Here Today... Gone To Hell!

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/gnrs_bumblefoot_on_replacing_slash_etc_its_like_filling_a_shoe_closet.html

Great read.  Brutally honest!

Lots of never known by the fans things. He unleashed the darkest facet of his story with GNR.

Mercuriadis was GNR's manager at 2004-2006, right?

anyway, i am very happy to know Bumblefoot's finally 100% confortable with his gear/sound.

Nice interview, thanks for posting.  It's always good to get Ron's take on things...

It definitely had its challenges though, like learning the new songs and having to fill more than just one pair of shoes. That's another thing that was strange; it was a whole new experience being part of a band where a lot of followers of the band had this attitude of "You're not my daddy.. You're not my real dad (laughs)" - that whole thing of "You're not Slash, you're not Buckethead, you're not Gilby... you're not...". It's not just filling someone else's shoes - it was like filling a shoe closet (laughs). That surprised me as well, because usually when you're onstage, and people come to see you, it's because they want to see you. Getting used to the idea that there were people that might be wishing I was someone else made for a very dynamic situation where in the same moment you're being hit with that, along with fans that were just so grateful to see the band back on the road and so happy to be hearing it, and enjoying getting to know each other... It was extreme highs and lows that went along with the gigs in the beginning.

Ya that is a great read!!!

Ron is a great person! its sounds like he now can say in (this) interview the things he wanted to tell us the fans
back in 06!! 
It makes total since about how he had to kinda learn on the fly and didn't get to put his right sound in things, and how now the band sound is crisp and great!!  I think the whole process was tough on everybody that was involved with Chinese Democracy!!  but now that the album is released
and the guys had a chance to get prepared and the proper gear ready , they are better then ever!!

Im really happy for the band, and for Ron for being such an understandable person!!  His efforts are defiantly noticeable and he is a backbone for this band!!! 

Its pretty crazy how bad (Merch) or whoever handled the situation when he was soon to jump on board!! and he couldnt even get the time or the material to work on the new stuff! Ron is a true professional !!!

Really looking forward to reading part 2 of the interview tomorrow and I really hope this band tours for a long time!!  everybody is on top of there game and is having fun!!!!  good times for the Gunners !! :beer:

Very interesting things to read here!

Fucking great reading!

this is truly a great interview. a gnr fan must read!

thank you for posting this sofine11.


"Head to UG tomorrow, Feb 6th, to read the second part of the interview where "Bumblefoot" shares his thoughts on 'Chinese Democracy', and Axl Rose!"
yay!

That is a great interview. A must read for any GN'R fan.

This is great - can't wait to read the next part!

Definitely a awesome interview and read, Ron is great, so candid, and genuine.

Bumblefoot really is one of the most genuine and kindhearted people I've ever met. The amount of interviews he does whilst talking to fans via email, shows how much he cares for us. I remember attending a meet and greet with him in December of 08 in London, and everyone in the room was hanging on his every word, and he seemed so comfortable. Not having access to the new GN'R material in 06 must have been tough when you are expected to play them along with the solos. But for myself personally Ron's improved the most since 06/07, every solo he plays now is spot on, with the right effects and everything.


Lee   

+1

Never met Ron in person (hopefully in March I will) but he has been nothing but nice and sweet to me all the time in his forum. He's honest, funny, has a pretty sharp mind and you just can't help falling for him. Now his interviews were already all awesome reads, and they're getting each day juicier!

Great read, but I will never understand how Axl has let bad management cost this band so much-in Ron's case, year and a half??? Unreal

Great read indeed :beer:

On 'Chinese Democracy' songs, I play the parts that I wrote and recorded, and with everything else, I try to respect the songs as they were written and recorded.

That's pretty cool.  I didn't know Ron actually wrote some of his parts on the album.  I thought that his (and Frank's) parts were just re-recordings of what was already written by someone else.

One example is the riff during the verses of Chinese Democracy which he does on the fretless. Adds a lot to the song imo.

 The best  Interview from a Guns member in a long time . : ok:

My favorite line

Quote
It's not just filling someone else's shoes - it was like filling a shoe closet (laughs) -----> Classic Ron bumblefoot thal ;D

In regards to this also, along with the fretless work during the verses to some songs like Better and Chinese Democracy, I'm pretty sure the solos he plays are all his original work. For example the Riad solo is definitley Rons original idea, as the previous one which I believe was shared between Robin and Bucket sounds completely different. Along with this, his Catcher solo is considerably different from the original with only the melody staying the same.

With Scraped and Shacklers the only versions we've heard are the final ones with Ron doing the solos. Ron also does these with a fretless guitar so even if there was a previous guitar solo layed down on any of these tracks. I'm certain Ron would have changed them considerably just like he did with Catcher and Riad.

So I think it's safe to say that Ron did alot more than just some fretless guitar work on the verses. I also think you have got to give him credit for them 4 solos.


Lee

very cool, second part is up now

HOLY SHIT, THAT WAS THE MOST IN DEPTH  , and real insight I have read of GN'R now, thanks so much Ron for doin that!.

Here is a link to the second part

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/bumblefoot_chinese_democracy_is_gnrs_white_album_the_beatles.html

Very good interview!!!  :drool:
Bumble is a great man,  : ok:

Best interview i've read in years.

I have to agree. This is the most in-depth interview I've read in a long time.

I hope we get more of this with the other members of GN'R. the interview with Frank was really good as well.

Anyone know what happened to the questions we posted here on the forum? Would be great if they picked it up now, the momentum is definitely there. It would be really cool of them if they took the time to answer a few of them. Jarmo, any chance you could check that out?  :D

Thanks for posting part 2, more good stuff...

 :D

What is it like to work with Axl Rose? You obviously have those who comment on forums, thinking they know everything, saying "Axl acts like this" and all that rubbish. But what is it actually like to work with the man?

All the people that don't know anything are the ones who do all the talking (laughs). They try to fool everyone into thinking that they have an idea about how things are. It's like working with anyone else - it's fine. It's just normal, at least to me. It's just pretty normal, and the funny thing is if I say something positive, the response to that from the sceptics is "Oh, he's getting paid to say that" (laughs). One thing I've realized is there's no truth in this; it's only entertainment, and people believe what entertains them the most. Truth is irrelevant; I can tell the truth, and if it's not entertaining enough, people will call you a liar. The truth, as boring as it is, is that it's fine. Since I've joined the group, we immediately went on tour, and we finished recording 'Chinese Democracy', and the album came out. That's it.

Some disgruntled Guns N' Roses fans make the comment that the group's current lineup isn't Guns N' Roses, but is actually Axl Rose's solo project. What is your response to that?

They're right in their own mind if it isn't Guns N' Roses as they define Guns N' Roses. If you don't like calling it Guns N' Roses, call it G N' R, and if that makes you feel better, then good. That's what I like to call it - G N' R. If you feel Guns N' Roses is so strongly defined by the members that were on its debut album, fine, call this G N' R and find something else to cry about - something worthwhile. There's bigger problems in the world than what a band is calling itself. Jesus, it's fucking rock 'n' roll. We're just going out there, playing, and having a good time. Call it G N' R and enjoy it, that's all. That's my suggestion if the name's really a problem for anyone - if you wanna listen to Guns N' Roses, put on the 'Appetite' album, be happy, and if you wanna listen to G N' R, put on 'Chinese Democracy' and come to a show.

As expected part 2 is just like the first, brilliant. I totally get what he's saying about the Beatles and Guns N' Roses evolution comparisson. I remember him saying it on Eddie Trunk in late 2008, he explained it really well back then as well.

I also like what he says about wanting to create new songs, instead of just adding to something that's more or less complete. I have a feeling that when the time does come to start recording more material, Rons going to create some really amazing stuff. You just have to listen to his discography to realise, that just like Tommy,Chris and Dizzy, he knows how to create exceptional songs.
Then you add in the rest of the band, Richards solid rhythm, Franks heavy drums and Ashbas tasty riffs. All this along with Axls vocals and guidance, and you've got a musical explosion.


Lee     

I hope to see BBF doing the same in South America!  :beer:

Once again, Ron has shown himself to be the right guy, at the right time, and - truly - in the right place...I hope we are blessed with some Ron co-written songs!  We all truly owe you a debt, man...you AND your guitars suck!    : ok:

the guy is honest, and has the best ideas for the band.

to me he's the real lead guitarist.

Agreed. It's inspiring to see how much he's chomping at the bit to get back into the studio and crank out new albums with Guns.  I can't wait to see what ideas he has.

The interview was excellent.  A lot of things from 2006 now make sense, especially Ron looking and sounding uncomfortable on the stage sometimes, though he still did a fantastic job.

On this tour, he is electrifying to hear and see, as it seems now he has all the gear he needs and permission to sing background vocals!  He has done brilliantly on those by the way.  The two shows I saw in Canada he nailed the background vocals on a consistent basis.  I have been complaining about that since 2006, as many of the new songs need backing vocals to really allow Axl to sing the songs as strong as he can live.

Love Ron's dreams and wishes about a compound, and getting in the studio with this band.

However, I couldn't help but get Gilby Clarke flashbacks when reading it.  :o
Careful what you wish for, Ron!  :P

Really great interview, best I have read recently.

The best since "Tip of the Iceberg".

That was a brilliant interview. Bumblefoot is awesome :)

it's about entertainment and perception, not truth. The truth is it's a band, just like many other bands that write and record and tour, but if people don't wanna see that, it doesn't change what we are.

If you feel Guns N' Roses is so strongly defined by the members that were on its debut album, fine, call this G N' R and find something else to cry about - something worthwhile. There's bigger problems in the world than what a band is calling itself. Jesus, it's fucking rock 'n' roll. We're just going out there, playing, and having a good time. Call it G N' R and enjoy it, that's all.

 :beer:

interesting insight into what was going on during the time he came into the fold..

explains a lot about merck and why he's no longer involved..

great interview, one of the best since Axl came here and talked to us.

I'd say easily the best! ron's a fucking great part of this band, i'd love for his wishes about the band came true :)

Fucking great interview!  Ron is such a class act...I can't wait to see what the band can cook up in the studio.
 :beer:

I agree.


Very informative. I had no idea how much Bumble had to do with the recording of CD. His fingerprints are all over it. The extended delay beyond the April '07 release date now makes sense. And proved its worth.

Best Bumblefoot interview iv seen, finally he reveals something!  : ok:

great interview, he seems like a great guy!

I really enjoyed the fact that he is hungry for more!

lets hope he gets to write new songs with the band  :peace:

I like some of his own stuff.  Would be interesting to see how he could contribute to GnR.

yea well said ron.
i think i'm the first in making the Beatles and Guns N' Roses evolution comparison hehe  ;D hope my opponents are reading the interview.
to me for its aloofness in the current and in the music history cd seems more like their sgt. peppers to be followed by their white albums and many more works tho.
and me too love to see how the new members could contribute to GnR and at the same time first i'd love to see the rest of chinese democracy.

well, to me it sounds more like Pink Floyd evolution, but yeah, good point.

AMAZING Interview !!! Ron Rulez !!

I also enjoyed the Beatles education. I've been a huge Beatles fan since I was 5. I never knew about them transitioning in sound. All of their songs just popped out of the radio as one, as if they were all made at the same time.

I had no idea of their progression and their changing sound.

Relating that to GN'R was pretty cool.

The only thing that slightly bothered me was his idea of entering the studio fresh for the next record. Now hold on there Mr. Thal.....there are many of us that want all of the already-recorded/Axl-envisioned songs to make their way to our ipods/cars/stereos.

So get them done, then move on. Or, maybe mix some new tracks in with the best of what Axl has in his vault.

how can that bother you? he's not mentioning to do it for a "next record" he's asked about what he'd hope the future would bring to GNR and answers what would be a dream scenario in the future.. it's not like he's gonna convince everybody to forget about the (most likely fucking great) songs they've written before he joined the band and just start writing new material

be easy. see the word 'slightly'.

guess that's because of this bit




why i refer to the beatles evolution is that it's easier to get across to people as the Beatles is more household than pink floyd. and i don't know if they had the phase of straightforward songs.
In other words, i'm semi-illiterate in pink floyed history.   :P

horror of horrors, even now, some of the beatlemania refuse to accept the latter Beatles as the real beatles. :o