Here Today... Gone To Hell!

- The album is done done....like really finalized this time, without any chance of going back to re-work things, as confirmed by several band members in the last 6-8 months.
- GN'R has topline and expensive management in place, and two of them. In theory, the best in the business.
- The current bunch is very talanted and stable, likely ready to carry the load of hard work, pressure, and public exposure.
- No big law suits against Axl or GN'R lately that could introduce more delays.
- From what we've heard Axl seems to be at inner peace and happy in his personal life.
- Again from what we've heard the band is eager to go back on the road. It's not like they are not ready or the timing is bad or that they can't find a touring guitar player.
- The Olympic Games are in China.
- The Dr Pepper offer is unprecedented and if taken advantage of, chances are the entire US (and beyond) will hear about GN'R and CD.
- I know alot of crap has been said about UMG from GN'R fans. But this is still probably the most powerful label out there. Which may be the problem for the delays but that's another story. The point is if UMG wants to release CD and release it big, they will. And given the investment, why wouldn't they want to release it big?
- Despite of what some people say, this isn't a one man project and therefore cannot and should not be held up forever. There are so many livelihoods tied up into this and for the better part of a decade that it just makes human sense that the true intention is to release the record as soon as possible and even make some compromises if need be.

Its seems like a dam good time.. But so was 06/07

Yes, I agree, very good time.

Most have positive feelings from the tour in 2006, the Dr. Pepper promotion, and the Olympics in China.
I think for the first time in history, people are waiting for the album in a positive way and expecting
great things from Axl and GN'R.

It's definitely a great time to release the album.

Why are people happy about the Dr Pepper thing? That was a diss on GNR and how long the album is/has taken.

GN'R didn't seem to think it was a "diss". Based on their press release concerning the matter, they were quite flattered.

And yes, '08 would be a good year. But I've been saying that every year since '98.  ;)

I still liked 2002-headlining the VMA's, the new tour-it was all lined up then-I think the music business has drastically changed since then even, I'm a GNR fan, so I don't care, I'll always be a fan, but I think 2002 was viewed more as his "comeback"-I still think he will get a slwe of media coverage from print because he has done so little press through the years, and he has an interesting story to tell-they reallly need to line it up with a tour and hit a home run with the first single

2000/2001...Oh my God released n' GN'R play Vegas and RIR 3..Also album was rumored for that June..

2008 is a great time to release cd,  but more so 06/07
but now that the record is "finished"

I think Irzing and friends are going to plan a major release of cd, plus perhaps guitar hero/rockband gnr, or some other forms of media
to gain even more exposure and profit for the band and record company, all in one big swoop..

strike while the kettles hot kinda thing...

mabye thats why the release has been holding off, their covering all basis, from music to video games, to contracts to everything instead of just releasing
1. the cd
2. then entering the entertainment market.
3. Tour .. etc

I think Irzing mentioned in the Wall Street Jounal that Guns are one of several bands with a deal lined up for guitar hero-they are going to try and market the hell out of things when the time is right

The last 3 years have truly been an amazing time to be a gunner fan. I got to see them perform twice in 2006 (with some killer new songs performed),  they wrapped up a very successful tour in 2007 (and we were able to hear Axl on Baz's album), and now in 2008 -  arguably the most anticipated rock album in music history is currently being negotiated for a release.

The good news is I think the best is yet to come.  :beer:

I think I participated in this discussion in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.  ;D

It is a favorable time, agreed.  BUT, the year is just about half over now and their is no release date in sight.  I know we're not privy to exactly what is going on but I'd like to think that we'd get a feel or some sort of word that things are close before the album comes out, and we haven't heard anything yet.  I'm not trying to be negative and I do realize that we are closer than we have ever been but that doesn't mean that it's just around the corner.

It's favorable because unlike 2003,2004,2005.  There is a lot of GNR activity in 2008, they had a successful world 2006, successful tour in 2007, some positivie press and events in 2008.  So it would make sense to release an album during the GNR "live period-06-08", unlike another dead period "03-05"

I think it would "make sense" to release the album once all negotiations are finalized and the necessary promotion is in place. What I think doesn't "make sense" is the fanbase trying to dictate when Axl should release the album. This is his work and I hope he still has some say, along with Universal, in regards to when we will get to hear his completed work.   :)

But what about Robin?

What about him, he's with NIN again, if he comes back.....fucking great!!!!! If not  :(, but I think Axl would know how and where to find someone as equally talented if it ever came to that. I think Robin may return though.

Really

I mean, there "some" good things happening right now....but the beginning of 2006 smokes this.......big time

A tour was starting then, dynamite shows at the Hammerstein, Izzy jamming onstage, a solid replacement for Bucket, new songs, Axl doing interviews and suggesting the album was actually done..........Things were very , very good back then

Right now, there's still a few too many questions un-answered to compare this time to 2 years ago..

No time like the present I guess!!!

I think anytime in the last 17yrs would have been great.

Robin's guitar parts are pretty signature - you can tell it is him playing.

If Robin does not come back to GNR who would replace him? Or could they get by with just BBF and Richard on tour?

I agree that 2006 was great, but 2008 seems pretty bright too if you ask me. We've had several people from the gunner camp telling us that the album is complete and is currently being negotiated for release. That's a pretty damn big deal if you ask me. I can't recall hearing this in any other previous years.

The only "unanswered question"  that personally comes to my mind is whether or not Robin will return to the band. If he doesn't, the band will continue and move on just as it always has. Personally, I don't really see any reason to speculate on this right now. Until I hear otherwise, I am just assuming that he is currently touring with his old band until Guns are ready to kick things off. Same with Brain. I expect to see him back when things are ready to roll again, and if he chooses not to, no biggie - we have Frank fucking Ferrar handling the job perfectly fine.

plus,  axl or anyone in GNR never said the album was completely done in 2006 because it wasn't.

I would love to see the band play a few shows this year even if the album isn't out.. like Vegas or Hammerstein. 

Play a few shows? They are lacking one important guitar player.

till then the camp is concentrating on the release and he and other members are doing their things that they can't do when the time comes..

Oh, me too, Rim Job.  I'd give anything to see a couple shows this year! 

I'm not suggesting a tour, I'm saying a couple shows that could maybe be scheduled around dates when Robin is away on tour.   They could even get a stand-in like they did with Brain if thats not possible.

If it was only a few shows, maybe Izzy would even be willing to fill in. Not likely, but a possibility.

Agreed.   :beer:

With or without an album, I'd fly anywhere in North America for a chance to see them play live in 2008. Two or 3 shows in late October would tie in beautifully to my already existing Vegas plans.   :)

Seems some people are stuck on three silly theories:

1. We were just as close or closer in 200X ( 0<X<8 ).
Well, no. The album may have been very closed to finished but it was never finalized until late 2007.

2. They can't tour without Robin.
Yes, they can. You know, a lot of people have dissed and mocked the "ever-changing" lineup but there's actually an advantage to it. They could get any of the people that left back (temporarily or not) and that person would still feel like a member and not just a guest touring musician.

3. This is Axl's art and he can release it whenever he wants however he wants.
Anyone who makes this claim is indirectly labeling Axl a selfish egomaniac. I believe this is far from the truth. Again, there are many other people who have put their lives and careers into this. I think Axl cares about them and their families and from that perspective would want this record out as soon as humanly possible, of course presented in the right way so it makes financial sense as well. He is the leader and mastermind but he is not the only creative person on this project. You don't hire art, you don't pay art off in a one-time check. Art is timeless and as such is supposed to pay respect and royalties for a long time. But this cannot happen until an official release.

True, but when you've been working on an album for over a decade, and you claim people will hear music this year......People have a right to be a little confused when the only music they heard was that which was played live

Axl said we would hear music in 2006 and we did. I don't know what's so confusing about that. With or without the album, I personally had a great time seeing the band and hearing new songs being performed live.   :smoking:

If I was the label head, I'd be shitting myself right now. In financial terms, every year this album doesn't come out, the more money it loses.l

I agree with leatherebel. All the planets are lined up and it couldn't be a better time to release the album. It's definitely closer than ever.  I think Axl is finally ready to put his art out there and has never held out purposely...but the Robin thing IS a HUGE ballbust!!!! I think Leatherebel is right, Axl could definitely bring back an old guitarist and pull it off, but it wouldn't be good to bring in someone new. This is the only setback.

Robin could always take off a couple of show's and play with GnR if they do a couple of performances this year.  We will have CD this year but a tour ? probaly not till 09 at the latest.

They were lacking one important guitar player who wrote/cowrote a ton of their best material on the UYI tour as well

I would love for Robin to be there but if he's not then they will move on like they've always done in the past

It would be a shame if Robin weren't there after all he's contributed to Guns and CD but if he's not there it's by his own choice

the best tme would have been 2001 after rock in rio  :-\ 

i don't know how much longer i can wait.for real i dunno.

Even how much you guys try to compare those two situations, they are absolutely not the same.

Same here!

A more pertinent question would be: 2008 - has there been a more newsless time?

Seriously, this has been one of the quietest years on record, which in the world of GN'R is saying something.

Actually, the situations are very similar. You may personally prefer one guitar player over the other, but nonetheless, the situations are quite similar.

Well, we've got word that the album release is being negotiated. We saw Axl respond to the Dr. Pepper challenge. He also announced having a top notch management team, which imo is a very big deal.   :)

I think this right here is probably more news than we received in  2003-2005.

there's little time till the end of the year...
if we dont get any info by end of august... then we definitely wont get dr pepper.

tell dr pepper in your country they better hurry to announce the offer.  ;D

for me.. everyday is a good day for the album to come!

I'll still go with Spring/Summer 2006.

First wave of awesome leaks... including the sure-fire chart-topper "Better";
Axl's vastly improved appearance and voice;
Robin's vastly improved appearance and live performances;
Buckethead replaced by the very skilled, yet "stable" Bumblefoot;
All the energy and buzz surrounding the Hammerstein shows;
The Eddie Trunk interview;
Baz/Izzy/Kid Rock/etc.; and
KICK ASS WORLD TOUR.

Still too many unknowns and rumors (i.e. Robin's status, newer leaks, VMA's, release negotiations, etc.) floating around right now IMHO for it to rank above 2006... BUT if they all come to fruition... then 2008 could blow 2006 out of the water... and be as cool as 1991.

Yes. Anytime in the past 8 or 9 years. Seriously. GNR fan sites all across the web are dying from apathy. The fan base of people excited for the album is shrinking every year.

There was so much more excitement in '06, I remember how buzzed I and everyone else was, and I miss that. It'll take a lot of work to get that momentum going again.

Are you saying that it couldn't be recreated?

A few warm-up shows, a new interview followed by a tour.

Impossible to do?




/jarmo

Nah, just a release date.  Whenever the day comes that one is provided, all lost momentum will be instantly regained.

Absolutely. This band can flip the "hype" switch at any time. They've proven that- perhaps above all else- over the last several years. IF they announced a solid release date for before Christmas and took the stage at the VMA's with a few shows to follow.... there would be an absolute GN'R FRENZY in the media and general "rock fan" public IMHO.

Maybe favourable is not exactly the word but  with the  global warming issue chinese democracy is more globally relevant than ever.
Yea, you can leave it to somebody else like your kids or grand kids cause it would take a lot more time than you
have got for masturbation while we might be almost out of time... :nervous:

2005,2006,2007,2008........... ;)

Yes.

Second half of 2006 and 2007 was a favorable time. Guns N' Roses was recently touring and in 2007 went to the road again.

But ALWAYS IS A FAVORABLE TIME :hihi:

I don't know if you seen how Metallica is selling their new album, but I think it would be a great idea for Guns N' Roses to do the same thing.  Have three diffrent packages to selling the album

Package 1

Free

Digital download on the release date
photo's of 2006/2007 Tour

Package 2 24.99

Chinese Democracy digital download at mid night of street date
the making of chinese democracy
2 songs performance DVD from last tour
Chinese Democracy poster

Package 3

74.99

Chinese Democracy Digital/physical release
The Making of Chinese Democracy
1 DVD full show of a 2006/2007 of your choice
Chance to win a meet and greet with GnR for next tour
15 dollars off Guns n' Roses online store
limited edition autography art cover autographed by Axl Rose

GNR is the only band that I would spend money on a limited edition or special release.I think we would have preferred an album to come out in 1995 but it is Axl's art/vision and he has the right to put it out in 2010 if he wants but by then I hope we are that second part of the trilogy that he told Baz about.

2006 was a special time especially after the long absence but they can get back all over the music headlines and press etc with momentum whenever they want.

All it would take is posting a date on the official website with nothing else to start getting people in a frenzy.

1998 was a more favourable time.