Here Today... Gone To Hell!

DJ ASHBA of SIXX:A.M. and GUNS N? ROSES On Beauty and Social Erosion

June 17, 2011

As a young kid growing up, I think most of us at one time or another had moments where people treated us poorly, or laughed at our dreams, and we couldn?t wait to show them just how wrong they were.  Especially those of us who had ambitions of doing jobs that would make us famous.  That desire to make those naysayers eat their words helped drive our ambitions. DJ Ashba has been down that familiar road, as a teen growing up in the small town of Fairbury, Illinois. Like so many creative teens, Ashba was something of an outcast in the small community, so it?s somewhat rewarding and surreal when he returns home to find that he?s now a hometown celebrity with his guitar picks sold in the local store.

At 38-years-old, the Sixx:A.M. and Guns ?N Roses guitarist has certainly had the last laugh over the doubters and bullies we ?d all like to knock down to size. The small town boy who was initially inspired to make music his life?s work after seeing a M?tley Cr?e concert, has now not only co-written one of their albums (Saints of Los Angeles), but is in another dynamic band with M?tley bassist, Nikki Sixx. Then there is the blasphemous but obvious fact that were Cr?e elder statesman Mick Mars ever to hang up touring with the band, Ashba would be his obvious successor.

If all that isn?t reason enough to hire a full time assistant just to pinch the man on an hourly basis, Ashba is also the guitarist for legendary rockers, Guns N? Roses, who are currently gearing up for more tour dates and another album.

Ashba has also handled production duties for artists as varied as Drowning Pool, Marion Raven and Neil Diamond.

This is all a far leap from his debut band, the highly underappreciated Beautiful Creatures, whom he left in 2002, and his stint with BulletBoys prior to that.
This month he, Sixx and vocalist/producer James Michael released the second album from their ?creative outlet? project, Sixx:A.M. The follow up to their 2007 debut, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, This Is Gonna Hurt finds the band opening up deeper visionary veins than ever. On the new album, Ashba and Co. have stretched well beyond the confines of their first album.

Outside of his musical ?day job?, Ashba is also extremely busy with his Ashba Media empire and various other entreprenureal ventures, including AshbaSwag.com which is a full clothing line of rockstar wear for adults and now kids. He also has an extreme passion for art and all things artistic, and is about to shop an animated movie script that he wrote, with full character graphics by his team at Ashba Media. DJ calls it a ?twisted love story,? and he will also score all the music for it.

This week I had an opportunity to speak with the creative madman about the new Sixx:A.M. album and how it differs from the band?s debut release. We talked about his creative efforts within Guns N? Roses, and the misunderstood musical vision of Axl Rose, as well as what?s currently striking a nerve with him personally. And we touched on the Ted Nugent tribute record he once recorded with late friend, Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne, M?tley Cr?e), and the end of the world.

Two part audio interview here: http://metalholic.co/dj-ashba-of-sixxa-m-and-guns-n%E2%80%99-roses-on-beauty-and-social-erosion/

Dj sets the interviewer straight when he asks about GN'R's songwriting. The interviewer asks how Dj feels about the fact that Axl writes all the songs, Dj says it's not true and that Axl is open to writing with the band.

Then he says Axl and the band wrote Chinese Democracy together. It wasn't just Axl with no input from the rest of the band.

Dj also says Axl has a lot of amazing stuff that he heard Axl play on piano. He's really hoping that the world gets to hear the stuff one day, and he can't wait to work on some of the stuff with Axl.

Dj says the band is awesome, great musicians.

Then says he's been writing songs all the time, and sending things to Axl.

"He's the real deal, he's a true artist" - Dj about Axl

Dj says Chinese Democracy didn't take that long to make, they have more stuff that they worked on during the same time. It wasn't just that one album they worked on. Which we all here know, but most others seem to ignore.




/jarmo

In all due respect jarmo, don't you think you should see if users choose to post in the thread before starting your "everyone's out ta get DJ" routine. I don't post in these DJ threads, because of reasons I'm sure everyone is aware of (and no, it has nothing to do with Robin).  :D

If people are choosing to ignore these kinds of threads, I think that nothing else needs to be said. You stating again and again the positives in the interview, is not going to stop people from getting fustrated at all of the "promising signs" yet again, when they fully know the history of GN'R and albums.  ::)

Not going to start a whole debate here, just saying what alot of people are no doubt thinking....

What the fuck are you talking about now?

I posted a recap of the GN'R talk in that interview and commented on the fact that Dj said GN'R worked on more than one album. We all know that. The general public doesn't.



What's your problem with that?

I can't post a recap of the interview because it will upset you?

Are you upset because Dj has been writing songs and submitting them to Axl?





/jarmo

I must say, those things he said about Axl, how he described the material... WOW!

I can't wait for the next record!

Jarmo, I for one appreciate you providing a summary of the main points of the interview.

Some people (myself) don't have time to listen to a whole interview, and just scan these forums for relevant news.

Thanks.

Yeah, thanks Jarmo for the recap.  I don't have time to listen either. 

Some more of what he says in the interview...

On whether Axl Rose is receptive to songwriting ideas from the rest of the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES:

Ashba: "Axl definitely is open to writing with the band. I know [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] Robin Finck helped him write 'Better' [from 'Chinese Democracy'], the single that was out. I know a lot of the guys had a lot of input on the album. He's always been really open. I've worked with a lot of talented people, but this guy, I'm telling you, he has songs up his sleeve that I've sat down at the piano with him, and literally, my jaw hits the piano bench. He has a lot of songs up his sleeve. Obviously, I'm in the band, and I have no reason to kiss his ass, I'm just kind of putting it out as it is. The guy is just fucking incredible. The songs that he has that no one's heard? I pray to God one day people get to hear what he has up his sleeve, because me being a fan for one, but the shit is just awesome. And I can't wait to get in and work on some stuff with him. And I know he's really excited to get in a room, too, so I think us together, we're gonna do a lot of damage. And this band he's put together is just incredible musicians ? I mean, top-notch players. He definitely put together an amazing band and he has, like, three albums' worth of shit up his sleeve that's just gonna floor people. I'm really excited about it. And I've been writing around the clock, constantly sending him songs, too. So it's good; it's really good."

On when fans can expect to hear a new GUNS N' ROSES album:

Ashba: "Well, it won't be 15 years, I promise you. [Laughs] The thing about Axl, and what I do respect about him, he doesn't give a fuck about, like, if a label person is trying to hurry him for a record. The one thing is, he is the real deal, he is a true artist ? he will not release a record until he knows in his heart it's ready. And that's exactly how we are with SIXX: A.M. ? we won't turn a record in? It doesn't matter if it takes five years. And it doesn't really matter to us if it doesn't sell a record, because when you're doing something from a very true place and you're being true to yourself, none of that matters, really. At the end of the day, you just wanna leave a song here that you're gonna be proud of long after you're gone. So if you go into that mindframe and not, 'OK, this sounds like a hit.' Or 'We've gotta change this to sound more like this band because they're doing really good.' It's not real. So the one thing, whether you like 'Chinese' or hate it, it's real. And it definitely is a very brilliant artistic record. I think it's an amazing record. Will the next one take as long? No. I mean, what people don't realize is 'Chinese' didn't take 15 years. He literally has, like, four albums' worth of? I mean, he has tons and tons of songs. So whenever he feels like, OK, this is what he wants to release next? It's his call, it's his vision, so I'm just here to do whatever I can to bring that vision to life for him, or with him."

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159585

Seriously, what the fuck ARE you talking about? That was clearly just a recap of what DJ said in relation to GN'R.

Ali

On whether Axl Rose is receptive to songwriting ideas from the rest of the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES

Asking more ridiculous

 :rofl: :hihi: :rofl:

Thanks for posting that transcription.  : ok:

Let's hope it doesn't offend a certain poster.




/jarmo

Weird........ i have no idea what one in a million is talking about....



Anyone surprised Axl works with his bandmates?

Thats one part that never really added up when people would talk about axl being difficult to work with etc..

I don't know very many frontmen that will do material written by bandmates AND let them sing it on albums..

I'm sure Axl hears things a certain way in his head and makes suggestions like a book editor would do but Axl is comfortable enough in his talent to allow others to bring their own stuff to the table.


To be critical though, cause thats what I do... Didn't Axl dismiss the 3 albums worth of material thing on some interview.... can't remember if it was the billboard one or the fan chats... when he said how Sebastian didn't hear as much as he thought or something???

The Billboard Q&A: Axl Rose (http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=169)




/jarmo

How much material is there?

Not as much as Baz [Sebastian Bach] thinks he heard! Really, it doesn't matter. If things go well enough, we'd like to get another out at some point in our lifetimes.

http://www.spinner.com/2009/02/27/axl-rose-insists-original-guns-n-roses-lineup-is-dead-and-burie/

there we go. the Del James interview

Yeah, but Axl could've just been trying to temper expectations.  There've been numerous people who've said there was 3-4 albums worth of material.  Bach was on The Jason Ellis show before CD came out and said that Axl asked him to stop saying that he had 3-4 albums ready to be released and that they were just focusing on the ONE album.  I think it's quite possible that Axl has come up with 40 songs or so over the last 15+ years.  Of course that doesn't mean we'll get to hear them all.

depends on the lenghts of the albums, if its like 30min albums it might be 4.....but it'd be only 2 with each 60min  ;)

the "asskissing"-quote is some weird though, DJ is a hired gun in the end.

Im def interested how the next album will come about. will DJ and Ron re record parts already laid down etc.

So funny!





It's not weird at all.

He doesn't need to kiss ass, he was a successful musician even before joining GN'R.

All that "hired gun" shit is irrelevant. They're a band, just like any other band.

The difference is that this band didn't form in high school or in somebody's garage. They're still a real band.





/jarmo

i disagree, most people never heard his name before, Axl opened him the door for actual "getting" really successful, a huge career pusher! and yes, a hired gun is on Axl's paycheck, isnt on the same level like Axl, doesnt have band name rights or the final say....thats all on Axl's shoulders and this differs from many other "bands".
"my jaw hits the piano bench", "The guy is just fucking incredible", "I pray to God one day people get to hear what he has up his sleeve [...]the shit is just awesome", "I think it's an amazing record." etc. etc.  this interview is just full of too much positive stuff that it at least justifies the term "weird" i've used when he says he doesnt need to kiss ass but then kinda does it a lot.
anyway more of a real downie of the interview might be this one for me "I can't wait to get in and work on some stuff with him." - so they didnt really work together yet, he just sends him (part of) songs?

You can't be successful without being a celebrity?




Please.

Most bands have a leader. It's nothing weird.

In GN'R's case, Axl's been there since day one.

You're just being silly for the sake of putting the band down.





Ok, we get it. Somebody who's excited and amazed about music seems "weird" to you.




/jarmo

you're in twisting mood, i'll try again:
its "weird" to talk about not doing asskissing but then kinda doing it - when also being on Axl's payroll and having the huge GN'R name as career pusher.

How So? This is common knowledge, just repeating the folklore as heard by a select number of others, but not the masses.  You don't get to produce the likes of Neil Diamond without having some kind of talent, or play along side Nikki Sixx, or write for Motley Crue for that matter. I really don't get what your issue is.. :-*.

I mis-read your post jarmo, I thought you said "which most people here seem to ignore". I thought you was complaining about the thread not getting much attention again, but you was in fact saying that in regards to the people not on boards and are casually fans... so I got that one wrong, yes.  :o

But.......  :hihi:

In regards to the current discussion, I just want to state that I find it somewhat confusing having DJ say that he's working on loads of songs and passing them on to Axl. Don't get me wrong all of the things he said about Axl was spot on, and it's nice to hear those things.

But we have been told by Ron that the current band has yet to go into the studio together, and that the next album will probably be alot of CD type of songs recorded majoritily by the CD era members. So what is DJ doing?, is he recording overdubs and seeing if Axl likes them like Ron did in 2006-08. Is he been given the green light by Axl to try to create 1 or 2 more songs to put on the album?.

I don't know what to think?, and before anyone tries to be a smartass and says "the whole band don't have to be in the same room to record". I think Ron meant by that former comment, is that the progress in regards to the current line-up contributing to the next album is minimal at best...

I just get a sense that Ron has a very different view of what's happening in regards to CD2 than what DJ has. Or Ron just might be being cautious and not giving any false hope to the fans, in regards to saying comments like DJ's.  :o

Maybe 'the glamrocker' enjoys working with a true artist, as opposed to walking in flock?

I betcha DJ has worked with other people and gotten paid for it without liking too much what he do, but as for now I think he got his dreamjob and expresses it nicely. Axl don't behave too well, WE ALL KNOW THIS, but I think the relief with working with music and shows together w GunsnRoses is pretty genuine.

Both Axl and DJ = the real deal.

They are not people that do what they do cause they think they are supposed to do it.

Why does every single word spoken by a band member always need to be dissected?  At the end of the day the outcome is what?  It is the same mindless chatter :rant:  Let us just be happy there is going to be a strong possibility of some great new music coming our way, and lets not forget, they are in the beginning stages of touring ;).

What kind of songs btw? Oldshcool-type-of-stuff? Ballads?

Can we except more stuff aka OMG/Silk Worms?


I hope he brings back the Satan-beard again, was kinda cool :P

How can it be ass kissing when it's his opinion?

I bet the whole reason he mentions the ass kissing part is because of people like you. He probably knew that some one like you would hear the comments and think "He's kissing Axl's ass". Surprise, surprise!

Say something positive, and you're kissing ass. Say something negative, and you're telling the truth... Right?



If Dj really is excited and amazed by the songs he's heard, and he says so, how is that ass kissing?





/jarmo

ajAJjaJAJajJAJjajAJjaJAJaj

DJ Is Happy

 :hihi: :rofl: :hihi:

DJ is the perfect fit cause u can tell the guy is a big time GNR fan. thats refreshing. I never bought Robin being a GNR fan which is why i had a hard time accepting him.

DJ pays tribute to the past and is a perfect bridge to the now.

Could not agree more!
There really is nothing to discuss with regards to DJ's interview. He makes no promises just offers an insight into his life in GN'R. Why would he lie??. If I were to SPECULATE....I get the impression Axl holds DJ in very high regard, and I would not be suprised if he was closer to Axl than other members of the band. No source for this thinking just a gut feeling!

I would agree, DJ is a huge GN'R fan.  That makes it genuine ,it also shows why he is excited to be in this band.  I don't get why some people try and turn positives into negatives every single time someone opens their mouth  :no:

to me that is much wierder than ANYTHING the band members talk about IMO

I said it here before and I'll say it again. Robin Finck nor Buckethead were the the right guitarists for GNR. They just didn't seem to fit in that mold. DJ is the perfect example of a GNR guitarists. The guy has talent and is passionate. I like reading the story about how he and Axl beat up some dude b/c the guy was acting like a jackass. That's old school GNR attitude right there. I like what DJ says here and his attitude. I can't wait to see this band live.

DJ seems like a tireless worker.  Always in the studio working on new songs.  He's apparently sent some stuff Axl's way to see if he likes it, or if he could work with it.  This process has been going on for quite some time all across the rock genre.  It's nothing new.  Not sure what's so hard to comprehend there.  Ron said the band had not gotten together to start work on a new album and DJ pretty much said the same thing in this interview.  That doesn't mean that he, Ron, or anyone else can't share ideas with Axl in hopes that they might hit on something that may be used sooner or later.

Exactly. No contradiction there between DJ's and Ron's comments.

Ali

you cant know for sure if its his real opinion.


nope, never said that, you're twisting big time again just to turn down my arguments.


chance is there that his words came through excitement, sure. but would people in such a (big) band openly say they dont like the songs and that their boss has some issues they dont agree with when they're on the payroll and have that huge GN'R name as career pusher? do people openly talk bad about their bosses in real life in a way that the boss (later) can read/hear their exact words? think twice, as a result you cant deny that possibilty aswell. we've had this before with all the hired band members over the years...they've learned that anything coming to critism (negative and positive) isnt really allowed to say, gets deleted etc. so they rarely touch those subjects - if at all.

read the 2 lines from my last post again and you cant deny that there is ground for that.

anyway, fans would like to hear those "outstanding songs" at some point to make up their own opinions. lets hope for some release in the near/middle future, peace out.

I think if DJ really didn't like or care for the material that Axl is working on he would have chosen a different approach in the interview. He would never openly said it was bad, I agree with you there. But, he would probably have given a more neutral response, emotion-free. Something like "Axl's working on new material", no info on whether it's good or bad.

Hearing the interview, it sounds like he's genuinely impressed by what he has heard.

And you for sure don't know that he's just kissing ass.






You seem to think it's the best way to solve a disagreement, is by airing it in public in an interview.

And you think that because they're not doing that, they're not allowed to.


Funny.


It's like you create all these ideas in your head to match your theories.

Do you have a clear picture in your head of how it must be to be a GN'R member based on assumptions such as this one?

Where you took positive comments by Dj to literally meaning that he's not telling the truth and he's just kissing ass. Because in your picture, he can't be excited, amazed and feeling all those kinds of emotions because he doesn't own part of the GN'R name!




/jarmo

For me it seems that DJ is the only one in the band right now who is talking about the new album. Considering that, I do not understand how what he is saying would be a lie. I don't understand why he would bring up something like that that other band members don't talk about just to lie about it ?

And why don't the other bandmembers talk about this kind of stuff, do you really need to think about it... :P

People like to bash people like me, who are realistic about what has happened, and what is likely to happen. I don't see DJ's comments through rose tinted spectacles, I see them and then make an assumption on how things are likely to turn out.

Just don't start bitching about the press, when they start quoting all of DJ's interviews in a years time, when the album still hasn't appeared. DJ's comments give people false hope, and even if they are not lies, they give the press ammunition to bash GN'R when things don't go to "plan".

And that is exactly the reason why Ron, Richard and Tommy don't go into things as much as DJ does. Because they know what might happen if things don't go to plan.....

Like it or not, that is the truth and I'm not going to censor it, just because realistic talk is not popular here.  :D

I think some people are just naturally pessimistic whilst others are optimists.

For me, the glass is half full and this is great news.

You're not more realistic than everybody else. Pleeeeease!

You just come across as yet another person who has to bring others down all the time.

A GN'R member says something positive, and it has to be shot down, dissected and pointed out how it can't be true.

Some like to go for the "it's ass kissing" routine, while others just like to repeat the "it can't be true because only he said it" line.


You're not being realistic about what has happened because you don't know what has happened.

The fact is, you were basically telling everybody not to pay any attention to Dj because Ron had said something else. Something that didn't contradict Dj's statements at all. But you just had to be there to put it down. Even though you have no clue about what Dj meant.

Now that he clarified his songwriting comments, here you are again. Trying to put yourself on some kind of pedestal where you think you're "more realistic" than those who are happy that Dj has decided to share his excitement.

What's more realistic about you? Nothing.

You know why? Because we can read and listen too. Just like you.


Nowhere did Dj mention the band releasing a new album very soon.

So his statements does nothing in regards to most of us thinking the next album is already being transported to our record stores.

People aren't stupid just because they think it's nice to see a band member be excited and amazed by what he has heard.



You want realism? How about the fact that most band members, including Ron, has mentioned the fact that there is material that didn't make it onto Chinese Democracy.




/jarmo

See, here's the problem though.  What exactly is so bad with what DJ said?  What exactly is he promising?  What will people look back and say, "see, he was lying."  He is just stating that he's come up with some songs and sent them to Axl, they're "focusing" on a new album and he "promises" that it won't take 15 years to come out.  So from all that, I guess if we get to the year 2024 and we have no new album then we can look back and call DJ a liar.  But as for right now, it seems to me like you're reaching for reasons to discount and dislike DJ.

Do you?  ;)


no, they dont dare to do so for a few reasons, basically because its simply not wanted by the GN'R camp, f.e. thats why Del James fan bashing got deleted, Bumble had to slow down his GN'R talking a few years back, thats why this board has some censorship etc.  the newer band members had to learn that, Bumble now also is on a position where he mostly only talks "his" view. DJ seems to be not that experienced in that (yet), thats why there was the new album talking by DJ (a while back) which Bumble talked down quick after. Funny indeed!


you cant deny the possibility, Jarmo! there are people not falling into the category "a fan likes everything a band does", you should have learned that already.


as usual you're again in twisting mood, i've never said that in the way you've described. i've also never directly said he does kiss ass, just that it was a weird one to mention when talking super-positive (as quoted some above). read some other sites and you'll see what is being made out of it.

and now lets concentrate on the positive things.....sooo many new outstanding songs we hopefully will be able to hear in our lifetime!

Your whole "they don't dare" bullshit makes no sense.

That's YOUR idea of how it must be based on your theories.

You keep repeating as it's the truth when in reality you have no idea.


Maybe people are more careful in interviews because they know somebody like you will come around to analyze and dissect every word? And make everything mean whatever fits their agenda of the day.

If somebody says something even remotely good, it's ass kissing. If somebody says "I would love to play that song live", it must mean the band is fighting.


You didn't even seem to understand the whole concept of not airing disagreements or personal things in public. Not everything on your mind needs to be publicly announced.

To you, that makes no sense, it's all about "not daring".



Didn't Bumblefoot only say that they hadn't gotten together as a band to write/record? His statement didn't contradict Dj. At all.

Both are telling the truth.




/jarmo

it indeed makes sense, see the "boss-argument" above, its not my idea.


with GN'R they should have known for longer, huh? the press in the early 90s was even much more fucked in stuff like this.


off course there is internal stuff not being wanted (by the gnr camp) to be known by the public, like if there was personal trouble with Beta 2 years ago it doesnt have to go public. understandable, but band members simply avoid to give out ANYthing critical when it comes to their boss or GN'R. and the reason for it surely aint "its all top-notch".


i've meant this:
November 09, 2010:
"During an interview with the Artisan News Service on the "black carpet" of this past Thursday night's (November 4) party to promote the release of the new video game "Call Of Duty: Black Ops" in Hangar Eight at Santa Monica Airport, California, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist D.J. Ashba said that fans won't have to wait long for the band's next studio album. "We're talking about that right now," he said. "We've been throwing around a bunch of ideas and it should be good, man. We've got a lot of good stuff on the plate coming out."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-mEhzdEunk&feature=player_embedded

[by the way he also talks about US tour 02/2011 in there]

and Bumbles fast reply:
November 11, 2010:
when Bumble re-directed it writing on his Facebook page: "We've yet to get in a room and write as a band." He adds, "I know D.J. mentioned something about a new album, but don't want y'all expecting anything soon. Other than old unreleased ['Chinese Democracy'] songs, songs need to be written, jammed, recorded, tweaked, re-worked, re-recorded, mixed, re-mixed, mastered, re-mastered, art, new art, label approval, a game plan from the label that Axl [Rose, lead singer] approves.... not as simple when it's on such a big scale... Just don't want ya getting frustrated if a GN'R album doesn't happen quick..."

Limulus, I think you need to read DJ and Ron't comments more clearly.  DJ said they are "talking" about a new album, and "throwing around ideas".  Bumblefoot didn't refute that at all.  He just said please don't expect a new album very soon because it is a lengthy process to make an album.  DJ never said an album is coming out soon, though.  So, no contradiction.

Ali

hey, i did! that was what i've said:
"[...]DJ seems to be not that experienced in that (yet), thats why there was the new album talking by DJ (a while back) which Bumble talked down quick after."

Bumble replied on that DJ talking exact 2 days later and more directly so it cant be misunderstood that easy.
this was just one other example that DJ might not have picked the best words to describe some situation.

Come on!

Your whole idea is absurd.

You don't have to air disagreements in public. There's other ways of doing that.

Everybody seems to know that except you.

If you disagree with somebody, you tell him/her. You don't need to make a public announcement about it.

Or maybe you don't dare because you're not talking about it to the media?

That's fucking absurd!







You can't compare the pre-Internet times to now.

Don't be silly.

Anything said today will spread around the globe in hours.

And then talked about.


It wasn't really like that 20 years ago when you read something in the newspaper/magazine and talked to your friends about it.






Wow, you seem to think this is something GN'R specific.

It's not.










So? Ron didn't contradict anything Dj said.

Yeah, Dj mentioned a planned tour that didn't go according to plan.



When members don't talk, it's because they "don't dare". When they talk, they are kissing ass and lying.

And you wonder why people might choose to stay silent...




/jarmo

I wonder if Axl still plans to put those out, though.  He seemed optimistic about it during his fan chats, but we've heard nothing about it since.  While DJ's comments are positive, he doesn't mention any plans to put the rest of the 'CD Era' tracks.  God, I hope Axl still plans to put them out soon.

- it aint absurd, it happens a lot in the real world!
- gnr & press: i've mentioned that because that band always had their problem with press, internet or not, people must know that, exspecially when being a band member.
- nah, never said or thought that but we're talking on a gnr board here so i concentrated on gnr [;)],  weak reply from you on this.
- twist, twist, twist, generalize....so what. it comes down to DJ choosing some "weird" words in interviews here and there, thats was the main point.

I SUSPECT those reports come about because Axl is VERY demanding.  I think he expects a LOT from the people he works with...and that can be tough on people, sometimes.  I think Axl expects a lot out of himself, and holds the people he's working with up to the same standards...and expects the same level of commitment, work ethic, etc out of them.

I don't KNOW any of that, obviously, because I don't know Axl.  But from reading the reports over the years and from "inferring" (rightly or wrongly) from some of the between the lines shit that has gone down, that's what I get out of it.

Axl's one of the last, true "artists" in rock and roll.  He's not obsessed with commercial success, it seems...and DJ sorta talks about that, too.  Not to be too cliched, but "its about the art", and if you're not aiding the artistic process, or if you're impeding creativity, or if you're not willing to WORK...he's going to be tough on you.  It also seems like he's tough on you when he thinks he can get more out of you.  And, finally, I don't think Axl suffers fools all that well.

I think the point DJ was making was that he wasn't saying it to kiss ass.  He was saying it because he thinks it's true.  And he was qualifiying the remarks for exactly the reason you misinterpret them, above:  Because he knew he would be seen as a hired gun trying to kiss Axl's ass.  So DJ took some time to squash that line of reasoning.

There is a difference between WRITING music and RECORDING music.

DJ can write tons of music and send it off to Axl.  It doesn't mean that it's being RECORDED by the band.

And I don't mean Axl is vetoing it all, either...or that DJ is bugging Axl with snippets every 3 days like some lunatic.

But part of the creative process CAN be accomplished apart.  Back in "old GnR", you had every band member coming to the table with "their own stuff" and then the band throwing it into the mixer and making it "GnR".

My impression is that THAT is what DJ is talking about. 

Hmm, CD has been removed from BestBuy.com.  If this isn't a glitch, and it very well could be, maybe they're making room for something else.  Maybe a rerelease with some bonus tracks??

Or maybe they sold all of them. At $1.99, they seemed pretty eager to get these out of the warehouse.

Exactly. That's what I've been trying to tell him.

He knew somebody would say "oh, he's just kissing Axl's ass" because he said something nice.

But that's not enough, he just doesn't realize how absurd his way of thinking is. Positive comments by a band member are labeled "weird", but the idea that they don't air their disagreements in public must be based on fear.

It's based on common sense. If you disagree with your band mates, you can talk to them about it instead of talking to the press.

This doesn't make any sense to some.

Even though it's common practice to most bands. You don't see Metallica band members talk shit about each other in the press.

Unless they're making a movie out of it....




/jarmo

But why would they want to clear them out, if they weren't trying to make room for something else?  Has it been confirmed that the Best Buy deal ensured them first dibs on the follow up to Chinese Democracy, or is that just fan-fiction?


Would make sense to clear CD as much as possible from the shelves to make room for something else...

i'd agree that he tried to do so but just used not a good method, way or words. read the interview again and all these ultra-positive things in a combination with "not ass-kissing" sounds some outta line, and thats what i called "weird".
also he simply IS a hired gun, he IS on Axl's payroll, the GN'R name is a huge career pusher. these are facts and not misinterpretations.

They're trying to make room for Ipods, TV's, computers or anything besides albums that get released and nobody bothers to promote.

The problem I have with what you're saying is that it makes more sense for a physical store with limited floor and shelf space.  Not for their online outlet, which likely has a huge stock of many, many items.

Ali

Yeah, when I spoke to the guy at Best Buy that's what he said.  To pull it online, and just sell it in the stores -- it's usually the other way around.

He also said they just had three copies in the store, but a couple thousand in the warehouse.

Something is screwy.

Ok, so Axl has 3 albums up his sleeve and hopefully enough songs that are ready to go for a new album

So what obstacles stand in the way of a new release? with the legal case out of the way the band can now tour and promote their music in the US, I'd imagine this was one factor.

Whatever the case I hope Axl doesn't wait for too long. Nothing seems to be happening at the moment. a 6 month tour followed by another rest, re-recording (if appropriate) and planning for a release could take a year and a half in which case Chinese would almost be 5 years old. I really hoped we'd have gotten some official new music before then.in some ways as much as I prefer albums the strategy of releasing single or few tracks at a time would be equally as exciting and do a way with the long waits. The band could continue to tour and record afresh with dj, perhaps even inter dispersing 'new new' tracks with the older ones from the cd sessions.

^^How come everyone always assumes it`s down to Axl? i don`t think his record company seem overly helpful if anyone read what Tommy had to say about chinese democracy there was an awful lot of interfering and that`s what caused the delay, perhaps we as fans should be putting pressure on his record company to be more intrested in a new album!   

Maybe it's a language barrier.

I read it, and it makes perfect sense.  It's a pretty common "preface" to comments when you know there is someone, out there, who is going to argue bias/ass-kissing.  And I don't see anything all that unusual with the phrasing.

I mean, it's not marketing speak scripted by some PR schlub.....it's off the cuff.  But I don't see anything "weird" or unusual about it. 

As for his status in the band, or his status/relationship with Axl...I'm not sure I see the relevance.  Everyone, everywhere is on someone's payroll.  I say nice things about the place I work all the time...not because I'm trying to curry favor, but because I genuinely like where I work, and the work that we do. 

If you're saying you should question everyone's motives for saying anything...that's a pretty cynical viewpoint to adopt....especially when the person you're questioning has never, really, given you any reason to adopt it.

You may want to re-read DJ's interview.  It's the misinterpretation you're making, above, that tends to lead to "trouble".

Having material isn't the same as having FINISHED material.  It could be song fragments, music and no lyrics, lyrics but no music or hundreds of combinations, therein.  I don't think it's accurate to say he has 3 albums "up his sleeve" (like he could pull them out like magician pulls out cards).  And I think if he had enough material "ready to go" for another album....we'd be seeing it.   The crux here is the definition of "ready to go", I guess.  When it comes to GnR material, it's the bands (with, I'd guess, final approval being up to Axl) definition that counts.

And there are TONS of obstacles, even beyond recording and finalizing material (see Ron's post, quoted earlier in this thread) that get in the way of an album release.  It's not nearly as simple as running into a studio for a week, recording a bunch of songs, and turning the stuff over to be replicated.  Not by half.

Once again, I don't think "soon" is the word.  Eventually.

pilferk, thats your thoughts on this, fine, but i just disagree and stand by my word with labeling this interview as "weird" with arguments already given above.
the boss-thing/status in the band is mentioned because it got way different since old Guns-split and there surely is ground in this. and hey, you never criticize your boss?  :hihi:

Yeah, it's probably weird for people who have a pretty different view of the world.

Dj says something because he knows how it will look to certain people, above poster for example, and then that phrase is also used against him!

Amazing!


If Dj hadn't said that, I'm sure somebody, maybe Limulus, would be here saying "he's just kissing ass".

Now that Dj said "I'm not kissing ass", he's here to say "weird that he says he's not kissing ass, because it's what he's doing".


Can't win.




/jarmo

I know you have, but read any of 100 interviews with varying software developers, band members, and other professionals from dozens of occupations/companies/walks of life.....you'll find similar comments about "not kissing ass" (though they may be phrased slightly differently depending on the profession represented and the forum/media they're presented in).  Again, maybe it's a language barrier...I don't know.  But "weird" would imply out of the ordinary...and it's not.

Different since old guns?  Did I miss a Slash interview where he said something like all the material he'd heard so far sucked?  Or an interview with Duff (before the breakup) where he said Axl was a shit songwriter?  I don't see much difference, other than the current band members are a little less rough around the edges (andmaybe  only a little) than those guys were back in the AFD days.  But then, things have changed a LOT in the music industry and in "rock culture" in 20+ years since AFD was released.

If I have an issue with my boss, I tend to either talk to them, personally, about it (if it's serious) or talk to my friends/family about it (if it's just venting or something trivial).

I wouldn't talk to strangers about it...not because I fear "repercussions" but because a) it wouldn't be professional, b) nobody would care, and c) that's not the way I was taught to handle those kinds of things.  If I disagree with the direction we're going, I talk to my/our leadership.  I don't air the dirty laundry (if there is any) in public.  And, if I'm making public statements about something....I just avoid the points of disagreement in those statements. I don't bring up the topic, or I answer without airing my grievance.   There's really no need NOT to.  Because in "the real world", public statements aren't the right forum for that.

By the same token, though, just because I didn't air the dirty laundry doesn't mean there IS dirty laundry to air, either.  Could just be I'm happy with the direction we're going...and I specifically say I am, then likely I am.  I'm not going to lie.  THAT would be professionally detrimental and bring on repurcussions.

You pretty much said what I've been trying to explain...

What he claims is weird is nothing GN'R specific... Or even specific to this moment in time compared to the past.





/jarmo

Well the thread title clearly says 'three albums up his sleeve'. Correct me if I'm wrong but at the time of the release it was widely known that there was a bunch more tracks ready for release (I think it was 26 of 32 or something) so I'm quite happy to believe there's quite a lot of songs ready. I believe dj.

As I said though, I just hope they can come up with some good shit soon, previously recorded, rerecorded or new i don't really care.if it's as long and arduous as you make out we'll all be grey haired by the time they release anything new!

pilferk, that was a good reply from a "defender's perspective", thanks!
i do understand your point of view but still do see it different. short in time right now, but yeah, there indeed might be some misunderstanding with the word "weird", it reaches from a little abnormal to extrem abnormal in definition (english-german). but i have to reply on this more later, gotta run.

I think as fans it's so maddening to know that, based upon the tracks that have already been recorded from the CD sessions, that a new album could be announced at any time....But the fact that we have no reason to excpect that announcement soon, however, is somewhat sad. 

I hope we get pleasantly surprised in 2011.

You make that sound like a bad thing!!!  don't you think he should have the final say on what flies and what doesn't?

Axl has final say on everything. this is a band but still, in every band, there is a leader/main guy that makes the major decisions. that doesn't make someone any less of a band. only one person can steer the wheel of a car.

Well, DJ didn't title the thread.

And it's not about believing DJ.  It's about parsing what he actually said, and not jumping to conclusions.

Nowhere does DJ say Axl has 3 albums of finished material ready to go.  He doesn't quantify or differentiate the TYPES of material that my, or may not, be there.

I'm sure there are SOME other finished tracks (left over from CD), that may or may not be used in the future.  That's true of most albums, I think.  But I don't think you can assume that it's 3 albums worth.

Likely there is some amount of finished material that could be considered for release, some "almost finished", some "partly finished"...you get the picture.

"Long and arduous"? Depends on the album.  It can be.  But it can be relatively quick and easy.  And neither seems to be a reflection of the material (long = good, short = shitty).  That wasn't the point, though.  The point was:  There's a LOT Of shit that goes into an album release.  Obviously the music is the most important (to us...it's become apparent the labels don't think so), but it's not the ONLY piece.  We just all need to keep that in mind, too.

Just like anything written or spoken, people choose to interpret what they read/hear in their own way.

Something said in a informing way becomes a promise or a guarantee.

Dj saying he has heard Axl play amazing songs on a piano and he wishes the world gets to hear them suddenly means the songs are ready to be released and Dj has promised three new GN'R albums.


Yeah, I'm exaggerating, but that seems to be the way some people work.

Then you have the opposite where anything said is labeled lies or ass kissing.

"Well he can't be writing songs for GN'R because the other guys aren't there"....

One thing doesn't make another thing impossible.



Why not just take it for what it is without all the added bullshit?

Dj's written songs that he has presented to Axl and he's excited about the stuff he's heard Axl play for him.

It doesn't mean you have to start your "waiting for a new GN'R album" clocks.



In my opinion, this is great news. It's not necessarily big news for most of us who have read/listened to GN'R interviews, but it's always very nice when the band is excited about the future.




/jarmo

No, but I took it from what he said.  The exact quote:



Exactly.  But he sure is excited about what he's heard. :)

I'd also like to add that I also said 'hopefully enough songs that are ready to go for another album'. Not 'three albums worth of songs that are ready to go'.

And yes, sorry my clock is ticking for another album. It started right after cd was released! what's wrong with being excited?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not losing sleep over it. music aint that important in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes it just feels that there's a load of talent but this isn't matched by output. Dj can talk about all this amazing shit out there, but that doesn't mean anything until we get to hear it. But like I said I believe there is a lot finished or nearly finished.

Anyway, back to my question, why not release some of the songs as singles? Ok, maybe the commercial model doesn't stack up in the traditional sense but times have moved on, the money is in the touring. Get some stuff out there, keep touring and creating as a new band. Mix old cd songs with new. include a guest artist from time to time. To compare it to the industry I work in, large software releases with long development cycles is the old model, 'agile' is the new way.

I'm sure we could come up with all kinds of ways how you could release music and make it available to the fans.

But, you have to remember how things work.

GN'R isn't some little indie band. They're signed to a major record company.

That company is interested in one thing basically. Profits.


It's not always only about the band. There's more people involved.




/jarmo

I'm not taking issue with the title...just the way it's being interpreted.

DJ used the phrase, for sure.  But "up his sleeve" and "completely finished and ready to go" (which seems to be the interpretation some posters are coming to) are different.

"Three albums up his sleeve" needs to be taken IN CONTEXT (in other words, if people read the whole interview and not just the thread title), that's the only issue.

No problem with any of that.  And YOU "getting it" is great.

The issue arises when people read these threads and start "interpreting" rather than just reading.  Then, in 6 months, they start bitching because "Axl had 3 albums finished...WTF?  Where are they??) OR "DJ lied!  HE said that Axl was sitting on 3 albums!".

Just so long as we qualify and keep everything in context...it's all good.

As for just releasing singles....you'd have to ask them.  I would guess the label would object...which would put a stone cold halt on the idea...because they wouldn't make the same revenue as they would from an album.  It's also tough to get a label to help promote that stuff, and the distribution model for sales is lousy.  In other words...the biz guys wouldn't see money in it.

Which sucks to hear when you're a fan.......but there it is.

Well, right or wrong, i think  u have to be a bit sensitive with a fanbase that waited over 17 years for a new studio album. So u gotta be careful how u word and say stuff.  We have proven what a loyal and great fanbase we are.. just don't tease us or lead us on.


having an overzealous rabid fanbase is a great thing.. if no one cared, THATS when you would have problems. People bitching shows passion. not always a negative.

Of course it's great that people care about GN'R.

But there's something (to quote Limulus), "weird" about a select few who always bitch.

What's so great about that kind of "passion"?

Makes you wonder if that kind of people are doing it as an act, just to get noticed or if they really are that unhappy with everything.




/jarmo

yes, i sill do rate some of the choosen word combinations in this DJ interview some "weird". its not handled too professional in my book.
always bitching, eh....that wasnt biching at all. also you wont see me "bitching" f.e. when they do some serious setlist change, offer live FLACs or so.....in fact i might be jumping around  ;)
but i do wonder the other extreme with people like Jarmo who are always defending everything and anything the band does, there is always everything right in his GN'R world, whats so great with that kind of "passion"?

Oh, you felt targeted. I wasn't even talking about you.

Funny that.



What's great?

I don't know, maybe it's not a good thing to be supportive, trying to stay positive and try to understand that things aren't always what they seem.

It's far easier to make up some kind of fantasies about the band offering FLAC downloads and bitching about setlists...  :)



Oh yeah, I don't whine about setlists because I like seeing GN'R live. Period.

It's an amazing experience no matter what they play.

When the intro starts, I'm excited, just like most people in the audience that particular night. How about you?





/jarmo

oh, you also felt targeted, funny aswell.

kind of fantasies, haha....even more funny - as if its impossible to do with FLACs and various setlists, sure! bands like Metallica or Pearl Jam must be pure fantasy bands then, thanks for clearing that up.

when i've attended multiple shows in 2006 i wasnt THAT excited anymore the 2nd night and the ones after - based on the stable setlists. this is surely my fault, yeah? in the end it just comes down to different tastes of live quality in music art/business.

Wow. Why would anybody feel that way when they read something like:



It doesn't work when you do it that way. You can't say my name and wonder why I feel like that part of your post was aimed at me.

Sure, you can act dumb and claim you were talking about somebody else who posts here who has the same user name. But that doesn't really make sense.

Better luck next time.





What a nice answer. "They are doing it, so why isn't GN'R".

Because they're not GN'R!

Maybe you could list a bunch of bands that are not offering FLAC downloads of their shows? Of course you could. But you choose not to. Wonder why they're not doing it because Metallica is?

The fantasy remark is that it' something you made up in your mind. It's your dream.

You made it up, and you'll bitch until your dream comes true.




That's too bad.

Imagine all those who only attend one show.

Tell them about "stable set lists" and they'll laugh in your face because they just witnessed something amazing.




/jarmo

- eh, you named me first, re-read it, you started the name calling. i re-quote yourself in that "You can't say my name and wonder why I feel like that part of your post was aimed at me." thats what made me replying (and then you doing it + twisting it again).
- no, the basic argument wasnt your version "They are doing it, so why isn't GN'R". it was just a reply on your "It's far easier to make up some kind of fantasies about the band offering FLAC downloads"......because its just not fantasy, Jarmo, it happens in real world, even with bigger bands like GN'R.
- off course, every 1-show attender loves everything, sure sure  ;)
i simply made different experience in that, talking to 1-show and multiple-show attenders and also people who drop shows (partly) because of stable setlists.

I mentioned your name because I said something was weird. I used that word, just like you did. That's the only reason why.





It's still your dream.

It doesn't necessarily got anything to do with the band's wishes.

You have to realize that you're being "upset" because of something you wish the band would do for you.

It's like if I expect you to be able to run 100m in less than 10 seconds. Others are doing it, why can't you?

And then reply "it's not a fantasy, it's real".

Bands are different.





/jarmo

I'm confused, but this bitching around doesn't seem to do with the topic of this thread or does it?  :P

I'm quite excited about the stuff DJ has said...I just hope it really will not take so long again to release new album(s), as he also 'promised' in a sort of way  :peace:

- it was about the name calling - which you started first, end of talking in this.

- not dreaming from live FLACs or unpredictable setlists, but it would be very cool steps in my book, sure! exspecially with the setlists it'd be more of a win-win situation for everyone (band and fans). Live Flacs....as they record every show on video/audio anyway its at least technically VERY easy to do, and other big bands can handle it in practice aswell, so its not impossible to do or fantasy, whatever. but you might be right that its probably not wanted by Axl at all for now.

- no human is running under 9sec/100m yet, thats real fantasy from you  :hihi:

back to topic:
so what ya think will be the time frame we will be able to officially hear new studio songs?

Ooooh yes please ! New music.... I wanna hear it...or even hear about !

 :peace:

There was no fucking name calling from me. You're being silly, that's all.

I used the same word you do for something I didn't agree with.

Hence "to quote Limulus".

That's not name calling.




To quote Mr Miyagi "after after".


No idea.

Some seem to think the upcoming tour is some kind of guarantee of new material being released. I don't agree with that.

The band hasn't said so. That's just peoples' own theories.



/jarmo

Its dificult to find real news when a topic has 1 half of news and 4 or 5 pages of fights.Came on! enjoy this time,we have been in coma for years,and now we have the band touring and touring again,with new material,old songs being played like has to be.ENJOY MOTHERFUCKERS,we never knew when is going to be the last time.Remeber DIO.

I am enjoying everything.

That's the whole point.

I enjoy what we have instead of whining about what we don't have.


I was already asked about what's so great about it....  :hihi:

Personally I think it's more fun to focus on the real positives of the present, than on the possible maybes of the future...




/jarmo

I attended 3 shows in 4 day's last year and even if the set-lists were pretty close to each other every GN'R gig is a unique experience !
Hell that's the main reason I would love to see the RIO gig, just for the experience and interaction between band and crowd, even if they would play Xmas songs only ;-)

Cheers

Exactly, I guess it's different strokes for different folks.  I've only gotten to see GNR twice, once in 2002 and again in 2006.  I'm still waiting patiently, along with many other US fans, for an opportunity to see the current lineup in person. 

Just for comparison, I've seen Def Leppard like 7 times the last 5 years and they've basically played the same setlist each time.  But I've never come home feeling cheated or anything, in fact it's much the opposite.  And I'm going to see them again next weekend and I expect the setlist to be basically the same again.  And I'll love it, AGAIN!

Would I rather here some different songs?  Sure.  Same with GNR of course.  I'd love to draw up my own setlist and give it to them before the show and have them personalize it for me, but that ain't happening.  So I'll take what I can get.  I'm with Jarmo on the, "enjoy what you have instead of bitching about what you don't" mantra.  Seems simple to me.

I have the same feeling about IRON MAIDEN, I have seen them 10 times,but you know what? now that i see them,that they are going to retire in a few years ( one or two more tours),i wish i could have seen them more times, i wish a had gone to see them at Donnington,or in the Fear of the dark tour,and so,and so. And now im going to see them in July : ok:

Yeah, that's the thing too.  It's not like GNR tours every year in YOUR city.  Even if they did I still would go see them every time, but I could MAYBE see getting "sick" of seeing the same show.  So while I'd argue it's not the same show, even if the setlist is comparable, every show is different.  Who knows how many more times you'll get to see GNR play live.  If you want to skip out on your chance to see them because "you've seen that show before", that's certainly an option.  Not one I'd choose though.

Not many bad songs in the GNR catalogue, so tough to find fault with the setlists. And if they play a song that's not a zinger in your book, it's a good opportunity to make a beer run.

I'd love to hear some rarities or see them mix it up from show to show, but no worries if they don't.
I saw Social Distortion for the millionth time, 2 nights in a row last time they played Boston. The set was pretty much the same, but sounded good.
The only thing that made me cringe a little was that Ness was making the same horrible jokes the second night as he did the first.
Gotta switch up the material on back to backs in the same city!

Faldor....they come to CT (wherever it is...probably XL or Mohegan) and we are SO meeting up so I can buy you multiple beers.

Color me there.  Though they skipped CT last time around, I had to make the trek to NYC.  Not that I minded of course.  GNR at a sold out MSG beats a show at the XL Center any day of the week.  The crowds aren't comparable.

I can't wait for a US tour.  It has to happen eventually, right?

Yep it will come just gotta wait a bit longer

its just my opinon,but maybe the southamerican tour could be a warm up tour for a full american tour.And the reason? because I think its the only place in the world left. :P

Is that before or after he pays a visit to the moon to see his real estate....? :hihi:

Just saw this on twitter.  Jim Koplik, concert promoter, says he expects GNR to play in CT by the end of the year.  Nothing definitive of course, but promising nonetheless.

gunsnfnroses gunsnfnroses
by MackArillo
Possible U.S. dates?: Heard this the other day on WCCC in Connecticut. http://bit.ly/kcDmN9 #GunsNRoses

The discussion is kind of lengthy, the GNR part comes about 3/4 of the way through.  Basically the concert promoter says he does believe GNR will play somewhere in Connecticut by the end of the year.  And they discuss playing either the Mohegan Sun Arena, which seats around 10,000 or the Comcast Theater which seats around 6,000.

I would guess Mohegan.

I took my wife to see Katy Perry there on Saturday night.  The setup really is pretty sweet.

I would think so too.  It is a good place to see a show.  Small enough so there's really not a bad seat in the place.  The only problem is the shows there are pretty expensive.  Because there aren't any bad seats really, there are no "cheap" seats.  I'm going there this weekend to see Def Leppard/Heart.  Should be a good time.

Not sure if I believe Koplik completely though.  Touring the States by the end of the year seems a little far-fetched at this point.  Things would really have to pick up.  Of course there's probably a lot going on behind closed doors that we know nothing about, which is often the case.  So I guess it is entirely possible.  Just seems to good to be true, so as always I will temper my expectations.

The Katy Perry seats weren't bad.  We were lower level, right off the stage, pretty much even with stage level.  I think they ran about $60 each, with TM fees and such.  Not too bad.

I know the big "combo" tours (Heart/Def Leppart and Motley/Poison) and the Bon Jovi shows have been nuts, in terms of pricing.  But they've been nuts at ALL the venues.

Koplilk is usually dead on.  I know him relatively well from my time working at the New Haven Colliseum.  He doesn't usually say anything, publically, unless there's something brewing....

"End of the Year" might be slightly off...but I wouldn't be surprised if it was this winter, at least.  December/January.

Mohegan would be great. Going to see Soundgaden there next week.
I'd rather drive down there to see GNR at Mohegan than at the Garden, or DCU.

Foxwoods would be even better.

that would be about a 3 hour drive for me to mohegan. very good chance i would be there as well. i need a strong fix of live gnr! i'm hoping to hit at least 3 shows on the next leg of their tour that comes to the NE.

I was able to bypass Ticketmaster and their charges this time around.  I went and bought the tickets for Def Leppard at the Mohegan Sun box office.  Saved myself $10 a ticket.  Not bad. 

Agreed about Koplik.  I doubt he would bring it up if there was nothing to it.  I think it's pretty obvious that GNR has been and continues to work on getting a US tour going.  I would suspect that they're shooting for sometime around the winter, but who knows for sure.  Good prospects nonetheless.

How was Katy Perry by the way?  I'm not ashamed to say, I like her.  Moreso her looks, but I dig some of her music too, for a pop star at least.

I am not a huge fan. She's OK, and her music is better than a lot of the other pop drivel thats out there...but she's not normally someone I would go see.

The show though, was REALLY good.  Opener (Mirina and the Diamonds?) sucked.  DJ was REALLY good, and should be given a lot of credit for resurrecting the crowd.  And Katy's headline set was a lot better than I thought it would be. Crowd was super hot/into it, too, which always adds to a show.  I went in sort of "taking one for the team" because my wife LOVES her (this was a belated birthday present) and actually ended up having a really good time.  We're going to see her again in November (at XL...though I HATE the sound system there)....and I'm actually looking forward to it.  Floor seats for that show...but I'm not sure they'll be better than where we were at.

Sorry to have to interrupt your little Katy Perry discussion, but this is the GN'R section...




/jarmo

Not to be off topic here, my daughters have had ticks to Katy for six months, they are really looking forward to it, glad to hear it was a good show!!

Oops Sorry Jarmo!!

I know, I know.  It was a tagent.  Sorry...