Guns N’ Roses – “The Spaghetti Incident?” (1993): Punk Roots, Covers, and a Band on the Brink
Released on November 23, 1993, “The Spaghetti Incident?” is Guns N’ Roses’ most misunderstood album. Arriving after the bloated ambition of the Use Your Illusion era and during a period of internal tension, the record surprised fans by being a covers-only album, diving headfirst into punk rock, glam, and proto-metal influences.
Rather than another epic statement, Guns N’ Roses chose to look backward — paying tribute to the bands that shaped their attitude, sound, and street-level aggression.
Album Overview
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Artist: Guns N’ Roses
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Album Title: “The Spaghetti Incident?”
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Release Date: November 23, 1993
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Recorded: 1992–1993
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Studios: A&M Studios, Record Plant
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Genre: Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Glam Rock
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Length: 56:26
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Label: Geffen Records
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Producers: Mike Clink & Guns N’ Roses
The album title refers to a self-deprecating joke within the band, highlighting the intentionally loose, irreverent nature of the project.
Tracklist – “The Spaghetti Incident?”
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Since I Don’t Have You (The Skyliners)
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New Rose (The Damned)
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Down on the Farm (UK Subs)
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Human Being (New York Dolls)
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Raw Power (Iggy & The Stooges)
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Ain’t It Fun (Dead Boys)
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Buick Makane (Marc Bolan / T. Rex)
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Hair of the Dog (Nazareth)
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Attitude (Misfits)
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Black Leather (Sex Pistols)
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You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory (Johnny Thunders)
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I Don’t Care About You (Fear)
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Look at Your Game, Girl (Charles Manson)
The final track was hidden on early pressings, instantly sparking controversy.
Album Credits
Guns N’ Roses Line-Up (1993)
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Axl Rose – Lead vocals
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Slash – Lead guitar
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Duff McKagan – Bass, backing vocals
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Matt Sorum – Drums
Additional Notes
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Izzy Stradlin does not appear, having left the band in 1991
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Gilby Clarke does not appear on studio recordings
This album reflects a fractured lineup, lacking the chemistry of the classic GN’R era.
Mini Review – Loud, Fast, and Intentionally Unpolished
“The Spaghetti Incident?” is the polar opposite of Use Your Illusion. Gone are orchestras, nine-minute epics, and grand concepts. In their place: short songs, sneering vocals, and raw punk energy.
Highlights include:
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“New Rose”, a faithful and explosive punk opener
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“Raw Power”, delivered with maximum volume and zero restraint
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“Ain’t It Fun”, a snarling, cynical anthem that oddly fits GN’R perfectly
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“Hair of the Dog”, reworked into a muscular hard rock stomp
Axl Rose’s vocals are deliberately abrasive, channeling sneer over melody. Slash’s guitar work is stripped down and aggressive, while Duff McKagan’s punk background shines throughout the album.
This is not Guns N’ Roses trying to be elegant — it’s Guns N’ Roses reminding listeners where they came from.
Commercial Performance & Grossing
While not matching the astronomical success of the Illusion albums, “The Spaghetti Incident?” still performed strongly.
Sales & Certifications
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Debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200
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Platinum certification in the United States
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Several million copies sold worldwide
However, the album marked a noticeable commercial decline, signaling the end of Guns N’ Roses’ untouchable dominance.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🔥 Punk Homage: Most songs come from late-’70s punk and proto-punk bands.
🎸 Duff’s Influence: Duff McKagan selected many of the punk covers.
🎤 Minimal Overdubs: The album was recorded quickly with minimal polish.
📀 Hidden Track: “Look at Your Game, Girl” appears after silence, uncredited.
🤘 Last Studio Album for Years: This was the final GN’R studio album until Chinese Democracy in 2008.
Did You Know?
🖤 Charles Manson Controversy: Including a Manson song led to backlash; proceeds were reportedly redirected to victims.
🎶 Punk Credibility: Many fans discovered classic punk bands through this album.
🔥 End of an Era: The album effectively closed the chapter on classic Guns N’ Roses.
🎧 Intentional Anti-Epic: The band deliberately avoided grand production after the Illusion excess.
📉 Label Tensions: Geffen reportedly wanted new original material instead.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Initially dismissed by critics and fans expecting another blockbuster, “The Spaghetti Incident?” has aged surprisingly well. It stands as a raw document of influence, tracing Guns N’ Roses’ DNA back to punk clubs, dive bars, and rebellion rather than stadiums and excess.
Today, the album is often reassessed as a necessary palette cleanser — imperfect, confrontational, and honest.
Final Verdict
“The Spaghetti Incident?” isn’t a classic in the traditional sense, but it is essential for understanding Guns N’ Roses. It captures a band shedding excess, honoring its roots, and unknowingly closing one of the most dominant chapters in rock history.
This is Guns N’ Roses stripped of illusion, loud to the end.
