Here Today... Gone To Hell!

I don't post much, but a few of know that I work at radio station in KC.  As I sit here on a Sunday morning playing shitty music, but watching some awesome boots of the new Guns, I dunno, it just makes me really happy.  My coworkers give me a TON of shit b/c of how big an Axl fan I am and I don't articulate it well as to why I am just chatting to them, so I'm going to lay it down in text.

We NEED Axl and crew.  "Rock" music has sucked balls for a very long time.  While most attribute this to the untimely death of Kurt Cobain, I would have to say most good music went into seclusion when Axl did.  What passes for rock music nowadays is absurd, with the likes of Nickelback, Hinder, Crossfade, Linkin Park, and whatever band you hear next on the radio.  These bands are complete shit and if they came out in 1993 no one would have given them a second thought.  But interestingly these bands are popular.  Why?  Because there is a dearth of good new up and coming bands and people are complacent with the mediocrity of the aforementioned bands.  It's kind of like in the early 80s when most people thought Motley Crue and Whitesnake were "metal" and then a band called Metallica came around showed what real metal was.

No one denies the fact that Axl is an amazing front man/singer, but what people don't notice is his ability to transcend genre.  There just aren't a lot of bands that can do what Axl does continuously.  Let me try to explain.  Axl has the ability to appeal to not only the hard core "rocker" with songs like You Could Be Mine, but also the 15 year old girl who would otherwise listen to Britney Spears with music like "Sweet Child O' Mine."  That same girl probably isn't going to listen to Metallica, and the "rocker" in this case isn't going to listen to Britney Spears.  Again, there are very few artists who have the ability to do this.  Trent Reznor comes to mind, but no one does it with the consistency of Axl. 

So anyway, I know this is rambling, but that's why I think Axl is important and as relevant as ever now.  There's plenty of good music out there, but no one makes it as accesible, and therefore as in the mainstream, as Axl.  I'm blown away by what I've seen on the internet of the new band on their current tour.  It's clear that in 2002 they weren't that great, but it was a growing process which was necessary for them to be what they are today.  They seem like a genuine band now and I hope with the release of CD Axl and co. bring great music to the mainstream once again. 

thanks for posting  : ok:   I think some of us agree with you. cheers

I think you really hit the nail on the head.? I want to let the board know, that the station Alien works for is one of the largest, highest rated Arbitron rock stations in the country.? I can also vouch for him getting grief from his fellow DJ's, as most of them know Slash (or proclaim to on air), and are fairly conservative (not politically, but do not like change) in their take on the new GNR.? They really are pissed about Axl and Slash breaking up, so to speak.? ?You can tell, they love GNR, and respect and dig Axl, but won't admit it until he is either back together with Slash, or they are blown away by them live.? ?That is why I think, a Hi-Def HBO special, with the best performances culled from the European leg, would really solidify the relevance and respect for the new band with old school GNR fans.? I think they should release something like this before they announce a US tour or? right before they release the CD.?

Sorry to get off topic, but Alien it would be great to get your take on the board more often!? You a have a unique view, that many on the board do not see.? ?BTW, great work on the air!? You should mention, on air, some of the online places common listeners can view videos of the live shows?? Esp. the Goffterpark and Pro-shot Donnington (PC, My Michelle)!

Have you checked out the new video additions at newgnr.com ??

  while i do agree that GNR can and probably will bring something new to the rock scene, i tend to think that good rock music has always been around (you just need to know where to look).

  i think the best thing that happened to rock is White Stripes, and if that's not your taste, try a bit of Porcupine Tree (who still release albums)

really says alot if the best we got is the white stripes

  you have both sides of the rock spectrum: musically complex (porcupine tree) & conceptually complex (white stripes)...i could go on explaining the genius behind jack white's albums, but it's already off topic.

  bottom line is, when CD comes out and GNR hog the spotlights, hopefully the money-driven, carbon copy garage rock bands will disappear, and some honest, well-thought-out & complex music will dominate the spotlight...

  we have that music already, but GNR (Axl & co) coming to steal the spotlight will show that there is a possibility of a band to have a comeback and not dissolve into a pathetic nostalgic freak show (VR for me was not as bad, but it became a gimmicky riff-driven band w/ no depth)

the White Stripes kick ass

whatever, my mum listens to the white stripes haha
but yeah, most of today smusic is crap, i think that shwat you were getting at, cant quite remember, too much effort to re-read. even if you werent saying it i will:
most of todays music is crap ^.^

that was a great post alien, i couldnt agree more.