Here Today... Gone To Hell!

I dont know about anyone else but this is starting to bug me even more than before.

If the band is on hiatus and not doing anything, I can understand doing some side projects to stay busy etc.

Now GNR have just came off an amazing,successful European tour, CD seems closer than ever BUT here come the side projects.

I want to accept this band as GNR but its kind of hard to when Tommy plays with Soul Asylum, Dizzy is off doing something. To me, now it seems GNR are firing on all cylinders, they need to be in GNR only.

It has always diminished bands and made them seem not as tight or real when they play with various other artists. How many times have we heard Axl ride Slash's ass for playing with Lenny Kravitz,Micheal Jackson... So why is ok for the new members to do it?

Its time for the new members to 100 percent commit to GNR.

Just my opinion.

no

Makes no difference to me. Neither GnR or their own side projects seem to be interfering with each other so I see no problem.

See, the thing is that I always thought that Axl didn't care for who Slash was playing with, not that he was playing with people when he wasn't busy with GN'R. ?I think that there just isn't anything for them to do at this point with the album, which may be a good thing.

Personally, I see it as a benefit that they are keeping their chops honed by playing around. ?Keeping busy between tour legs makes the transition into the next leg of the tour a little smoother, I think.

Bottom line, it doesn't bug me because I think that they're just doing it to keep busy. ?I can't blame them for that.

Ali

Musicians love playing music.
As long as you know you can count on him to come through when needed, why worry about it?
Obviously these guys are dedicated to the project.

well if dizzy is doing his own thing, ron is doing his own thing, richard is just hanging around, tommy is with SA ... this has to mean that CD is done, that the music is done, and all thats left is to put it together and put it out

It's been like that for pretty much years (with the exception to the odd of tweaking)

if theres nothing to do, and nothings going on.....what do you care they do? they just wanna stay busy and have fun..........you know that once its time to be gnr, they're gonna be gnr

i agree with D, and your post sums it up well.

they are just "musicians" working on a "project".

it doesn't feel like a true band. not that i care - for me, this is axl's show.

If the album is ready to come out and they don't have to do anything, then I'm fine with it. If not, I agree with "D".

did axl say in an interview years ago, that gnr is going to be a project more then a band, or didnt he say something that sounded that way

I don't remember that. If so, it would be sad. really sad. It means Axl doesn't really want this band to be a real band, but just " a project", his own solo project, with a bunch of musicians he brings in the band like socks.

So you've been against Tommy and Pirner being friends since the early 80's?

Yeah, these guys shouldn't be allowed to go out and have fun with their friends.

How dare they? Don't they know it's not allowed? Don't they realize people on the GN'R boards will get upset?  :rant:

 ::)



/jarmo

Jarmo, what these idiots don't realize is that playing with other bands/different bands only makes you a BETTER musician and a more diversified artist. It can only benefit Gnr and/or Axl. It really cracks me up how little some people on these boards know about music, art, and rock history. All great artists wanted to play with as many people as possible. Dylan, Miles Davis, Hendrix, etc... 8)

Fuck no.

Activity breeds chops, no matter if it's with GNR or projects outside of the band.

Personally, I have no reason to question their commitment.  These guys have been relatively inactive - at least *outside* of a studio - for years, and all have far more patience than I might under similar circumstances.  The last thing I could say about any of them is that they're not committed.  From where I stand, it very well might be the ability to keep busy and put their talents to use outside of GnR that keeps them in the band, rather than be insanely frustrated waiting for the CD to be finished, touring to kick back up, etc.

Now, if these side projects start to take precedence over GnR, then it's another story altogether.  In the meantime, they're as commited a group of musicians as I've ever seen...

so anyone that has a different opinion that yours is an idiot???? and it's hilarious that the three examples you give are all SOLO artists.

but kudos to axl for letting these guys do it. from a marketing perspective, i think it's a HUGE mistake.

I agree, it's definitely a mistake. They will not be taken seriously as "a band". It's easy good shit for the press to call them "Axl and his hired guns" "Axl and his prostitutes musicians" "Axl and...who?". It just breaks the concept of beeing a band. It is time to be a band. Not an addition of studio session musicians.

Slash does this all the time. He played on a cover of "In The Summer Time" recently. Duff played with Alice In Chains and don't forget, Matt and Weiland are in another band together called Camp Freddy!

Does this make Velvet Revolver less of a band? Do you call them a "project"?



I don't get the point. As long as they do it because they love playing with their friends, I don't see the problem.




/jarmo

ummm ... yes actually ... Wasn't "The Project" the original name for V.R.?? :hihi:


I think the guys playing with other bands during their GNR downtime is fine because they're billed as something like "Soul Asylum featuring Tommy Stinson of Guns n' Roses"

I dont understand why you think its wrong for members of this band to go and play with other bands. We as fans should be happy they are out playing, and making music. This gives us all a chance to get more in touch with the members of this band. I guarantee you have a hell of a better chance getting to meet Dizzy when he's playin with Hookers than to meet him at a Guns show.

 :crying: Just get over it!!!! and stop complaining we all should be happy that the wheels are turning because at any moment the wheels could fall off and we are the ones who are left in the dark.

It can only help GNR.  Everytime I read about some kick-as/uber-chic album Tommy is playing on, they always mention that he is in GNR.  If one was a music aficionado (which means you are likely to buy albums, download songs, and go to concerts) and they did not know prior to reading an article that Tommy was in GNR, I would imagine it would spark some curiosity regarding this project.  GNR alone are an enigmatic/explosive outfit--but add these super fuckin talented/cool musicians it's brilliant.  When these guy's stay busy, do their interviews for the local press, and get write up's in Billboard or whatever rag, it is only additional marketing for the GNR machine.  It only reinforces that these guy's are tried and true rockers and artists, and that they are unlimited in their love of music. 

And I think its a good way to reach out to non GNR fans, or fans who don' t know GNR is playing again.  Im fine with it, as long as GNR is the #1 priority for these guys.

I absolutly totally agree 100% with your post. It can only be good. Musicians wnt to play, always beit with the band they are in or group or whathaveyou, its the music they love, and allmusicians usually have very ecletic taste of things they love to listen to and play. They can be commited to thier band, but if they want to delve into other aspects of thier musical taste sometimes its beter to gig with friends. IN the end it means nothing to anyone who is a fan of whatever said band they are in.

Just because they have things going on the side does not mean that they are no longer committed to GNR.

The more musicians they play with..... the more these guys bring back to the table.

Commit to GNR but have fun elsewhere

it's not a big problem if they do 1-2 shows with other musicians.
axl is in the uk anyway, and the shows are more like jamming with some friends for fun.
they just finished a european tour. i think they'd like some time off from the band because there's not anything to record for cd (i think it's finished). and they don't have to be in the same room to come up with an ideea for a song.

Im sure GNR are their main priority. And besides, wouldnt the time to quit the side projects be during the writing and recording of CD, not after most of its been done already.

Why be exclusive to something that you're only under contract to do? I am sure that if Axl said "Ok, guys here's your share in the GN'R corporation, you're now also in control", then yeah, go all out. Commit 100%. But that would also leave Axl vulnerable to a situation similar to the one that is causing all the litigation between him and the former members of GN'R, and that would not be good at all, from a business perspective. But, unless that happens, they are all free agents as long as other commitments do not interfere with their contractual obligations to GN'R.

I am glad that they are spreading their talent in more places than just GN'R. More quality music for me and everyone else to enjoy. Also, don't forget, that's good publicity for GN'R as well. People who are into Soul Asylum may feel that Tommy is so awesome for playing with them, that they go out and check his other stuff out, which would include GN'R.

Jarmo, in one way I agree, but if the Chinese Democracy thing is not ready (which I think is not) and if Axl told us that we will hear music this year, I really think that they should try release it. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying they have to play only together and they should not develop as musicians. Hell yes, I, myself, am a mucisian and I love playing no matter where as long as it's cool. BUT, I think it's not the right moment doing it. Anyway, I don't know exactly what's going on in GN'R so this post was nothing but an opinion... :peace:

See, the problem is you've got it backwards. These guys arent going to play with side projects, they're going back with their real bands becuase GNR IS their side project, whether you like it or not.

you're so right.
tommy is in soul asylym for 10 years.
and richard's back in his band n'sync.
and robin is playing with his band... oh, wait, there's no other band.
dizzy is with hookers n' blow which is a real serious band that doesn't change line-up and releases albums every year

From what we know, the new Gn'R line up consists of Axl and a group hired musicians. These hired musicians need income like anyone else and will be on a payrole of sorts while working on CD and being paid to perform live they will not recieve the mega bucks until CD hits the shelves. So in anwser to your question, no it is not time to quit side projects. While their profile is high with the Gn'R thing going on, they may as well milk it for all its worth and get involved with as many money making opportunities as they choose.

The whole band have taken time off after the european tour. Even Axl is still partying in London appartently so if he's not going to be around then I don't think any of the other band members will be either. Rather than sit on their ass during their time off they are going and jammin', and why not? It's time off they can spend it as they wish.

The only way side projects interfere is if you are song writing for two different bands. But Dizzy is in a cover band and Tommy is only touring with Soul Asylum, so there are no problems. Granted, Tommy did release a solo album a few years back but considering the length of time Axl has taken to make the album it would be unfair to block the other guys from releasing stuff as well. Axl doesn't mind wasting the most creative years of his life, but the other members don't want to spend all their time waiting on a GnR album. It would be harsh if the members weren't allowed to write anything.

But now that CD is on its way, the members have been focusing all their songwriting talents on GnR. As far as touring goes, during their time off they can do what they like. If they chose to go fishing instead of touring during their time off, would that also cause you to question their dedication?

I'm not really sure I wanna meet him when he's playin' with hookers, but that might just be me...  ;)

All kidding aside though, I do see where D's comming from. I'm not really agreeing, since that's just the way GNR works now. It seems to me that the guys indeed feel te need to jam with their friends after having a hard day working for Axl. So yeah, ofcourse they can jam with their friends (as Jarmo pointed out). It just give people the impression that GNR is something they do for the money, as opposed to something they do for fun.

(I do realise I'm over polarising the issue, they most likely earn some money from their side projects, and they most likely have some fun in GNR as well. But you get the idea)

Dizzy will be in Mass. on 8/31. Same night as the VMA's. Guess GNR won't be on MTV performing that night.

Sandman, idiots was a bit much...I apologize. However, Miles Davis was in multiple bands....the Jimi Hendrix Experience was definitely a band..as was Band of Gypsy's. Hendrix received a lot of criticism in 1969/70 because he wanted to add more musicians to his group....Noel Redding left because of it. Hendrix wanted to get away from the stereotypes of the Experience and branch out with Jazz musicians, other rock musicians, soul players...not just straight up rock. And while Dylan is a solo artist, he has used lots of different bands to play with. The Band for example. Also, he has a very tight band he has used since Time Out Of Mind in 1998. His greatest electric albums in the 60's used alot of the same musicians. So, he was more of a "band" at times than you think. Personally, I don't care about marketing. I care about the quality of music. If Axl has to let someone like Tommy do other projects to keep him happy, then that is the way it is going to be. Tommy is top shelf and is a big asset to this new group....the most "marketable" of the new members with his Replacements pedigree. You have to give a little to get a little and Axl knows this. If Axl wants to take 8 years to release a record with a new group, then he has to allow his new group to do other things in the down time. :beer:

The only example of side projects delaying the progress of CD I can think of could have been earlier in the year when Fortus went back to the studio after touring with Nena to record some 'bridges' or something.

I think they'd drop everything and concentrate on GNR if Axl said he needed them to

 

I think they'd drop everything and concentrate on GNR if Axl said he needed them to
 

Exactly Scabbie ;D

I think in 2006 them doing side projects is a good thing. If it was any other year I would say maybe something different like they are tired of waiting around but not this time.

IMO it just makes the rumor that the album is being mixed have some truth to it. It is just a indicator to me that everything or enough stuff for the first cd has been recorded and there is no need for everyone to sit idle. I personally believe that before they got the ball rolling this year with touring that they had all the neccassary recording done to put out the album. In my opinion it is just being mixed, it will get mastered in the next month or so we will see it november or early Dec.  Remember they probally have enough material to come up with 100 plus versions of each song. As stated by Richard during the tour in a email they wre listening to mixes. I would assume during the tour they narrowed down the chiices now it is in its final stages.

2006 is the year to make it or break it. GNR seem more commited in 2006 to get it done and rule the world again.

On a side comment I think the west coast small venues is just a warm up type thing like the ny shows in my opinion before the Krock gig. After the krock gig they will play a arena tour in all the major cities.

The train has momentum and it can not be stopped.  :peace:

I think my point was missed.

Back after the 2002 tour folded and we heard nothing for months, I had no problem with the members doing other things.

But when GNR are FINALLY doing something, and everyone is ready for CD and for a US tour, I dont want to read about the band jumping to side projects as soon as the plane touches down on US soil.

They should be worrying about the US tour and worrying about making GNR seem like a real band and not a bunch of session musicians who chase the next buck as soon as the previous commitment is over.

It does diminish VR to me also that Scott is working on a solo CD and Duff is playing with Alice in Chains.

Its not as bad with VR though considering they came off a year plus world tour and a very successful album. They have down time to do what they want.

GNR havent done any fuckin thing to deserve downtime and havent done anything to warrant working with side projects when they havent even fuckin finished and released the main project.

I Love GNR as much as anyone on here but sometimes the zealots on here drive me crazy.

Whatever happened to a band being a gang, being about the group and the music and united against the world?


Now they go and play and create with everybody and their brother, it just diminishes it to me.

Maybe you should spend more time on the Bon Jovi forums then?




Ask Jon! :P



Look, it's time you realize something. These guys, current and former members, aren't the same 20-25 year olds anymore. Didn't you notice? That whole gang united against the world stuff works when you're young. If you saw Mick Jagger tell everybody the Stones is a gang, people would just do this? ::) .


Who says it's not about the music? Since when do you have an idea what GN'R is actually about? Did you ask them?

I don't know either. But I don't claim the band isn't about the music.

My guess is that it is about the music, that's why we have a band today. That's why they haven't released an album even though people say they should. The fact is, those people aren't making that album or writing that music. GN'R is. And it's not about the music?



/jarmo

D- I agree 100 percent.

Axl should keep the band locked up in his cellar, caged when touring, and they need to be chained to the stage while performing. If they misbehave, break out the pepper-spray.

That one made me laugh.

Agreed.. why shouldn't GN'R members do what they want during their downtime?

Maintaining their own individual identity through all these years has everything to do with why the core of this version of GNR has lasted this long and has exploded into a band that is one of, of not THE, best bands performing live these days.

Nope. Not at least untill they have an album out and prove they are more than a touring cover band. I mean seriously Tommy is listed as a member of Soul Asylum now so he's in their band. If anything the situation with Guns N' Roses is a side project untill they're touring to promote the album.

Very good points made D. :)

The band should be together rehearsing new songs to play live. That is worrying that they're not rehearsing before this tour. Looks like we'll be getting the same old setlist, and Chinese Democracy will be delayed till next year. You guys ever think that this whole tour might?be about making more money so Axl can continue to work on CD even longer, and at the same time, keep the band happy by doing a little touring.

So am I the only one who is kinda excited that both Dizzy's and Tommy's last show is 09-09? Maybe after that they will start to rehearse.  How long did they rehearse for the NY shows or the Europe tour? Not for a month!  Their first show is 09-16. So after the 9th, they'll get together, travel where they have to go, rehearse what they need to (and it might be the same ol' set.  so rehearsing might not be all that involved), and they rock the USA like only GNR can.  Fall doesn't start until mid Sept. and goes all the way until about Dec. 21st I think the calendar date is for winter. We have plenty of time for Axl to keep his word about it being out LATE fall! No need to go judging him so soon. Shit, with fans like these, who needs the media to give them shit!

Sickthings

Or maybe they enjoy playing and dont want to have downtime. WHy is that not a possibility? How do you know what they have all discussed with Axl on this past tour in regards to the album etc? You dont. My guess would be everyone is on the same page with whats going on...



Considering the fact that Tommy and Robin have been here since the start. And Brain and Fortus soon after, I think its kinda unfair to say these guys dont deserve downtime.  In fact, if any1 doesnt deserve downtime its Axl.

Im gonan take a wild guess here but imo the reason the album isnt and probably not finished is because of Axl. I think your focus should be on Axl not the band members. They have handed there hw, extra credit and everything else way on time.

They are a gang. They go out do a show, go clubbin hang out..what more do u want them to do? I dont get this whole we are 1 we will go against the world thing. Thats for young and up and coming rebel bands. As bands, people for that matter get older, there attitudes change.

This band has represented a band in almsot every sense thus far other than releasing a record. They have spent countless hours in a studio together. They have toured together. Some of them are in the band because of bandmates recommendations. I mean wtf do you want from a group of 40+yr old men? If I wanna hear a band TALK about being tight, its all about the simple rnr, yadayadayayda...id go read some vr interviews.

Aside from the obivious I couldnt be more happier with this band. I know eventually that all the hard work will come to fruition and pointless topics such as this and all the other garbage that gets started will all go away with the opening notes of a studio track from this band.

If your looking for a problem or gripe, look to Axl not the band.

good post youngun.....I'm 40 and me and my old pals still hang and go out. However, we now have wives and jobs and other things to do than go out till 4 in the morning, wake up on each others floor, recuperate the whole day, then go back out again. Sorry, but people grow up and definitely change between the ages of 20 and 40.? ;) Also, for the thousandeth time, the band has finished their work and has left the album in the hands of management and Axl. D and everyone else needs to focus on Axl's responsibilities and not the bands. They have held up their end of the bargain....just like Youngun said.

there is a major difference. i think we all realize that the perception is that they are "hired guns" - session musicians being passed off to the public under the gnr name.

so the band going out and playing with other bands (i.e. as session musicians for OTHER bands) only fuels that perception.

it may be unfair, but it's true. but that's what you get for joining "guns n roses". there's a standard that has been set and fair or not, they will be compared to that standard. good luck.

personally, i don't give a damn what they do. but i see D's point and can understand how people would prefer this version of gnr to act like a true band - especially if you are trying to accept them as gnr (as D stated he is).

Remember the band The Drunk Fux?

I guess that's also part of the "standard" when joining GN'R.

The old band had side projects as well. So many of you seem to forget these things.



/jarmo

I notice you keep on referring to the old band, as if we think they did nothing wrong? All I can say is this: the moment the old band started having "side projects" is the moment things started to go wrong. They were a band when they started out, they were a band when they released appetite, they were a band when they were touring in support of appetite. They started doing side projects when they were recording the illusions, they started falling apart...

Axl can say 2002 was all about bonding as a group, about gelling, about band feeling, etc... as much as he wants, but when you get home after the tour and all go your seperate ways, or when you as lead singer go out and party all night on your own, you can't take that shit seriously.

Yeah, people change, people grow older, for sure! Thats why new GNR will never have the same edge, temper, short fuse, danger, emotion, ... as the old band. That is why the new band will never be as good as the old. Let them put out some good music, lets all enjoy the album, and then... lets all sit back and think about the old times.

the members should NOT be playing out. it degrades them, makes them look like they need cash badly. they are in GUNS n FCKIN ROSES, build some suspense in between tour dates. no need to play shitty clubs that my band used to play, just to play out. they should be doing GnR or nothing.

Imagine, its 1973, and jimmy page is playing with his side band, The Rovers, in between Zeppelin tour dates. WOULDN'T HAPPEN!!

Imagine, its 1985, and Mick Mars is playing in California at some club, while they wait for Vince Neil to start their tour. WOULDN"T HAPPEN.


i know musicians like to play out, but come on..this is guns n roses. axl should make them stop!

From gnrontour.com

05.10.87 - Hollywood, CA
notes: This is a Drunk Fux show, featuring members of GN'R, West Arkeen & Del James.

01.14.88 - Coconut Teaszer, Hollywood, CA
set: Yesterdays, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Born To Be Wild, Honky Tonk Women
notes: This band is known as the Drunk Fux - Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, Steven, West Arkeen & Del James.


05.14.93 - Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, CA
set: Dead Flowers, Communication Breakdown, Honky Tonk Women
notes: Another Drunk Fux show, minus Axl this time.


I guess it started to go wrong pretty early then. Well, we all knew that....  :hihi:


/jarmo

JARMO

there is a difference between playing once in awhile like Drunk Fux (a loong while) and playing every chance u can!!!!


Dizzy must be broke, b/c he plays out everywhere, he must start playing before the doors even open b/c he loves music so much. (riiight) he's doing it for the money. im so tired of hearing about Dizzy playing somewhere, who the F cares.

as for Tommy....i dont know....my feelings aren't as strong here, although i think he should stop playing WITH OTHER BANDS!!!!!



it just looks desparate...they are in the BIGGEST and BEST ROCK BAND OF ALL TIME.......

generally speaking, i'm ok with side projects.

but to me, now is not the time. this is a very short, month long hiatus in the middle of a huge world tour. they are weeks away from their U.S. tour (where they have ALOT to prove), and an album release.


and to me, the drunk fux is an example of a band growing together. essentially looking for an excuse for a few members of the band to continue to hang out and have fun together.

honestly, they should be on the internet connecting with some fans, relaxing at home, writing some new music, getting ready for the new tour, creating SOME NEW SOLO's for the tour so its not so boring.....things like that.....

not playing clubs in Ohio for 5 grand.

So, GNR + 2 guys they hung out with, right? Sound like a pretty "band"-ish thing to do to me

Well, here we are sure it's the complete band + friends performing under a different name, a'ight... still what a band would do to have some fun together...

Ah, so now it's '93, and the guys are still having fun as a band, but Axl decided not to join in... sounds about right to me...

Listen, the boys having fun with some extra friends of the band doing something fun under a different name; fine by me, that's called bonding, a band thing. Almost every member hanging around with their old friends who have no connection to the band whatsoever and "uncle axl" partying his ass off without the band: not ok!


*edit* let me just make this clear: I loved it when we talked about "the band" and all meant those 5 guys. I really hate it that these days we talk about "the band" and actually mean just the musicians, the backing band...

I agree with D...to me they should drop everything else until the fucking record is out....enough already :rant:

Some people never cease to amaze me. First some of you want to tell Axl to get back with the old band just for you, then you want to to forbid current band members from going out to play with their friends for fun.

You can sit at home and practise, or you can go out and play in front of a real audience. Which one do you think most musicians prefer?


The thing so many of you seem to want is: unhappy band members.

Axl isn't supposed to go out to have fun, Dizzy and Tommy can't play with their friends, Axl should reunite with people who sued him just so you'd be happy.

I'm saying, let them do what they want. That's when people are happy. That's a good thing for the band.

I think they know what's best for themself.




/jarmo

Don't be ridiculous. They've only survived this long listening to forum members' advice  :hihi:

Nah I want the CD :P then they can do what the fuck they want outside of GnR :hihi:

IMO they should all bodily carry Axl into the studio then stand behind him and go "Is it done yet? Is it done yet?" until Axl gets tired of it and releases it :rofl:

I totally agree with you jarmo.  I agree with your posts in this thread and all but under one simple condition and that condition has nothing to do with you.  IF and that is a big IF the album is done and will be released this year 100% sure then I say let them go out and play with other bands and friends, go out and party etc.  After all who are we to keep the Guns N Roses band members from having fun.  It is totally uncalled for.  Last I checked those guys are all adults and should have the right to do what they want, when they want and how they want on their free time.  After all GNR is on a break till September.  BUT!  If the album is still not done and it's release in 2006 is far from certain.  Then I think they should all be hard at work on their main band which is GNR and finish the album once and for all.  And this goes to Axl as well.  Other than that the people here have no right to judge the band members being involved in side projects for fun.

^ oh is the album out? oh wait no it's not, so i guess it's not done then :P

Even if it is not out yet it doesn't mean it is not done.  I admit it looks like it is not done but it could be done.  So you must give them the benefit of the doubt.   ;)

yeah i get bored of it though sometimes after 13 years :rofl: but i know the disk appears right around the corner...i can be patient a little longer I suppose :hihi:

Regarding the whole work on the album thing: How the hell do you know if Dizzy's and Tommy's parts are already done?

My guess is that if they were required to work on the album, they wouldn't be going on tour. Just a guess....




/jarmo

If they toured this summer and are showing evidence of a fall tour, there wont be time to work on the album.  There wont be a mistake this time around, as the album will come out with the tour, and therefore, it can be assumed that it's finished.. or at least i'd like to think so  :peace:

There is generally about a 6 month gap between an album been completely finished in terms of all production/mastering and the product being on the shelves. ?SO if the album is to come out this year it is likely that its ready. ?There are so many things to consider when releasing it. ?Record label scheduling is going to be key to the success of the album in the eyes of 'the industry.

velvet revolver-a band?  :rofl:

I know but as a "Collaborative Effort" I would assume that normally the band would all be together until the thing is 100% complete....but then again the way that GnR does things is far from normal :hihi:

If you were in a band that supposedly had an album, arguably the most anticipated rock album ever, due out "soon" would you fuck off to other places during the twilight of the recording process? or would yo stick around to see the final peices come together? I dunno maybe I'm weird but I'd be hanging around until it's done...completely done and pressed :peace:

by bits and peices of interviews it appears that some of the members have no idea what the final songs even completely sound like...that's really fucked up IMO :nervous:

I think you're greatly exaggerating the contributions of Tommy and Dizzy to the CD timetable. I would guess that there isn't a bass or piano part that never got done, and has been holding up the album this entire time. Poor Axl - he wanted to put the album out ages ago, but he could never get these guys to give up their side projects long enough to record their damn parts. ?::)

I would think you'd know this, but band members have very little to do with mixing/mastering in many situations.

After this long, we should no longer be having commitment arguments. ?Everyone here should be grateful for these side-projects. ?They serve to extend the lifespan of GNR. ?These guys go out, gain new experiences, bring a fresh perspective and a renewed vigor back to the GNR camp. ?If these things didn't happen, the risk is there for all of them to get burnt out on the GNR thing. ?No other activities, and I bet you'd have most of them out the door by now.

no shit....but you'd figure they'd be practicing the new songs before they set out for the tour celebrating and promoting it's release ::) especially since the one guitarist has apparently only been there for 3 months...but maybe I'm not understanding how a band works...

Neemo, finally got to the point. Everyone else has been in place for at least 5 years and knows the songs. Ron had very little time to learn the new material, so the band was limited to what new songs could be played.

Now would be a damn good time for him to get to practice more new material. He just happens to be one of the few with not much going on before the Vegas shows. I haven't seen Robins name come up in any side projects so possibly he will be helping out Ron with new songs.

but maybe they are doing just that...the other guys could always show up for practices between gigs too...but to me it would be nice if they would make GnR the top priority...after all whats more important to these guys? GNR or a bar band or a guest appearance with some old buddies? but like Jarmo and others said too...they are adults, they can do what they please...but by them trapsing across the US doesn't seem to me like GnR is #1 on their carreer priority list...and to me that's a bit unsettling :-\

Given the infrequency of GNR activity, maybe its the other way around: GNR is the side project to the other stuff.  :hihi:

You keep saying top priority or #1 priority. Now, they just had a summer tour where they played for about two months. Now they are doing some small gigs for about half of a month (give or take a day) and touring to maybe at most, five diffrent places.  What seems like it's TOP priority?

No need to be defensive - no one is saying that you don't know how a band works(I'm not anyway). However, the fact is that none of us really know what the story is in GNR - considering the lack of info, they may have made some commitments prior to the dates being booked. Equally likely, they are as curious as to how this will all work out as the rest of us, but in the meantime, who in their right mind would sit around waiting for this thing to happen when it has been delayed so long already?

I think it's safe to assume that they will be rehearsing before they start the tour, and I doubt that they need over a month to do that - they do know the songs. Ron Thal is more than up to the challenge of learning some riffs on his own, from a recording, and if it's a matter of getting some crazy Buckethead lick up to speed the band would be more of a liablility for that kind of practice anyway.

This isn't about a reunion man, and I don't think anyone in here is trying to make that out of it. Some folks are afraid that the current crop doesn't have the commitment the old guys had, which is a very valid concern. After all, none of them are in the situation guns was in 20 years ago. They're not living on crackers and cheap wine or anything.

Furthermore, they're not bandmembers, they're employees. You can't expect the same level of dedication from an employee as you can expect from a shareholder. I know this. You don't have to tell me. Ofcourse they should be able to play with their friends whenever they want when they're done with their work!

But don't tell me you don't see the difference between back then and now, don't tell me you don't think it might at all be possible that this has an impact on the quality of the new songs, don't tell me this is not a valid concern, and don't tell me this isn't an interesting and worthwhile subject to discuss on a GNR message board.

 

It's valid if you want to take it to the dead horse section because it has been discussed a thousand times in the last 5 years. >:(

well since they are off doing their own thing right now...it seems like it's not GnR at the moment :hihi:

Dizzy is doing ten dates in august-september and Tommy is doing 6 :P during the next 20 odd days

actually most of dizzy's dates are in or near LA and tommys has free time for 2 weeks from the 25th to the 8th so who knows whats happening for them...just personally I would wanna be jamming exclusively with the band who is gonna release a disk and tour the world on the strength of the new material :peace:


and dude axl has been staying in europe since the tour ended and the solo dates start today..not much time left to rehearse anymore.

I'm not getting defensive..well not much :hihi: :peace:

@ madagas...we're talking current events now though, hardly dead horse IMO :-\

Yes, they aren't living on crackers and cheap wine. A lot of things about the world function differently in 2006 than they did in the early-mid 80's. I don't think that has any relevance to the level of commitment that we can expect from them. What we do know is this - when they play shows, they come correct. There's no lack of professionalism or musicality(though some might say otherwise) - actually, as far as professionalism goes, you were a lot more likely to find a band member wasted onstage back in the crackers and cheap wine days. Getting addicted to heroin doesn't exactly show commitment to a band, does it? It didnt matter, though, because the songwriting was inspired. I don't think playing some gigs with Soul Asylum or Hookers 'n Blow is any indication that the songwriting won't be up to par in Guns anymore. In theory, these songs have been done for a while, right?

Neemo - two things - 1) Axl has never rehearsed a lot with the band anyway. They can definitely get that kind of thing done without him. In my obsevation, that's a very common lead singer thing to do - right or wrong. 2) There would be no point to rehearsing everything to death now, and then not doing anything for a month. It's not like that kind of tightness stays with you, if you didn't have it in the first place. Ok - 3 things - it's isn't like they have shows scheduled for every single day between now and the first Guns show. They don't need to rehearse the old songs, aside from a quick run-through, and a few days should be sufficient to get all cylinders firing if they a) know the songs, and b) don't suck.

all good points requiem...but there is a difference between being competent and being tight ;) and the way you get tight is by playing with each other and hanging out together constantly IMO

i think a few hours a day 3 days a week for a month or so would be a good amount of practicing to go over 13 album tracks and a few "new" old songs from the back catalogue...Obviously they were not tight enough to perform TWAT on a regular basis and they never managed to work Rhiad in..then there are 7 other tracks that they need to relearn.

I'm not saying practice for a week and take a month off...personally i thought that the band would be out of sight for a month and then appear @ vegas...Vegas is a month from today BTW

I think the soul asylum dates are all up the western side of the US so it's not like he's gonna go from Seattle to LA to practice overnight  then go back to SA...when he's on the road with them he's a write-off for GnR.

as for the songwriting being done...god i hope so :nervous: it better be for CD at least :hihi:

the orig band got hooked on herion as a group....it made them closer and more "tight" as a group of buddies...that kinda tightness doesn't exist with the current incarnation...the orig band went from rags to riches...or so they say :hihi: the new band was assembeld over time. in time they hopefully will accomplish something together but to date they haven't scratched the surface of the accomplishements of the orig group...that is why as of now (and it doesn't mater who has been in GnR longer) Robin doesn't touch Slash's legacy with the band ;) at least in my eyes

Did you see them on the European tour?

They seemed to know how to play the songs pretty good....


Once again, you're telling them what to do regarding rehearsing songs. Maybe they thought differently?

Besides, if they managed to add songs to the set while on tour in Europe (the covers they played), don't you think they can manage to do the same during the US tour? If they feel like it...



/jarmo

prolly....but if they can't pull off Used to love her by winging it that also has to say something..no i didn't see them in europ un fortunately but i saw them in 2002 and the "tightness" of the band was nothing compared to how Dave, Scott, Slash and Duff interacted with each other when i saw VR live ;)

I don't mean to say that they should do that i just figured they would be rehearsing for the US tour...so I'm a bit shocked to see them revert back to the same old habits they had before rehearsing for Europe ;) btw how long did they rehearse before the Hammerstien shows ??? anybody remember? i know that they have been touring for 3 months but I'm just curious as hopefully they will be playing a Chinese Democracy heavy setlist at some point during this upcoming leg :peace: and one would think (or hope) they will rehearse those tracks

Well it's a little soon to judge Robin against Slash, considering that he hasn't released any professionally recorded versions of his contribution. Of course they haven't touched the accomplishments of the original group so far - that goes without saying, and it's a fairly big yardstick in any case. The new band has proven that they play the songs well, and with feeling. They'll always be 2nd best to the guys that wrote them by default, even if they play tighter than the band did in 1987, which they probably do. That's why the album needs to come out! Once there is soemthing concrete, these comparisons may have some weight - until then, there's really nothing to compare. They are doing a good job with what they have to work with.

Assuming that they should have been able to learn Used to Love Her on the fly pre-supposes that they are all familiar with the song. It's not exactly the flagship of GNR songs, though is it?

I have been in more than one band that had plenty of chemistry in the rehearsal space and onstage, but never hung out when we weren't working. I'd say that is more the norm than anything to tell you the truth, although I'm certainly not implying that you don't know how bands work.  ;)

used to love her is like 3 chords in it's simplest form :hihi:

maybe I'm just an idealist that thinks band members should be buddies as well as colleagues :P

Yes, it's an easy song. But, if you've never heard it, you might not know the form. Plus, it's easy to confuse it with other songs! I've started playing Dead Flowers more than once when I was shooting for that song, because in the moment, after a couple of drinks, it's all D-A-G. Do you go back to the D(no) or to the A(yes)?

You are clearly an idealist. I appreciate what you're saying - many great bands have had chemistry on a friendship basis. On the other hand, I was just reading a quote from Pete Townsend where he said that he and Roger never see each other when they aren't recording or touring. Roger Waters and David Gilmour fought all the time, which is an entirely different type of chemistry, but they sure got stuff done when they were working. Anyway, my only real point is, let's see what happens. I'm not going to love it if it sucks, but I'm optimistic that it can be really good.

I saw VR in 2004 and 2005, then I saw GN'R in 2006..... I don't recall VR interacting more with each other than any other band.....




/jarmo

I'll second that observation.

I saw VR at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL. It was a good show and Scott was all over the stage. Slash and Duff however were firmly planted at their spots on stage. You'd have thought they just met that day.

hmmm odd.. when i saw them they were really energetic and moving around and almost posing together for photo ops and stuff.

@ requiem I dunno about a tension between the members I'm not saying it's that bad at least i hope it's not like that :peace:

whatever...less than a month away...I hope the North American tour is a huge success :beer: