Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Richard was kind enough to answer a few questions for us over at thenewguns.com they are:


(Q) What are you currently doing musically?

(A) I've been playing with Nena (yep, 99 Luft Balloons Nena), in Europe quite a bit over the last year. I've also been writing music for tv commercials, movies and video games.

(Q)What kinds of music do you listen to?

(A)I listen to anything that can inspire, even if it's just for a second. I have always had a voracious musical appetite. I am constantly checking out new music. Lately i've been listening to the new Ry Cooder, White Stripes, Secret Machines, Arcade Fire, Block Party, Bright Eyes, Louis IV, Magic Numbers, Kings of Leon, Kasabian, Modest Mouse, and Beck.

(Q) What is it like playing with music icons ie. Axl Rose. Ozzy Osbourne,
Richard Butler etc?

(A)Just like playing with anyone else (exept they are famous)

(Q)Of all the bands and artists you have worked with so far, who has been
the most fun to work with?

(A)Man, I'm just so glad that I'm working at all! I don't want to pick sides. Seriously, i love playing with talented people, i get something out of everything i've done, and it's always a different something.

(Q)Do you ever see yourself making a instrumental album and releasing it?

(A)not unless it accompanies a film. Don't see the point. Hell, not even i would listen to it!

(Q)Who would you most like to work with that you haven't had the chance
to work with yet?

(A)David Bowie.


(Q)Which type of venue would you rather perform in, Arena, Club, or Stadium?

(A)I love playing in clubs because it is very face to face. I like to be able to see the eyes of the people that I'm playing to.

(Q)Do you have any plans to sell merchandise on you're website?

(A)don't think so.

(Q)Do you get alot of people walk up to you on the streets and ask you
for an autograph?

(A)I live in New York City. People don't do that here unless you're famous.

http://www.thenewguns.com/MetaBB/viewtopic.php?t=1694

Richard just went up in my book on Kasbian alone. 

Great new band.

Thanks for posting.

I guess he's getting sick of being asked about GN'R huh?

Dunno, I never asked any gnr questions.

true, it's not like he's a member or anything

No its not like that. Actually I didnt want to ask the gnr questions cause they have been asked a million times by a million different people.

hey dont get me wrong, I sympathise with the guy
it must be a pain in the ass

It just highlights the absurdity of the situation

U should've included Timberlake in that icon question.  :hihi:

Why because he play as a session man for like 1 album?  ::)

Secret Machines? Glad he has taste.

Fortus seems like a pretty genuine person. I am not too familiar with his work but i am going to have to check out his site.

you should definitely check out the tracks he has on the "listen" page.... good stuff

Good interview, cb! : ok:

Am I the only one who likes the New members less everytime they talk?

none of em seem interesting, they seem so dull and boring.

Richard worked with Ozzy?
when?

What do you want? "Yeah, we're in a rock n' roll band! We're dangerous! We live on the edge!"?

from his official website bio: "An extensive discography is testament to his chameleon-like ability; he has recorded and/or toured with some of the biggest names in music including Guns N' Roses, Puff Daddy, Ozzy Osbourne, DMX, Crystal Method, Gravity Kills, ODB, Billy Idol, and Cindy Lauper?to name just a few. "

and i *think* it was only w/ ozzy for the track that ozzy did with that ol' dirty bastard guy before he was big baby jesus.

in trying to verify this information i also came across some info off the topic on ozzy, he apparently dueted with ms. piggy on born to be wild for the same boxset that  contains "nowhere to run" the above mentioned track. suddenly shaq don't seem so weird huh?

yes, he is amazing. The 2nd best GN'R guitarist ever behing Slash for me.

er.. Izzy Stradlin perhaps?
each to their own, but whats the fixation with this guy?

have you ever watched a 2002 bootleg and seen the guy play?

indeed I have...
He's fine, but I don't see him as "the 2nd best guitarist" is Guns history
That could change if CD comes out (highly unlikely he'll surpass Mr Stradlin
everyones got their favs I guess, I was just wondering why Nesquick seems so enamoured of him

don't get me wrong, i love izzy (look at my avatar? :)) , but as rainX says, watch a 2002 bootleg (especially chicago'02 for me) and you'll see how great he is. Can't explain that it's called the Rock n' Roll vibe. You have it or you have not. Plus, I love his guitar tone, I mean, his sound, it's a pretty raw sound, both "dirty"and bluesy. Bluesy...that's maybe why I like his guitar playing so much.?

The only thing I liked about this interview is the fact that he didn't give any contradictions, but that's only because GNR wasn't the topic. He seems like a cool guy, but 2nd best GNR guitarist ever?? Get fucking real. I cant believe it that there's GNR fans who think Richard is better than Izzy! That is sad. If people are really starting to believe that, then the GNR legacy is truly crumbling.

I actually think that Finck will play a much bigger part in CD than people are willing to believe

Finck or Fortus? the topic is about Richard.

Finck - people seem to be thinking Fortus is a going to be a big influenece on CD whereas I think he'll be more of a player to fit in here and there, an adaptable, versatile player. Whereas I think Finck will ignite more creativity, his playing may well be a lot more recognizable

Just some thoughts

Finck has been in this band since 97. His imprints will be all over the album. He and tommy are the core of GNR.

I guess Robin and Richard is the best coworkers Axl have had in a loong looong time!

Yea it seems like Axl, RObin, and Tommy in particular have the best of releationships. Im sure Riuchard fits in there too but he is newer and havnt heard much about his time with the band.

dude im a fan of Izzy more then Slash but i gotta tell ya.....i seriously think Richard n' Robin r' the ducks nuts mate : ok: :beer:

have you seen them to in GNR action......OH MY FUCKIN' GOD :o      they R' rock n' roll :smoking:

me too, I think he will have a huge influence on how the album will sound.

Copy that!!!  : ok:

Richard is a better GUITARIST then Izzy, time will tell on the songwriter part.

i havent heard much of Izzy the last years, so i cant say! But i know Izzy was a damn good songwrigter! So for Fortus to breat Izzys skills on that case! I dont know!
But i like Richard, and i like Robin! So lets hope they can make a hell of a team together! And not to forget Tommy! He is just damn great!

Im in agreement with this comment.

One of the many reasons GN'R were so fascinating was the way they related in interviews etc.. Axl, Slash and to a lesser extent Izzy, are highly articulate interview subjects not to mention infinitley quotable.

I guess when siome music is released that will change, but at the moment, these interviews, especially Richard and Dizzy. are drab in comparison

Yeah, I get the same feeling when I read interviews. They all seem to be in it "as long as they're getting paid" which is a real worry.

The only one who's inspired any hope was Jarmo's interview with Tommy where he spoke very highly of the nuGNR material.

That's some scary true about that. ?Sometimes it looks like they are all sesion musicans and just play their job and take the money. Might be dangerous, bewcause if they don't have that feeling that they contributing something special(all toghether) it may effect on the futer shows. Hope not.


Ofcourse Fortus is much better player than Izzy, come on!
I also like Richard for being the old Guns style in new Guns(still being open-minded). I liked that he played solos with respect to oryginals, opposite what Buckethead was doing...

MoonMax


PS Do we have any news about Buckethead now?

Jimmy page and JPJ were session musicians before joining The yardbirds or Led Zeppelin.

I'd rather read about the individuality of each member and get the background knowledge, for the time being.

Thanks chineseblues good interview.


Good taste, sure.  Aren't they mostly well received by the critics?

Drab yes but I think it's because most want to hear about CD, the band, things that have gone on all this time, about themselves on the tracks, the music in general, etc..   As much as I respect their solo efforts, lets face it, we want to hear about GNR.  As Jimmy said, when the music is released hopefully the interviews will be much more interesting to read.

What was the point of the interview?  There wasn't one question asked that anyone gives a damn about.  I have never seen such a lame bunch of questions to ask a guy who is supposedly part of one of the biggest enigmas in music history.  Why didn't you try to probe a bit and get some strain of information out about GNR and CD>  Who gives a shit if he likes playing in a club or an areana.  I mean this guy is boring as shit.  The point of any interview with any of this hired muscians should be to extract any small bit of GNR related info.

No offense to whoever conducted the interview, but next time ask questions that some of us actually would care about.   ::)

Next time get an interview yourself.  : ok:

Hey CC, youre such an assh.... I mean, Chineseblues did a great job here.

And CC, Richard has been asked about CD, about 100 times and he dont know shit...

Great job, C.B : ok:

Dude, I'm very curious about Guns, but unless now I know something about new member and great,great thankyous for Chinesblues, cause I was to lazy to find some infos about Fortus myselfe! So Mr Charity, sorry, but screw you!


MoonMax

Basically we are waiting for these "boring" individuals' work.

If you don't like it, then don't read it. Simple innit?

Are you less boring than the guy who has kickass taste in music and in his guitar playing?

No one is more boring than a person with a one treck mind.

 :beer:  BRAVO SIR, BRAVO   : ok:

I couldn't have said it better.   

And the point of this interview was what ???  What Richard listens to, or maybe if he signs autographs ?  Or maybe it was the non answered, who did you enjoy working with the most ?

What a complete waste of time to get a "new GNR" member and not ask about CD or Axl or possible touring or anything GNR related.

Would Chinese Blues have gotten real answers, probably not, but at least throw out something that might interest the GNR forums.  If he refused to answer at least you would have some dignity left, please, no more interviews for you, i don't need to know if fortus likes the color purple or if he likes animals.

:

Waste of time is your post, bitchin' about an good interview with the person Richard Fortus - you know, he has a life outside GNR. If you didn't like, go interview the man yourself and stop wining. : ok:

And on top of that, I can't even imagine or fathom that there is a living sole in GNR nation that cares one iota about Fortus outside his involvement in GNR.  I mean he is writing music for commercials for gods sake. :o  It was nice that you got the interview man and it is nothing personal, but I can't stand how these interviewers are almost afraid to ask these guys about GNR.  If I got to interview Fortus I would have asked about the material on CD, has he heard it recently, when are they going to be rehearsing, what is his favorite song on the album, has he heard from Axl lately, etc.  I mean the list goes on and on.  It's like an opportunity just wasted.  I may have gotten no rersponses to those questions, but at least I would have tried for the sake of all these suffering gnr fans.

There is a reason why no gnr questions were asked, if you cant figure it out then god help you!

Please don't tell me the reason is because he told you up front to not ask any GNR related questions?  If that's the case, then the response to that is "Ok, no need to talk to you then." 

I agree. If Richard and the other guys cant answer questions about CD, then they need to be ignored.

I think YOU should be ignored. :P

then do it.

Wow, I can't believe how big of an asshole you are in regards to the guys in the band. So if they have no breaking news, then you dont give a fuck about them?  ???

This is stupid. Many topics here, dont interest me and i dont read them...

So please stop bashing... Its patheric. :drool:

Exactly.  Now that Buckethead is gone, there isn't a single person in the nu-band outside of Axl that interest me one bit outside of their involvement with GNR.  And yes, I don't give a fuck about anyone in the band besides Axl.  Does anyone really care about these guys outside of GNR?  And if so, what the fuck for?  None of them has done anything to really care about musically (unless you think the Replacements are any good or being a tour musician in NIN is worthy of anything).  I would bet that if most of you were honest with yourselves that you wouldn't care one bit about these guys if they had never been mentioned as having involvement in nuGNR.   :-\

That's simply untrue, I liked the mats before Tommy was even involved with guns. Same goes for NIN, I saw woodstock 94 on PPV and thought Robin was awesome. Tommy's album VGH was an awesome album. It was possibly even the best solo album by a GNR member ever.

If you dont like the guys in the band fine, just dont even comment about it because most people here do like them and they do enjoy what they are doing outside of GNR.  : ok:

I wouldn't have heard of Tommy's solo album if it wasn't for the GN'R connection. That's true.

But it's a shame people like you don't even care. His solo album is one of the best albums of 2004 in my opinion. I wasn't even expecting anything good since I was used to hearing all these solo albums by GN'R members and getting disappointed. Tommy's album was a positive surprise.





/jarmo

as much as i respect the new members and everything about guns n' roses, this silence about the new record and the band is getting ridicilous. if it was axl, i'd understand it. he is who he is and he doesn't give a fuck about the media including the internet and i respect his views. as for these new members, the only ones i really like so far are tommy and robin. tommy seems so positive about axl/gn'r and this new album and seems like a really cool person and a close personal friend of axl's. robin is cool too, brain is fine and of course good ol' dizzy. as for the others, like richard, who the fuck is he to deny THE FANS information about the band they love and care about, which he is fortunate enough to be a part of? as much of a loyal fan i am, this is pissing me off. fucking ask the guy. avoiding the questions that we all care about is a fucking waste, and i wouldn't respect his decicion at all if he ignored the questions. hell, even axl answers the fans once he meet them. he'll talk about how the album is coming and everything, and so could richard. anything gn'r related, any little bit of information would be greatly appreciated by the exceccively loyal gn'r fans. so next time, ask. damn it.

If he aint allowed to talk about it! He cant! Respect that! Its Not Richards fault!

Well said...

shut the fuck up. i respect axl's wish to keep things quiet until anything is set in stone, but in case you missed the point of my post richard could at least give some reassurance that it will be out. the reason why we're all here is guns n' roses, and we're not even allowed to ask him about guns n' roses? gimme a break. silence isn't always golden, and in this case it's about letting the fans know that their support is even considered.

No one said anything about not being allowed to ask certain questions. Ask him whatever questiosn you want, but you prolly wont get an answer.

No wonder Axl doesn't talk at all. ::)

yeah! i agree!

Damn! There aint nothing to talk about, when there is, then we will know! Im pretty sure Axl dont talk because he know that he will let down the fans, if he fails to release it in time. Im pretty sure it is somthing to do with the court case, and that Axl wanna consentrate about that right now! Then he prob. will give us some info!

If Axl can't answer questions about CD, then he doesn't need to talk. Its getting pathetic that the GNR camp cant discuss something that they've been working on for a good portion of their lives.

In that case, you don't have to read them to find something to moan about.

how about you stop reading these interviews  till you hear the announcement?

I'd love to hear from anyone of GNR with or without the CD info.

as I don't know much about them.

I think the point here is who really gives a shit about them outside of their GNR connection.

jarmo, I didn't listen to VGH and from what I hear here it is good.  But the point of my outrage in this thread is that this person had a chance to ask a current member of nuGNR something about the album and it was just wasted.  I mean I can't even fathom not asking a single question about GNR. 

I am getting fed up with this joke of a band.  I wish to god the old band would get back together and do some work.  This lazy approach to making music that Axl has is ignorant.  He's scared as hell to fail, and that my friend s is fucking pathetic considering the cocky and self assured swagger that he once had.

As i have said before

It is good to see site like this and thenewguns going out to interact with the band members. The iinfo may be limited but it does go to show that Guns are probably one of the most interactive bands going, despite Axl's silence

As for anyone who has poked fun at any attempts to communicate with the band, all I can say from our perspective is, at least we are doing something proactive. Most people just sit around on their backside bitching all day

I do give more than a shit  since the music we're waiting for is made by them. I'm not the only one.

As I said in my previous post, you don't have to read this if you hate it so much.

We have an old saying that if you want the best, do it yourself.

Someone needs to grab Axl by the balls and force him to give the fans a couple samples. Just release some stuff on the internet that wouldnt make the record for fucks sake. Even if its song tracks with no vocals...it would be a start, but no we cant have that. Not releasing anything is killing Axl and GNR. Send out some high quality demos to create a buzz...then Axl could remain silent and buy a little more time.

I'd like to hear an accoustic/folk-Rock song on the album.

You are a fucking moron if you think this is one of the most interactive bands.  Try to get to know the band before you make a stupid ass comment like that.  This is probably the least interactive band of all time.  They have said exactly zero about the band itself for as long as I can remember.  Please man, try to see reality.

Aren't we over lookin the fact that almost every member of this new group has done some kind of interview for whoever whether its a radio station or a magazine or some website and in all these interviews the gnr question always comes up and we always end up getting the same answer just in different ways that they cant answer exactly when the album is coming out or anything specific about the album itself this interview was gonna be no different so why ask questions about gnr taht we all know we are not gonna get answers we want to hear so let the guy whos doing the interview ask him questions that there would be no problems to answer as well as just giving a background to this guy i mean i for one when this new band was put together knew none of these guys even tommy who was in the replacements who i never really had heard about so i like finding out the backgrounds of these guys.

I found this quote of a 2002 interview (http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=581) in some Detroit radio, made by phone:

Q: I guess the big question is, where have you been? Where has Axl Rose been for the last 10 years? What have you been doing? Just mellowing out, getting stuff ready to go, or??

Axl Rose: "Nah. Basically, I just don't go looking to promote myself on every little thing until there's some kind of product, or something to put out that I think is worth it. And we've been working on this band and trying to get things right for a long time. If I go to, like, do interviews or anything like that, it just gets turned around by so many people around the world who don't have anything better to do than to try to shoot anything down, and that was just too draining to deal with everybody else.

: ok:

I think it's great that ChineseBlues got the interview but let's face it, some people on here want to hear about GNR simple as that and when you read an interview such as this, when you see the topic title some think, I wonder if there is any GNR news in this and when there isn't it's a let down, I am sure some you can see that.? Not all of us are interested in the other guys careers but certainly you can't blame the people that commented about that, it's to be expected.

I'm always interested in getting to know the guys better. 

Thanks CB!  : ok: