Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock recently conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock: Now that "Chinese Democracy" has been released, are you relieved that at last you don't have to continually answer the question, "When is the album coming out?"

Thal: No, because now everyone's saying, "When's the next album coming out?" (Laughs)

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock: So... when's the next GUNS album coming out?

Thal: There ya go. I think it was about two days before people starting coming up and asking me, "So, when's the next album coming out?" Man, give us a chance. (Laughs)

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock: Any plans yet for touring that you're aware of?

Thal: Right now nothing is confirmed. Nothing is definite. If pieces fall into
place, it could happen. That's the most political way I can say I know nothing. (Laughs) In other words, it could happen, I hope it happens, maybe it'll happen, I'd like for it to happen. I know a lot of other people who would like for it to happen, and if everything works out, it will happen. But there are a lot of variables involved, down to every little thing to making sure that all the pieces are in place so that we can do this the right way.

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock: That's a very skillful way of dodging that question, I'm impressed....

Thal: Thank you. I'm getting good at this. I think I'm going to run for mayor soon. I've had years of practice now. (Laughs)

Nightwatcher's House Of Rock: What is the one thing that people would be surprised to know about Axl?

Thal: I don't know. I find that people that don't know him are the ones that have all these crazy ideas about him. The people that do know him have a lot of good things to say about him. He's got some really nice friends who have become my friends. I've crossed the line from people that don't know him to one who does, and I don't know what people know or don't know anymore. I do know that there's a lot of wrong information about him out there. It kind of bums me out to see and read things that I know are totally bullshit.


http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121170 (http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121170)

" Right now nothing is confirmed. Nothing is definite. If pieces fall into
place, it could happen. That's the most political way I can say I know nothing. (Laughs) In other words, it could happen, I hope it happens, maybe it'll happen, I'd like for it to happen. I know a lot of other people who would like for it to happen, and if everything works out, it will happen. But there are a lot of variables involved, down to every little thing to making sure that all the pieces are in place so that we can do this the right way."

Nothing confimed?  :-\

So, the politically un-correct way of saying this is,  the chances that we'll be getting a 2009 tour are pretty slim to none.

I was just reading this and the rest of the interview is interesting as well.  Here is some of it...

NHOR : Along those same lines... In terms of being an artist, what effect has playing in Guns N' Roses had on you, either creatively or commercially speaking?

RT : Well, let's just say the roller coaster has sped up. (Laughs) Gone through bigger turns, twists and ups and downs... everything's been much more intense since joining. So I think it's reflected a bit in the music, whether there's a little more energy or edginess to it, I think I've become a bit more energetic and edgy as a person. (Laughs)

NHOR : Do you feel playing the Guns songs a lot has had an influence on your own music, structure-wise, at all?

RT : I think so. Anything, if you keep playing it, and it becomes part of what you do, as soon as you go to create or embellish... whatever you draw from in your approach... definitely I could feel that in a lot of my songs I was putting in guitar melodies that dance around, compliment or contrast the vocal lines in a way that a couple of years ago I may not have. I think it would have been impossible for it not to have had an effect after playing the songs hundreds of times.

NHOR : You were preceded in the band by Slash, and then Buckethead. Was one of the prerequisites to you being asked to join Guns N' Roses, besides your obvious talent, having a nickname?

RT : You know... I don't know. I've been asked that question so many times, do you have to have a fucked up name to be considered for the band? And, I'm starting to wonder if maybe I only got the gig because of my name. Maybe they think I suck. (Laughs) Maybe they think, hey the guy sucks, he's a jerk to play with but... he's got a stupid name, so let's keep him.

NHOR : What would you say was the biggest adjustment for you in terms of being well known pretty much only in the 'shred guitar underground' then going to one of the biggest bands in the world?

RT : Some of the biggest adjustments were not having to lug my own gear. That was the first thing. At the end of every GNR show, the first thing that I'd do was I'd grab my amp and start bringing it towards the back. All the crew members are like, "Let go of that. That's our job." So, I'm like, what am I supposed to do with myself? The gig isn't done until you throw your shit in the van or the car. (Laughs) So there was that kind of thing. You know, you're used to roughing it for 30 years, then suddenly it's made so easy, you're thinking what am I getting paid for? You mean just to perform? That's not enough. I need to break my back. I need to hurt myself. Jokingly of course, although it's partially true. You mean all I have to do is show up and play guitar? I don't have to go fight with the club owner for money? (Laughs)

It's just a totally different situation than anything I'd ever done before. Because it's the only time I've been in a band other than my own. There were situations where I was offered to play in other things and I turned it down, going back to when I was 17. But there's just something about this. A little voice in my head said check it out and see how it goes. Here we are three years later... actually it's five years later since we all first spoke and started making plans. Now 'Chinese Democracy' is done and out and hopefully we'll get on the road in the not too distant future and start playing the shit out of these songs.

NHOR : Are you satisfied with your performances on 'Chinese Democracy', or are there some that you wish you could go back and change?

RT : I'm as satisfied as I'm capable of being. Because no matter what I do, within a week I'm hearing all the things that I'd want to do differently. What I'd want to add, change the tone, or replay. That's always how it is. Because with any album, the mixing process is never done. It continues for years after the album's out, it's just happening in your head. And the stuff that's in your head, you can't do anything about it. You're haunted by it. So within a week of anything I do, whether it's my album or 'Chinese Democracy', I start getting haunted by little things. Like, how I bent that note, man I should've got more of a squeal out of it. Or, shit, I should've put a harmony on this. I could've had a better melody for that. Whatever it is. So I am as happy as I'm capable of being.

NHOR : Your solo albums and with your band Bumblefoot are very non-commercial in relation to what gets played on radio these days. Whereas with Guns there's a much better chance something you've played will be played on radio. How did you feel hearing something you've played on, such as the new GNR, on the radio for the first time?

RT : I think I felt hungry. I was on my way to dinner. (Laughs) It was cool. The first time I heard it there was a feeling of relief. Not just for myself, but there were so many GNR fans who were waiting for so long for music to be legitimately released. It was a feeling of being happy for them, that they finally got that, after such a long wait and sticking it out, that something was finally out there. I was pretty damn happy.

NHOR : The album recently was certified platinum here in the United States. Amongst the Guns camp, is there satisfaction in how the album has sold thus far?

RT : It's hard to say. I think it's pretty much a given, with pretty much any musician, no matter how much it sells, you're going to want to sell more. Those are the driving forces that keep musicians going. The constant striving to do more, do better, to up it even more. That's just something which is inherent in every musician's nature. So I never really asked them. I never said, "Hey Axl, are you happy with this shit?" (Laughs) We don't talk about that stuff. We talk about stupid movies, crack jokes and stuff like that.

But I could only assume that most people feel like I do. I would love to do more videos, and just shove it down the world's throat even more. I would love to get out there and play for every person that has ears and do whatever we can. Because you know, when you put out an album, it's like having a baby. You want to raise that baby for the most life that it can have. You want to do what you can for it. So it's that kind of thing. What can I do to give this baby a better life? That's pretty much how it is. So no matter how well it's doing you always want more for it. It's the paternal instinct.

NHOR : A lot of people have this conception of the new Guns N' Roses just being Axl and the rest of you being hired hands, which I'm sure you're aware of. How much of a band is this configuration?

RT : That's just part of the whole negative crap that's part of the baggage of being a new Guns N' Roses. That whole thing of blah blah blah, they're just hired guns... blah blah blah... they're not the original members blah blah blah you're not my real mommy, blah blah blah. (Laughs)

Considering there are guys in the band who have been there 18 years to whatever amount of time it is, and considering that we see each other on a daily basis, and when we're not, we're speaking to each other all the time, hanging out and doing things together, jamming and playing on each other's albums, and doing everything band members do... I'd say it's pretty much a band. Whether people want to acknowledge that or not, that's up to them, and whatever floats their boat. It doesn't change the truth.

NHOR : How would it compare in those terms to your solo band?

RT : I would say that it's more of a band than my own band. Absolutely. In my own band, it is everything that people want to say negatively about GNR. (Laughs) My band is really me, who writes all the songs, then Dennis comes in and kicks ass on them, but then I go and play bass and rhythm guitar and do everything else besides the drumming. Then when I do play live, I do hire friends or whoever to play bass and rhythm guitar. So in my case they are a bunch of hired guns, other than Dennis, who is really more of my right hand guy. We work together, and I do things for him as well. We just have a musical relationship that's gone on for years.

NHOR : Even big bands are being affected by it. Do you have any estimate on how many sales were lost by GNR for 'Chinese Democracy' due to illegal downloads?

RT : I don't know. All I know is that my last CD 'Abnormal', about three weeks after I released it was when I first started finding torrent files of it. I checked one, and there had been 1,500 downloads just of that torrent of it. That file was on the Internet for about a week. So it's at a point now where I don't think you can fairly assess the success of an album anymore by its sales. You have to assess it by its downloads. You have to start asking the philosophical question, is it how many albums you sell, or is it how many copies people have? How do you assess it now? Is it only SoundScan that you're going to consider legitimate? Because if that's the case, yeah, GNR went Platinum, but if you go by how many people just torrented a copy as well, it's probably quadruple Platinum.

NHOR : Is there anything else you'd like to say to all your fans?

RT : Thank you for keeping an open mind with all the wacky things I've done. Whether it's chopping guitars down into strange things, or making strange music, or playing with Guns N' Roses, I hope they enjoy it, and I hope to see them all soon and share the experience together.

http://houseofrockinterviews.blogspot.com/2009/05/tales-of-bumblefoot-exclusive-interview.html

I find it amusing how Blabbermouth used the word "hoped" in their headline and in your case it's translated into "unsure".



In other words, he doesn't want to be the one making any tour announcements.









/jarmo

Yeah, because he says "hope"...

In other words, it could happen, I hope it happens....

Or announcing no tour.  It cuts both ways.

doesnt give much away does he lol!

I feel so bad for Ron. He seems like such a nice, genuine guy. A real lover of music and Guns N' Roses for that matter. And the dude can't do anything to satisfy GN'R fans. It's like if he doesn't come out with "GN'R will do this or that on this day!" people wanna get all over him.

He's saying what he can say about a tour. Which is unfortunately nothing right now. I want GN'R to be playing like TOMORROW and in Detroit for that matter, but as far as I know that isn't happening. I'm not about to shit on Ron Thal about it for Christssake!


However, he did give some great insights about his relationship with Axl. He talked about what he did on the record and his own personal thoughts on it. He also gave a unique perspective of how a true artist might judge their "success" through looking at torrents.

But let's not focus on that. Let's shit on the guy and say "ASSHOLE! DUDE DOESN'T EVEN SAY IF THEY'RE TOURING OR NOT!"

More fun I guess?

Haha, you give someone crap for using the word "unsure" when the article used the word "hope", but when he says the words "I know nothing", you decide that translates to "I don't want to be the one making tour announcements."  

You sure do like to have it both ways, don't ya?!?!?

If you read any interviews with him or listened to what he's said at all in the past, you'd know that he often says that it's not his job to make announcements. Those come from GN'R, not him.

I don't think his attitude on that has changed.


For me it's common sense. Don't expect ground breaking GN'R news from an interview such as this.



/jarmo

Tomatoe .... toe-mo-toe.

"In other words, it could happen, I hope it happens, maybe it'll happen"

The "maybe" suggests that he really is unsure at the moment. If Blabbermouth's article was titled: 'BBF doesn't know what's going on in the band' and I would have re-phrased it to read: 'BBF is unsure if a tour will happen', would you still be pouncing on me for this?

Probably not.

Just out of curiosity, why do you feel the need to "re-phrase it" at all...it was accurate?

Bingo!




/jarmo

i think all people want is some news.  even if its bad news.  But not knowing doesnt look good for anyone.  And nobody is bashing BF for that.

Umm ... maybe it was unintentional?

I have to admit, I didn't spend hours diligently studying the article.


Just out of curiosity, do you feel someone saying "maybe" may suggest that one is, oh I don't know, "unsure" of something? I could see your argument if I wrote 'BBF hopes there is no tour', but Jesus ...

From Ron's quote you could say "I'd like for it to happen" or even "it will happen".  ;)

I was just curious why you would change the title at all when it was accurate.  It seems to be putting a negative spin on it.

i don't see how you hater trolls can take the phrase "if everything falls into place, it will happen" and turn it into "there's no tour."

he clearly and plainly stated that they're planning one right now and everyone hopes the details all work out.  i know that breaks your heart, guy with slashcancer avitar, but gnr is faaaaaaaaaar from over.

Unfortunately, I don't think that there is going to be any tour in 2009 after all...


Mark Strigl and BBF are very very good buddies. I don't think he would just say that out of the blue.

Source : http://www.markstrigl.net/index.php?id=318

EDIT : And this made me kinda sad ( Ron Thal on how ChiDem could do better ) :

#1: There's about seven months left of 2009. Remember last year in the summer how people were saying the album wouldn't be out that year? Look what happened.
#2: I don't know what caused Mark to post that, but he offers no explanation for why we shouldn't expect anything. Is it his guess? Is it just him feeling pessimistic?




/jarmo

I don't know. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed but I have to admit that this message by Mark Strigl kinda came as a shock  :-\
Until know I was really looking forward to the day the dates would pop up. There was no doubt whatsoever. Now I'm really wondering whether they will pop up this year...

Oh well, we shall see...Hope that soon is the word though.

There are seven months left in 2009, but tours take timeto set up and are announced many months before it happens. From the BF interview, it seems there is nothing going on and I find it very hard to believe from a business point fo view that any tour can happen in 2009. I sure hope it does, but I seriously doubt it. Maybe a new years gig, but no more...

Where did he clearly and plainly (or even awkwardly and indirectly) state that they are planning a tour right now?  What he clearly and plainly stated is that if things work out, they'll be out there.  He goes on to say that he wants to tour, and others want to tour.  As far as plans, he clearly and plainly stated that he knows nothing.  

People aren't trolls just because they don't falsely interpret people's statements or add implications just because they're convenient for their argument.

That's 30 Tuesdays!!!   : ok:

he said they want to tour and they're working out the details.  we already know they've been rehearsing very diligently.  yet somehow you can take those clearly stated facts and come away with the opinion that there's no possibility of a tour.  i'm sorry, but i just can't see how you draw that conclusion -- unless you just want to and nothing the band says can change your mind.

That was a nice confirmation of what we thought was going, they want to tour and when things come together, out they go.  Thanks Ron.

Again there ya go talking about your interpretations of things instead of what was said...  Neither myself or the "cancer avatar" guy said we think there's no possibility of a tour! 

Uh?

So, based on this article, you feel as though it would be appropriate for me to post this topic with the heading 'BBF says a tour will happen' when in all actuality, he said nothing of the kind?

Yeah, that would be intelligent, and pretty contradictory. Especially considering you are whining about the word "unsure" being used in place of the word "hope".  

Once 2009 expires without any news of a tour, we can all start throwing shit at the band because "they lied to us".   :confused:


Really? Negative?

Well, I'm "unsure" of what I will be eating for dinner tonight. Never did I relate that undeciseivness with me being negative toward what I planned to eat.   ::)

Are you sure that you're just not pissed that I posted this before you were able to?

It was a bit of sarcasm, but any of those quotes were positive.

And taking a title that reads "BUMBLEFOOT Is Hoping For A Tour" and changing it to "BBF still unsure about GNR tour" is putting a negative spin on it.

I was just asking the question out of curiosity, why you would changed a title that was accurate.  It's not that hard.

And where did I say I was going to post this?  I said I was just reading this, you posted it ...remember?  :D

A clarification from Ron himself for those that like to read into things:





/jarmo

Have to agree that whether intentional or not, changing the wording of the article did put a more negative spin on it.  I understand that may not have been the intent, but that is the way it came across.

Ali

everytime i read an interview with this guy he impresses the shit out of me by how geniune he seems

for as many "if's" that apeeared during that interview regarding the planning of a tour, you seem to think it's a foregone conclusion this will happen............but to me it seemed they were a long way off before announcing anything

Hey I got a crazy idea, why don't we just wait and see what happens?  Anyone who has been a GN'R fan for more than 10 minutes knows this is how they operate.  You will get an official word on something when there is one...pretty simple.  Taking out dictionaries and thesauruses and trying to flip Ron's words around to make the story you want to hear is a waste of time.  Ron was pretty clear in his statements was he not?

Thanks Ron.  However, perhaps it's time for "GNR" to do there fans a favor and make an announcement clarifying what exactly is going on. 

Im confused.  What exactly goes into GNR making a statement like, "Right now DJ's recording parts for the next album, hope to tour this fall."  Does everyone in Guns get in a huddle and decide it's okay to consult the outside world?  Or is "GNR" Axl and will speak when Axl has something to say? If this truly was a tight nit band, then this simply would not be the constant issue it has been for these poor guys. Not trying to be a dick, but I just want it to be told like it is.

right, because you are so important that axl needs to give you updates every time something doesn't happen.

okay, here's your precious 'update'...   hi guys, axl here.  we don't have tour dates booked, so i can't announce any.  as previously stated plenty of times, we're working out the plans.  once it's set in stone, we'll let you know.

then the next day he can give you another 'update'... hi everybody, axl here again.  still planning.  once everything's arranged, we'll let you konw.

and the next day:  hey guys, axl just giving you a heads up.  we still don't have the tour booked.  but as soon as we do, we'll let you know.

can you see how utterly pointless that would be? 

Right, because this discussion we're having right now is 10x more exciting then actual dialogue from the band.  LOL, this "Glutton for abuse" defense is so freaking tired.

Thanks man. That should put some insight about what is the reality for some people here.

Yeah, God Forbid a bandmember mention anything about his band.........................

sounds like you want axl to be your twitter pal.  sorry if he doesn't live life by your rules. 

I just think BBF, like the rest of the band, respect the process.

havent we been doing that the last 6+ months

it gives us ALOT of time to take out dictionaries and thesauruses to flip ron's words around-don't you think?

but i agree, if there's nothing to say, there's nothing to say

hopefully when they do announce tour dates, my company will have given me back my full pay so i can enjoy the show :-\

I know for a fact that magazines carry months old interviews

Didn't he already answered several questions about it?

Yeah, he should announce a tour when nothing is set on stone. And if it doesnt happens, he's a liar and shouldn't say anything.

Just like what happens now with Axl's words about Better video.

maybe i misinterpreted it

if so

I apologize : ok:

I took it like he isn't allowed to mention GNR related business and for me, if u are a member of the band, u should have the right to say whatever.

but maybe i misinterpreted it.

Cool.

Unfortunately, if you read the first sentence, you'll know that this interview was conducted "recently" and not months ago.

Or maybe some people will say quite literally anything to make you think that nothing is wrong with how this band communicates with their fans.   ::)

You misinterpreting something? Who would've guessed....


Maybe it's because you want to believe your own little theories so bad that it doesn't really matter what the truth is.


The fact that the band members don't always want to speak about band related issues definitely must mean that they're not allowed to talk! It can't have anything to do with the fact that words get twisted around and they'll get called liars if things don't go as hoped...




Here we go again.

Axl came to the boards and spoke directly to us.

That's unheard of in many other bands.


Yet, everything sucks and they should be more like all those other bands who just put out updates to keep people interested.





/jarmo

I'm not blaming anyone, but perhaps the fans wouldnt be so edgy if things constantly "didnt go as hoped."  It affects the fans the same way it does the band because we're all very involved with what happens next.  These ridiculous news/activity droughts dont necesarilly help their cause when members act all aloof when they're asked what's on the horizon for GNR.

 'recent' is a relative concept. No date whatever.

Here we go again.

Axl came to the boards and spoke directly to us.

That's unheard of in many other bands.


Yet, everything sucks and they should be more like all those other bands who just put out updates to keep people interested.





/jarmo
[/quote]

That was awesome of Axl.  No one is saying it wasnt.  But that was a week after CD dropped, and I think that there were A LOT of expectations as to what would materialize between now and then.  Since then, other than the announcement of DJ as Robin's replacement, there has been nothing going on.  What annoys me is how the band members who arent Axl still act all aloof when it comes answering questions about the future of the band, post Chinese Democracy.  I hate to say it, cuz I love all these guys, but its as if they cant say whats currently going on with the band without written consent.  Its frustrating that when they're asked the questions we really want to have answered, they act all coy and shy away.

We always talk about how these guys arent being promoted and sold as the New Guns N' Roses.  Well it's no wonder Rolling Stone type interviews dont happen with these guys because everything we've seen so far leads us to believe that other than discussing what equipemnt they used on the album, they cant really discuss the meaty questions we all want answered.  Maybe their upcoming "video answers" will shed some light on that.  Because that's still happening.  ::)

Really? Then what was that?

If you look at how things have gone in the past, every time Axl has said something and it didn't happen, this has been brought up as an example of Axl lying.

He's not a liar.

So he says something he wants to do. Put out a video or whatever.

Then it doesn't happen and immediately Axl is called a liar.

Then, if he chooses to explain why it didn't happen, some of us will appreciate it and others will just keep calling him a liar and/or saying that Axl always blames others while in reality it's all his fault.



If you take all this into consideration, maybe keeping your mouth shut is the best option.

Even though people get frustrated about not getting updates, at least nobody's labeled a liar.



As I said in another thread, I hope all those who have always found something to whine about regarding GN'R are happy.

When they toured, the wrong songs were played the wrong way in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they're not touring, so those people must be happy.

When they didn't release an album, it was wrong. So they released it and it still was wrong because it had the wrong songs and it's not the next album.

When Axl talked to the fans either on the boards or in interviews, he said the wrong things about the wrong subjects and lied because things didn't happen. So now there's no interviews. That must be great right?





/jarmo

I think that the fans that whine about everything he does are a minority.  And if, in fact, they are the reason for the lack of interviews and current communication with the fans, then God help us if his skin really is that thin, and there goes his bad boy "fuck all" legacy.  That's what it is to be a celebrity.  It's the trade off.  You dont punish the entire fanbase because you're sick of being criticized.  I mean seriously.

I was exaggerating a bit to make a point. I hope you still managed to get it.





/jarmo

yes, i think? what is the point?  i got lost between what was wrong and what was right?  is it multiple choice? or is a page long answer required? or should people stop commenting, speculating, praising, complaining until there is something to talk about? 

it sounds like what you were trying to say in that verbose post is that Axl can't please everybody? even though he never was trying? :-\

Nice to hear from Ron.  He's been a great mouthpiece for the band.  Its difficult to understand why everything with GN'R seems more complicated than other bands yet we love Axl and the band so much so its frustrating to wait for tour news but eventually they will tour, whether its next month or next year, so lets just hope things fall into place and we'll get the best show from them!

Who's to blame?

you? 

Anybody who thinks that must be the case needs to think again.





/jarmo

I read an awesome Bumble interview a few minutes ago. He definitely is great for this band. Amazing attitude and the guitar work he did on the song CD is great and I like his Riad solo also.

It was just a simple question i asked. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't had any person in mind.

I liked this interview. Ron seems like a very funny and genuine guy. Was the interviewer wrong though about where he is orginially from? I thought he was another New Jersey guy.

Hey, This is Mark Strigl.  Please don't read too much into that.  I was just feeling frustrated that I was hearing about Slash and Izzy and not Axl...  I was guessing being that nothing has been announced yet for a summer tour of any kind.   I have NO inside info what-so-ever.  I didn't know anybody even read my blog.  I want to see GnR live this year as much as you do.  The flip side of my statement is in the past they have announced dates with only a month notice.  Still 7 months left...    I got my fingers crossed.  I want to hear the new album live more then anything.   I m hoping for a NYC show in 2009 and I believe it could happen...  I hope it happens.   Any official news on any band is not on my personal blog.  Thanks

weird, release an album in 2008 aftr 15 years yet don't tour till 2010.........axl doesn't seem to share ron's paternal instinct.....he's such a rebel....good thing Axl doesnt have kids or he'd have DYFUS up his ass for child abandoment

NHOR: How did you feel hearing something you've played on, such as the new GNR, on the radio for the first time?

RT : I think I felt hungry. I was on my way to dinner. (Laughs) It was cool. The first time I heard it there was a feeling of relief. Not just for myself, but there were so many GNR fans who were waiting for so long for music to be legitimately released. It was a feeling of being happy for them, that they finally got that, after such a long wait and sticking it out, that something was finally out there. I was pretty damn happy.


"..a feeling of being happy for them..." I think this shows how cool BF is!   : ok:

Glad to hear that, then  :)
I suppose that we have no other choice than to wait, hope, and see.   

It's kind of encouraging that Mark doesn't have more information than Axl's bandmembers.

Hopefully Axl finds a way to get out there this year. I'm not holding my breath, but it would be nice to see.

absolutely good read. Blabbermouth left out the meat of the interview. 

like

NHOR : What advice would you give to a young player just starting out?

RT : As far as playing, I'd say be happy. Do it because you enjoy it, and let that be the main goal. Don't be too concerned about being successful, being famous, getting laid, or whatever. Other toxic goals might interfere with the purity of spirit that you should have when you're making art. Keep it real. Keep it honest, do what you love and express yourself. Fuck what anybody else thinks. Just do it because you enjoy it. If you enjoy it, there will be other people who will find your music and enjoy it as well. Remember that you're making it for those people. Don't start making it for the people who don't like it, do it for the people who do.

Think of it like a menu. There's some guy who doesn't like lobster, but you keep it on the menu for the people who do. You don't remove it for the people who don't. Make music for the people that do like it, and for all the ones who don't, they're going to voice their opinion and who gives a shit? Their opinion means nothing, because it's not meant for them. They're giving an opinion on something that they don't like. So what's the point? It's pointless. So that would be my advice, to not let all the naysayers and people who do nothing get in the way. Don't let them take away your happiness.

Why? It was the case around the time of the 2006 tour, it could be the case now.

Personally I don't get why everyone thinks BBFs responses were so oblique. There are no concrete plans for touring at the moment but people are working to make it happen at some point, hopefully soon. Seems pretty clear.