Here Today... Gone To Hell!

The Robin Finck/Trent Reznor thing got me revisiting this subject.

Ive always wondered if these members didnt get paid and only had the potential of financial gain from how Chinese Democracy did, how many would still be in GNR?


sadly i think only one would remain in GNR and thats Dizzy Reed.

Im not bashing the new members, i have accepted the new members but lets be honest, its not a bad gig to get a guaranteed check every month, getting your bills paid to basically pursue your solo career and with the possibility of even more fame and money once Chinese Democracy is ever released.

That I guess is my problem with NSync Fortus, if he would play for Nsync strictly for a paycheck, who is to say he isnt playing for Axl strictly for the paycheck?

A band is kind of like a sports team, if you dont have chemistry, u dont have anything, just look at the New York Yankees this season, 200 million dollar payroll, next to last place, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and the list goes on.

Tommy Stinson has made a solo career for himself and is already workin on a 2nd cd before the band cd is finished.

I always thought outside projects were a big reason for the original split but the new members seem to be using the GNR publicity and association coupled with the monthly per diem from axl to chase their solo dreams.

this just doesnt seem right to me.

so what are your thoughts?

legitimately there cause Chinese democracy is great, or there as long as axl is writing the checks?

Well, i think that will depend on theyr work on CD! If they do a good job on CD, and will be GNR for a long time in the future, then i think its ok to promote theyr names and soloalbums with GNR...
And why shouldent they, they ARE GNR member... Axl has done a great job helped Tommy on the feet to make it happend for him.

You mention that about the bands chemistry apparently the chemistry is strong with these guys but weather thats true  who knows in Axl's mind he sees the perfect band!

I truly think its as simple as the bandmembers have been paid generously for their contributions on the album and are all very pleased with the final(ized) product. When Axl is ready to move forward with the release, they will be there ready, I dont know what is so hard to understand about that. Why not make great solo material you are proud of just as much as your GnR ambitions until "the big guns come out cocked n' loaded". : ok:

For me, a band isn't really a "band" until they've been out on the road and jelled as a unit, road tested, road tough.

Until they put out a record and get out there and play, I have a hard time recognizing them as
any kind of solid unit.

I have  no idea what the current guys are getting paid or what the parameters of their "membership" in GNR involve, none of us do.

That said, Ive got no problem with the fellas going out and playing outside of GNR, they are musicians after all..

I agree with  Dave_Rose on the bands chemistry.

What really would tie musicians is music.

So I don't think they can leave behind the songs like IRS. In that piece, I can see the Muse beaming at them. That one is so fuckn gorgeous that they can't dump her.

Besides, I don't think they're still paid that much.

Many of the bandmembers have said incredibly positive things about the work they have done in Guns N' Roses.? Yeah, some might question their reasons, but I really think it's more than money alone.

If there has been any problem between the bandmembers and Axl, I'd say it's the delay of the record.? They all want the album to come out more than riding Axl's gravytrain forever.?

That said, I couldn't care less if the bandmembers are participating soley for a paycheck.? It really doesn't matter in the way Axl has chosen to make this record.

Absolutely. The various interviews from band members certainly attest to that.

thats cool!

I think the work so far, especially Madagascar,The Blues and IRS are some amazing songs and they are obviously earning their money.

The only thing maybe is how much control Axl has, I mean when the guys have absolutely no idea or claim to have no idea that raises a flag.

Does Axl have the absolute best musicians, or the best musicians that will let him run the show?

I just always imagined bands like how the Chili Peppers for example sit in a room and come up with everything and feed off each other and what not. It just seems that no one but Axl really has any kind of say, this could be wrong however but from the initial perception that is how it seems.

I know the solo projects dont interfere with CD and maybe I am frustrated everytime i hear of a solo tour because that simply means CD isnt anywhere on the horizon.

I just think the entire band should be there everyday,listening, offering input,encouraging Axl to get things rolling.

Its like no one in the old band and no one in the new band have the balls to say anything to Axl, its like a bunch of "Yes" men sometimes.

I don't necessarily agree about the part concerning the old band. We probably still wouldn't have the Illusions if they hadn't gotten Axl's ass in gear. At least when Izzy, Duff or Slash would tell Axl to pull it together and finish a song, they had the authority and standing in the band to challenge him as he couldn't "fire" them. Roughly 3 years in between Lies and the Illusions for a double album is not unreasonable, so I think there was more pressure being applied to Axl in the old days. When they all stopped listening to each other is when the band broke up, so that doesn't surprise me.

Unfortunately the new guys don't have the luxury Izzy, Slash and Duff did. If they tell Axl to stop being  a lazy fuck and finish the songs, he can tell them to pack their bags and get out. As an employee, it makes you much more hesistant to question your boss and get in his face than if he were an equal partner. That is just the reality of business. So while they may be members in name, at the end of the day they are still on the payroll and not going to risk having their checks stopped, as they get paid to work on their solo stuff and other projects.

I am not sure how legit any band member is from here on out. Axl has shown that other musicians are nothing more than filler to carry out his musical wishes and tastes. 13 people have come and gone in the band, and Axl is the only constant through it all. He is more concerned with finding musicians who will record the album he wants than he is finding stability in the band. Otherwise their wouldn't be so much turnover.