Here Today... Gone To Hell!

DUFF MCKAGAN Says It Was 'Great' Playing With AXL ROSE And The New GUNS N' ROSES - Oct. 21, 2010

Former GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan was interviewed on this morning's (Thursday, October 21) edition of "The BJ Shea Morning Experience" show on the Seattle radio station KISW 99.9 FM and about his surprise guest appearance last week with the band's current lineup at London, England's O2 arena. The chat can now be streamed using the audio player below.

On his appearance with GUNS N' ROSES in London came about:

"Things happen, in life, pretty crazy at times you least expect things to happen.

"I haven't talked to anybody publicly about it. And really, it's kind of... I know we're public figures, or whatever you wanna say, but it was kind of a private matter even though we played together on stage in front of 14,000 people or something.

"Over the years, especially in business and what-not, if you have a fracture in business, you start to demonize each other and if it's a public fracture in business, other people help you demonize...

"It was kind of goofy... As soon as I played last Thursday, my e-mail was just going crazy... It was Rolling Stone [magazine] and whatever or what-not. 'Can we get a quote or statement?' And I don't have a statement.

"It's really not that big of a story. It was really kind of... It was great.

"I got to London last Thursday. I was there on separate business ? a separate business even from music. I checked into the hotel in London I stay at all the time. And the hotel manager came, 'Hey, Duff, we'll show you up to your room.' He goes, 'So you're playing tonight?' And I said, 'No, no, I'm here on just business this time ? I'm not playing this time around.' And he looks at me strangely. 'What? You're not playing tonight?' I had no idea Axl [Rose] and GUNS N' ROSES were in London ? I had no idea. So we're going up the elevator and he said, 'You know, Axl is in the room next to us.' And I had to go straight into meetings. All the meetings were... I was staying in sort of a conference room and bedroom ? it was a conference room on one side of the wall and the bedroom on the other. And I went straight into these meetings and these were with sort of Wall Street people. So it was very serious meetings I was into, something I had worked on for a year. So I'm in these meetings and my phone starts ringing later on in the day in my hotel room; it was kind of managers and tour managers. The word [was] out I [was] in the hotel. And it came down to the simple fact... Axl and I just sort of met up, we saw each other and we hugged. I went down to the gig with him. There were a couple of guys hanging out. There was a lot of, sort of... Like what I was saying, you go through a lot of stuff in business and there's some fractures and demonizing of each other and I think, if nothing else, a couple of old friends maybe got over some of those hurdles and had a nice talk. And I don't want to do anything here to cheapen that by saying anything to you guys, but we had a nice dinner the day after the show, and that was it."

On hanging out with his old buddy again:

"Yeah, I missed it. I did. I missed it. And it couldn't have happened in a more odd way, really."

On the actual performance:

"The show is going on and I'm watching it. And somebody comes over with a bass... 'Now, I haven't played 'You Could Be Mine' since 1993. A lot of the other songs, like 'Paradise City' and 'Mr. Brownstone' and 'It's So Easy', I've played with VELVET REVOLVER or [longtime project] LOADED, but 'You Could Be Mine', I was, like, 'Oh, God. OK, I can play it. I think I remember it.' There's a bridge there. I'd forgotten the second part of the bridge, and I had to look at [current GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] Bumblefoot [chuckles], his guitar neck, to see where the next guitar chord was. But, yeah, it was fun. I had a great time."

"It was a little but heavy. When people saw it... It wasn't heavy for me so much. I was kind of more concerned about the band that he's put together ? great, great players [and] great guys. I've gotten to know Bumblefoot and Tommy [Stinson, bass] and Frank [Ferrer], the drummer. And, of course, there's Dizzy [Reed, keyboards]. It's a great band and I didn't wanna do anything to lessen what they were doing."

On whether this increases the chances of a reunion of the classic GUNS N' ROSES lineup:

"I have nothing to say about it. It's not... I don't know. It's not anything that I worked or planned for. I work and plan for my kids next year in school, or my business, or indeed LOADED. But that kind of thing, it's not something I sit there and go, 'OK, one day this is gonna happen.' Last thing happened, and it was very serendipitous, and the blood was in the water, no doubt. After that show in London, I could have gotten a free dinner and free car service everywhere I went every night I was in London after that. And I had to kind of hide. I went and saw Ronnie Wood play Tuesday night, and I had to kind of watch out for the sharks running about, even at that gig ? it was kind of a private gig, and there were the manager types and the agent types. All of a sudden I was a little more handsome than I'd been before I came to London because everybody was complimenting me. 'Hey, Duff, you look great.'"

On whether he thinks the fact that he has done a lot of work on himself in the last few years has helped make the meeting go more smoothly:

"Well, for me, the big thing is, what's my part in it? We can all look back at our pasts and go, 'Well, he did this to me and...?' [And you have to step back] and take a look in the mirror. What was my part in it? And that's what I've been working on for the last 10 or 15 years, but really in the last five years, and it's a work in the progress. You always paint yourself a little glossier in your own past in your life. I could have done things different ? probably sometimes a lot better; sometimes I could have done things worse. But I look at my part and my accountability. I'm a grown-up; I take accountability for myself and my actions these days. I've got nothing to fear and I've got nothing to be ashamed of. What I've done is what I've done; what I'm gonna do is what I'm gonna do. I have fun while I do it now. Every day I wake and go, 'OK, let's go.' Joke time. I'm lucky to be here, and I don't forget that every day."

You can listen to the interview here: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=148085

I had no idea Axl [Rose] and GUNS N' ROSES were in London ? I had no idea.

 :rofl: :hihi: :rofl:

cool, Duff gave a lot of respects for the band

Not sure why that was funny...  ???

Duff handled that really well. Did not want to detract from the band or anything and was aware how everything he said or did could be taken and run with by someone.

Very well handled by Duff.

Duff is the man. cool as always!

liked the part about his daughter , was funny ^_^
"daaad ur so embarrassing    !"
He obviously has alot of respect for the band and didnt want to mess things up. Maybe if people see that the old band members don't mind the new band... slash lovers will step up? and admit there great too?

heres hoping..

AWWW I love the hug part... :-\

Thanks to Duff for being a gentleman :)

So he had dinner with Axl after the show -- very cool.  8)

Really great interview from Duff.

Cool interview! He knows how to put he`s words! =) Great guy!

great interview! would have been cool to be a fly on the wall at that dinner!!

Duff has a lot of class.

Very good to know about it!
Duff is really a gentleman!

Yes, I have to say that interview definitely gave me a better impression of Duff than I previously held.
...what I would like to add as well...how cool of GNR to make Duff feel welcome. 
Major kudos to Axl for extending that olive branch.  This is definitely a feel-good story.
 :peace:

I think Duff's always handled things well, when it comes to the press. Probably helps that he's a writer and has his own column, but he's never been one to talk shit in the media or let the press get him into a war of words. Actually he seems like the kind of guy you'd want to grab a beer with. Didn't know he knew Frank or Tommy, just knew Ron had jammed with him at some point.

Cool anyway and hopefully that'll stop some of the endless speculation as to why it happened (I mean, Axl explained the same thing on stage basically but no one seemed to notice).

Very cool!  Especially the part about Dinner the next day, maybe they burried some old stuff between them.  Maybe this is a tiny step in the two working together again... 

I am happy for both of them, its good to see old friends catch up!   : ok:

Duff's cool, always has always will be.

Oh to be a fly on the wall at dinner that night!  Duff is a great guy and I'm happy they had this chance to connect.

Interesting story/..

Classy.  As Duff has always been.  The guy is class all the way.

That's HBK for yah  :hihi:

anyway thanks for posting this, really enjoyed reading this..  8)

HBK I Love So Fine

 : ok:

10 Minute Warning opened for The Replacements when they played Seattle in 1984.

No offense, but I think thats exactly the kind of thinking Duff tried to avoid for people when he kept low profile after that gig.

Duff is quite the businessman, he does alot of meetings with businessmen these days. Duff has matured alot and seems to be almost the polar opposite of what he was like in 92-93.

Good on you Duff, it was out of this world seeing you with GN'R in London.  ;D

Why has Duff joining GN'R not been added to the news section?

Maybe to avoid stupid reunion shit ?

I guess lots of journalists get infos from fan boards / sites and if they were to see such a headline they would start writing about reunion without even getting the facts.

No need to fuel such things.

Duff really seems to have a good head on his shoulders. It's cool he got to meet up with Axl.

I think people went overboard with this news....my girlfriend showed up last week, and she said did you know Duff McKagen is back in GNR?  And I am like no he's not.  It was just one show, and she is like (my son) just read it on yahoo.  This is my problem with Duff playing.  I love Duff and I love Guns N Roses, but I want these stupid reunion ideas to go away.

the reunion shit will never go away, either people will babble about it when some ex-member makes a guest appearance, or rant about it if nothing like this happens at all, it's a lose-lose situation. but GNR was never an easy band to be fan of, so one has to get used to it. fuck the rest.

That pretty much sums it up. Couldnt have said it better.

For some reason I have always thought that Duff was one of the coolest mofos on the planet.  This interview just helps solidify that sentiment. 

I do find it a bit tough to believe that he had NO idea that GNR were in London, but who knows???  His columns in Seattle weekly are awesome by the way.  They're a great read about a nice variety of different topics.

I'm a big fan of So Fine, too!

Coming from Duff I believe it 100%. 

If it was coming from another former member....well, not so much.

What it does prove is that Duff is his own man.  Didn't need to seek permission from Slash or Matt to do the appearence, but decided that it would be a fun thing to do.

And why not? He and Axl, I'd guess have a bit of making up to do, there were court cases et al after the split, and whatever your views on the whys and wherefore's the bottom line is/was a business partnership which each had their own vested interests to look after. That doesn't have to be personal, but in the case of Duff, I see as Duff just wanted to play music and all he could see was an implosion taking place. Yes he walked, but I'd say that at the time, the band wasn't what he joined any more and just wasn't going to wait around and (in his view) waste time and energy in something that was in his eyes falling apart.

All the AFD/UYI members have grown older, some have grown wiser and others have try to grow their way off the substances that have blighted the original band and subsequence lives since. Those that have grown wiser, were pretty wise to begin with, they didn't try and play the media to get at Axl, they just shut up and moved on.  In the media spotlight, everything is magnified and this meeting was always going to get the media going on about having the re-union. The truth is, all that really happened was it presented closure to both parties and opportunity to do what they do best and play some good music. 

Duff didn't need to be shown how well Gn'R's are doing, nor was he made to see what he is missing, if that was the case, he wouldn't have played ball and perform at the O2, no "shut up and strum" message required. Will Duff get to play on the next album? Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it nor would I expect it to happen for anybody else either.

Axl has, like anybody who has gone through the issues and shit that has blighted them and come through the other side, decided who he will speak with from his past, from a therapy sense, he has also chosen to exclude those that has ceased to exist in his world.  Duff was always on the side of a willing to work/communicate with in Axl's mind, indeed he said that a few years back and has lived up to that statement. Planned or not, it does show that Axl has brought closure to the troubled past. If I remember correctly, Beta had a big part in that and being on tour and "bumping" into Duff was probably the best way to meet and finally get the awkwardness of facing each other over and done with. It didn't allow doubts and rehearsal (The I'm gonna ask this, he'll say that, then I'll do that and so on) that precedes any reunion by appointment, of once previously close people that have been parted by any kind of dispute.  :yes:

this is new to be, but I always felt they both are mid-80's punks, so it makes perfect sense

But didn't Axl say something like he wouldn't mind working with Duff again in the fan Q&A.  Maybe not the obvious, but doing something together down the road.

I think he said he wouldn't mind having Duff play a song or two at a show, which is wehat ended up happening.

Now that you mention it -- does anyone have the direct quote from the chat?  I looked, but there's a lot there. :)

Neemo posted this over on www.gnrevolution.com

Would you consider a reunion with the 'Appetite' or 'Illusions' lineups?

No.

Why not?

A lot more reasons than I'll get into here now. Different reasons for each version and each individual. The Izzy bit was fun -- and also fun because we didn't have to rely on him in any way, which is how he prefers things and works better for everyone. That said, you never knew if Izzy would be there or not or if he'd remember the song or decide to leave early. It didn't cause any problems, because we were doing our show regardless and didn't have to depend on anything, but it did open everyone's eyes a bit and blow minds.

He called, asked to come out and negotiated a deal with management that it's probably best that none of us knew about or the fun would've seemed a bit more like being used or taken advantage of spoiling the moment. As it was, we had a great time.

It'd be highly doubtful for us to have more than one of the alumni up with us at any given time. I suppose Duff could play guitar on something somewhere, but there's zero possibility of me having anything to do with Slash other than by ambush, and that wouldn't be pretty. He wrote that whole bit about not having his guitar in Vegas, I'd assume, to save face. I was told by both the Hard Rock and different Guns industry people who had come out to be supportive of the new band and were a bit surprised to see him there, especially guitar in hand, but just assumed it was a surprise for the show and we were in on the arrangement.

Steven [Adler] brings assorted ambulance-chasing attorneys and the nightmare of his mother. One gig, or even a couple songs, could mean years of behind-the-scenes legal aftermath.

but this whole encounter was strictly coincidental... axl has psychic powers  :o

Unlike Slash, Duff didn't turn up with guitar in hand, he borrowed the instruments he used as made pretty clear in various articles. Not psychic, just living the moment and making the right call by saying, "here use this..."c :beer:

I always had great respect for Duff and Izzy

Duff proved to be a great guy. Way to go, man !

Thanks.  So like Tommy said, it's been a long time coming -- and the opportunity, by chance, presented itself in London. 8)

Reunion, smeunion, just come to the U S o' A!!

I think both Axl and Duff showed class and maturity. It's great that they had dinner afterwards and most likely resolved their issues between each other. It's a good example of how to find closure.

yes... what you said  :peace:

I found it interesting how Duff handled the reunion question. As much as he or any other former member want to downplay it, the reality is, Guns N' Roses will likely be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013, and it will need to be determined just who will show up to the ceremony. For the original five guys, I definitely think it's in the back of their minds to maybe put aside all unresolved issues for an hour, and come out as a unit to thank the people who got them there--the fans.

I don't think anyone in Guns N' Roses past or present wants to see another induction similar to Van Halen's.

Probably 2012, don't you think? The rule is 25 years after a band's first album, so 2012 is 25 years after Appetite. It sure is sneaking up on us pretty fast.

I don't think Axl gives a damn about the Rock N' Roll Hall of fame ceremony.    I think he has made it clear he will work with ex-members of Guns on his terms and beyond that forget it. 

I wouldn't take it as a given that GNR is just going to get inducted the first year they're eligible. There are lots of big acts (RHCP) that aren't in despite being eligible.

I concur. Seriously what are the chances this actually went down the way this article says it did? They just happened to be staying at the same hotel in London just rooms away from each other. Look, its awesome Duff got on stage and played with GN'R. I like Duff. I have a signed autograph hanging in my man cave of Duff (my only autograph I actually have). A part of me feels he betrayed all of us. He chose his side. He could have always been down with Axl and chose to stand by him and Dizzy but, he didn't. He has an album called Believe in Me, but, he didn't believe in Axl. He really fucked up. He has done nothing of any substance musically. Like Slash's solo efforts. Velvet Revolver was ridiculous. He could have continued to be part of something special. He will never have his Chinese Democracy and he will have to live with that. Hopefully sometime during there dinner together, he apologized for being a douche.

Having said that, come back to the U.S.A. already please GN'R. If only to just record more music come back.

 :rofl: :rofl: I love when people are rational about their love for the band.

Yes, the nomination will come in September 2012, but the actual induction doesn't take place until early the following year...probably March 2013

Isn't the Hall of Fame basically run by Rolling Stone Magazine? If so, GN'R is a shoe-in right off the bat because Rolling Stone loves 'em. haha

It's amusing how upset some people got after I told those, who think Duff's appearance at the second O2 show meant there was some kind of reunion in the works, to go fuck themselves.

It's almost like they found out there's no tooth fairy. They thought they had just seen proper proof of its existence and then I ruined it all....


Oops!  :P


It was a historic event in the world of GN'R. To me it looked like the band, Duff and audience enjoyed the moment.

It wasn't that different to Izzy joining the band on stage four years ago.

I'm sure some saw that as "a sign" too...




/jarmo

IZZY Is...

Jarmo,

With all due respect, don't you view it as a bit extreme telling people to fuck off just because they are excited (even if there excitement is unfounded)? A bit harsh dont you think?

I think it just sets a bad image for the forum when the administrator/chieftain/leader tells people to go fuck themselves...

There's much easier ways to go about doing so.

Extreme? Not at all....  It's actually quite funny. Considering....


What's extreme is people using that as some kind of proof that their beloved dream is coming true in the near future.

These are the same people who "know me" based on what I type on a keyboard.





/jarmo

it's more about people being excited, expecting something that can never happen. and if they just can't understand it, then some harsh words can come

Everybody knew what certain people would "see" in this event.

The fact remains, those signs weren't there.

But these people just keep going on and on about it. Year after year..... After year....




/jarmo

I really think this band is awesome as is and see no need for a reunion.The only thing I would like is more songs from there Illusions catalogue and a new album but the band is perfect as is. Of course just my opinion.

Why is it that just because some of us are excited and hold hope for a possible reunion that it is trashing the current lineup? Sure these other players axl has now are great but the reason why GNR is still sought after all these years is because of the songs and mystique that was created with the original 5.

I find it funny how mentioning Duff's name on this side of the message board got u a deleted post, now because Axl sits and has dinner with him he is the greatest bassist alive again...

I find it funny how people don't understand how sections work....




/jarmo

So its ok to talk about former members as long as they are having dinner with a current member, gotcha  :beer:

This is less about a meal and more about an actual guest spot at a GN'R show.

But if you wanna focus on the food, go ahead....




/jarmo

Best post ever.







Just kidding...

DUFF MCKAGAN - London, Axl and Continued 'Patience'

Thursday, October 28, 2010

In his latest blog for Seattle Weekly, former GUNS N' ROSES bassist DUFF MCKAGAN discusses his recent on stage reunion with AXL ROSE.

"Two weeks ago, I flew off to London for a week's worth of non-music-related business. Mere hours after landing at Heathrow I found myself onstage with a friend that I have been to hell and back with, and lived to tell the tale. Axl and I just happened to be in hotel rooms next to each other. Unexpected? Oh, fuck yes.

Sometimes, though, it takes a serendipitous moment like this to put some important things into perspective. I for one was glad we were sort of thrown into meeting. I hope he was, too, for the sake of the pounds of flesh that we shed in the struggle and fray.

Mostly we laughed, and that was indeed great.

That same night, I found myself onstage playing 'Patience' in front of 14,000 people at the 02 Arena. To put it lightly, this is not what I had expected when I boarded my flight the night before for my business trip. Crazy shit.

This chance meeting gave me pause for thought and reflection. Many of you have asked me to write about this gig and our meeting. Other magazines and whatnot have tried to contact me for a 'statement'. Really? A STATEMENT? I'll state this: Trust is built on foundations of granite. Trust is not built when a late-breaking story can prompt you to gossip.

I did an interview for our local rock station, KISW, about a week after the gig. They have started to play a new LOADED song in preparation for our halftime performance at the November 7th Seahawks game as part of Veterans Appreciation Day. The song, 'Fight On', was written by Loaded as a nod to our fallen and fighting young men and women. I was doing promo for the gig and the song (profits from the download will go to our Puget Sound VA HealthCare System). The conversation on BJ Shea's Morning Show naturally took a turn from 'Fight On' to my participation onstage with Axl. I've been on BJ's show enough times to know that they wouldn't ask me anything dumb or be otherwise rude or untoward. They let me say my piece, and that was it."

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2010/10/london_axl_and_continued_patie.php#more

Duff seems to be a class act....Would be cool for an Axl guest appearence on the new Loaded album..

^^word.

I was freaking jumping with joy when I found out Duff was playing with Axl. I know there is never going to be a reunion but all the same, from someone who's been following the band sense 1988 it was pretty amazing.

The food is where the money is at  :hihi:

Roast beef with potatoes, it must be yummy to have that every night hahaha :rofl:

+1

word. Having said that, I would take a new album as consolation though.

Please stop posting that "+1" shit.

It falls under the "I agree" rule (which actually is words not just a symbol and a number).

I don't give a fuck if other forums consider "+1" to be part of an interesting conversation.

We don't.


So please stop that right now.




/jarmo

Here we have someone else who is afflicted by the most vile, wretched disease known to man: the sickness known as entitlement.

Duff betrayed you?  Explain to me in rational terms -- and please note the way I worded that -- what the fuck does Duff owe you?  Why were you ever entitled to his presence in GNR?

Let me explain this, if you spent your money on a GNR CD, you're entitled to it.  If you spent your money on a GNR concert ticket, you're entitled to a show.  But it does NOT entitle you to Duff's life or soul.  He owes you NOTHING.

Yeah, that?s right.  Duff chose his side.  Newsflash: it?s HIS life.  NOT YOURS.


So you believe Duff's life and happiness are less important than doing some fucking album that YOU like?  Yeah, he could've forsaken everything else in his life to give you what YOU feel YOU should be getting from him.

You believe that Duff is less of a man than Axl because he didn?t do Chinese Democracy, as if doing a materialistic album is more important than all the things in life that obviously make Duff very happy: his bands, his music, and his children.  Your priorities are ass backwards.  You retain a sense of infantile betrayal with the frivolous belief that Duff owes you something.  And you will have to live with that -- and that's gotta be hard, a lot harder than anything Duff has to live with.  Just by reading this one post of yours, I'd be willing to bet that Duff is much happier, fulfilled, and peaceful than you are.

But by all means, go ahead and believe that Axl Rose and Chinese Democracy are the epitome of fulfillment in someone's life.  That seems to be what's giving you a reason to continue...


Hopefully when you met Duff, you apologized for the same thing.

Bridge Bridge Bridge...

How is the family? I see what you are doing. I am really amazed that you have this whole thing so clearly worked out. I am amazed that someone so balanced and living in such harmony still finds the time during your stay in nirvana to talk to us regular people. You see dude, I gave the disclaimer already when I said "A part of me feels..." Sometimes us regular people have conflicting emotions about things we are passionate about even when it isn't always logical. It's a human trait.

At the time, when I witnessed my favorite band (dude, I was there during the Sunset Street days and I take GN'R seriously. I am an O.G. gunner) disintegrate it hit me really hard. I really don't care if you don't get that. I just know I was glued to every little bit of news I could find, and at that time, it was hard to figure out what was fact from fiction. But as it started getting real and news coming down that one by one these members of GN'R that I grew up with, who's music really got me through so much shit, started up and quitting the band, and quitting on Axl, I got pissed. It may not be logical. Shit dude, as an atheist and a fan of NASA and the universe let me tell you this. The Universe and how it was created isn't logical. It just is.

The difference between Axl and most other musicians making Rock N' Roll, is that Axl is an artist. Sometimes people like to throw the word "Artist" around like how people do the words "Porn Star." Every girl who fucks dudes on film and gets paid for it is suddenly a porn star now. Bullshit. Well, every person who makes music isn't an artist either. Axl Rose is an artist. If that too is something you don't agree with then you know where you can go right? I am a motherfuckin fan, and like the universe, it just is. Chinese Democracy is a masterpiece. Duff without Axl has never come close to creating one and most likely will never again be a part of creating one. It is purely speculation but I would think with all the albums he has made since he quit on GN'R that he would love for his music to be has beloved as Chinese Democracy is too us fans. I don't need to explain to you why CD is such a triumph and success. If you need me too, then you will never get it anyway.

Sometimes Bridge I am an asshole, sometimes I am stupid. You made this personal calling me a douche when you really no nothing about me. Fuck Bridge, maybe I am a douche. Maybe Bridge, that is why I can see it in others like you know, "it takes one to know one"  kind of thing. Have a wonderful day.

What isn't logical to me is your assumption that they all "quit on Axl".  That's certainly one side I suppose, but it seems that since, you were "there in Sunset Strip from the beginning", you should've been more willing to consider all sides of the story instead of just making that assumption.  Just because Axl retained the rights to the GNR name doesn't mean it's as black and white as the way you phrased it.  A lot of people believe Axl separated himself from the rest of the band long before they separated themselves by quitting it.

I don't care how great of an album you think Chinese Democracy is, or what you think of Duff's post-GNR music.  That still doesn't mean Duff owes you anything.  The guy is obviously happy and successful on his own terms.  He obviously doesn't weigh success and happiness by the scale of a fucking album that YOU like, the way that YOU do, and the way that YOU seem to think he should.  It obviously pisses you off, and you got greatly offended that Duff actually went on with his life after GNR, but too bad my friend, because "much like the universe", it is the way it is.


Actually, given the fact that you called Duff a douche when YOU know nothing about HIM (beyond this image you've created for him in your own mind), I was turning that on its ear -- but by all means, consider this to be more personal than it actually is.  I think you summarized it perfectly, you called Duff a douche, so maybe as you pointed out, it takes one to know one.

I will have a wonderful day, thanks.

Geez, BM! Ever consider that without a drastic change in his life (i.e. quitting Guns) Duff might be DEAD now? How's that for quitting a band? More justified? More acceptable? Fuck no!

Bridge, a part of me (cough) wants to try to explain to you how full of shit you are. So much so that you don't even realize you are doing the exact same thing you are  accusing me of doing.

Your words:

"The guy is obviously happy and successful on his own terms.  He obviously doesn't weigh success and happiness by the scale of a fucking album that YOU like, the way that YOU do, and the way that YOU seem to thin he should.  It obviously pisses you off, and you got greatly offended that Duff actually went on with his life after GNR, but too bad my friend, because "much like the universe", it is the way it is."

"Actually, given the fact that you called Duff a douche when YOU know nothing about HIM (beyond this image you've created for him in your own mind), I was turning that on its ear -- but by all means, consider this to be more personal than it actually is.  I think you summarized it perfectly, you called Duff a douche, so maybe as you pointed out, it takes one to know one."

Bridge baby, do I even need to say it. Surely by now you have realized your hypocrisies. Alright fine I will spell it out for you o mighty great one....

What the fuck do you know? You know nothing about Duff. Yet you want want to psycho talk to me and tell me how Duff feels? O RLY? Do you secretly talk to Duff when you are all alone? Does he tell you how happy he is? You project often?

I am sorry for you that you aren't feeling Chinese Democracy. At least Axlative here is making sense. Good Fucking Night.

Your sympathy isn't required, because my feelings towards that album aren't the point.  In fact, YOUR feelings towards that album aren't the point.  The point was, even if Chinese Democracy is the greatest record of all time, that doesn't mean Duff is a lesser man for not being in GNR for it.  The point is that Duff has lots going on in his life that obviously satisfies him.  Not everyone considers a "great album" to be the epitome of their existence the way that you seem to.


 :hihi:  Truth be told, I could talk to Duff regularly and you'd never know it.

But seriously, hypocrisies?  Open your eyes and read.  Between all statements made by Duff -- in Duff's column, Duff's career, Duff's interviews, etc.... it is very obvious that Duff has gone on with his life.  He left Guns N Roses.  He went on to other things.  He doesn't spend his life bemoaning the fact that he wasn't a part of Chinese Democracy -- only you do.

That was a very poor attempt at diverting attention from the fact that you have this sick sense of entitlement -- more psycho talk than what you accused me of -- which is what started this debate to begin with.

On another note: given the fact that people around here are constantly bitching that fans of the former members don't move on and accept the current lineup of GNR as it is, I find it utterly AMAZING that someone is now bitching because Duff HAS gone on with his life!  Talk about hypocrisy!

Oh Bridge you silly goose you. See its psycho talk because you are arguing for the sake of arguing. Case in point, I am happy Duff moved on. Its not really like he had any other choice but to really. Besides I like Tommy. The dude seems to appreciates Axl and this whole "General" thing with him is kind of cool. Duff leaving turned out to be really good but, without CD who would know?

Did I just blow you mind Bridge? Is your head spinning like a top?

Having said that, I wonder if your attempts to rile people up by saying they are whining and bitching actually works around here? Just thinking out load. See this story had a happy ending. I just love happy endings. Speaking of which I need a massage.

Hahahaahahahahah - legend.  I love this.  :hihi:

GREG

A little more from Duff on playing with Axl/GNR from this interview with ESPN:

November 6, 2010

The Life: I wasn't going to ask any Guns 'N' Roses questions, but then I read where you played that show in London. Did you just play the encore?

McKagan: I played a few songs in the encore. It was really fun for me.

It just happened out of nowhere. Literally, I was in the elevator going up to my room and the manager of the hotel -- it's a hotel I stay at all the time -- said, "Hey, you're playing tonight, right?"

"No, I'm not playing at all this trip." Usually I played when I go there. It's an honest mistake.

"You're not playing tonight?" Oh, will there be an issue you're in a room next to Axl's?

The Life: Right next to his room? Not just same hotel, but right next door?

McKagan: Right next, the chance of all the hotels in London, all the days of the year, all the years, all the floors in the hotel, you know.

Yeah, but it was a great serendipitous thing because I was being thrown into "OK, how's it going?" You didn't have like three days to prepare. ? And I don't have any resentments. It was a huge, great, amazing thing that happened in all of our lives. Killer. My life's totally enhanced in a whole different way because of that thing, for sure. So I just don't carry it around. I've gone through a lot of things to work through some of this s---. It happened.

So it was great. I had no resentment. It was really great to see him. I don't think he had any resentment and we had a good time. We laughed. That's what you want to do with an old friend.

The Life: What was it like to end up on stage playing Guns 'N' Roses. What was that feeling?

McKagan: I played a lot of Guns 'N' Roses songs with Velvet Revolver. It's part of my makeup. We wrote the songs [together], so they're like my songs. I don't compartmentalize what songs are what, so it was easy.

Great, he's got a really good band. Nice guys, it's all good. I had to get right back after the gig, I had a meeting at 8 a.m. the next morning. "I gotta go."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=5764594

Duff McKagan was recently interviewed by Wales Online.  He's asked about his relationship with Axl in this new interview, this is what he says in part...

Wales Online: What is your personal relationship now with Axl?

Duff McKagan: Axl's not one of the guys that calls you up and goes, you wanna go do something...ya know. It's a different relationship, but it's fine. He's the singer, he's way more the focal point than anyone else, so his experience through this thing is different than mine, and I realized writing this book.

You know, he was a good friend at times, and he really came through to me at times when I needed it. You know, maybe he's not the all the time friend, but when it mattered at some very important points in my life -- he was there.

So that's more important than what anybody thinks of him for being late to a concert, or ya know whatever, wearing a raincoat, who cares.  You know for me I don't care.

Audio @17:30 here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2011/10/26/audio-guns-n-roses-bassist-duff-mckagan-talks-to-walesonline-91466-29666016/

And that is just one of the many many many reasons Duff is a true artist and a fantastic person.  Loved his book and the way he approached.  So happy to see how he turned his life around and the person he has become.  Inspiring.

Nice to hear  :) I had to re-read it a few times, the part in his book where he and Axl meet in London. Fantastic stuff :smoking:

Sweet!

Really looking forward to reading his book the nice thing about him is he has no secret agenda, even the thing last year of being in the same hotel you know it was a happy accident,a pretty decent man i think : ok:

I fuckin love how Duff put's the phrase in there "wearing a raincoat", makes me instantly think of Axl at Rock In Rio with that yellow jacket.  ;D

Gotta love Duff.  :love:

loving his book so far!!

I believe he is making fun of the journalist who made fun of Axl wearing a rain coat in trhe rain  :rofl: