperience. It is a tribute to Guns N’ Roses. We’vebeen in this project for about a year. Prior to that,we were doing a tribute to Chris Cornell—the formervocalist for Soundgarden and Audioslave—calledSoundSlave and we also had a cover band playingmore modern rock songs. It’s pretty much been thesame guys through each project, and we’ve beenplaying together about three years.

How did the band come together?I’ve started every project I’ve been in. If you startthe band, you don’t have to audition! I originallyput ads out on Craigslist.

Who would you consider your inspiration?Guns N’ Roses has always been my favorite band.I’ve gone as far as having the lyrics to the song“Rocket Queen” tattooed on my arm. We workreally hard to give people an experience wherethey can relive being 17 driving around withAppetite for Destruction blasting out the speakers oftheir Camaro.

Do you mostly play covers or originalmaterial?Only covers, no originals. A couple of guys in theband have an original project, but for me, the fun islearning and then playing the songs I’ve played airguitar to all these years.

Where do you usually play?We usually play in bars and clubs throughout theDallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and mostly in the suburbs.The people who come to see us are in their 40s and50s and don’t like to stray too far from home.

What has been your biggest or most excitinggig to date?We recently played at Gas Monkey Live! on a billwith three other tributes. There was close to 1,000people in the audience. It was the first time I couldhear the audience singing the songs back to us. Thatwas great.

Do you play any other instruments?I originally picked up the guitar. I spent a few years takinglessons and trying to play. It just wasn’t for me. I figured basswas only four strings so it had to be easier. It’s been my oneand only instrument ever since.

IN RECESS

Any additional musical interests? I grew up in the ’80s so I’ve been a huge fan of that era’shard rock bands. I also have a real passion for Texascountry music. Once I get tired of wearing a wig andleather pants I’ll be learning how to play country bass.But for now, people can check me out on our band web-site at theGNRexperience.com. TBJ

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Rockwall attorney Nathan Majors exchanges his courtroom attire for the hard rock, hair metal look onweekends and evenings.