Here Today... Gone To Hell!

bumblefoot: Doing a @Reddit #AmA FRI DEC 27 :) Start time = 10am LA, 1pm NYC, 7pm Paris, 11pm Mumbai, 1am *Sat* Jakarta, 3am *Sat* Tokyo



http://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/


/jarmo

What is a reddit?   Sorry I am in my late 30's and heard of it, but don't know what it is?

TLDR: A site with all kinds of stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlI022aUWQQ

This will take place in six hours.



/jarmo

Props to him.  He certainly makes himself accessible.  As a fan, its all you can ask for.

will he say "FUCK GNR!" again? I love when he does that. Or his "we should record one song before each tour but axl has no desire to do it cause he's a jerk, but i stay in the band cause of the cash anyway" one?

He aint in it for the cash, if you havent noticed BBF goes out of his way to hang with and talk to fans.  I think the love for the fans and music in general is his motivation.

anyway not familiar with reddit, not sure how to ask anything or how to use it but just signed up.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1tti1i/i_am_ron_bumblefoot_thal_solo_artist_producer_and/




/jarmo

Totally agree.

He consistently gives his time for stuff like this.  And we have countless stories from fans that have met him that say he was very gracious with his time and a nice guy.

He goes WAY outta his way all the time, stand up guy!

 :P


[?]Heisenjerk -1 pontos 52 minutos atr?s
Are you guys planning to release a new album any time soon? You're one of my favoirite guitar players out there btw
permalink
[?]TheRealBumblefoot 2 pontos 12 minutos atr?s
Thank you :) Honestly, I don't predict a new album soon, unless they release unreleased Chinese Democracy era songs.......... :P

I enjoyed it. I must admitted it was better than I thought. By far much better than the chat on Nightrain. Nothing earth shaken. But it was honest. I was surprised by some of his answers. For example he said his favorite GN?R song is Don?t Cry. And he said that although it is true they are hired guys. They are also allowed to be themselves.

The no so good news. Don?t expect a new album soon. Even if there is a new one it would be with CD leftovers.There is a tiny possibility of this. This current incarnation haven?t written nor recorded brand new songs. They have only exchanged some of each other?s ideas.

Glad to hear Ron's behind releasing the rest of the Chinese era tracks together in a special release. Been saying that for years.  Too bad Axl & management are utterly apathetic towards releasing more music.

Where did you hear this?




/jarmo

There's a lot I could say here, but I'll leave it at this: Actions speak louder than words.

I?m glad he understand us fans. And he shares all of our concerns. He says we should enjoy what they give us. But he is clearly frustrated with a lot of things that don?t happen just as we are.

So because I didn't win on the lottery, it means I don't want to?  ;)



/jarmo

Haha, point taken.

I just mean that even if Axl & Fernando have the best of intentions and truly wish they could put out the other finished tracks, clearly someone has not taken the necessary steps to make that happen.  Otherwise, we'd both have The General playing on our itunes while we have this conversation.

 : ok: + 1
He is AMAZING!!!!!!

Come on!  Do you honestly expect us to believe that they want to release new music?  Maybe some do (like BBF) but clearly not those with decision making authority...at least not in a reasonable time frame.  Last album was out in '08, we know there are songs in the queue ready to go.  If the decision makers really wanted them out, they'd be out.

Your analogy of the lottery misses the mark.  Winning the lottery is beyond your control...GnR releasing new music is not beyond their control [insert your "you don't know because you're not behind the scenes" response here].  How long can people hide behind the other-wordly forces that are preventing them from releasing new music?  Is the record company and label that evil and anti-Guns?  Of course, I don't know the answer, but I am able to make reasonable inferences based on the information that's been presented.  Christ, you have an actual band member wanting music to be released...is BBF being an unreasonable complaining, never satisfied fan too?  ;)

Winning a lottery is just a luck. Bad example.
Releasing music isn't matter of luck, it's a matter of work and will.

Correct.

The fact that what would have been the next album has seemingly fallen by the wayside proves someone in control just doesn't care enough to see it through.  Although some folks around here would like you to believe that a rock titan like Axl Rose is being stone-walled and who, despite his best efforts, just cannot catch a break with the label.

Here is a good one


Q: Why won't Axl Rose release out the remainder of the Chinese Democracy session material?
 
BBF: Don't know. Think it'd make a great box set chronicling a significant era in the band's history - should include interviews & footage, I think fans would love that. But that aint my call....

 

Will of who?




/jarmo

Q:Guns are rumoured to be adding 2-3 new songs to the set. Are they new Guns originals, or what
 

A:Only thing I can assume is that it would be 2 - 3 songs that we haven't played live... :P
 

Axl and management.

Q:We do know there are songs that aren't played since 2006 but they're in the setlists (If The World, Riad, Oh My God, Going Down). Why don't you play those songs for the sake of it?
 
A: Live shows are all at the mercy of the singer's throat. The throat is the boss. The throat governs the singer who governs the set list. It's a fragile irreplaceable instrument and the main focus, so all has to be done to insure the longevity of the throat. That means, cutting songs and changing orders, making sure that the throat can survive a tour. It's scar being the singer when your throat isn't at 100%, I know this first-hand, ugh. I'm lead singer in my solo stuff, done too many tours with the flu where you don't know how you're gonna make it through the night, let alone the next 20 nights... so it's all about the throat.

Consider that initially Axl wanted the next album out in fall 2009, which are sentiments he expressed numerous times through the Chinese Democracy saga, as far as releasing multiple albums throughout continued touring.  Do you really mean to tell me that a rock titan like Axl Rose simply has not been able to convince the label to release the next album during the last four years?  I just can't believe that's the case here.  Especially when you consider how profitable a potential release and subsequent tour would be, if done right.  

Usually, where there's smoke there's fire.  We saw that smoke in 2008 before the album dropped.  So far, we haven't seen any smoke in terms of real desire for Guns to put out another record.  Why is that?

Unless told otherwise, I still believe Axl wants to release music. But I believe he wants to do it in the right way.




/jarmo

I get that to a degree.  In 2014 now, the way music is distributed is constantly evolving, and the "right way" tomorrow, may not be the "right way" next month.  There reaches a point where all this waiting or trying to catch lightening in a bottle just turns into more and more wasted time. 

I just don't understand what he's holding out for at this point.

In your opinion, Jarmo, what's the right way? 

Yeah I was wondering that too because we've seen people doing it in the nontraditional way, every which way.

I like Ron's attitude of making efforts to communicate with us the fans, but lately, everything he says sounds sad to me:

- when he says ''they'' when talking about the band he is a part of
- when he says they haven't complete new songs as a band since a long time ago
- when he says he wanted to leave the band several times

I mean, I appreciate his honesty and his will of speaking out... but I would love to hear from him some positive stuff about the band too

I'm sorry, but you assume you know all the intricacies.  So if Axl WANTED to release music, it would be done?  The label would just do whatever Axl wanted?  They'd have no opinions of their own?  Whether it'd be profitable for them to support a new GNR album with the current players in place?  You see where I'm going with this?  Maybe it's not as easy as you originally thought.  Anyway.  Have fun bitching about things you have no control over or have no clue about, if that makes you feel better.

I think the notion of Axl not wanting to release new music is just as crazy as the notion of Axl actually wanting to releasing new music. There's a grey area in between that none if us, and even the current band members have any idea of.

Axl and the current management of Beta and Fernando only "really" know what's going on I feel. And until we know the facts we can't judge or demand, that's the way this band has operated since 1999 really, like it or not.

Instead of arguing can someone just ask Axl about it and post the answer here?   

I'd say so many fans who meet him ask about new releases & don't get an answer which is the problem for many fans. Beta said there would be new music this year but with only days to go I can see that's not going to happen.

Axl never gives straight answers to anything, we just need to wait unfortunately. When people talk about how many albums gnr have done in so many years it does sound awful - Chinese Democracy is the only album released in how many years? Nothing since.

I just sit back & enjoy what is offered in concert, at least they get out and tour and hopefully we will see them really soon.

An AMA on Reddit with uncle Axl would be cool though, it's been a while by now since the last chats back in 2008  :peace: Anyway happy holiday's everyone!

what I understood:

- no new music created by this line up for the past 5 years (or more), and no plans for doing that
- he seems happy to be part of such a big thing like this band, but at the same time unhappy by how things works at GNR/AXL rotine. He's on board, but I think he's just doing this for the fans at this point

I said it once and I'll say it again.  Part of it is that there is no one, but Axl who has a stake in the band. Whereas Slash and Duff did and pushed Axl  to get stuff done. As much as I like Bumblefoot, he doesn't have equity in the band and really can't push Axl to get things done as much as he would like to. I think there will be a point where  Bumblefoot has enough of it and quits. Judging from what was said, I just this is the inevitable.

like Robin and Bucket

obviously we have no idea on their true intentions. But I "think" Axl wanted to release Chinese Democracy and that sure was far from simple. So if he DID want to release another album I'd expect more of the same. And maybe due to the struggles on the business end, it's zapped some of his motivation in the music creation area.

Perhaps you're right...you'd think that'd be a pretty easy thing to (officially) communicate to the fans, right?  Instead of leaving it up to our (negative, whining, complaining) minds.

it has been hinted at in the past, or just outright stated. But maybe they feel it doesn't benefit them to complain publicly about those they may need to do business with in the future.

Let?s examine this.

Option 1) They officially announce that there will be another album in 2015. Good news! Now they better meet that dealine. I don?t think people want a deja vu of what he had with CD. But what are the odds? Would you bet your house they, in fact, meet that deadline?

Option 2) They offically announce there will be another album. But no mention at all of a particular date. People are gonna get beyond pissed off with this kind of announcement anyway. This is not what people want to hear and they know it.

Option 3) They officially announce that there will never be another album. You gonna get people beyond pissed off, dropping numbers at shows attendance big time, people asking for a reunion, people telling Axl to call it a day

Option 4) They keep this current silence situation. We have hope, there is insterest, there is intringue,mystery, speculation, debate. People would still go to shows hoping to hear a new song, hoping for announcement.

If I was them I take 4. I think this is what they are doing. It?s their plan. How long can they keep this? As long as Axl wants to keep this charade.

In my own personal opinion. Axl must be honest about the album situation. But first he must meditate very carefully about what he wants in the future before officially saying something on the matter. I would respect whatever he decides to do or not to do.

Only in the world of GNR would option 1 be out of the question... :hihi: Axl is obviously horrible with punctuality (has even said it himself).  So knowing this, why in the hell would Axl give a release date?

Its just like start times for concerts.  Thank God Axl is a rock star and not a teacher, coach, or pretty much anything else for that matter (where you have to be on time).  Really, punctuality is a issue of being organized and being able to think/plan ahead.  I don't see this ever changing, so Axl might as well never give a release date.  If only there was a way to not give start times of concerts, then Axl would be in the clear.   

Yes, but Option 4 has been going on for a long time.  How long can it continue and how long can you expect people to still be interested in the intrigue and mystery of what could happen???

The numbers have been dwindling for years, but there's still some demand there.  As long as they can sell enough tickets to stay relevant and profitable, that will continue to be a viable option.  You're right, there might be a day where it won't be worth it.  But we're not there yet, so the status quo continues.  And I'd venture to guess, when that day comes, Axl will just call it quits.  Nobody knows for sure though, so we continue to stay tuned to see what's next.

I honestly cant see bbf sticking around much longer. Love him. But just think he's had enough. Doesnt seem the same guy as he was.

Yeah, he seemed to think (like so many before him) that he'd be able to get Axl on board to write and release music and be a real band...and now he's resigned to the reality that he can't...

You have to remember the accident he had has changed his life.  BBF confirmed here on some discussion about his future comments where he has to live literally day by day. His injury is a long term one that in all honesty  will be with him for life.

Imagine having to plan things to get through each day, changing the drug regime on days that there are shows is such an example, if it starts 20minutes late not a big deal, in a self-preservation way. An hour plus delay I can see being a major head-fuck, not doing the show as such, but the wind-down afterwards. That hour delay comes at a cost, usually a crap sleep and a fucked day or two afterwards. Trying to factor-in these type of disruptions to your body clock high-light the condition suffers have to live-by. It might be that BBF has resign himself that in GnR World, that it compromises his own world beyond where he wants to be.

Or as I have, have the kind of day that despite all efforts to create harmony between living, drug control and ambition, he's having a shit time with it not happening for him. I'm not gonna say he is living a schizophronic existence, but there are no ground-hog days.  The same situation on two different days will be treated differently, the bad dark days where the pain and pain control don't see eye to eye, in my case tend to leave me not taking fools gladly and will let people know that. Other days I will just let it wash over me.

Ron really could have been in that phase, and spoke about it as he see's it. As a creative who lost my own business (Graphic Design) due to not being able to rise above the pain on many days, along with burning the candle at both ends with client demands, I get the frustration in having my own regime fucked around with. Other than DJ Ashba, the others have been old hands with GnR and have clearly worked around this machine of a group to suit their own means.

BBF has mentioned about being on the outside of the band for a good while before being accepted, whereas DJ appears to have just stepped in and meshed with the other members. This in itself suggests that there may be some frustration in how he perceives  what his role is and may be seeing things differently to everybody else. He has, it has been said, that he's recorded bits for CD+, DJ on the other hand MAY HAVE BEEN WRITING AND RECORDING PARTS FOR CD+, so who is wrong DJ for saying he's writing and recording stuff or Ron, who has already done the work? Both could be truthful. And Dizzy fuckin' Reed said he's been recording stuff for the album, could conceivably mean what he recorded once no longer works, but BBF's stuff is still ok.

Whatever the truth of the matter is, Ron has been in head-fuck land for a while and people need to remember that.  What you see on the outside isn't necessary the same rational you used to garner your opinion, as he is using at that moment  in time.

If I had one wish, it would be to exchange chat on this matter with Ron. I'd love to meet him the next time he and the band visit London and speak about how certain meditation techniques work for me and hopefully help the guy find a better place on those shit days  :love:

I agree 100%.


This is sad but very true. We have seen it before with Finck and Buckethead for example.


Thumbs up for Bumblefoot for doing this, it's always nice when some band member answers fan questions, even the harder ones, because GNR fans nowadays have so many questions but mainly so few answers from the band. Luckily everybody (or at least most of us) can read between the lines from this Bumblefoot's Q&A session and see what's going on with this band these days.

Well, so much for that. 

Certainly seemed too good to be true.  I guess we should have seen this coming.

True, that is depressing, but considering how little BBF knows of the inner workings of the band he's in and the decisions that are being made (which is also depressing but try not to focus on that) does he really have any more knowledge of it than we do?  So I guess there's still hope?

Since Ron went on record again that they have yet to compose anything as a band, how do people still give us the "where have they said they aren't interested in releasing music?" spin that one?

For the record, Ron has been in the band 7 years now.  7 years, not one note written. 

Here, let me try:  So, just because a band doesn't write songs as quickly as you want them to, doesn't mean they're not interested in releasing new material.  Do all band members have to get together to write new songs?  What if they just haven't had time to get together as a whole group, but are collaborating with each other when they can?  What if the evil record com...

Sorry, I couldn't do it any longer.  There is no way to spin this...but if there is, I'm sure it will be tried here.

We truly live in a parallel universe at this site where the absence of a press release stating "We, as a band, have no interest in recording and releasing music" means all is well.

Nevermind those years of inactivity.  Just the clam before the creative storm.

So true.  What's likely is that there will be no attempt to proffer a response, in the hopes that this thread gets sent to the bottom and we can focus on the important things, like how Slash and Duff lied...

As far as we've been told, or led to believe, there is already music in finished form.  So an album could essentially be ready to be released, like Bumblefoot freely admitted from the CD sessions.  So the fact that they haven't gotten together as a band as a whole and written a song in 7 years, no matter how ridiculous that may seem, really doesn't preclude them from releasing an album.  Doesn't mean it's going to happen, obviously.  But I don't think anyone is trying to fool anyone into believing that the band has been working vigorously together nonstop for the last 7 years on creating the ultimate GNR album.  That's a story that some people seem to be creating on their own volition.