Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Axl Rose Speaks

In his first major interview in nine years, the Guns N' Roses frontman talks about his band, his label and finally releasing "Chinese Democracy."

By Jonathan Cohen

It's been nine years since Axl Rose gave a substantial print interview. For all that time and more, he's been working on the album "Chinese Democracy," which finally arrived in late November.

It was an arduous process, to say the least. Guns N' Roses haven't released a new song since 1999 or an album since a 1993 set of covers. Since then, Rose has toured sporadically, worked with a rotating cast of musicians -- he owns the Guns N' Roses name, according to his attorney, Laurie Soriano -- and recorded numerous versions of the same new songs. According to a 2005 article in the New York Times, Universal Music Group had spent $13 million on "Chinese Democracy" by then.

The album came out in the United States as a Best Buy retail exclusive and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 261,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. To date, it has sold 537,000 copies in the States, far fewer than the 1.3 million that Best Buy bought upfront, according to the Wall Street Journal. But the album has sold 2.6 million copies worldwide, according to Universal -- a number that counts only retail purchases -- and the company plans to start promoting another single soon.

Some industry executives have blamed the album's disappointing sales on Rose, who hasn't made a video, announced a tour or given interviews. Others point to Best Buy, claiming the chain didn't make the album as visible as last year's other major retail exclusive, AC/DC's "Black Ice," which was sold only at Wal-Mart. Until now, Rose himself has remained silent, except for a series of postings on some Guns N' Roses fan Web sites.

That doesn't mean he doesn't have plenty to say -- about his new album, his former bandmates and his label, Interscope, a subsidiary of Universal. (The label declined to comment.) Rose answered two series of questions via e-mail, in which he discussed for the first time the events surrounding the release of "Chinese Democracy" and his frustrations with Interscope.

In a separate phone interview, longtime Guns N' Roses (and former Replacements) bassist Tommy Stinson echoed Rose's sentiments. Rose's answers appear here almost exactly as he sent them, edited only for grammar, length and clarity.

The obvious question: Why talk now? Rose says he "felt it was a good time to address some of these issues publicly."

Some people thought "Chinese Democracy" would never come out. Were there times during the making of the album when you felt that way yourself?

Axl Rose: Not so much that it wouldn't come out but that we could in some way legally be forced to release it either incomplete or with so many business areas unresolved that the beginning would be the end as well.

Without sounding presumptuous, what took so long to get the album out?

And without sounding facetious, what didn't? There aren't too many issues of the hundreds [we ran into] that happened as quickly as anyone would have preferred, from building my studio; finding the right players; never did find a producer; still don't have real record company involvement or support; to getting it out and mixed and mastered.

All that aside, it's the right record and I couldn't ask for more in that regard. Could have been a more enjoyable journey, but it's there now. The art comes first. It dictates if not the course [then] the destination artistically.

For me, once the real accompanying artwork is there with a few videos and some touring, the package was achieved and delivered.

And to do so at this level in terms of quality, both artistic and performance-wise, both on record and live, is something that's a miracle at minimum and something that wouldn't have happened, no matter how anyone tries to convince others, with old Guns, regardless of anyone's intentions. It was just as ugly in old Guns, regardless of our success.

What were your expectations in terms of what Best Buy would do to promote the album?

Best Buy has been great. Going with Best Buy was a way to work out a deal with Universal and we were fortunate enough to work with Irving [Azoff, as manager] and deal more directly with Universal. I've asked for information regarding their role in working the record but that hasn't come yet so I'm not able to tell what Universal has or hasn't done, although Zach [Horowitz, Universal Music Group president/COO], or whoever's behind the international efforts, is doing great. It's more than appreciated and a welcome relief.

Unfortunately [going with Best Buy] didn't change us having to rely on Interscope as much as we'd hoped. The opinions expressed or "jumped" on publicly regarding promotion seem to be [about] my or our involvement with mainstream media -- talk shows, rock magazines and dot-coms -- which have generally held negative public stances toward myself or the band for years, [and they] unfortunately have not been resolved. Efforts are being made to understand the relationships and evaluate how best to proceed.

Our focus was in getting the record deal done while finishing the album, which hit many an unexpected bump or sinkhole in the road right up until the actual release. We never intended a huge public rollout, especially without resolving certain issues, and no one ever suggested us doing so, though Interscope's communications with Best Buy in these areas may not have been as clear as anyone would have preferred.

Our approach, for better or worse, has always been to work the record over the course of the following tour cycles, with attempts to forge new or better and hopefully redefined relationships with the different forms of media that may be interested along the way. In regard to our promotion, it was based around certain agreements with Universal, Interscope, our management and legal [teams] that unfortunately never happened. I won't get into specifics but am beginning to address some of those issues in my own way as opposed to "working together," and we'll see how that plays out.

Continue reading: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml

Nice find, did that just appear?

It's up on their homepage

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/index.jsp

Thanks man.  You are always on top of the news with GN'R.  Do you have Google Alerts or something? :)

Ali

They mentioned a Tommy interview as well.  I hope they put that up.  I'd like to hear the General's thoughts on all this.

Ali

I love out of nowhere press releases. some interesting stuff

Axl said theres no plans for tour so i guess we wont be seeing them in the summer like brain said

That was great to read. So that settles it, no slash and axl reunion for life... ever. Hopefully this will shut down the reunion nonsense for good. Gotta love the way Axl speaks, the man's brilliant.

Looking forward to more of these interviews, hopefully some talk shows.

You tell 'em, Axl!

I would take the comment from Brain as tentative plans, nothing concrete.  Axl said the tour plans were being discussed but nothing is set.  So it's possible Axl could've asked Brain if he'd like to tour when the time comes, aka Summer.

He said he would consider doing something with Duff other than Izzy. Thats a new piece of info. Sounds like the record company has fucked the band over the years. Hopefully they can eith repair their relationship or find a new company that can work with them. Sounds like Axl wants to properly promote the album and not hide.

I wouldn't assume that.  Brain may have jumped the gun, but I'd be willing to bet that when GN'R hits the road later this year, he'll be there.  I highly doubt he would've sent the e-mail otherwise.

Ali

Correct. Just like I mentioned a few hours ago, it was only a rumor...kinda sucks, right?

It was always just a rumor.  I don't think anyone was claiming otherwise.  And it's still a rumor, nothing has changed.

            It seems like things could be happening re-release wise. Like whoever the fuck is moving the album overseas  (2.6 million copies) seems to have made the label think...ok this needs more promotion. its amazing they didn't wanna do a video til this happened.

 :rofl:  slash is sickening!  gotta love axl man.  that guy just tells it like it is, and doesn't give a fuck what anybody thinks.  god bless him.

and universal can serioiusly go to hell.  just like the members of the press, they have worked their hardest to sabotage axl and tear him down.  i don't think there's much i hate in this world, but i officially hate universal (domestic, not international who did a good job).

I took that comment to mean that he finds it sickening that some "fans" would want him to reunite with Slash for their entertainment regardless of the history between the two men.

Ali

yeah, maybe.  but i can see why fans of those two would want to see them play together.  that just makes simple sense.  i'm a fan of axl, finck, pitman, frank, fortus, bbf, dizzy and tommy so i want to see them play together.  even if one day they got mad at each other.  they're still my favorite band.

i choose to read it as axl saying slash is sickening, which honestly i can understand axl feeling that way since slash has lied about him and tried to manipulate the media to be critical of him.

Im pleased there wont be a reunion . I think future music will be more interesting with the new guys , than any old school 80s rock that Slash writes

"In regards to Slash, I read a desperate fan's message about, what if one of us were to die and looking back I had the possibility of a reunion now, blah blah blah. And my thoughts are, "Yeah, and while you're at the show your baby accidentally kicks a candle and burns your house down, killing himself and the rest of your family."

Give me a fucking break. What's clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is. Those decisions were made a long time ago and reiterated year after year by one man."

that was (still!) fucking bitter, so there goes any re-union!!

Rather than focus on the what APPEARS to be bitterness in regard to Slash, I think the last page of the interview says it all.

WHY DO THIS INTERVIEW NOW?

Axl replies:

In answer to the negativity in the press generated by in particular by REUTERS (who have a syndication deal WITH BILLBOARD)!!!

Axl states that Reuters (and to a certain extent Billboard) have been-

- particularly ugle towards him
- negatively judgemental
- continually setting a tone for a negative public perception
- the writers with so little real information promote inaccuate shots in forums
- pro-Slash in position

Isn't it just a little coincidental then, that Axl is made to look bitter. When he spoke to fans on forums he ceratinly did not express any of that bitterness towards Slash. Remember that the Billboard interview HAS BEEN edited.

Axl may be referring to the hurt that the media (REUTERS) in particular has caused him year after year, having to read the exaggaeration of the issues, reported by people who have no real understanding.

So perhaps it is REUTERS and NOT AXL who is to blame here, for Axl's attitude about a reunion...The media hash up has ceratinly not helped! How are both men supposed to come back from that?!!!

Maybe Axl is simply taking a dig at REUTERS.

As I said on source... Ill repeat here.. I dont think Axl cares if people who loved the old want to follow the new. I gather from reading hes more interested in fighting for the band he has now.

I want the Tommy interview! Where is it?

Great read!

Good to know the better video is now being finalised, hopefuly we'll soon get it at last!

And they are writing for future videos... :drool:

Whatever!  Axl said it was being finalized a month and a half ago as well.

1 things to bear in mind with this:

We don't know when Axl wrote the emails (I'm guessing it was a few weeks ago, round about the time he was posting on the messageboards) and things could have changed since then. Those tour talks and offers could now slowly be turning into plans...

so what?  ::)


regarding tour, this emails (interview) may be exchanged during January and published only now (maybe even because of birthday)... variant was faster :)

btw. there is Happy birthday Axl on VH1 - 10 songs. It would be cool that Better is the last song  8) ...




-velimir

Very good interview, very interesting, and I want to see the "better" video soon, I hope it.

Good point.

That is why I am suspicious about the write up of this article.

I don't think that Axl would make a statement that would perhaps cause a rift between Duff and Slash.

As I mentioned before, it does contradict with the interview he personally gave to the forums.

If Axl was so pissed off at Slash then he would obviously want nothing to do with Duff either, since both Duff and Slash are in the same band and spend time together. It doesn't make sense.


Maybe he gave this interview, just to see what the final write up would be (and if Reuters are still playing the same game)...

And yes, the Tommy interview they refer to would also be good to see!

i do love reading Axl interviews - he's very eloquent and honest.  Bloody record companies - you'd think in this day and age where they are ceasing to become such a big part of the whole picture they'd try harder to keep their artists happy, or at least be more involved.   especially a band that carries such immense weight as GnR.  And in this corner weighing in at... and to all those opposed - yeah you know it!

Again i feel blessed we have the album, as the road to get there unravels more and more of the chaos that the band were faced with and had to deal with. I'm not that interested with any collab with Duff I have to say. Am far more interested in GnR now and their musical and live future these days.  So much would be made of it that it would overshadow anything they actually did!

i wanna hear the general
!

I agree with this. To be honest the only original gunner I would like to see Axl work with is Izzy.

I think that Duff has been very underated.  :o     (coming from me of all people!  ;))

There is a clip of Knocking On Heaven's Door from the 1992 tours ( I think it is in England).

Axl is obviously very exhausted - he sings a line from Only Women Bleed and Slash launches into the intro for KOHD.

Duff turns around to see that Axl is sitting down and HI5's him, so he can start singing.

I find that there is this support between the two, in several bits of footage.

That made my morning!  You guys are on top of this shit.

Record companies are THE WORST.  You wonder if anyone with an ear from Interscope ever came in to listen to CD as it was being formulated.  Anyone with a right musical mind could have recognized that this wasn't some average attempt at a record.  "throw it at the wall, see if it sticks" , what a horrible feeling to have when you're in the middle of creating your best work.

I firmly believe now that the farther Axl gets away from Old Guns, the more material he will be able to create.  As a fan of GN'R, at this point, the last thing I want is a reunion.  Fans should dissuade Axl from this notion, rally behind the idea that his best days are ahead of him. I want Axl to work with this new group of musicians and create more songs.  Nostalgia is overrated in my book.  Plus, all the musicians he is working with now are BETTER.  Anything that anyone has done from Guns (other than Izzy) has been weak.  Izzy's shit is at least honest, not groundbreaking, but honest music.  I may step on toes with this one, but all of Velvet Revolver's music is mediocre at best, including their washed out singer.

There's no need to make this a Gn'R vs Velvet Revolver thread

or a old vs new thread.

For the record, I was speaking about Duff as an individual.

Didn't Axl say he had worked with Izzy on that "Soul Monster" song when he did his message forum Q&A's?  In this interview he just says he wouldn't mind working with Izzy again.  You think he would've mentioned again that he had worked with Izzy on a new song.

Bitterness, yes, that's what all the write ups in the media will have you believe.

When Axl spoke to the forums, I detected none of that bitterness.

There's no organized conspiracy against Axl!?????

He also commented on how the media constantly twist his words, (online interview). That's why he prefers not to give interviews.

Again the Billboard article paints Axl as the bitter one, or didn't you pick up on that? (Carmiedisco12)


This is from the article (page 6)-

Axl:

"With Reuters, I get their reach. That said, they've been particularly ugly toward me and this band for years, with nearly everything they've written being condescending or negatively judgmental with the cute little press trick of using negative adjectives across the board whenever they've written anything. In our regard they're one of the media outlets that appear to continually attempt to set a tone for a negative mainstream public perception regarding either us or myself, at least in the United States, if not the world".

Nice stuff about some of the "fans". Great read indeed.

I don't think the article paints Axl in a bitter tone, to be honest. I do think the man has a lot to say and not everything is in a positive side. And what's the problem with having bad feelings about something that hurts?

That was an awesome read! Thanks, Axl!  : ok:

That's right. (Though I think he is more pissed off than hurt)!

It must be awful to read about something so personal between he and the other guys,  manipulated, exploited and beat up by the media - who as he said (don't know the full story).

The only reason I brought it up was it was part of the focus of the article, and every fan and interviewer wants to ask the same 'ol question..."what are the chances of a reunion?"  I've seen Axl's responses vary over time, and this time by stating that a reunion with Slash will never happen, hopefully will put a nail in it (probably not). 

It's hard to say that Axl even "hates/really dislikes" Slash as a person in the context of reading it, but in the immortal words of Spinal Tap, "we shant work together again".  I have to think the formation of Velvet Revolver was something Axl was not crazy about, but speculation on my part.  On the other hand Slash and Duff probably weren't doing backflips when a new Guns record was released.  It must be emotional to watch pieces of something that was so great go in different directions, while at the same time using pieces of what made it great.

Duff as an individual is the Bees Knees, and Slash as an individual is probably as cool as they come. As a music fan, I personally hate seeing things re-hashed.  Onward and upward I say.

The one nugget Im ever so slightly dissapointed down is the comment that ...we hope to release another album....or along that lines
Give the impression theres only one more album worth of material ???

Boo-hoo :'(

this shit was awesome! writing videos, hopes for another album, confirmation of discussing tours, superminimal chance for a collab with duff and a slightly bigger chance to work with the iz-man, was laughing my ass of at axl's thougts on the "what if story" story  :hihi:

thanks god

Good read.  Hopefully we continue to see more interviews and that Interscope gets more involved in promoting the record.  I really hope we can get to the point soon where we don't need to rehash the past and can focus on the future.  I'd like to see a RS interview and perhaps something on tv...60 Minutes maybe?   :hihi:

My favorite quote:  "We feel that, unfortunately, we've never been really anything all that much more other than a throw it at the wall, see if it sticks, no real ground work, something to take advantage of, last quarter, cook the books, write-off, fuck this headache, hoping to get lucky scam."

You are on to something there.  : ok:

There are certain lyrics on the new album that only the previous members would fully get.

There Was A Time, for example is about a particular time that involved some of the previous members. And yes there are many references to past songs/lyrics.

Axl is actually picking up the story from where it was last left off...

While the record company played a big part in the failed promotion lets not forget that its the same record company that funded one of the most expensive albums ever made. So I dont think its fair to completely blame them.

Axl says that hes been waiting for a marketing plan for the last 5 years. Isnt that around the time when the label began to stop the funding of the project?

Yes, thankyou Axl. You are such a great writer!

It's always great to hear from Axl but I would have preferred to hear more about the songs and what went into them instead of more shit about Slash and the record company.  I'm not saying that's Axl's fault since he may have only gotten asked questions in that vein.  But, I hope this interview wasn't intended as promotion for the album as it really doesn't succeed in that regard.

one thing is clear... the record company is full of giant assholes who want to try and destroy axl.  fuck them.  seriously... FUCK THEM!  how dare they try and hold axl down by keeping him from getting money and making videos.  don't they realize what a runaway smash blockbuster they could have on there hands?  this shit makes me so mad.  every time i read that interview i just get madder and madder.  axl has bent over backwards to give those ungrateful dickwads amazing and beautiful and inspiring music.  all he asks is that they give him a tiny little amount of money to publicize it and to make an amazing and inspiring video to match the music.  but NOOOOO apparently that's too much to ask from those greedy fuckheads.  

they are so stupid.  that's the worst part.  it's like they just don' tknow how to run a record company.  no wonder the industry is tanking if geniuses like these are making all the decisions.

I think the part about the "fans" preferring the leaks is about a member at The GNR Bar who is pretty negative.

Awesome read.

Thanks Axl and Billboard.  8)




/jarmo

Good news: Axl at last has given an interview and perhaps will be a reunion with Izzy or Duff in the future.

Band news: No tour plan, Better video it's not done, still bitter with Slash.

let me ask you a question...were you saying the same thing when that same company funded one of historys most expensive rock projects?


lol dave2k?

Thanks for posting that, FunkyMonkey.  Good read.

While it's great to finally see an actual interview, I can't help but see a lot of underyling anger and an "it's me against the world" (or maybe it's "the world against me") attitude.  That's what it is - I've been trying to search for the word and although he sounds bitter, at times, that's just not the word I wanted, to describe it.   But that's it - "They're out to get me" attitude, but then, that's him and he's kind of always been like that - it doesn't matter who or what - it's the record company, former members, the media, etc.  - he sometimes talks like everybody's against him.  

BTW, to whomever it may concern I'd appreciate my post not being deleted for what might be considered, by some, to be negative content.  I'm not trying to start anything, at all, I'm just sayin' the way I see it.    

you make an interesting point. Its afine line because that type of attitude/perspective makes Axl tick all of these years. But at times, especially in a situation like this, I wish he would just go out there, lose thewho hates me list, and go be positive and rock out. fine line though

Going against former band members, record labels, and highly influential media is a losing battle. The best way to deal with them is probably to just ignore them. I understand the desire to sort things out and put some truth out, but frankly it is a little too late for any sorting out that would have any benefitial effect on the band or mend any relationships with the media or the general public perception.

What would help with regards to those entities is to just focus on the music and promote it as much as possible. It is a great album but it is too advanced and maybe needs to be presented and explained extensively in order for most people to appreciate it fully. I'd focus on the music and the future as this is the only thing relevant right now. And interviews are so much greater and effective when having predominantly an element of positivity and friendliness as difficult as this might be to demonstrate in certain nightmare situations.

I always had a feeling he still didn't mind Duff. Duff only seemed to jump ship because everyone else had.

Great read, too. Hearing his side on the label's massive "fuck you" towards CD was a bit of a relief.

That quote is so dave2k.  The whackiest whack job of them all in the so-called fan base.

I could see doing a song or so on the side with Izzy [Stradlin] or having him out [on tour] again. I'm not so comfortable with doing anything having more than one of the alumni. Maybe something with Duff [McKagan], but that's it, and not something I'd have to really get down into, as I'd get left with sorting it out and then blamed on top of it. So, no, not me.

Not sure if I'd call it a "reunion", more like a collaboration.



But he also said: Management and our promoters are really excited with the offers coming in both here and worldwide.





Can you blame him?

A lot of shit has been said about him over the years.

Even from people who consider themselves fans.

And no matter what he does, it's never good enough. There's always something else people want from him.




/jarmo

I think in a nushell I would rather see Axl be more proactive rather that reactive......it kind of goes with what leatherbel is saying. Yea he might be speaking the truth but at this point in time the ship has sailed. People arent interested. Axl missed that boat awhile ago.


lol...agreed but I do think he is a tru fan. But you have to go on the extreme, and I do mean extreme left side to find him.

it's "it's me against bollocks" and that's a rock n' roll basic.

am reading now.


snother good news: 'on the side'

I took from reading previous interviews and Dexter chats that Axl was always confused and disapointed in/with Duff. Like there was less direct problems with him, he just couldn't believe that Duff was (paraphrasing)  - so easily manipulated by Slash.

No one else has touched on this though:

Axl mentioned perhaps some Rock Band 2 Chinese Democracy for perhaps Feb 26? Then it looks like whoever edited the article said something about it being in spring...has anyone else heard about this?

Axl said he thinks it's gonna be in the game in one of those fan site chats last December. :)


I guess Billboard got recent news on the actual date?




Ironically he was banned from here for posting leaks.


I think this part:

"That said, you have those who become emotionally attached to how the leaks sound, which, for better or worse, usually isn't so great to contend with. And it seems that those who often do so and complain publicly, oddly and coincidentally, have a history of basically being detractors as well even if they're somehow considered part of a "fan" base."

can be about many people.

It's like it's a "valid" excuse to bash the album. "Hey, I loooooved the leaks".  ::)

If you hadn't heard the leaks, the album and live versions would be the only ones you could compare. Things would probably be a bit different....



This quote says so much:

The art comes first.

 :D



/jarmo

I could definitely see Izzy coming back for a tour and letting Bumble handle the solos if Robin is gone.

That would be pretty awesome.

The problem with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope is, if u aren't a rapper, fucking forget it.

Rap is the new rock and more white kids buy rap than black kids.

So instead of putting their efforts into rock, they can now maximize the demographics by just doing rap.


Music sucks these days and the labels are going broke, because of themselves and their greed and just ignorance.

That's interesting that you mention the demographics D. I've pasted the About Us section from the Billboard site. Their demographic group is aimed at users in their late teens early 20s. Apparantly, the site also caters for top music executives/people in the biz.

I wonder if Axl's comments about the record label will be heard?


Billboard.com is the consumer-faced internet arm of Billboard magazine, the world's premier music publication. The 4.2 million unique monthly users of Billboard.com are comprised mainly of passionate music fans in their late teens and early 20s. These readers increasingly depend on Billboard for music news, videos, charts and interactive, community-oriented features.

Billboard magazine has served the information needs of the entertainment business since 1894. Today, that means a core focus on the music business, providing charts, data, analysis, profiles, news and trend reporting for aspiring artists, top executives, tour promoters, publishers, radio programmers, lawyers, retailers and others. 

I cannot fucking wait until the day I can download Chinese Democracy, in its entirety, in RB2. Cannot wait!


... oh, and fuck Slash.

Me too!  I seriously might just buy RB2 (as opposed to checking it out at a friend's) when it's released.

I bought RB2 for Chinese Democracy. I'm not any good at the game, but it's funny...I'll be in the car or just listening to CD somewhere and I'll hear a paticular part of a song and think to myself "It would be SOOOO awesome to play the (insert fake instrument right there)...I can't wait!!!

No one knows what it's like to be Axl... and I doubt most could handle it. The guy just wants to put out music he believes in. He's not stupid and naive. He's not some low-rent redneck from the country. The perception of the poor guy is so crappy...

I don't blame him for not wanting to reunite "the old guns". Why would he? Is getting paid a lot of money worth putting up with someone who has dragged your name through the mud for the past decade? No.

Why would he give interviews to all these sources who stab him in the back? Insult him and write to just be controversial?

Who here could put up with half the crap Axl has had to???

People are so easy to point the finger... and yes I'm talking about some of the ingrateful jerks who say they are "fans"... you know who you are. You always find something to bitch about.

Album, videos, tours, merch, interviews, dr. pepper and horse he rode in on!

I back Axl 100%

I'm game for whatever he wants or DOESN'T want to do.

Reading the answers give the clue that he wasn't able to do everything the way he wanted. So it's not uncle Axl's fault like it's always painted. Interscope has focused their attention to hip-hop. Ever since Eminem and 50 Cent... Interscope is no longer about good rock music. They brought us Limp Bizkit for crying out loud.

                          I actually wanna say ...of all the leaks of the songs over the years... 'Catcher in the Rye" was one I wish Axl left alone. Of the entire album of Chinese Democracy its the only song I wish he had left like the "demo". Where it just fades out ala "Hey Jude" . It had a really good Beatles vibe to it , then when he said half was about John Lennon it seemed to fit the song. 

                              Thats my only knock on it as an album thus far .

blamming the record company ....please
not everything is as transparent as it seems (both ways)

Anyone else as excited as me about the prospects of a GNR Rock Band game?  This is the first I have really heard of this from a credible source.  I hope it is mostly consisted of Chin Dem songs. 

It's clear that Axl's been through an unbelievable amount of shit since the break-up of the original line-up. So many people give him a hard time. They act as if he just sits around at home watching T.V. instead of working on new music. It wasn't Axl's plan to have the album take so long. It wasn't Axl's plan to have it released with little-to-no promotion. For some reason, it seems the people who should want the album to do good, the people involved with the label, don't really give a damn about it--- or don't believe in the music.

Often when bands give an interview after they've just released an album, they talk about what a joy it was to record, how much fun they had in the studio, etc. The only GNR recording that seems to have gone somewhat smoothly was AFD. UYI and CD have been hellacious battles for Axl, which makes me sad. With UYI, the band was beginning to fall apart, Slash was trying to take over the band, everyone wanted to do their own songs and not the others. With CD, Axl's had to deal with numerous lawsuits and legal issues concerning the name of the band, past members, and stuff with the record company. For once, I just want Axl to be able to make an album and have FUN doing it. Not have to deal with any shit, just enjoy making incredible music. Considering all the shit he's had to deal with it, I'm surprised he continues keeping on, instead of just saying, "Fuck it, I'm not dealing with this shit anymore." We should all be very thankful that Axl has enough belief in the vision of Guns N Roses, as well as enough love and respect for his fans, to continue pushing great, innovative music through the barriers that try to prevent it.

The revelation that Axl would be open to a collaboration with Duff is pretty fucking cool. I always loved when Duff and Axl would co-sing a song together, like on "So Fine," for example. I hope if they do a song together, Duff doesn't just play bass, but shares the vocals as well.

Are we sure it's a new game or just CD becoming downloadable content for the existing RB2?  Either way...that's fucking killer!!!

While I agree with the majority of your post I do slightly disagree with the whole label thing. Im not saying the label fucked up. They clearly did. But, from their standpoint, cant one turn around and say that they gave Axl all the resources and time int he world to make music from like 97-2004. Axl mentioned that he had been waiting for a marketing plan for the past 5 years. If Im correct, I believe that was around the time when the label shut off all the funds for the band. Isnt it fair to say that Axl knew there wasnt going to be any money for promotions when they already cut off the money for the album?

Axl denies that a full reunion will ever happen, however, if Duff and Izzy come back on board at some point or for whatever reason, wouldn?t that open the door for the others to talk and agree on something? Yes! I love Chinese Democracy, however I can?t say that I wouldn?t enjoy it like crazy!

Its never too late!  You ever think that getting shit off your chest can be very rewarding and a breath of fresh air?  Its much more healthy than having it build up inside of you!

People want to hear him speak.  And don't you realize that everytime Axl does speak.. it promotes the music?  In my opinion, he needs to speak out for the sake of promoting the album.. but more so for the sake of himself.  He will feel better and gain the respect and understanding of millions of people.  

No we arent sure as far as I know.  I hope it is a separate game since I own the econo version of the 360 with no hard drive.  But, even if it turns out to be the download variety, I will have to save up and spring for the hard drive and internet/xbox live.  It would not be just for me, as my 3 year old loves to play drums and always asks to play "Axl", so he would also have a heyday.

I don't quite understand all this talk about "Well, the album is doing poorly because it's not being promoted".  

C'mon.  The kids know about GNR.  Anyone at all in tune with music knows that this album exists.  

C.D. is not doing well because...news flash...it's not very good.  I'm not a hater.  I'm a huge GNR fan.  But this new album is just not my cup of tea.

Great music will always succeed.  The internet age has made this so.

"Sub-par" music often becomes "popular" because record corporations/media empires force it down people's throats (Britney Spears, Linkin Park...damn near everything on the radio...we all know the sitch).  Is that what you people want to see happen with new GNR?

Again, great music always finds a way to "elbow out" all the garbage that it has to compete with.  Great music will catch on regardless of how well it is "marketed".  For the most part "marketing" is about manipulating people into making decisions that that they otherwise would not have made.  Other than "getting the word" out, marketing is evil.  

Everyone between the ages of 25 and 40 knows that this album exists and I suspect most have listened to it.  The word is OUT.  If CD were that wonderful, it would have caught on.  People's musical palates haven't changed.  The fact that all previous GNR albums are STILL selling demonstrates this.

Just my two cents.  I'm sure Jarmo will put this post down the memory hole.  So, maybe I'll probably stop wasting my time composing it.

 

  

Nope.  I'm sorry, but that is a grossly oversimplified and just flat out incorrect interpretation of why albums sell and why they don't.  By your logic, Nickelback must be one of the greatest bands in the world considering their sales.

Ali

And this is what you base your theory on?   That's fine you don't like the album that much, but to many other ears it's unbelievable music. 

nah, the album is just great.

the only reason I see is : most of the people and a lot of old fans don't like the idea that Axl uses the Guns N'Roses name without the old members.

they think that if CD is a flop, the old band will reunite.
even if Axl says it's impossible in this article (on purpose ?) they'll still think that shit.

I think the quote "one of the two of us will die before a reunion" pretty much closes that door.  :hihi:



Interesting read.  I wonder when this interview was done (since it appears that it was done before the game release date was changed) because maybe the tour plans that Brain mentioned are something that became more solid after this interview??

On the Nickelback thing, they make the same album over and over and cater to the same fans. U can do that. It may not be the most artistic thing in the world, but formula for success is to find a niche and keep doing it without changing much to alienate the hardcore fanbase. Creed made a killing with the exact same formula.

Also, I can respect a GNR fan for not liking CD. It is possible for someone to not care for it. Even with movie franchises or TV shows, there are some episodes or sequels u, for whatever reason don't connect with.

I say it all the time on here and most don't quiet get what I am saying, but the problem is, GNR aren't really what u would call a "Singles" band. They are more of an album, write what I feel without any real formula or structure.


So in the 21st century where its all about the 99 cent single, GNR have been really effected by that. There are billions of songs in music history that are GREAT songs but not necessarily GREAT singles.


Chinese Democracy fits that bill, something like Estranged from UYI 2 fits that bill.

Also with CD, there aren't an enormous amount of songs the average joe can listen to and unfortunately, there are way more average joe frontrunner music fans than people who can appreciate a little complexity and something not as easy to access.



Rockband 2 is a DL album. They don't make actual seperate "games"

What's that?!

Let's try this again:  Great music will always succeed.  But, just because an album is successful does not necessarily mean it is great.  

Nice read overall. Slightly surprised he mentioned Duff though, you never know I guess...

I'd love to see Axl and Slash accidentally go in the same room, they seem to be so bitter that it would probably end up being hilarious  ;D

Maybe you're more of a Slash guy than a Axl guy. Not trying to start a war here.  :peace:

Not very good? You must be deaf! Why even go here and drag us down? You dear sir have no taste in music. I can't believe this, "not very good?" Uhuh?

Because you're one of those GN'R fans?



It's 2009. You don't have to buy an actual cd to hear the music.....

So there's people out there listening to it and it won't show up on any sales charts.




/jarmo

I have great respect for both of them.  I just don't like the new album.  It's not trash imo, just not very good is all.

You fail to factor in how closeminded and fickle the masses are.  A lot of people dislike Axl because the media and Slash have spoken so negatively about him over the years that they just accept what they hear.  They think that Axl is to blame for the old lineup disintegrating and hold a grudge about him using the GnR name, so they refuse to give the music a chance and made up their mind they would hate the album before it even came out

Then you have the other factors such as marketing and singles and lack of availability.  There are a lot of people in rural areas and middle America that may have to drive several hours to go to a Best Buy so they simply do not buy the album.  There are many others who may have bought the album if it was available at their local record store or at a Wal-Mart or Target who just download the album because they didn't care enough to make a special trip to Best Buy.  The harder you make it to buy a physical copy the more likely an illegal download takes place

Your "logic" is pretty laughable.  The rest of GnR's catalogue is widely available at all outlets that sell music and doesn't carry all the "this is not GNR it's an Axl solo album, Axl is a dick because Slash and the press say so" negativity

You know, I'm not too suprised that Axl doesn't have that big of a problem w/Duff. He did stick around the longest of the old gunners and I think he was on Axl's side for some things. If you reed the Gilby Clarke interview from 1994 in Kerrang Magazine entitled "War Of The Roses!" (it's in the articles section of HTGH), when asked what was holding up the next GNR record, Gilby says:


I know this was a long time ago, but it seems that Axl and Duff were at least on the same playing field and that point.

 -= izZbo =-

They have released "Track Packs" Vol 1 & 2 and "AC/DC Live", which are all stand alone games.  So it is possible to do the same for GNR.

No, because nickelback is one of those bands he's  talking about in which the  record companies and media outlets force down our throats. Nickelback isn't as good as they are made out to be.

There's some truth to what he's saying, but I don't agree with it all.  First of all..there are plenty of great albums out there that never got their due because of a lack of promotion.  So just as there are bands or albums that get too much attention and promotion, there are plenty of bands or albums that don't get their fair shake in terms of promotion.  I think it goes both ways..and think that every album deserves some promotion.  If an album is good, but has no promotion, there's no way it will find its way to the top.  

I also disagree with him about not selling well.  I think some of your expectations are too high.  The album has sold almost 3 million albums worldwide in bad economic times and is behind only a couple rock acts for top selling album of the last few months.  Axl and GNR haven't been around for a very long time and they've gone through lineup changes.  What do you expect?

And the more Axl speaks out and when videos and a tour hit, sales will only rise.      

Come on.. it's over and done with..has been for a very long time.

...and isn't it the mature listener of music that smells that shit out right away and casts it off. 

Try looking at this thing through a 13-20 year olds eyes, when a lot of your disposable cash goes to music and games.  You probably wouldn't be running out for Chinese Democracy, unless you've decided to broaden yourself past the mainstream.  Yeah maybe you've heard of Gn'R, but your 15 years removed, a generation, from THE HYPE.  The style of music on the album is not "in".  I see a lot written about high expectations.  Whose expectations again?

For this album to be near 3 million units worldwide is solid.  And this isn't a band of 20 somethings anymore that were larger than life cartoon characters.  Now you have 35 to 47 year olds creating music based on a lifetime of experience.  From a 36 year old musicians standpoint, I think this is the best work Axl has ever been a part of.  It has so much depth and precision and emotion.  If I was 17, I'd of seen it completely differently.

Good for Axl doing a interview, Chinese Democracy would be great for Rock Band 2 would extend its promo.  Record Company's are the devil.

You could say this about any band out there jarmo...so technically, you can get the idea of how popular a band is by album sales.  Every band now a days is working in the same environment. But with that said.. I think GNR is doing fine sales wise...and IS catching on.  

I like CD, I certainly don't think it is the greatest album ever made and I still would take Appetite and the Illusions over it. That doesn't mean I am not a fan. I mean everytime Prince releases a CD, I don't go "WOW" thats better than Purple Rain or Emancipation. With Bon Jovi, I love their last album, but nowhere like NJ or Slippery

Its a good album, it has some interesting nicely done musical elements but for me, it just lacks on the rock side of things. I dig CD,Shackler's and Sraped, but Rhiad,Better and IRS don't do much for me.

Chinese Democracy is a brilliant album.  Both Axl and Slash are immensely talented, yet clearly a bit troubled.  A reconciliation would be huge.  Certain people were destined to play music together:  Lennon/McCartney, Townshend/Daltry, Page/Plant, Waters/Gilmore, Strummer/Jones, Jagger/Richards, Jack/Meg, Tyler/Perry.  Let's face it, Axl/Slash were meant to play together - their destinies will be forever entangled.  Axl believes in reincarnation and resolving issues in past lives.  It should be obvious to him that his conflict with Slash is, and forever will be, the defining conflict in his life.  This conflict needs to be resolved, and this is coming from someone that loves Chinese Democracy, saw the new band four times in 2006, and checks the boards every day for the slightest sliver of information.

 ^^^ I see Axl/Izzy more in that regard.  The history and love of songwriting.  C your point though.

There's nothing wrong with not liking Chinese Democracy. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I'll be honest, the first time I heard it, I was disappointed. I liked it, but I wasn't blown away. Of course, after all the years and anticipation, there's no way it could've lived up to the hype. But, in my opinion, the sign of a great album is one that continues to grow with every listen--- an album with many layers that slowly reveal themselves over time. That's what Chinese Democracy is. It isn't an album that you pop in your stereo and instantly fall in love with (and I've noticed that usually when you find one of those albums, the more you listen to it, the less you like it). Chinese Democracy is the way music is supposed to be. It's a complex, intelligent, ever-evolving work of art. I recieved several new CDs for Christmas, and after just listening to them a few times, I was already ready to go back to Chinese Democracy, which I've been listening to nearly every day, all day since November 23rd.

Just because an album doesn't sound well, doesn't mean it's not great. And vice versa. I mean, Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers sell a shitload of albums. Are they better than GNR? Is Taylor Swift better than GNR? AC/DC's Black Ice has sold incredibly well, and that's cool--- I like AC/DC. But Black Ice is one of those albums I received for Christmas, and although it's a solid rock album, there's not really a single track that stands out in my mind. I'm already bored with Black Ice because all the songs blend together--- in the end it all sounds the same, as if you've just been listening to one long ass song. I got the new Buckcherry album, Black Butterfly, and again, I'm already bored with it. I like Buckcherry--- I think they're one of the better "new" rock bands out there--- but again, they only have two styles: down-n-dirty rock'n'roll, and ballads. Josh Todd sounds the same on every fucking song. The band behind him sounds the same on every fucking song.

Chinese Democracy reaches higher than any of those other albums. Axl didn't bust his ass just to put out an album for the sake of making money. That's all most bands care about: the money. But Axl believes in the integrity of the music; he looks at it as an artform. He wants to make the best goddamn album possible. He's experimental, innovative; he doesn't just stick to the same ol' formula, no matter how successful it's been in the past. UYI was not an attempt at re-creating AFD. Neither is CD an attempt at either the UYI sound or the AFD sound. I'm not saying everything works on Chinese Democracy. Sometimes I think, yeah, they might've tampered with that song a bit too much. IMO, "Riad" ranks near the bottom of the GNR canon, alongside songs like "Bad Apples" and "Shotgun Blues." But then there are songs like "Better" and "TWAT" and "Sorry" and, really, basically the entire album, that rank right up there with the best of GNR.

Everyone has a different definition of success. You seem to think it means selling a lot of albums. I disagree. I think Chinese Democracy is a great success. The majority of the fans love it. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's pretty goddamn close.

And as for your assumption that "everyone knows about the album," --- yeah, right. The diehard fans know about the album because we've been following the band. And maybe people who really follow the music industry (or, more specifically, rock'n'roll) know of it too, as you say, but the majority of the buying-public doesn't. So many of my friends have made comments to me like, "So, I hear Chinese Democracy is finally coming out." And I'm like, "Yeah, man, it came out like three months ago." They have no idea. And how would they? If you don't go browsing music websites and you haven't been in  your local Best Buy, you probably don't know the album has been released. If the album was available at every store, including the ever-present Wal-Mart, I think the album would've sold at least twice the copies it has so far, maybe even three times. People would buy this album if they could more easily get their hands on it. I had to wake up and drive nearly forty minutes Nov. 23 to get to the closest Best Buy, whereas I would've had to drive about five minutes to the nearest Wal-Mart, if it had been available there.

You take into consideration the lack of availibility, the lack of promotion, along with the facts that this isn't exactly a "radio-friendly" album, nor is it an album that many people are going to listen to the first time and instantly be head-over-heels about, then yeah, it isn't going to sell a ton. But once a tour starts, once a new single comes out, once there are a few videos circulating, and especially once the exclusive-rights deal with Best Buy expires, then I think the album will regain steam.

^ As usual Gilee7...amazing post!  My only difference is that I have been blown away since the 1st listen...and it's still getting better!

 :beer:

btw, Fuck Slash. 

Oh, sorry. I just thought you didn't like the guitars, the drums or bass on it....

 :hihi:




/jarmo

Um... I'd love to hear a Duff/Axl collaboration, or even a Duff/Izzy/Axl collaboration, because if we're honest, those guys are the only ones of the 'old Guns' to have done anything with artistic merit since UYI.

You said the lack of sales is reflective of quality.  It isn't.  That is a gross oversimplification and shows little to no understanding of the dynamics involved, in my opinion.  I've owned too many great albums that haven't sold a damn.  I've seen it time and again.

Great music does not always succeed.  That just isn't true.

Ali

I guess the interview pretty much puts to rest any thought of a reunion. He really seems to have taken a dislike for Slash.

no that isn't what I said. I said I like the guitars on songs not named Catcher or This I Love.  I just don't like IRS period... Riad is ok..


The drum thing to clarify is:

On Appetite and like Metallica and Motley Crue albums, the drums are in the forefront and are an instrument used to really get the groove and song going.

on CD, the drums are used more as an accompanying tool. There is nothing wrong with that, Drums are normally  just percussion to keep the beat add to the song etc etc

on CD, people are making the drumming out to be like John Bonham rose from the grave or something and I just don't hear it.

for me, it sounds like standard, normal drumming u would hear on 99 percent of music.

the drums don't have any significant, rocket Queen, Paradise City, YCBM, Locomotive lead to them

the drums on CD keep the beat and are sort of low in the mix for the most part but they aren't what u would call "Featured"

I agree with you mostly on everything. Though I liked CD from the start. I wasn't disappointed because I wasn't expecting anything. I knew Axl would do something really not for the masses, it takes a lot of musical intelligence to understand this record... And I don't think Rhiad is bad, not at all, I like it!

But, well said about how the record grows and how all songs have an identity of their own, the album doesn't fade in our minds neither becomes an uniform mass, a long boring song. Chinese Democracy is the only record that has this effect on me since... I don't remember when. It's mind-blowing. Not in the rebel kind of way like AFD - that made us want to go out and change the world - but in a more introspective way. The music in it has depth, emotion, and it rewards us every time we hear it.


Totally true. I know people that think that GnR is over. Most people I know have no idea that the band or even just Axl (if they consider that GnR without slash is not GnR) is still active. A lot of people have not heard about Chinese Democracy's release. We know it because we were looking for news on it everyday. But the average music listener has no access to CD. The best buy deal has to end and the video has to come out in orde to make the album available for more people.

I thought you hated the majority of the guitar playing on it....



I guess your own songs falls under that 1%?  ;)


Did you ever think that the drumming isn't supposed to be the things you described? Because then it would "take away" from the songs?

Maybe Tommy Lee's drums are mixed high because they don't have an Axl Rose singing or Buckethead, Bumblefoot, Richard Fortus, Robin Finck, Paul Tobias or even Axl on guitar? Maybe they need to bring Tommy Lee's drums up in the mix to hide all the rest that their songs lack?

Maybe GN'R don't have to....


And obviously Appetite was mixed to give it a certain sound.





/jarmo

I really love this interview. I don?t think Axl and Slash were a Magic Duo. I consider more special Axl and Izzy. People have made more important this relationship than it really was. I think that Axl and Slash were partners in one stage of their life but sometimes the differences between people are really important. I think that Izzy was more important for Axl because they were friends when they were teenagers but I think that the relationship with Slash wasn?t very deep. I always appreciate Axl?s honesty. It would be horrible that he made a reunion with Slash just to please the fans. On the other hands I think CD is an impressive album. Sales are not equal to quality (examples Shakira, Britney Spears, New Kids on the Block). CD is a very deep album. I think that Appetite and CD are both wonderful album, just different and that?s normal because they were made in different stage of the life. Maybe AFD was an album that feed the rebel of young and maybe for this was such massive success. Now Axl is older, the kids that enjoy AFD (like me) are older and for me is better now listening an album like CD than to listen AFD2. Anyway I am happy to read words from Axl mouth and I hope that he continues making very good music no matter if is a commercial success or not.

"A lot of people have not heard about Chinese Democracy's release. We know it because we were looking for news on it everyday. But the average music listener has no access to CD. The best buy deal has to end and the video has to come out in orde to make the album available for more people"


AGREE WITH YOU!

That's my point Jarmo. It isn't a slight on the drummers, but to say the drumming on CD is like this marvelous amazing thing and Adler and Appetite drumming is somehow all of a sudden substandard is just ridiculous.

I try to be honest, non objective and just speak the truth. I'm not gonna say something is amazing just to try and kiss ass and make people think im a "Fan" or whatever the hell that means.


Instead of insults, I am a pretty reasonable person, someone could just say

Hey, I don't agree, U should check out If The World 2 minutes in, it has a nice fill and a kick drum, hi hat, snare pattern


but no, cause the only comeback anyone has, is some stupid personal shot at me, which is hilarious considering u are insulting a drum machine I used 8 years ago and not me. ;)

Drum machines have feelings to damn it!  :P

Nice read, good to hear about the writing of videos, I'm sure the Better one will be a joy to watch!

Did I say that?

I happen to like both albums, a lot.





Non-objective? I don't believe that.

The truth? According to who?

You're talking about PERSONAL opinions. Is your opinion the so called truth? Not really...




Of course not.

Especially if it's GN'R.  :P




Insult?

You're not the only one who can be honest, speak the truth and be objective.

So suddenly it's an insult to say that the drums on your own songs aren't anything special?

But when you say the same about GN'R, it's just you being honest..... Hypocritical?



If you can't hear the amazing musicianship on Chinese Democracy, it's your loss.

It would be stupid to try to dissect the whole album for little drum fills because all you need to is to listen to it and forget the "it's not Appetite For Destruction!  :'( " attitude.



/jarmo

Some insight to the album.  I think though the highroad could have been taken.  And there still seems to be zero accountablility.  At least he was honest, I respect that.

Very interesting interview.

It's about time something is said about how poor this record company has been to Guns n' roses.

Your medicine doesn't taste so sweet now, does it?

What?  Axl is one of the most brilliant singers ever.... That wasn't a very "brilliant" interview.  Its about on Scott Weiland level of interviews.  But, he was honest. He honestly doesn't like his record company, has no plans to tour, focus is Chinese Democracy, and will never play with Slash again.

Why should the high road be taken regarding parties who haven't shown the same courtesy?

Your boy trashed Axl and forever damaged his reputation for close to ten years.

Only since 2007 did he start taking the high road.

Now, it's Axl's turn.  Let the games begin.

and what are these games ???

Good to hear from Uncle Axl on his birthday.  : ok:

Is that how 47 year olds should act?  What about "turn the other cheek"?  Kidding. 

Because its the bigger thing to do.  I really don't care, just rather hear about the new album and stuff like that... I thought Axl wouldn't "talk about the old band"..... Just proves to me he is no different that the people that talked shit about him really.  I like Axl and I like CD, so it doesn't really matter to me about that, I just call it like I see it.

Didn't Billboard e-mail him the questions to be answered?  I don't think Axl constructed the interview and questioning on his own.  And let's face it, ALL interviews Axl will do in the future will deal with Slash and the old members to some extent.  There's no escaping that.  Unless Axl refused to answer, but then people would call him a bitch for not answering. 

The question was asked by Billboard about Slash or else he wouldn't of said anything regarding him ! Slash is a piece of shit ! go save a elphant you washed up stuck in the 80's guitarist.

Yes. It is really ironic that GN'R "fuck you" image was created by Universal, who later turned on the band, blaming the very image that they had a hand in creating.



Just out of interest:


Body of Lies?  Universal Film?

The Wrestler? Independent Film?

Interview With A Vampire - Warners...

Terminator 2: Judgement Day?

Axl is shown in this interview as being the smart one.  The record company is stupid not to push the album ! no wonder CD sales r slumping ! give the real artist who make real music the promotion not some nobody who has a pretty face.

You know what I love about all this? Is the dieying thing Axl said. So radical but so true.

Maybe some of us (and even Axl) are picturing them both being locked together in a room.
Ultimate fighting, MMA!
Only one would be left alive or both would kill each other. So we'd end this reunion talk once and for all!

I surely want Axl to live out  ;)
And I'm sick and tired of reunion talk.

Why on earth didn't the record company want a music video to accompany the albums release? This is one of the most anticipated releases in recent history (I knew about this album being made long before I was into GN'R)... and they don't think it's a good idea to commission a video to help promote it?

What kind of shitty-ass label are they running over there?

Considering GnR had the biggest debut week of 2008 for their label, you would think that Interscope would have considered promoting the album more but with the non-existent post-release promotion, specifically the lack of push for Better, they clearly didn't give a damn

I swear it's an ageist thing. Older artists never get airplay, videos shown etc by mainstream media. Look at Prince, Tori Amos... pretty much any act over 40 (barring Madonna).

I think labels view well-established acts as an easy money maker. They don't have to promote them because they know they have a fanbase already waiting to buy the record.

I hope the next interview Axl gives goes into the detail behind the meaning of the songs. I am already getting sick of this he said/she said legal shit about record companies and band members.

It's always gonna be Axl vs the rest of the world. We get that now. I would like to see the journo's ask more questions about the music and the creative process.e.t.c.

I think the drums are kinda "featured" in songs like Scraped and Prostitute.

He may not want to go into specific details. Much of his writing comes from a  personal/complicated place.

He might elaborate on how he writes... But he also did say that "the music should speak for itself"...

He did say on the forum interviews that if the questions weren't too personal, he would answer them.

Maybe a autobiography one day, will be the answer.

did axl say something about video for better?

Did you not read the article?

The video for better is being finalized. Supposedly.

Axl, I don't know why you don't have an immense headache 24/7.  The cd is out there for people to buy and they can hear the music, goal achieved. 

Your a musician not a businessman.  You brought the best management out there.  They like playing in this stuff, pass it off to them and get us out of this nightmare.  Not telling you what to do but as a fan, I'm happiest when the band is on the road.  I could give a flying fuck about the booklet, music video's, songs in movies and on games.  Won't hurt my feelings if you leave that all behind and go sing with your friends.  GNR is at their best when they perform.  There's nothing like GNR live.  Just my opinion.  I can shut up and share my big bottle of asprin if you find that more helpful.

Without knowing the specifics, one thing is for sure, it costs money to make one.

Assuming the record company wasn't into spending time or money on promotion, maybe they didn't think a video was necessary until Best Buy started asking for one.

Then suddenly the record company's stance on a video changed....




/jarmo

I must disagree with Axl on the record label front though. someone that allows u to take 10 years and spend 13 million dollars of their money BELIEVES in you, cause there aren't many other bands that would've been afforded that luxury.

Best Buy deal, the label recouped there money and did bail on the album,but I think it isn't fair to say they weren't supported.

If any of you are interested in learning more about the music industry, which might help you see things from all sides and also see how simple or complicated some things can be, buy All You Need To Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman

The people who gave the original $10 million advance were gone by 1998 or 1999 according to an article I read last year.  So the vast majority of that money/support came from people who have been gone for over a decade

What was the mention of Tommy about at the beginning of the interview? Did they phone him up and he just agreed with everything or what?

Obviously they were allowed to record, but that's not the same as being supported. Axl seems to be saying that pressure from the label was at times disruptive. Sure a lot of bands wouldn't get the luxuries afforded GNR, but that's because those other bands aren't GNR. Bigger stakes et al.

It sounds to me like the band, including Axl, wants to ramp up the promotion of the album -- and are starting to slowly take matters into their own hands.  Maybe things aren't going to happen overnight, but it also looks like a tour is probably going to happen in the future.  We, as fans, have a new album that rocks.  Things could be a lot worse.

Dearest Axl,
I meant to send you a msg on Feb 6 which is Waitangi day in N.Z. I will never forget the day you came here in'92 and hav missed you ever since.
I'm sorry it has been such hell for you, for so long. It has been for me too. You hav been producing albums, I hav been producing children.
Nevertheless, this world is full of vampires that feast on anything precious and sacred as though their life depended on it.
I would rather be somewhere else but I can't die cause then there would be no one- to protect them.
Saying Happy Birthday is just a cliche like so many others. I used to try and celebrate your birthday, Waitangi Day, Bob Marley's birthday all at once. I wish you would come here again.
The weight of the world is getting heavier and heavier and my birthday message to you is yes, let it slip off your shoulders. You have given so much, you have given your soul , which is why so many loved you. Only you can say if you sold it to the devil, and why we don't see it no more. Or is it that they tried to destroy you cause what you gave was so real?
I can say I honestly loved you, and miss your beautiful shining spirit giving everything that you are to the whole wide world.
I find it hard to listen to your new album and see you cos i hear and see your pain and suffering, and I feel it in my own life.
So you are 47 now? I have seen your spirit shining on stage(in '91) and I know that is who you are, and i hope you wont forget that.
I'm sorry you have suffered so much. I am not surprised, and do beleive it is a miracle you and your album have lived and survived . i and my children have suffered for so long, but that we are still alive is something  I wish I could be greatful for.' Don't throw your pearls before swine'....... they will hunt you down and devour you anyway.
 Instead of writing a birthday message to you, I have been trying to warn people that our local council is going to aerial spray willow trees near  where our children swim and play. trying to protect my little daughter from her father who has taken me to court so he can have "contact " with her- alone. Anyway , she is calling me and if I don't send this now I probably never will.
 I tried to send this early, cause your birthday is tomorrow here, but it's late,  and I'm sorry.
my  son's computer has been fucking up and there is never enough time to do what i really want to do, with all the wolves at the door.
I would love to see you happy, and you, and free and alive, and beholden to no one.
Anyway, I gotta go .... love you
 :love:

Amen. Perfect put.

That I'll print out and stick on the fridge. Daily GN'R pledge ha ha. "I firmly believe that..." :hihi:

But seriously, as if it hasn't been clear long enough, it's now crystal clear. Axl said he and Slash will never share the stage again. Meaning ever.

As much as the mention of past members is always juicy on the forum, the real news was definitely in the last answer. I think he answered the questions that have been topic number one here about promotion. We've all known about the negative and unfair press Axl and GNR have gotten over the years, and it seems the plan has always been to take time to deal with that. Not to have a big roll-out and media campaign that would feed into it. To me that makes sense, if only because the album is so strong and with so many tracks (there's hardly a song that isn't considered their favorite by someone). It's been so long since the UYI days, and there's a whole new lineup now, so i think it's good to take time to build something new. And i also think it's important that they be careful about when and how to approach large market media that they don't get taken advantage of, used for a buck or blindsided by harsh opinions, unfair questions, dishonest editing, etc. It's a big task, and i think GNR is wisely choosing not to put the cart before the horse.

People write songs so as not to have to express things in words... Read into it what you like, or better yet, what you feel.

My main problem with Axl is that he never seems to take any blame for anything.

Slash is the biggest jerk alive, and Axl was perfect?
I just don't buy it. 

Slash's book was a lot less hateful than any of Axl's interviews.

I've been following this band since 1987, and I continue to enjoy whatever they put out.
Axl sounds today, as he did in his interviews in the late 80s.  He's pissed off at everything,
everyone does him wrong, and he is just some poor wounded boy that always seems to
get a raw deal?  I just don't put too much weight into someone that acts like
they never do anything wrong. 

Axl, you are a great singer, love the new cd, but I'm
never going to believe you didn't play your part in the band breaking up in the 90s.
Everyone is guilty, everyone made mistakes, and you have played a big role
in the problems that happened in the past. 

In this interview Axl does not mention the devastating breakup at all.

He is referring to some of the things that transpired over the years after that.

true. He's not on about the breakup. It's the war after that and ongoing.

he's not pissed off at bestbuy.
he's not pissed off at robin, BH or even at duff.
he never acts as if he's perfect.  for example he said he was idiot for drinking too much after a show.

I.R.S. lyric:

"wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong"

An excellent post. And dead on IMHO. "Promotional Mystery" solved as far as I'm concerned. I also think the bolded is PARTICULARLY important here.

"although Zach [Horowitz, Universal Music Group president/COO], or whoever's behind the international efforts, is doing great. "

donno if it's true. maybe yes in Germany or holland.
But it seemed to me that the efforts have been just the average ones any foreign big name album gets and nothing special.  even modester than in US. the difference is that we can buy the album at any record store. and the fans haven't been fed as many lines by the media  as the us fans, I reckon.


dead on.  : ok:

he also said his the king dickhead. I don't think so but as he insists....

has this posted yet?

?Chinese Democracy? Comes To ?Rock Band? This Spring (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/02/06/chinese-democracy-rock-band/)

?Rock Band 2″ featured a single track off the mythical ?Chinese Democracy? album from Guns ?n Roses and since the record?s release, rumors swirled the entire album would hit ?Rock Band,? rumors an MTV Games spokesperson confirmed today....

...Rumors inched closer to reality this morning, when Guns ?n Roses frontman Axl Rose told Billboard ?Chinese Democracy? was coming to ?Rock Band? on February 28.

An MTV Games spokesperson told us Rose was speaking the truth, but clarified ?Chinese Democracy? wouldn?t arrive in playable form until sometime this spring.

is now

They supported the making of the album until they decided not to anymore. Then they decided to put out the Greatest Hits.

Promotion wise, they haven't supported the album they way it deserved.

It seems like they're not interested in it too much.... They're more concerned about the Pussycat Dolls and Lady GaGa.




/jarmo

^ yeah, absolutely. they don't seem to give a shit about their best album of 2008, quite shocking imo.

I think it would be best if they moved GN'R from Interscope to another label under the Universal umbrella.

Fuck that gangster Jimmy Iovine.  This is what Bono would look like if he had a unibrow.

(http://sohhdotcom.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/07/23/jimmyiovine20080723300x300.jpg)

They want the $$$, not the art...the whole maximize profits/cut costs bullshit.  With small 'daring' labels like Geffen swallowed whole by the mega-labels, there is little chance of ever seeing another GnR (and certainly NEVER another ChiDem)...and sadly it looks like somebody has decided that 'our' band is going to be left 'unwatered' until it dries up and falls off the vine.  The funny thing is - I am willing to bet that Axl is smart/strong enough, and GnR has enough of a fan base, to drive on...even with minimum label support.   : ok:

i read Axl's response about the record label and i'm a little lost. it seems like he wanted creative help? am i reading that right?

also, i see people bitching about the record label's lack of promotion for the album. but i'm not sure why. Axl hasn't promoted this thing at all (which would cost nothing except his time), so why should the record label be expected to pay $$ to do so? in fact, reading Axl's response it doesn't seem like he's all that upset about thier lack of promotion. it seems like he's upset about how Interscope handled other things regarding the album. 

agreed.

As far as a tour is concerned, if you are gonna quote Axl, don't chop up his words. Give his quote the full context and everything he said. This is exactly what he said: Are you planning to tour?

"No plans, but there's talk. Management and our promoters are really excited with the offers coming in both here and worldwide."

He said there are no plans to tour. Also, did you notice that he didnt say HE is excited about the offers that are coming in? Sounds like he's not too interested in touring. or am I missing what he said?

He also said something like doing a tour, making a couple of videos, and proper artwork would make things complete.  So he IS interested in touring.

Because that's what they're supposed to do....

If they had interest in the album, they'd promote it.



Here's the answer to your question:

The opinions expressed or "jumped" on publicly regarding promotion seem to be [about] my or our involvement with mainstream media -- talk shows, rock magazines and dot-coms -- which have generally held negative public stances toward myself or the band for years, [and they] unfortunately have not been resolved. Efforts are being made to understand the relationships and evaluate how best to proceed.

Our focus was in getting the record deal done while finishing the album, which hit many an unexpected bump or sinkhole in the road right up until the actual release. We never intended a huge public rollout, especially without resolving certain issues, and no one ever suggested us doing so, though Interscope's communications with Best Buy in these areas may not have been as clear as anyone would have preferred.

Our approach, for better or worse, has always been to work the record over the course of the following tour cycles, with attempts to forge new or better and hopefully redefined relationships with the different forms of media that may be interested along the way. In regard to our promotion, it was based around certain agreements with Universal, Interscope, our management and legal [teams] that unfortunately never happened. I won't get into specifics but am beginning to address some of those issues in my own way as opposed to "working together," and we'll see how that plays out.


Once again, he mentions things not going as they had originally planned/agreed on.

Still you keep asking "Why?"...



/jarmo

I think it is fairly obvious what happened.

Videos cost money, ad space in magazines costs money etc etc

The label were some 13 million in the hole, I think they were so excited to have Best Buy erase CD off their books, they didn't give a shit what it sold.

Think about it, they already made their money up front, so why now would they spend money on an album they've already made their money on?

GNR get the raw end of the Best Buy Deal but that is where the "Loan Shark" reference is spot on with Axl. The label no longer care about GNR, they just wanted to be reimbursed cause they know they can continue to profit off the back catalog of GNR and no longer be 13 million in the red.


I am gonna try to be more positive with CD.  I don't think anymore that sales or any kind of success even matters. I think its great Axl got the huge monkey off his back, now he can breathe and just make the music he wants to make. The pressure has to tremendously be a lot less than before.

Jimmy Iovine promotes stuff that he sees as fresh and new. Nothing wrong with that. I don't really think CD is all that great. I think that there are 6 amazing songs on CD. They should release those songs as singles. SOD, ITW, TWAT, CnTR, Maddy or TIL. They release those as singles the sales would pick up.

As for the other labels under Universal, none of them will promote the album. There's no money. The only label with money under the universal umbrella is Island/DefJam.

You don't think an album with 6 amazing songs is all that great?

That may be part of the reason they are 'gone'?

I can't understand why the label would not want a music video ? Im glad Best Buy requested one, I always think music needs a visual.

Because making one would mean spending money?



/jarmo

You gotta spend money to make money.

The "fine" people at Universal must not have taken an economics class.

i understand that the label didn't live up to their end of the deal with regards to promotion. but from the record label's perspective, don't you think they were expecting Axl to be promoting this thing BEFORE it was released? Axl has a long-term plan, but maybe that caught the label off guard.

did you ever consider that the label may feel that they could do all the promotion in the world, but without Axl front and center, their promotion would not be effective?

but regardless of what actually happened, as a fan i can't hold the label soley responsible when the artist hasn't done anything more.

Although veteran acts like GnR usually have more favorable deals, the fact is that the record label has a lot more to gain from high record sales than the artist does.  I'm not sure why people expect Axl to go out and bust his ass promoting an album when he the amount of money he sees from the deal isn't going to be much different whether the album sells 1,000,000 or 2,000,000.  The artist makes the vast majority of their revenue from touring, merchandise, licensing, and so on, much more so than they do from record sales particularly short term record sales from one album.  I remember reading an article where Azoff was talking about the questionable benefits of selling the music of veteran acts on iTunes, when one of the Eagles commented that all the royalties he's earned from iTunes amount to about 45 minutes on stage in Kansas City

What we have here is an unusual case.  #1, the vast majority of money that the record label spent on this album was spent a decade ago.  #2, it was spent by people who are have not been there for about a decade.  The original advance was supposedly $10,000,000, and the executive who greenlit the album was let go not too long after, the reason being I believe that Geffen was absorbed by Interscope or at least put under their control and completely restructured

So you have an album that cost a lot of money, but most of that money was spent so long ago and spent by people who are long gone.  The people currently involved don't have nearly much invested in the album as they would if they were the ones who had given the huge advance the go ahead.  You say why should the label spend money to promote the album, but why should Axl bust his ass to promote the album and make money for a label that clearly does not care very much about the album?  Any promotional efforts Axl made as far as what people are asking for are more beneficial financially for the label than for him.  Of course increased sales may help the band in terms of touring revenue but by how much?  Many established bands have run into these issues before and proceeded to go the independent route, which seems to be the way the industry is headed at least for estalished acts who don't need big record sales anymore to sell tickets to their shows

i think your whole take is an over-simplification of the situation.

didn't the record label basically "sell" 1.3M records via Best Buy? and there's been less than 600,000 records sold. so the next 700,000 wouldn't make the label any money. so why exactly should they invest $$ in promotion? there would be a return of $0.00 on every dollar invested at this point.

so who knows, maybe the label has more of a long-term approach similar to Axl's.

also, to answer your question, i think increased record sales would significantly help tour revenues. how don't see how you could argue it any other way.

Did you think that maybe they should've thought about that before changing plans?

The same applies to Axl!

He should be out there promoting the album without any support from the label?




No, of course you can't hold the same label that released a Greatest Hits album against the artist's wishes responsible.

They must be the ambassadors of goodwill!

 ::)



Too bad they haven't managed to tell the artist (Axl) about all their secret marketing plans.....





/jarmo

the GH album is a separate issue. record labels are scum. no one is disagreeing with that fact.

didn't the label try to get in touch with Axl around the time of the release, but couldn't find him anywhere?

and i'm not saying Axl should be out promoting it. i'm just saying there's no need to get worked up over the label's lack of promotion. and yeah, i guess its a chicken or the egg situation as far as promotion goes.

i probably don't fully understand the process, but if best buy bought 1.3 million records, why would the label spend money on promotion? to me it's pretty obvious that they would not spend a dime on promotion in the U.S., but spend outside the U.S. to promote since they don't have the up-front sales from a retailer (which fits with Axl saying the Interscope International has been fine).
   

you don't consider a reported $13million money?

i agree that it's stupid they didn't promote it. but to say you gotta spend money to make money after how much they put into this is insane.

They got their album, got money from GH AND Best Buy.

SO why not throw a few bones Axl's way and make sure you promote it better?

Agree w you!....but maybe they already invest enough money on it.

In case you haven't noticed, when something doesn't go as people expect, all focus is on Axl.

When fans don't see any promotion, it's all blamed on him. He's often held responsible for things that are either out of his control or he had nothing to do with.


It's a real shame that the record business is what it is. Marketing shit like The Pussycat Dolls is more important than real artists...



/jarmo

whoa slow down, u can't really call timbaland, scott storch and dr dre shit.  plus nicole scherzinger is almost perfect :)

Jarmo's right ! and you wonder why the record industry is going down the toilet.  What about future material, they used the reported 13 mill on 40 others songs its not like this is a one and done album.  I really hope Axl takes this promotion thing into his own hands, and it sounds like he is.

I hope he forgoes all the traditional marketing outlets and just tours with a consistent group of players.

There is a whole counter-culture of music that does just fine without being lauded on TV and magazines.  Once Gn'R fell off I started getting into bands like Phish for a stretch.  I liked their inventiveness and the focus of a live show.  They made a ton of money without label support, because as it's been said, artists make their main living from touring and merch and licensing.

I keep seeing this $13 mil thrown around, and finally someone had the right notion to remind us that $10 of that was given as an advance after UYI.  When that advance was given, regardless of how it was used, how much money do you think Gn'R had made the labels at that time?  Without putting an exact number my guess would be a shit-ton more than $10 million.  The remaining 3 million is chump change compared to the scope and inventiveness of CD.

I say let the labels piss on each other trying to recoup their precious $13 mil.

I hope Axl settles on three kick ass guitarists, get Brain back on board (though Frank is slammin'), calls-up Dizzy and Pitman, let Stinson throw on some "General's attire", invite Izzy out for some dates, maybe use some back up singers again (myself and my female vocalist will audition), and tour the world for a year.

Of course at the end of the day he'll do what he wants to do, deservedly so.  Was listening to CD again all weekend, still have friends that jump in my truck and are blown away they have not heard it yet, suckers!

Personally, I thought Best Buy was great too ... but only because every time an alternate 'cover' was cancelled, they sent me FREE money to spend at Best Buy.  (I made over $100 clear before CD was even released.)  ;D

But I'm curious as to why Axl thinks they're great?  ???   

you answered yourself, they got their money, it's all they care about.

anything else now to them is a bonus, they don't care about the music itself.

I'm almost sure that geffen recieved a piece of gnr tour money

No I do not because I don't think the other songs are even that good. The six I named I can listen to over and over, the other 8 I can't stand, I did like the music in Sorry but the lyrics not so much. So roughly 43% of the album is amazing and the other 57% isn't.

The only way GNR is going to get the money for promotion will be if Universal moves them to Island or they get dropped and sign to an indie label, or put stuff out like NIN does, so its mostly profit.

The point is most albums don't have 6 singles. If you're talking about 6 singles being released, then you're talking about an above average album.
You're entitled to your opinion about the individual songs, but you have to realize that many people disagree with you. It seems that you're not a big fan of this bands sound on the more rock or louder tracks. That's fine but it's a very subjective opinion. I don't think most people who listen to this album decide they love half of it and hate the other half. You can't stand Better, but most fans and critics alike list it as a standout.

I agree about the difficulty in getting any money out of Universal, but an indie label is definitely not the answer. As a rule the smaller labels will work harder but have less resources, and the big labels have the resources but will only spend them on guaranteed returns. The way NIN does things may be pointing to the future, but i don't think it's here yet. I think you lose out on commercial potential that way. It's mostly profit, but the material never goes as far as it could.

While Axl is not to be fully blamed for how this album has been released and promoted he certainly shares the responsibility. Being that he is the captain of this ship and its his band, name, album, career, etc I expected him to take control of how all of that was going to be presented to the public once he handed over the album. Of course the record company plays a role, especially financially, but I thought and expected the creative side would all be on Axl. And in reality, it should be because this is his entity. That is really the only thing I have been surprised/confused/disappointed with Axl about after all of these years.

If your going move on from the old band then ultimately your the one who is accountable and responsible for how it turns out. No one else. Whether fair or unfair, the general public feels that Axl broke up the old band and is the reason there wont be a reunion. As a result, Axl should not expect anyone to give him the benefit on anything new gnr related. Whether the record company screwed the band or not, people dont want to hear excuses. Axl turned in any public lee-way he may have had after  he continued on without the old band.

Once Axl figures that out...and EXECUTES it, this whole process will be a lot smoother.

agreed

Here is my thing

Sure it isn't "ALL" Axl's fault, but u guys are acting as if he has NO fault, and I don't understand that.

Not trying to argue or this or that. Just want to know why he never has any blame whatsoever.

There's a lot of things I don't understand. Like how you can claim 75% of the guitars suck on the album.

But, anyway... The whole "no fault" thing is silly.

Everybody makes decisions based on something.

So Axl chose not to promote the album as you had hoped. Of course, without knowing any reason(s), you (as in a group of people) can just do your usual "Axl didn't do anything to promote the album, it's his fault" routine.

Once you learn the reason(s) behind his decision, maybe you think for a second and realize that things aren't always that easy.





/jarmo

I dont' think thinking and D go very well together.  :(

Its really weird about the louder tracks as I love loud, fast, angst ridden music. I guess its weird to me because part of the album sounds dated to me and then the other part sounds timeless. Hard to explain.

I know people disagree with me on the music and that's great. I think its great people love the music as much as they do. Hopefully they can do what they need to with this album and they can make more music, go on more tours and all that good stuff. I respect all the blood sweat and tears they put into getting this ball rolling.

The big labels problems isn't just that they will only spend it on big returns, the other problem is they give every band that goes platinum these days their own imprint and A&R staff and let these jackoffs believe they can spot talent and bring bands up. But all we get is a clusterfuck of similar sounding shit. That's when the labels really really tanked.

Axl, Duff and Izzy...that'd be fucking cool to hear a new song with them

Years ago, Axl wasn;t interested in being with Izzy and now he has him on tour and maybe in a studio on the 3rd new GNR album (or 4th or something)?
Now, Axl is talking about being interested in collaborating with Duff (without fellow alumni) - (maybe on the 5th new GNR album)

Time is on the side of a GNR reunion. Maybe if Slash and Axl take a few years off from bashing each other in the media then they can resolve their pending issues and reunite musically (on the 15th new GNR album)

MNW

Did you read the interview?  ???

a few years? to my knowledges axl hadn't made any remark on slash or any of them for several years.
 
his talking about the maybe collaborations just shows he's basically rather lenient.

"but that's it, and not something I'd have to really get down into, as I'd get left with sorting it out and then blamed on top of it. So, no, not me."

I was wrong in thinking it finally silenced reunionists.  :-\

Guns N' Roses are on the album.

You finally got what you'd waited for and now why the fuss?

So you are saying that Axl is selfish because he does not live up to your expectations is he.. ?  ;)

You are out of your mind my man. They tour, you get an album, interview with billboard, q&a with online sites and you're still bitching? WTF lol. They will tour again, but they are not going to say shit untill it's set in stone cuz if something change, you get pissed.

And you know who's in the band and you know who's on the record so what is your problem? If you're refering to robin, that has been answerd.

You mean like coming to the fan message boards and answer questions?

By the way, you don't have to wait anymore. The album was released in November 2008.  : ok:



What's pathetic is people who want Axl to change to suit their needs/lives. People who feel "owed".





/jarmo

There's a wonderful section on this website called "biographies."

Spend some time getting to know Guns N' Roses.

Now I know why Axl kept his mouth shut all these years..if he says white, tomorrow it will turn into gray and day after that it'll be black.  :no: The man was just trying to be nice about it. Axl said it as clearly as he could: "one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is." If that for someone is a sign of a reunion then I don't know what isn't - maybe VR finding a new vocalist in some time in the future is also a part of a reunion plan..  ;D

That's exactly what it meant... it's especially obvious since saying Axl did NOT say "Slash is sickening" -- that was a misquote by flaungun.  Axl elaborately explained that the fact that some people put their entertainment desires ahead of others' personal feelings is sickening.  It's very cut and dry, and obvious what he meant.


Personally, I'm surprised as hell that Axl said he'd consider working with Duff here and there again.

Here's the pics* they used in the hardcopy of the mag.

(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/BB_feb142009_1.jpg)

(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/BB_feb142009_2.jpg)

(http://gypsysoul.lunarpages.com/BB_feb142009_3.jpg)

*The only photographer credit I see is for ERIK WARD/RETNA on the second pic.

read the interview again.  he said no more than one alumni at a time.

What I don't understand is, Duff, and Izzy have trashed Axl just as bad if not worse than Slash has, so why is it only Slash he wants nothing to do with?

Yes, a very big deal.

Ask most sensible fans and they'll tell you the same.

He answered the fans' questions instead of talking to the usual journalists.




It meant a lot to many fans.



Who said they won't tour? If you read the article this thread is about, Axl mentions "tour cycles".


By the way, if you're gonna keep posting insults aimed at posters here, I suggest you log out.




/jarmo

What are you smoking?   Izzy and Duff haven't even come close to saying the crap slash has.

I would post Izzy's bashfest but it would get deleted.

does it really matter anyways?   we don't know whats been said or done behind the scenes.   people have their reasons and this so is not even worth discussing any more.   all these years laeter, Axl definitely closed the door on this in very clear words, and people still want to talk about it.

Again....+1.

Thanks for posting these...very cool to see.  :yes:

+2.

What's the matter with people these days anyway? Get a life...

Gypsy, is this magazine available at all newsstands nationwide?

Izzy doing it a couple times doesn't match up to the last 15 years of slash saying something every 6 months

why is that sad i bet there 2 more albums or maybe 3 like baz says

WTF with these guy??!!...is nor respect in these forum???....maybe he is in a roid rage....when Axl came to the board and talked to the fans meat a lot to me, more than any interview he can make anywhere....Its only 2 and a half months since the CD released and some people are freakin out saying there is no tour....

Are you sure about that?. As far as I know Izzy and Duff said the same things (or crap as you know it). The difference is that Slash was more recurrent, but all of them said words as Axl was became a sort of dictator, was intransigent, etc...

Not sure if this is true but from Billboard and the Forum Q&A it seems the story slash came out with about axl ending the band if they didn't sign the name over to Axl seems to have put Slash on a different level of dislike compared to the other alumni. 

Are you certain that slash is the originator of the 'axl wouldn't go' bs?

Dex didn't specify who, did he?

I read that Tom Zutaut told it in spin interview first.

Yes, but non of the GNR alumni has ever publicly disputed Slash over any of his miscarriages in the GNR history telling.
Only Axl.

It tells me personally that either they are kissing up to Slash, guilty with their own motives in playing out their version GNR legacy in public, or Axl is wrong in his story telling.

MNW

Duff has gone on record several times saying that he remembers things significantly differently to Slash.

Yeah.  :yes:

It's dated Saturday, February 14, 2009.  I believe it hits most newsstands today (Wednesday, Feb 11).

Gotta Love Axls way of being brutally honest

I can be as ironic as I wish. :)



Better get used to not getting everything you want.

It's called life.



/jarmo

What's so hard to understand? The ONLY thing you know is what's been said in the press. You haven't heard anything from behind the scenes. You don't know who said what to who. Unless you were hididng around the corner for the past 15 years and/or had wiretaps on everybodys phones, you don't know shit. If Axl feels that stongly about Slash, then I'm sure he has a damn good reason too, one that you, I or anyone else knows nothing about. Use your brain and think before you speak.

No, please stop with the irony, I can't handle it.  it's too much!

Those pics from the actual magazine look sweet. I swear most publications seek out the worst possible pictures of "braid" Axl (usually from '02). He looks totally sweet and like the total fucking rockstar that he is.


my two cents on the on going discussion here regarding the ex-bandmates. All I know is, I am totally excited about the prospect of Axl working with Duff and/or Izzy again, along with any other alumni that he wants. I'm not looking for a reunion, but I think that certain alumni had an influence on the band playing certain types of songs, and while I don't want GNR to go backwards, I don't want them to forget their Bluesier roots either.

It would be my dream to have Axl having multiple projects (like 2) going, one that consisted of the new members with their new (totally awesome) sound, and another with some alumni that had a more traditional sound. I know it's impossible, but this is my dream senario people.

Pussy? That's what I think you are, pussy.

Nowhere did I insult you, you fucking moron.


Now, those are insults.

Maybe you can see the difference.

Next time you do it, will be the last.   :hihi:


You seem to be one of those martyrs who beg to be banned only to cry about the injustice.

"Ban me, I don't care. Fuck you, you pussy. Ass kisser!"

And then it's "They banned me because I disagreed  :crying: ".


Talk about pathetic.





/jarmo

Awww, you deleted yourself....





/jarmo

(http://media.ign.com/boards/images/icons2/movies_BrickTamland.gif)

LOUD NOISES!

dude would have been even more hilarious if he went all caps.

Later Kummer.

Had to quote Jarmo for the absolute truth on this one!  : ok:

Mmm hmmmm.  After leaving GNR, Izzy gave a public interview in which he called Axl "a fucking redneck hayseed trailor trash son of a bitch", and also said that Axl was like Hitler.  Slash hasn't said anything near that bad.

Duff has generally been nicer to Axl.



Yes, Tom Zutaut was the first to mention it, in that very July 1999 issue of Spin.  HOWEVER -- Axl misquoted and misinterpreted it when addressing the issue.    They just said that GNR was looking at having to cancel the tour, and that the band was going to break up, if the "Axl owns the name" papers weren't signed.  That's different than being backstage and refusing to come out to perform unless the document was signed, which is what Axl was implying everyone said.

Arguing about GNR is serious fucking business! :hihi:

What an angry young man.

Ummm, anyway, on to other business.

Gypsy, I will head down to a big old newsstand tomorrow.  I checked a few supermarkets and pharmacies today, but they don't carry Billboard.  I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

That rumor has been going around for years.  Go look at Peter Wilkinson's story on Axl for RS in the Spring of 2000.  It states very clearly that Axl allegedly said something to the effect of "sign the papers or  I won't go on stage tonight." 

Bottom line is that it never happened.  Not because Axl said so, but for the reason he said, which was correct.  You can't force someone to sign a contract under duress and have that contract be legally enforceable.

Ali

well i obviously dont know what Axl feels, but maybe he knows that his fight with Izzy was  "understandable" between friends, they were friends for long time ,  im not sure if Izzi told stories that were not true, "Axl is worst than hitler" is mean but its an opinion,i think Axl is so upset with Slash because he keeps telling untrue stories about him and the band.  i dont know who is right or wrong, but that seem to be the reason why Axl doesnt likes slash.

Oh I believe that it never happened, not the way it was rumored (and yes I did know that rumor existed).  My point was that most of the people who spoke publicly about it (i.e. Slash) didn't say that Axl held the fans hostage.  On Behind the Music, Slash merely said "if we didn't sign that paper, the band was going to break up right then".  He didn't say anything about a crowd being out there waiting for them, nor did Tom Zutaut in the 1999 Spin article.


The exact Izzy quote in context was "The final straw was Axl, who was like Adolf.  He said my wages should be reduced because I didn't move about enough on stage.  What a dick."  Obviously, Izzy was describing why he left the band in that interview.  Izzy has spoken many times about Axl becoming a ruthless dictator once he "gained some power and started to get laid" (another direct quote), and it certainly hasn't been nice.  Izzy's statements overall towards Axl have been much harsher than Slash's or anyone else's.



Well, that's certainly the difference between Izzy and Slash.  Izzy was merely expressing his opinion each time he slandered Axl.  Slash on the other hand -- Axl obviously feels Slash is spreading fallacies about him, so yes, the situation is different.

I'm guessing "worse" is Slash broke the "ultimate code" ... once that line is crossed, you're (in this case, figuratively) dead.


trashing each other is just part of the game of life so that, in time and under the right circumstances, you can get beyond it (like with Izzy guesting on tour)

So true!Also true. : ok:

I've also heard "no one said it's fair"

In all seriousness though, you know whats funnier to me then all the bitching that goes on around here? The fact that people sign up for 2,3,4.... 10 different user names just to tell off a board and an admin they "don't care about".  :hihi:

Slash leaving the band pretty much killed the old GNR. Everything fell apart after that. I can very well understand why that would be a sore spot for both of them.

Axl and Izzy go way back. At the end Duff was caught in the middle between Slash and Axl - so even back then Duff was closer to him than Slash.

IMO, that's got nothing to do with this.

IDK, there is an old saying that "blood runs thicker than water".  Axl and Izzy probably have more of that long lost brother relationship.  Izzy is a big reason Axl came to LA in the first place. From all accounts Axl and Slash were just bandmates. 

I generally don't care about what was said years ago, time moves on and things change but Izzy called Axl trailor trash?  I'm sure at the time it wasn't funny but now.....

Any way, did that Tommy phone interview ever get published?

That totally makes sense. My brother and I have a total LOVE/HATE relationship.

Maybe this was already asked and answered but if Axl knows the leaks occured from the strip club, does he know who did it and did he do any thing about it?

From all accounts, Axl and Duff were just bandmates too.

What I'm saying is that maybe Slash is dead to Axl because he crossed a line beyond "each other" within that line-up.

na he didn't misquoted and misinterpreted anything. he didn't specify whose saying. but his concern has been more on giving best performance to the fans than money. So he's the last person who would really do this.

"TOM ZUTAUT: On the eve of the tour, Axl told the rest of the band that the only way he would play was if they'd give ownership of the name to him. They were looking at canceling the tour and losing millions and millions of dollars, [so] they capitulated."

like you know this bs spread as fact. People bought it and went 'axl doesn't give a fuck about fans'
he had to set the record straight.

well, yeah....but having so many fans and remaining THAT silent all the years we didnt have any chance to hear his version, just the stuff from others who decided to talk. its more like many simply gave up the band cause of nothing to come.

the Slash statement was (still) very very bitter. sad for the classic-line-up fans regarding any Slash re-apparing in Axl's recent group of musicians.

I don't buy any of that "just bandmates" shit.  Axl and Slash may not have shared the "Indiana brotherhood" that Axl and Izzy shared, but they were damn close.  If they weren't, they would've just parted company on good terms and never spoken about it again.  The fact that Axl and Slash have both expressed acid-tongued bitterness towards one another publicly indicated to me that they were very close, because the closer you are to someone, the more a breakup like that hurts.  You know, you don't share a ten year relationship with someone, go up and down the road with themn, tour all over the world with them, live in garages with them, etc and say that you're "just bandmates".  Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven shared a lot more than mere music.


Exactly, Zutaut didn't say Axl was backstage when he made the demand, he just said that Axl made the demand before the tour.  As everyone remembers, the UYI tour started well before the release of the UYI albums, so Axl's statement in a way jives with what Zutaut said, because Axl said it was when they were renegotiated their contract with Geffen.  Which presumably could've been around the time the tour started since the album releases were still months and months away.

No, Axl's statement does not jive with what Zutuat said, other than perhaps the timing.  He did not blackmail the band into signing over ownership of the name.  There's no way things would be as they are today if that were the case.  The contract memorializing transfer of the rights to the name would have rendered void if that were the case.

Ali

I have almost given up  posting opinions on the matter cause the only thing anyone wants to hear is "Axl is God and Slash sucks"


I will post this though

I think Axl may feel that Slash has used lies about him to make him a sympathetic "good guy" figure, whereas Axl is villainized.

Slash's popularity is still off the charts and maybe Axl feels Slash used lies etc to keep himself in the public eye while also burying Axl and making people view him more negatively.

To the general public, GNR were Axl and Slash, so Axl was painted as this bad horrible person and it just got ran with.

There are two sides to view this

Axl could've been a dick and really thought he WAS GNR

OR

The band were so high and out of their minds, Axl was forced to do all the business dealings and having to put up with a bunch of junkies would be fucking ridiculously hard on anybody.

This is one I really side with Axl on.  I don't think the old band's drug use gets enough negativity for the destruction of the band.

Where I differ however from others is, I don't absolve Axl of all fault in this but it certainly wasn't all of his either.

When my Mom and I were watching the VH1 Behind the Music about GNR which was a big plug for VELVET REVOLVER, she said that none of the guys in GNR would be anywhere without AXL. And while she supports my love of GNR she is not a fan per se. SLASH would love a reunion for the money only. He says he doesn't care about money, but that is a total lie. The shows with IZZY were totally from the heart. I'll never forget the tears in his eyes.

Good post.  Spot on with my feelings.

I read this article last week. In my opinion, Axl and Slash are both at fault for the breakup of the band. I think they were very close at one point. If you have a bad breakup of a close friendship or romantic relationship, you are going to say bad things about each other.  It's just human nature to do o in order to get your anger out. I'm just glad that Axl would like to work with Duff again at some point.

Regarding the record company issue, I think Axl has to be out there and market the album. It is partially his fault as to why the album hasn't succeeded the way it should have. I also would place blame on his management and the record company.

Hey and in regards to the interview, I'm sure that Bloomberg News would be better in doing the interview and not being negative. I just had to put in a plug for my employer.:) 

There are A LOT of divorced people who would disagree with that.  :hihi:

So what do you think happened?  Slash, Duff, and Izzy just shrugged their shoulders and said "whatever" when the clause was put in the contract?  You think they were perfectly acceptant and permissive of it?  Baloney.  Call it blackmail, call it an ultimatum, whatever you want.  There's no way the other three guys would've agreed to sign over their rights to the name unless there was something looming over their heads (like Axl threatening to quit unless this stipulation was included).

And that isn't legally duress, since a choice was given.  I've always agreed that it wasn't an instance of Axl figuratively putting a gun to their heads, but a situation that was more deliberated.  In other words, it was something that was dicussed back and forth.  In that stituation, I wouldn't imagine that it constitutes "being forced to sign a contract under duress".



Apples aren't being compared to apples there.  People don't get married to succeed at music with one another like a band does.  They don't have a common goal other than their love (or what they think of as love).  You're implying that the GNR relationships were all strictly, "let's play our instruments and then never have anything at all to do with each other", which is ridiculous.

And if you're saying that divorced people trashing each other isn't indicative of closeness, think again.  You have to understand that hatred does not equal indifference.  Hatred is a negative form of caring.  You have to care about the person or issue in order to be emotionally motivated to hate them.  If a married couple weren't close, there wouldn't be anything to fight about.  They'd have to have shared more than merely a bed in order to wage war on one another after the marriage fell apart.  That's why you don't see one night standers harassing each other afterwards.    :yes:

Jesus D let it go already.  ::)

The easiest way to spot a liar is to look for the person whose story changes completely every time they tell

Axl has never wavered

Slash's account of what happened changes every time he tells it

I think Slash and Duff signed over the rights to the name not thinking about what could happen down the road.  And, no offense, but I don't think you understand what constitutes duress.  Duress is defined as compulsion by threat.  Axl threatening to do anything, not go on stage, not do a tour, not play a show, would all constitute duress.  That is duress.

Believe what you want, but had there been any legal remedy for Duff and Slash to get back their rights to the band's name, they would've seen to it.  We are where we are today because there was no legal remedy for Duff and Slash.  There was no legal remedy because there was nothing illegal, i.e. compulsion by threat, about the signing over of the rights to the Guns N' Roses name.

Ali

If going down this road, I would say more than likely, atm in time when this was going on (top of the world) , etc. Which I believe is that this may be where drug and substance abuse MAY have taken part in the decision to agree , thinking that we are the biggest thing since sliced bread... and Axl worked with them wanted to have a new record out , and shit started getting thrown at him, but why should Axl give it up GNR? If they left, somewhat or tried to get clean after, and come back and throw more shit at him?

One thing people forget to mention is Axl came up with the name. Like Zach with RATM. The other members of RATM couldn't use the name because Zach came up with it. So the other members have no standing, contract or not. They have rights to the music they were a part of and nothing more.

^^even that is not being totally proven. for example Tracii Guns' story is different. Axl still "uses" his name in a way.

Axl always had that kind of longer viewing about things (like talking about releasing a double album @ CBGB'87 show which then came out 9/91)....so interpretating this longer view being part of his personality it could have been an intentional move by him saving the band name for himself only to get the all the power (he said himself in an interview that "yes, i wanted power...") for a 1man-leadership under the GN'R b(r)and name....which he got in the end.

Duress or no duress, you're basically agreeing with the notion that Slash and Duff AND let's not forget IZZY all just shrugged and signed over the name without a second thought.  Bear in mind Izzy was completely sober at the time, so at least he should've been mindful about it.  And yes, I will believe what I want, and what I believe is that it's rather tough to believe that Slash, Izzy, and Duff signed over the name without thinking twice about it.  And of course Axl is going to say he didn't force them to sign over the name under duress.  What the hell do you think he'd say if that were indeed the case?  Publicly admit to doing it?




Yeah, let's address that shall we?

Axl certainly "remembers" coming up with the name differently than Tracii remembers it.  Tracii said that HE came up with the name. and he's been saying that for years, and his story HASN'T CHANGED.  Axl on the other hand, has only recently made that claim, and he furthermore claims that the name has nothing to do with Tracii Guns (all of this is courtesy of the recent Q&A).

Of course, people around here are going to believe anything Axl says and disparage Tracii, but that doesn't mean Axl "remembers" it correctly.  In the end, it doesn't matter.  The name should be owned by those who gave identity to it, unless someone goes to the legal trouble of trademarking it in advance.

Been in a touring band before?  Actually, the relationships with most of your bandmates are just the opposite of what you've described.  You have a couple, maybe one you are really tight with, and the rest of them, whether you realize it or not are an ends to a means, the music and the thrill of playing live. Doesn't matter if you live 10 in one house or live in a bus.

Closeness in bands is often just proximity, not emotion. Once that relationship ends, it often gives you a chance to express how you really felt.  Usually if you step away from it, the differences end up healing themselves.  In the case of Axl and Slash where the differences keep coming back up in litigation, I'd imagine at one point you want to crush the other person.  As far as I've seen/read Duff hasn't been the one stoking the legal fires, so Axl is more open.  Izzy broke out before the real legal shit started happening, add the history.  Steven from all accounts is still a 16 year old wrapped in a 45 year old body, kinda harmless other than to himself.

I'm not 'implying' anything ... I'm saying it straight out ... THEY WERE CO-WORKERS!!!  THAT'S IT!!!  NOTHING MORE!!!

Did you miss all the interviews where one or the other talked about how (for better or worse) A LOT of their collaborating was done over the phone?

:phone: hello slash ... just thought I'd call to let you know we've decided we're not changing the lyrics in PC to "where the girls have big titties."  Say 'hey' to Renee for me.  Bye.

You have no leg to stand on with this argument.  You say that Slash, Duff and Izzy would have been so protective of their interests in owing a portion of the GN'R name that they wouldn't have signed over their rights to begin with.  If that's true, if they really were that cognizant of the ramifications of the contract and protective of their own interests, wouldn't they have sought whatever legal remedy possible after the fact to null and void the contract?

And my belief in the validity of Axl's argument has nothing to do with him saying anything publicly or otherwise.  It has to do with the law in this situation.  The law sides with the argument that there was no duress when the contract transferring name ownership was signed.

And, if you really think it is so out of the question that Slash signed the contract without full regard to the ramifications, perhaps you should read his book again.  This time a bit more clearly.

Ali

you need to move on

who really cares about any of this? i don't. i love guns n roses, but i don't give a shit about all the drama.

p.s. i'm glad axl has enough integrity to never wanna play with slash again. i just don't wanna hear about all of it anymore. everyone needs to move on. guns n roses are awesome, past and present, nothing else matters.

 :drool:

i don't either.  it would be nice if everybody could join us in 2009.   None of this stuff even matters anymore.

Every interviewer that will interview Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven the rest of their lives.  They thirst for the next answer so they can post it over and over on the internet.  Every headline for the last week after this interview "Axl says either him or Slash will die..."

As a fan of GN'R, it blows.  You see it here on the forum, rehashing these old stories about who said what, when, and why.  In reality only the guys in "Old Guns" really know what happened.  I too wish it were left at that and all of "Old Guns" just take the "next question" approach.  Or like Dexter kept saying "asked and answered".

 : ok: It might not be that much fun 4 them to go on and on about that old stuff.. they've all moved on. Axl surely seems very frustrated with questions conserning reunion.

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:      straight to the point with that paragraph gypsy.......some guys just dont get it do they

Doesn't the way Velvet Revolver treated Scott Weiland add credence to Axl's fear that he might be kicked out of GNR and he deserved full credit for the name?

Read Scott Weiland's press release:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/scott_weiland_calls_velvet_revolver_statement_a_cover-up.html

In it, he says he was thrown out and he created the name. History repeating itself?

When Velvet Revolver first formed, I knew that Scott and Slash would have issues.

Plus one. Loved the past, preaty happy with present. why care who said what 10-15 years ago. Beasides there's court decisions, n guess they were the ones with the burden to have to judge. It's the RockNRoll that matters. And in all it's formats GNR deliver...it can take time but they do  : ok:

i have no idea what you just said.

love ur post! agree with you!....fuck the drama! we have the best of GNR, past were great and present even better bcuz we are living it... what else can we ask? :peace:

Fan of old and new Guns, because regardless of the line up they made great music,  the only reason i'm fan in first place. I don't understand why the fan base just keeps judging Slash n Axl long past actions, mostly what they think they know. The drama to the original line up break it's mostly legal and financial issues, the qualified to make judgement, were the courts, and they have ruled over all the lawsuits they filed one another. Without disrespect for the personal pain that all of this probably meant to Axl, Slash, Duff...We are the lucky ones we got the music. Clear for you now?

what? all i'm saying is......i don't give a shit about their problems with each other. it's none of my business. i just wish happiness for all of them. ......and more new music for all of us!

I for one care when axl speaks up. 
The corrupt press has been so unfair to axl and gnr. Toleration toward wrong is wrong.
Why the hell should axl's side of the story be disregarded?

the eve is the previous nite.

I found the article of 2002 where slash tells the story which is similar but doesn't really agree with toms.

''Before a gig one night in '92, [Axl] hands us a contract saying that if the band breaks up, he's taking the name,'' says Slash. ''Unfortunately, we signed it. I didn't think he'd go on stage otherwise.''

That's all. Nowhere it says axl actually made any threat but slash was threatened by his own thinking too much.
Axl is not responsible for others overanxiety.

Toms 'axl said he wouldn't play at the shows starting the following day if they'd not give him?' allegation doesn't jive either with this or with axls. And Tom told this in 1999, like 8 year later? even before axl's facts, the story was logically flawed as ali patiently explained to you again and again. flat-out null and void.  Moreover,  the rights were sold to axl much later like sometime in 1996 /7.  Till then, if not the drunks, their lawyers, managers or anyone should have had all the time in the world to annul the said contract but for some reason they didn't. didn't want to do it perhaps?

You're in denial.

Where can I buy the BILLBOARD magazine with the AXL cover?

Interesting.  Can you post a link to the article where Slash said that?

Ali

I bought mine today.  8)  Nice way to start off Valentine's Day.

Don't waste your time going to a pharmacy or Borders or any other big chain.  I found one at a corner newsstand.

God bless mom & pop establishments.

i wouldn't disregard any side of the story. and i enjoy hearing what axl has to say. he's a smart man, and i like to hear his POV. all i'm saying is.....whatever happened with those guys, is their business. i don't know any of them personally, and i ain't taking sides or trying to piece together the whole story and everything. whatever happened with axl and slash is unfortunate, but that's life. nothing lasts forever. people that are hung up on trying to figure it all out, need to get over it, and accept things the way they are. chinese democracy kicks ass. who cares about the past?

20 years ago, when I was in kindergarden, there was this girl, and she was really cute and nice, and i think she liked me, and it made me feel funny, and i tink it was love at first site, and now 20 years later all i can think about is how much i miss her and how bad i want her.

You should look her up on the Myspaces or Facebooks.

i should.  no other girl can come close to comparing.  all i can do is whine and dwell in the past.   i must be some big loser.

Then you should hook up with her.

p.s. thanks A-Fraud for the tip, i'm going to look for the billboard mag at the corner newsstand.

Nah, you're just a romantic.

Now if you were crying and complaining about  some former/current millionaire middle-aged drug addicts, then you might be a loser.

And there's Chief, adding some words of wisdom.

but things might be too different.   we havent' seen each other in 20 years.   maybe its time for me to move on.

You haven't fucked a chick in 20 years!? Yea dude, its definitely time. Look man, if it makes it easier, this chick moved on right? She probably has kids, so what, you want to be her new baby daddy?

Fuck, I was going to comment on the topic but this dude just blind sided me. I hope I can snag a copy of this issue. I don't I have a local mom and pop or whatever newsstand. But what I know is, this shit just got real. Axl's finally on a big cover. And this interview was great. I will get my hands on this some way. It will be mine. Oh yes.

You are not a loser. Maybe she is your twin soul. Go see SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. MY spiritual teacher Doreen Virtue wrote a  book about how she met her twin soul in her 40's. It turned out that he was her first crush when she was 5. PM me if you want to talk about twin souls.

You get batshit crazier every day.

I've always been this way. it's nothing new. Ironically, in my world, the thing I am most teased about is being a GNR fan!

Borders DOES have it.  So does Barnes and Noble and all the other big chains. Plus, as you mentioned, some mom n' pop establishments and newsstands.  :yes:

Most places that carry music mags should carry this too.  Maybe they just have it with stuff that's in a category you wouldn't expect (I saw it on a shelf between High Times and The Farmers' Almanac)  so just ASK a sales person.  : ok: 

Borders does have it?  Sweet!  I'll have to pick that up later this week.

borders doesn't carry billboard magazine.

We've got conflicting reports here.  Which is it?  Maybe some do, some don't? 

Edit:  I just called my local Borders and they DO carry Billboard Magazine, BUT they currently do not have the February 14th issue, they have the one from 2/7.  The guy said they should get the new issue this week, but due to President's Day tomorrow it might not be until Tuesday.  But anyway, Borders DOES carry Billboard Magazine.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,389304,00.html

maybe there're more articles like this but this is all I could find.
I don't follow them so..

yes she's totally different from how you remember/idolize her. She's not a cute and nice little girl and doesn't like you.

The truth hurts BUT don't be sissy, see it for yourself.

Go see her to get totally disillusioned and then move on properly.

or a specialist, if you're implying Paedophilia.


Journos, critics and the people who read biographies on gnr or an autobiography
and those unauthorized GNR books I don't bother reading and guess you don't either.
Phantoms of the past are still haunting and that's the present.

the writers shouldn't have taken sides but should have been hung up on trying to figure it all before writing anything.

I don't quite get what you're trying to say. In short, 'just shut up and sing' or something?

I tried 2 Border's and a Barbara's and they didn't have it. Next stop EBAY!

Thank you.  I guess Axl's impression that Slash said that was in fact correct.

Ali

Gypsy and Faldor, you guys are out east.

Like Victor08, I reside in the Golden State.  So I'm guessing the big chains don't carry Billboard, because I went in this past Thursday and Saturday to Borders and I even called B & N.  I asked a sales associate each time I went in.  Must be a market thing, I don't know.

Faldor, don't get tricked into buying the edition with Fall Out Boy on the cover.  When I went to the newsstand yesterday, they had just gotten a shipment of NEW Billboards with Fall Out Boy on the cover, and the Axl cover was the "old" edition.

What a confusing world we live in.

Got mine on Ebay.

So the entire article was on the site right? Or is there more in the magazine that wasn't put on the site?

wasnt this line in a movie or something? i remember it from somwhere.

The whole article is on the site. In the mag it's called Axl Rose The Billboard Q&A, and it has the subtitle: "The Guns N' Roses frontman rants about his old bandmates, raves about his new album and explains why 'I have no sympathy for the record companies'"

The picture of him at the piano has the caption "Use your illusion: Axl Rose performing live in 2006" and the only thing pulled out of the article and printed in large red font is "What's clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion." ?Axl Rose, on his relationship with Slash

tell me what happened to the guy?

If the guy searches for the girl and finds out there wasn't such a girl in his kindergarten, that's my kind of film.

and meanwhile he meets a girl of his age and falls in love. They start to live together and one day he sees her old photo album. to his surprise there are a bunch of pics of a little girl that looks exactly like the girl never existed....

But I'm sure jim bob was just mocking some backward souls.



no problem.
I don't think he was particularly referring to the article but the media's take that is a combination of slashs and toms, like anyone cared about the contradictions between those two, and the passion for sensationalism.

So back to the question I don't think that's the reason axl wants to stay away from slash.

In my humble opinion, Axl and Slash and the original member's are the only one's that know what REALLY happened.  Slash did have his book out and he didnt bash Axl in that book.  He actually spoke quite highly of Axl in it.  Slash doesn't appear to have any issue's with Axl as they havent even spoken in like 13 years.  What I do know is that a lot of musicians have left or got fired from Guns by Axl.  Izzy, Gilby, Slash, Duff, Buckethead to name a few.  They cant all be wrong.  Axl seems to have a very precise image of the music he wants to make, if other's dont like it, they can leave.  Its also worth mentioning that Erin and Stephanie couldn't stand him.  As i see it, nobody really understands were Axl is coming from and he has forced most people away and become a recluse.  The new album is ok but not at all what I ezpected.  None of the new songs really rock like nightrain did.  its mainly ballads or over the top epic tracks like Madagascar.  My point is that Axl is going in a direction that no one seems to understand.

Fair play to him though, most people dont pursue what they really want in life and Axl is trying to do that.

PS: it bugs me that VR and nu GNR fans dont get along at all.  If you want some hard rock, listen to VR.  If you want something more experimental, listen to CD.

I'm afraid you're contradicting yourself, mate.

I guess it does look that way man!  sorry.   My point is though, that the original members all know what really went down but they still never really understood Axl. 

yes  :yes: as far as they can recall everything correctly, going back years or decades, like at what time on what date of what year who did what and how at where. Hell some people don't even know what they just said in the preceding sentence.   


I don't think I can really see into others mind either.

So let's not help tabloid gossip and malicious slander spread.   ;)

ultimately, that's what axl's been saying since he started talking again about the breakup of the band; and at the time, the other band members were OK with it

and that duff and slash started all the lawsuits when they realized what the repurcussions may mean

drama drama drama

got mine from Borders *phew
not in US now, so it was tough finding it overseas!

I went into my local Borders today to try and pick up the Axl issue, but they had the 2/21 issue on the shelf.  I had called earlier this week and asked them if they had the 2/14 issue with Axl but they said they didn't, they still had the 2/7 issue.  So apparently they skipped the Axl issue altogether.  The lady at Borders said that happens sometimes if certain issues are in high demand they ship them to larger stores.  Bottom line, I didn't get my copy.  Damnit all!

I got mine on ebay and it arrived today. It's awesome! I only paiid $13.33 and there was free shipping.

I see on their site they sell back issues, but everytime I go too thier website a virus tries to attack my computer. Anyone else having any problems?

Yeah that just happened to me too, but I battled through it.  Hopefully it worked and nobody stole my credit card number.

Not sure if I want to risk it again.

I didn't realize the magazine was that expensive.  My 25% off coupon at Borders would've been put to good use if they had the issue.  I can't believe they skipped the Axl issue altogether.  Straight from the 2/7 to 2/21 issue.  Bastards! 

Actually it retails for $6.99 but since the shipping was free I thought it was a pretty good deal. I didn't have time to go chasing around and wasting my gas.

I see.  I bought it from billboard.com and it was $12.99 there too.