Here Today... Gone To Hell!

I'm gonna be honest: i am not as happy as 99% of you. And the 1% that may feel like me is not gonna express their feelings here.

Not trying to spoil anyone's happiness, but I got to say im VERY sad about not having Tommy in the band anymore.

I also think we're being a bit ungrateful to him: he helped rebuild the band when no one gave two shits for it, he was a key part of the band's reconstruction, and was a very important piece creatively wise in the ChiDem making. Now he's gone, and I don't see anybody -at least- thanking him for all what he did.

There are certain things we still dont know but I cant stop asking myself. I will put in bold my questions to you:

- Were DJ and Tommy forced to leave the band, so Slash and Duff could come back? (ron started to give bad signals from looong time ago, he clearly was having a nightmare being a GNR member and it's safe to say he wanted to develop his solo career, that's why I dont include him in this equation)

- Don't you think it's hard to understand how Axl could solve his problems with Slash after the immense amount of shit he spread all over him, issues that seemed irreversible for anyone with two working neurons? But now Slash is in the band and Matt Sorum isn't. Do you think Matt could have been asked to join the band and refused? Very unlikely. He most certainly wasn't asked. I know Axl and Matt are not exactly best friends but, until today, their issues were nothing compared to Axl vs. Slash. So, don't you think this ''hybrid'' lineup is, at least, VERY difficult to understand? Needless to say i dont want Matt in the band. I'm happy about Frank, in fact, i am desperately needing his confirmation...

- Do any of you feel A DESPERATE NEED for an explanation (even though it's obvious they dont have to explain us jack shit)? Or as long as Slash and Axl are back together, you dont need anything else? Do any of you feel (idk if this is the correct word, not a native english speaker) a little bit ''betrayed'' or ''used'', after spending a decade (and more) backing up Axl against Slash and all the harm he did to the band in the past (not something I say: Axl said it several times in different moments/ways)?

- If Axl and Slash's relationship don't go well in the long term, it's pretty safe to say Slash can move back to his solo project. But, can Axl continue GN'R without him after this partial ''reunion''? Do any of you, like me, think that GNR's life now depends on how much Axl and Slash can coexist in the same room?

i'm still diggesting all the things that have happened in the last days, specially the last hours. Just wanted to know your thoughts about these things.

count me in, I'm just massively shocked by this twist of events.
on the other hand, I can quite feel why all this happened - hardly anybody enjoys 20 years in a band, that doesn't actually release stuff normally (I still think ChiDem release was forced by recording company or something like that). so it collapsed again. and one more thing - I don't think DJ or Tommy quit suddenly, it must have been long process. remember - there were so many guys in this band, who quit, most probably because nothing was happening. Robin, Bucket, Robin again, Ron, DJ, Tommy.
regarding the reunion - my guess is just that somebody just ran out of money, because it doesn't make any other sense at all. the worst thing about all this is - we most probably never see the material recorded during ChiDem era.

tommy is definitely the man. theres no denying that. i dont think he was forced to leave. i think he chose the mats over gnr, and duff was there to take over when he did. i have no qualms with his choice. its his life. but if duff wanted in after all these years and was there when the band needed him, then maybe he deserves a shot. if anything comes up with guns in the future, im sure tommy could find his way back in. i dont see this as an either or thing. i think of gnr as a big extended family, and i kind of like it that way. tommy could still record, write, or do shows when hes needed. i dont see duffs entry as an ultimate tommy exclusion.

i think dj chose sixx am over gnr. i heard nikki sixx forced him to choose. i think sixx am was the more promising gig for him (guaranteed 2 years touring and 2 albums from what I heard, could be wrong), so thats where he ended up. i liked certain aspects of dj. his treatment of handicapped and homeless people was awesome. but at the same time, ive got no qualms with slash picking up where he left off.

we dont really know whats going on yet. the reunion could just be a temporary thing. if slash ends up returning to his band but on good terms, i think the public would be less critical of axl in the future.

i am a little bummed that the reunion seems to have swallowed up cd 2 and the cd remix, but im glad the band is getting so much attention, im hapy theres still stuff going on, and as i said, we really dont know whats going on.

a while back, no one could have imagined this would have happened. so how can we possibly try to guess what will happen next? anything could happen at this point.

i dont feel betrayed. people kiss and make up all the time. thats life, and probably for the better. if this is what axl thought was best for guns, he was probably onto something.

To answer the main question, I'm not extremely sad, because Duff is in my opinion one of the best bassists there is. Maybe not technically, but I have always loved his sound and style. Especially live! That's something Tommy (to me) seems to lack. But on the other hand I do feel that Tommy did not get all the credit he deserved/deserves. Although I don't know if he really gives a shit, seems like a true and easy going guy who's doing what he feels like.

Was someone forced out of the band? I don't know. Seems like they all had some other projects going on anyway. For all we know, it could be the other way around too; Tommy, Dj and Ron getting tired and frustrated with the situation and looking for something else to do, leaving the rest of the guys to find replacements.

But maybe it all went down in good terms..? Maybe it wasn't all fighting and backstabbing? Maybe they're all happy with the current situation :)


People grow up. They get over things. They talk and they understand. They ask for forgiveness and they forgive. They find ways to go on and get along.

The funniest thing to me is that some of the fans (so called "true fans") who have bashed anyone who has said anything bad about the 2001-2015 era GN'R are now crying because the lineup has changed and they feel betrayed. Of course they have the right to feel bad, but what ever happened to the "I'm with the band no matter what, because I am a true fan, I don't care who's in the band!" :hihi: This was not directed to you estebanf, just a general observation :)

definitely see that as a possibility.

yes, I agree. I've always liked Duff's attitude, style and solo stuff. it also seems that he and Tommy are on friendly terms, so maybe IF Duff rejoins GNR, there's a solid chance we will sometimes see Tommy join them onstage in the future, which is cool for me.

count me in to. I'm pretty much sure that every fan that's been here longer than since yesterday(not counting the "why do you complain when...." people) appreciates Tommy, since he's been the stable part of the nuGNR. While others have come and gone, he's been there for better of for worse. Ever since Las Vegas01, till 2014. He's endured all the pressure, and I'm sad to see him go. I dont see him or Finck abusing their (ex)membership in GNR, like some of the other ex members have done, which makes me even more sad for not seeing them in this band.

but to be frank, It wouldnt be a reunion without Duff... and I wouldnt count out Tommy still making a guest appearance or 2.

what makes me anxious is the tracklist. It would be really disappointing if they only played the "oldies". Would be to embarrassing for me to go watch that.

...no.  I don't feel betrayed or used about being a fan of a band and things happening which are far beyond my control.

I'm not! I have missed Slash and Duff the whole time.

dont take his words out of context... its obvious what he is trying to say. Everyone with a bit of sense of emotion understands what he's talking about.

Let me put it simple for you:

http://www.nme.com/news/guns-n-roses/64110
http://www.mtv.com/news/1451669/i-was-curious-slash-says-of-gnr-show-he-was-banned-from/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf8FqSsQP28
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slash-admits-he-visited-axl-rose-s-house-in/
etc..etc...


its quite sad...
because axl basically admits that he was overexagerating his differences with Slash... or was so nearsighted and immature not to predict that one day he might regret it or change his mind.
People who actually believed Axls reasons for dissing Slash obviously feel like they believed in bullshit... and feel even more foolish after "spreading the Axl gospel" for all these years.

 true... Axl doesnt owe anyone anything... and believers are stupid for even caring... but that doesnt make the taste of shit in the throat any less bitter.


to conclude: the rumor of "Atlas Shrugged" made me read that book. It turned out to be the best book I have ever read. One of the morals of the story is perseverance and integrity. With reunion... Axl lost a great piece of those.


a common occurence with the fans is:
a) they bow to Slash - Slash leaves... Shit on Slash
b) bow to Buckethead  - Buckethead leaves... Shit on Buckethead
etc.etc...
w) bow to DJ - DJ leaves... Shit on DJ


IMO this is quite shallow to begin with... since in the end... all that people around here do is act like cheerleeders in USA teen movie...

"OMG..... XY is friends with Axl...XY is so cool... BB4L"
... and once Axl gets ridd of them them ....
"...yeah... I know... XY was such a dick... like... did you see his shoes? ...that guy was such a moocher... yeah... he sucked ass "....

I know what Esteban means, its a bitter feeling, having seeing this band 3 times and support those guys with all my heart... but im sure Axl didnt just change his mind about Slash in a day.

If Axl is happy, if they met and discussed and put Peace between them then i'll support their desicion because i love GNR.

I believe, thought have no proof, that TB were able to broker this reunion. 

Past managers will have had monetary motives for this to happen, TB will have had the welfare of the man as their primary interest and as such, the meeting of the two parties will have been organised and agreed to be held in such a way that respects these people and the history that went before them. A conventional band management structure wouldn't have had a prayer in achieving this.

And to this end, well done Fernando and TB, and thank you.

People have lives to live and dreams to fulfill. The GN'R bus, people get on, people get off. It's fun.

I also grew quite fond of the latest incarnation of GNR...I was always bummed when someone left, bit ended up liking their replacements..Out of all the CD era lineups this past on was my favorite...But, although not 100% for a reunion, I anxious for some live and possibly new releases from GNR!!

Extremely sad? I love him, he's a good & funny guy and great musician for sure, but with an expired contract. That's what happens when you're a fan of a bunch of hired musicians (not saying this in a negative way) and you think they're a "band" while they are litteraly a company with a boss owning, managing & directing it. You have to expect this, if you don't, you don't understand life & business. Maybe music shouldn't work that way but some people, with or without musical integrity, decide to follow that road. RIght or wrong? Dunno, but that's it.
So I'm not sad because I'm not naive enough... I didn't expect this but at the same time I'm not surprised at all.

You know..."Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending" in a way or another : ok:

are you the same Mysteron who was spawning false rumors in 2002?

Aye. Many years ago.  :hihi:

I'm sure a handful of people do feel foolish. They certainly looked foolish. Some people spent years(and thousand of posts) doing nothing but post "not in this lifetime", "Slash prostitutes himself for fortune and shame",etc. as a reply to any post. That's literally all they did.

Now look what's on the horizon?

You cant blame Axl for that. Its your fault for taking the comments so seriously. You probably took it even more seriously than Axl did. There's nothing wrong with Axl moving forward with his life or changing his mind about something.

Hell... these same types thought he hated Buckethead after he bailed in 2004. In 2008 Axl wanted to share a Dr Pepper with him. Do you blame Axl for that too?


Bullshit.

!

....
 
We have to try to see the full half cup here.

Not the goddamn half empty.

Welcome AGAIN DUFF!!!

I am bummed out by this.

Mainly because i would pick Tommy over Duff anyday of the week, as i would pick Bumble, Dj and Robin over Slash anyday of the week. Its just my preference.

Im happy that they are friends again, at least i hope its not one those, ok we hate each other, lets make a cash grab tour and call it a day.

The classic lineup was great while it lasted, im not super hyped to see a middle aged version of the ritz 1988 show when the original is on youtube.

I can only hope that we will continue seeing three hour shows with songs ranging from Nice Boys to Prostitute.

I really hope im wrong, but i cant help but think that this is the day GNR stopped being exciting.

this.

Having waited almost 20 years for the return of Slash and 19 for Duff's, I am very happy with the recent development. I don't think a lot of the members of this forum became fans of GNR because of Tommy's bass playing or DJ's solos...

Does someone actually think this is what they are going to see?

I'm fairly sad in terms if thinking this move sees us further from new material and Chinese Democracy material. The highlights of the live shows over the last few years were for me, always, the Chinese Democracy songs.  Hopefully I'm proved wrong though and we'll hear CD material live and new stuff.

I see it very much as the 'next stage' in GNR, rather than a 'retro-reunion'. I'm not sure that will be the common opinion of people though, and I'm sure that I'll get sarcastic comments from people regarding the 'proper' band being back and how the new players were 'always shit'. These type of opinions don't really matter though as they always come from people who only know the greatest hits, and have never bothered to listen to the newer incarnations of the band.

Let's see what happens! As we all know, nothing goes as we expect it to with this band!

I loved Chinese Democracy. Still do. And I would very much like to hear the CD2 and whatever other material with Bucket, Robin and Tommy.

Still, I'm younger than Axl and I already lived through situations where I had to put my differences aside and work it out with someone I had problems with. Other times, I wanted to get rid of the bitterness and actually made peace with the other person. So yeah, I can see Axl and Slash getting along togheter. Maybe even better than the old days.

I think when someone joins a band like GNR as a "replacement", they know the score.  I know Tommy has been a member for a long time, and it seems he's enjoyed himself and gotten along well with Axl. I've been a fan of his and was introduced to his music through his time in Guns.

But I'm sure in the back of his head (this goes for any "NuGNR" members) that he knew if the ice ever thawed and things got better with Duff and Axl that he'd have to step aside at some point. And I think if someone takes that job, they have to be OK with that to a certain extent, no matter how unlikely it might have seemed at the time.

I'm sad to see him leave but I'm glad it's happening, if that makes any sense.

@estaban:

I'm not sad even though Tommy was one of the cooler new guys. Duff!

Don't understand your "Slash and all the harm he did..." thing you got going though? Please stop discrediting current bandmembers. It's so easy...

And now, please stop your whining. You're floating the board with all your negativity. :rofl: Sorry, couldn't resist. But I think I know you from the past.

I feel the time of inactivity makes their departure times relatively the same...

Okay ... I'll say it....

time to ship all of this nonsense to the EX GUNNERS SECTION



I actually do have respect for Tommy... but he chose a bad time to be wishy washy about his commitment to GNR when Duff had renewed his relationship with Axl.

Ron and DJ.... see ya guys... nice knowing you... neither made a significant impact to a GNR release... they are just a foot note now.

Both chose to leave.

No, I am not sad. 

I never forged any sort of personal connection to any of the replacement guys.  How could I?  Ain't like Axl ever let them talk.  Isn't like there is the wealth of material we can point to, as we only got 15 songs in 15 years.

But, to be brutally honest, I was never all that passionate about any post-2000 line-up.  I didn't so much like the replacment line-ups as tolerated them.  What choice had I?  It was that or nothing, literally nothing.

I will say as someone who enjoyed the new lineup I was all in in 2002 and as each change occurred it became a little more difficult.

The Bucket-Robin-Fortus-Brain-Stinson group was phenomenal imo.

Yeah a lot of us wish we could have seen mroe from that lineup... it wasn't meant to be.

Like i said... this is not the time.. these guys are all gone now...

REAL fans support GNR no matter what the lineup is..............

I agree. I've never missed an opportunity to see them not matter what. The last time I saw them was the No Trickery tour and it was a fantastic show.

What is the official lineup??????

Don't believe we have one yet...

I'd say the long standing thought that it will be Axl, Slash, Duff, Richard, Frank and the keyboard players is looking pretty good.

Sprinkle in some guest spots.

I sort of feel similar to DX.

When Oh My God popped up, I tried to love it because it was the first song I'd heard since Sympathy and the first original song since 1991, it was hard, but hey 'a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine for down'

When the news of Vegas and Rio popped up I got genuinely excited, then reports from vegas popped up and I heard things like Robin was dressed like a storm trooper and Buckethead looked like the Gorton's fisherman with a KFC bucket on his head... I cringed, then told myself I was going to like it. The Rio feed was available then I saw it all for myself... it was as bad as advertised (visually) BUT they sounded good...Didn't understand the need for Bucket on such an AFD heavy show (he basically played fills and random solos that Robin could have played), but they sounded good.

Here comes the VMA's... we'll just leave that along, it would just be piling on...

2002 tour... Here is where my favorite part shows up (Richard)... again they sounded good, still very iffy on what bucket is actually doing for GnR other than making them look ridiculous, now here comes Philly.

They now sit on the shelf for 4 years (Bye Bye Bucket)... VR emerges and shows us that Slash and Duff still have it... What would Fall to Pieces sound like with Axl???

2006 things start to come together, Robin has a better (see what I did there) look, and bucket is gone, of course they replaced 'Buckethead' with 'Bumblefoot' but luckily he lets people see his face and uses his real first name. They shows are great, we finally start to hear new material, but they Brain goes away, and Robin follows him a few years later. DJ replaces him and is a passable player, but looks like a cartoon character version of someone dressing like Slash as a Zombie... touring continues but cracks start to show. Tommy (the General) chooses to play solo gigs and Replacements shows over GnR shows, and my first glimmer of hope in forever DUFF!!!! and we have the beginning of the end for this long, mildly successful, but weird chapter in GnR history..

I couldn't be more happy for Axl, Duff, and Slash, that I use so much energy being happy so I can't spare any energy feeling bad for well paid hired musicians. This is the core of the band back together. Most of you would't know who any of the CD Era musicians were if these 3 (plus Izzy and Steven) didn't build a band and brand that Axl felt the need to continue on with... The classic (don't want to say original) members found ways over the last 20+ years to mend fences, find common ground, and agree that they were never better than when they were together. They are all older, wiser, and much much healthier... They got the band back together. Thank you bucket, robin, paul, dj, brain, and Tommy... you held it together, but you were just a place holder until they all found their way.

It is what it is. It's not off to the greatest start, with Axl cancelling out on his first chance to show face in a while. I just hope the reunion comes off as sincere. It's a cash grab - we all know it's a cash grab, but the less they can make it look like a cash grab, the better. I hope after all these years, Axl and Slash can rekindle whatever friendship they once had and get back to doing what made people fall in love with them in the first place.

I admire Tommy and the rest of the "new" Guns N' Roses for all they did for this band, and all the shit they likely put up with dealing with Axl for as many years as they did. As a young(ish) Guns fan at 33 I haven't had an opportunity to see the "original" band perform, so the Axl/Tommy/Bucket/Bumble/Finck/et al incarnation was all I've known. It's almost an end of a era.

I'll always have a spot in my heart for the "New" Guns N' Roses, but let's face it - this is a once in a lifetime thing, and the window was closing fast. They might as well give it a shot. Embrace it for what it is - we've all been through a lot with this band, and this is the start of a new, and possibly the final chapter. I wish Tommy well with the Replacements, or whatever his future may hold; I've met Bumblefoot several times - one of the most genuine goodhearted human beings I've ever met, no ill feelings towards him, DJ, or any of the members who are no longer affiliated.

Let's take this thing one day at a time and see what it brings us. Cherish the old memories, and make room for some new - hopefully great ones. #GnFnR

They will certainty make a lot of money, and deservedly so. I like money too so I don't begrudge them that.

I do think it's unfair to call it only a money grab. The money for a reunion has always been on the table for this. None of them "need" the money and Axl has been clear that this would never happen only for money. I think that they can cash in and still have it be about more than money.

Tons of respect for Tommy.  Him being a Replacements guy, part of the whole indie rock scene and all, he could have easily taken a very ironic, detached approach to his time with Guns but instead he gave all he had to live up to the band's legacy.  Every show I went to, I could not help but notice that the guy poured his heart and soul into the performance.  He has his own stuff going on though, including his own iconic band that he probably feels has not had its last chapter yet.  All the best to him.

Maby it's just a temporary "reunion" and he will return in 2017 or 2018? I hope so.

I'm not sure they can go back to a lineup without Slash and Duff after bringing them back. It would be a pretty tough sell.

Try impossible.  This is a total one way move.

You can't give them the GNR they know and love (or close to it) and then try and take it away again and expect people to get jazzed about yet another line-up of replacement guys.

There was the same thing with Kiss.... their reunion was not forever too.

Not at all. Great guy and bass player but he did his job, made a shit ton of money and I'm sure is very happy for Duff and the fans.

He even publicly stated he hoped Axl did this.

Wait, can I finally say it?!?

STOP LIVING IN THE PAST.  GET OVER IT.  Tommy chose the Replacement$ over GNR.  

You could have used this phrase on GN?R forums for the past 15+ years! :D :D

I think Tommy is great, but I'm certainly not upset about Duff Mckagan playing bass for Guns N' Roses again.  Over the last 20 years I have seen GNR a whole bunch of times.  I have also seen Velvet Revolver, Slashs Snakepit, Slash as a solo artist, and Loaded a bunch of times as well.  I always made a point to try and  enjoy the music and not get wrapped up in whatever bullshit was going on between the guys behind the scenes.  Because quite frankly it was none of my business.  My only responsibility as a fan is to listen to the art that the artist puts out.  I was never a "new band extremist" or a "reunionist"  I am just a GNR fan.   If Slash did something that was great (Contraband and his first solo album) I said that.  If he did something I thought sucked (the albums with Myles, Black Eyed Peas halftime show) I would also be honest about that.  I never complained about what GNR was doing because  I love "Chinese Democracy" and was blown away by every show I ever attended.

So yeah I am as big a fan of the post 2000 lineup as much as the next person, but I am not upset about having two big reasons why I became a GNR fan in the first place back in the band.  That said, all of the music the band has worked on since the mid 90's, I really do hope we still get to hear it at some point.

i love tommy, specially his solo work. can't say i'm sad to see him go, because it was a good pay job for him for the last two decades, but Duff is the man that wrote the songs i love and the idol i look up to.

So all i have to say is... shouldn't this conversation be in the ex members section, as much as i love tommy and i do, he's not part of guns n roses today.

Hahahaha

Weird to think about, isn't it. If Duff was the mediator between Axl and Slash, the whole reunion of GNR effectively only happened because of what turned out to be an abortive reunion of The Replacements.

...or possibly it was a result of a chance meeting in a hotel in London?

True, maybe so. But it seems more like something that would have been discussed at length and gradually when Duff joined the tour to me. Speculation of course.

For the people saying that Tommy left GNR for the Mats, that's crazy !

So he went for a while to play with the Replacements, and Duff replaced him, Im pretty sure that just happened because of conflicting schedules and Tommy wanting to do BOTH things.

His last comments on GNR where not the comments of a person who is OK by the way things ended. ''we all just kind of left in Vegas'"

Another thing that really makes me think GNR was more than MONEY to Tommy is how Tommy handled Bumblefoot, according to Ron, he had issues with some bandmembers, especially Tommy because Ron "wasn't made" , like it was GNR was a Gang that you have to prove your worth to in order to get in.


No doubt Tommy isnt happy about it.


DJ left with his head up high. After consistently talking about wanting to write for GNR, having support for Axl and the future of the band,  there was a definite pointbreak where he was forced to decide, an all his kind words for GNR where left up in the air.  Maybe the reunion was upon him and he left because he saw it coming and felt as the odd man out, or in an uncomfortable position, maybe Axl told him in advance what was happening ?.who knows?

This people are not businessmen, they are artists. They don't consider themselves as employees (even when all things seem to indicate it). Im pretty sure most of them felt they were in a band, beyond what is put in paper.

So you only want the middle aged singer then ?

I'm not extremely sad, I liked tommy but I love duff , so no, I'm not extremely sad, I'm extremely happy to have Duff back.

what departure ??? (hai2u pilferk)

/flameshield on

I lump Tommy in with all of them in one regard.

Tommy, Robin, DJ, Ron, Brain : people I paid not one second of attention to before they joined the band, and resumed that total lack of interest the minute they left.

The only exception was Buckethead.  I was so impressed with his playing, I did check out some of his other stuff.  Can't say I listen to it all that often, but he at least held my attention, however briefly, even outside the GNR umbrella.

Tommy and Buckethead were the two exceptions for me (well, and Robin, to some extent, due to NIN..but even then, that's more Trent's thing).

I knew Tommy because I know the 'Mats, and knew of them long before his stint in GnR.

Buckethead because, again, I knew his virtuoso stuff before his involvement with GnR.  Still listen to his stuff because he's insanely talented.

On a different note: Tommy is the ONE guy I'm VERY sad to see depart the most recent incarnation.  I like DJ well enough, and like the SIXX AM stuff, too....but his departure I can live with.

Tommy?  Man, that one hurt.  That, to me, was the sign that something was brewing because, to me, he seemed like a lifer.

He really is.  Dude is incredible.

definition of integrity is not up for debate. if you yield... you loose it. - simple as that.

as for believing... and everything else. I dont take it personally, and I dont blame anyone (as I already stated).
But I'm sorry that project failed, since I was fan of the CD mythology, and was hoping for it to have a romantic ending, where the underdog manages to achieve glory against all odds.

In this case, the underdog teams up with the guy that "bullied" him, and nothing romantic about that.

Sad ? Yea. I liked Tommy in GN'R. He was a good fit. Thing is, I expect him to come back for a guest spot or two at some point. I don't think this is really a bitter ending. It was a good gig for him, and he also went back to the 'Mats not that long ago. So he's had a lot of closure, and is hopefully in a good spot.

Sad to see Tommy gone....But I love Duff too! Noe that's a luxury problem. Of the "new" members, I still follow  Bumble and Tommy, and Buckethead from time to time.

I don't go too overboard with the "respect" angle when it comes to Axl Rose.  He's a dude that sings songs I like.  He's not my spirit guide or my mentor.

But, having said that, I'd have to say I have a hard time saying I would respect a guy more for holding on to a silly grudge for the rest of his life than I would for a guy that grew up and moved past it.

How is the former admirable?  Isn't the latter a better place to be as a human being?

that "human being" stuff is newage bs

just because you forgave someone something, doesnt mean you are instantly best friends... or that you'd give em a second chance.
basically "you are fogiven, now GTF out of my way" is better then "you made me angry, and I hated you, said shit about you, but now I think I was wrong... so lets get back togather"  - thats what girls do.

Didn't it ever strike you odd that Axl would never really elaborate on what supposedly had him so livid?

It was always some variation of "oh, he knows what he did...", right?

How many times did we all say it was hard to know how legit his beefs were since he never clarified them?

I even went a step further.  The longer it went on, I think he saw it was kind of silly, but was too dug in for too long.  I think he'd have felt silly telling us the real reson, because even he knew people might likely roll their eyes over it.

Regardless of how he got where he is now with Slash, I think you have to applaud it.

Yeah, I was also a fan of the Mats before he was in GNR, someone had said that Tommy was the backbone of the replacements and when I heard Village Gorilla Head I understood why, that album is awesome !

I was very impressed with Buckethead in GNR, however his albums are what I call masturbation atari music. I get it you are a talented weirdo.
But with GNR his talent was channeled in a pretty cool way, on songs like Madagascar and Twat.

You just sorta defined virtuoso style guitar music.  I mean, there are exceptions...and not all sound like atari music.  But..yeah..pretty much.

You either like it, or you don't.  Ain't no thing.

Dear God. That is so sad...really.

I was not in the ritz in 1988 nor i was in Vegas in 2014 when they played some 3,5h shows., but i have enjoyed the hell out of some bootlegs from 2014 compared to 80s ones. I belive they were a much stronger band in 2014.

What i want to see is something new, something interesting. Not a total nostalgia show about how cool they were in 1988. Im afraid its going to be like that, i really hope its not.

Lets wait and see.

I think trying to label 'Appetite For Residency' as some bold, forward thinking endeavor is sort of a stretch.

I think Tommy supports the reunion wholeheartedly, this based on comments he's made in the past. He got to experience his own reunion as well, so he probably knows how it feels.

I can't imagine anything else than them parting as friends. Tommy seems like a real grounded guy, so I don't think he feels betrayed or anything.

Just as sad as people preferring Duff over Tommy in 1998.

Tommy won some fans over, not that its a competition. Now ill see if the King of beers, can do the same.


We all have our fav songs, albums, drummers ect. Dosent mean that Jungle is a better song than Prostitute, its a question of preference.

Thank you all guys for the replies. I have read them all carefully  :)


I agree with you in everything you said.

But, regarding this particular sentence, I think GNR will be exciting in a different way: the nostalgic atmosphere will bring massive audiences, giant stadiums, lots of new fans, huge media coverage, and ''our band'' will be back in the big leagues again. Good to presume with our friends  ;D

The thing is I cant see life after an hypothetical future Axl-Slash fight.

In the other side, with this hybrid reunion the hopes of seeing new ChiDem-Era stuff are over.

From 2001-2007, Axl bet for the future. IMHO, something changed when DJ entered the band: there was a HUGE blink to the past with his inclussion. Now, in 2015, Axl bets for the past. Im not saying ''future'' is inherently ''good'' and ''past'' is ''bad''. Im just saying how I see things.


Exactly my thoughts.


Agreed! That's why im already working to diggest this, because I will be supporting this band like I always did. Can't say the same of a lot of ''top posters'' in this forum.


That's impossible. From now on, GNR will exist the time Axl and Slash can endure together in the same room. I see this is a collosal timebomb.


I have almost 5000 posts in this message board, and have belonged to it for more than a decade. You have registered 4 months ago.

Can you please tell me how many times have I been ''negative'' and ''whiny'' regarding GNR in these 10+ years?

I agree that DJ's inclusion was problematic, but the change started when Buckethead left and his replacement, Ron, just did not fit in.  But the real hammer was losing Finck.  Just like Axl had said that he could not continue working on the mid-90s material without Slash, I think he discovered that the same logic applied in trying to develop the unreleased CD material without BH and Finck.  Those guys have a very unique way of playing, there's no imitations of them, not even bad imitations.  So they not only lost those 2 guys but the 2 guys who could not quite replace them.  So where could the band have gone from there?  Reboot it all again with 2 new guitarists?  No, this was the best that could have happened.  And I feel fairly confident that we're going to get incredibly great new music out of this.

I'd get extremely sad if someone I love would pass away. Tommy stepping aside gets a huge thumbs up and a thank you for what he has done.   : ok:

are you able to understand contexts? we are in a GNR message board, and you have more than 10K posts... yes, it's only a rock and roll band... geez...

What a waste of a post...

I don't feel sad but he was an anchor within the preceding lineups, and I guess it's a shame that the various business or legal issues prevented them from moving forward sooner with more new material, promotion etc.

actually no. It was personal, and I never cared for the details nor did it concern me. All I/We could do is, either accept his stance, or refuse it.
The things got a bit awkward with all the name calling etc.

I always had high opinion of Axl... and unfortunately... reuniting just to go for the sake of a tour is something I'd expect from Motley Crue. Not Axl.

Why is that so sad? The guy is stating his preferences- what's wrong with that? I thought part of coming on a band's forum was t share opinions and thoughts. Why is it so awful that someone might like the playing of one musician over the other?

I see what you mean, but what happens if there is new music?

Hahahahaha

I believe he was joking.

I agree.

With 10k posts there's a lot of worthless posts, this being another one of those.  : ok:

I share most of your feelings, estebanf

it would ease my moral dilemma :D

but I'd still be sad because Axls "solo project" was not as fruitful as it was expected to be :(
its anticlimactic after all the things the fan base was through (not a critique of Axl, just a personal constation).

Tommy brought one thing to the post-UYI lineup that no one else did at the time he joined...credibility.  Yes, the other players were/are talented, but none of them could touch Tommy's history with the 'Mats.  When it was first announced that he was in the band, I actually thought there was hope for GnR - that they could continue to produce relevant, important music...something I wasn't sure was possible after Duff left.  I was never a fan of the plaid suits, but considering the Barnum & Baileys look of the entire band at the time, it was hard to say Tommy didn't fit in in terms of style.  

But yes, I'm sad that Tommy is gone. I can only hope that it was on good terms.  He always struck me as very professional throughout his time in the band, and I'm sure he sees the big picture in all of this, whatever exactly that is.  I'd love to hear all the material he worked on with Axl over the years.  Maybe someday.

That said, seeing Duff, Axl, and Slash together on stage again?  That's a chemistry and a magic that I honestly didn't think I'd ever see again in my lifetime.

Great post and I agree with Estaban also

My only two times I saw Gn'R in MX were with Tommy, but I think this is a great chance for this lineup, I hope they will tour :peace:

Exactly my sentiment. And even "tolerating" was some times hard. Would have had less of a problem with them, if Axl just would have toured as "Axl Rose", which, essentially it was and the way I  tried to look at it.

the one thing I won't miss about tommy are those horrific backing vocals, other than that he was a huge part of GNR for a long time, I think it's the right time to move on for both him and the band.

Exactly.

Considering what I've come to know about Axl over the years, I guess it was the simple fact that Slash, instead of facing Axl, telling him what got him mad, just gave up and left GNR. And Axl felt betrayed and abandoned, even though he was the reason why Slash left and could never forgive him for that.


Basically.

No need to come here and shit on the fact that Axl kept the band going.

Edited to add: It's ironic that some can't seem to just be happy with the recent news. That's not enough, they need to point out how they didn't like something about the old band, or just be plain disrespectful. Maybe that's the case with all the people who suddenly showed up after 10-20 years in exile. I don't know. But have some respect.



/jarmo

Not sorry at all about Tommy.  He quit on his own accord.  He was a professional, and it was a good gig for him for nearly 20 years.  Let us remember though that Tommy admitted that he was never really a fan of the music he was playing, so indeed, this was just a job.

Best wishes to him.  I'm sure he won't be unemployed.



Yep, I said this elsewhere.  If the reunion pans out, this will be the very last GNR lineup there shall ever be -- and Axl had to know that.  There's absolutely no going back if/when he agreed to reunite with Slash.

Personally, I have never hidden my wishes for a reunion. Fact. BUT, I am really thankful that the band continued the legacy and we've got Chinese Democracy. A unique album that will always stay there. I'm thankful I've seen the band live 4 times since 2006 and all the shows I've attended were amazing. To answer the topic, of course I'll miss Tommy. As much as I miss Robin to be honest. It's just that I grew up with Slash and Duff and I am more than excited to see what's coming from now on. I wish Tommy all the best and I'm sure he'll be around at some point.

Maybe a hint he's not totally out??

tommystinson
Has anyone seen the rocket queen?
(https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/e35/p320x320/10661079_1508536026143900_1710947860_n.jpg)

It's not confirmed who's 100% in the band yet. I'm sad the promise of the post-Slash era seems now to have no fuel in it  and the potential of future Bumble/Ashba/Stintson material now seems moot.

Tommy did a great job and kept the band up when others were thinking of folding. I wouldn't say I'm sad, but he had a underappreciated role in keeping GNR afloat between 1998 and 2015. Presumably his two year contract came to a close and may not have been renewed. However, when TS committed to the 'Mats dates and Duff played again, it seemed fairly clear to me that Tommy was at best... conflicted.

It's a one way street though. If it doesn't work, a lineup without Duff/Slash/Axl will have difficulty commercially calling itself GNR.

I'm happy that GNR are still making headlines, playing shows, and people are still interested in them. Thats great news.

Just thought about this today...I am sorry but I am NOT sad. LOVE Duff. I actually had the pleasure meeting both of these bassists...and Duff is COOL ;)

So, if you have Pitman, Reed, Fortus and Ferrer in the band *without Slash* it's not GNR. If Slash pops in, it's GNR.

it amuses me how difficult is to some people to understand lineup changes don't create a new band, considering several of the most famous bands in the world have been through this (Pink Floyd, Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and a million other examples).

By the way, that Tommy post at instagram is intriguing  :o

Assuming they (Slash AND Duff) are equal partners and get a say in what is happening with the band, yes. If they are just employees and have to go along with whatever it is Axl is deciding then no. It amuses me how difficult it is to some to see that having a bunch of salaried players, who have to do what their employer tells them to do, makes that "band" nothing more than a solo project of the person writing the cheques.

A question was asked and I added my 5 cents. That has nothing do with disrespect. But maybe it is telling, that despite seeing NuGNR 7 times in the past decade, I never felt the need to talk about them (well, at least not here) or branch out to different boards to get news about the band.

I'd be very surprised if they are equal partners. Why would they be? Why after all these years would Axl allow that?

Well, when Ozzy came back to Black Sabbath Tony Iommi stopped being the sole owner of the name. So stranger things have happened. I'm not sure if Axl would give up the right to the name, but I'm sure they are more than just employees.

I really think that they are just 'employees' (for want of a better term) who are on a stupidly big wage. Axl owns the name, and has kept that name alive for many years- with all odds against him. I can't see him, or anyone, being happy that someone could then step into that name, having done nothing, and get an equal cut. It wouldn't seem right.

The name of something which took 4 other guys to create. They have as much a stake in the name as him. And if he wouldn't be so difficult, unpredictable and my-way-or-the-highway, at least, 2 guys probably never would have left.

But legally- he owns the name. Why would he want to suddenly split it?

The name is 100% Axl, but the partnership for the band is another story I would believe.

I know it's exciting and all. But please, all these name discussions, please go post in the Dead Horse section.
The rest of us have been talking about this for about 15 years by now....

Suddenly every other thread is turned into the same old tired "discussions". It's the name, it's the riots, it's the so called late starts.

Like I said: Dead Horse (http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?board=13.0). Go there.  : ok:



/jarmo

Well. It wasn't really my intention to beat the dead horse, as I don't really care anymore. The name situation is what it is. I see both sides and it wasn't my intention to discuss it anyway, just as it pertains to the NuGNR members.

Tommy has contributed a lot, but now its time to pass the stick to Duff.  :beer: 
I wont miss him at all  :peace:

I won't miss him. To paraphrase Axl: Stick with the originals. : ok:

Axl, Richard, Frank, Dizzy and Chris are paraphrase LOL at that right now.  : ok:

Well for one thing, I have been immensely happy and thoroughly enjoyed Tommy in Guns N' Roses, and he will always be part of that family, he was a rock that Axl was able to lean on as the band kept going.
Though Im not sure exactly how long I'll have to miss him. As this is GNR and stranger things have happened. He could very well come up during shows(provided they do indeed do an extensive tour beyond Coachella, which BTW, I have every confidence in), to sit in on a couple of Chinese tunes.
 I'm speculating of course, but I don't see it as something out of the realm of possible. But to me he has earned all my respect as being a member of GUNS N ROSES!! My fucking favorite band period!   

Ozzy had to take Tony Iommi to court over the ownership of the Black Sabbath name.  Read here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ozzy-and-tony-iommi-settle-black-sabbath-suit-20100720 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ozzy-and-tony-iommi-settle-black-sabbath-suit-20100720)

Axl owns the GNR name and is unlikely to share it with anyone after what he went through (right or wrong) to acquire sole ownership of it.  So contract employees would exactly be what Slash and Duff are, although I am sure they negotiated to reasonable enough terms for themselves.

I would think the same.

I also highly doubt either man, if asked a question about what they are doing, would say "can't say, you have to ask Axl".

Even if not back in a formal partnership, have to imagine they have more say that anyone in Axl's band these past however many years.

It's good to see Tommy is out there doing some promo.

88 Seconds with Tommy Stinson: https://youtu.be/nN8dxPlFpgg

Toward the end he is talking about the 2001 Rio GNR show. :-)

My Position Is 4Ever Support To GNR Whit Excelents Members, Musics, Performance, Tour, merchandesing, Etc, Etc.

The Band Is The AXL.. Not You & Me  :hihi:  :rofl:

This Is NEW LineUp 2016, Whit Exception... Slash Is Back  ;)

All bands changes member, but this case is special and so GNR is UNIQUE

tHANKS tO tOMMY, bbft, matt, roberta, teddyzigzag, horns, ole, tracii, etc, etc

 : ok:

Tommy has been great in the band.    I've truly enjoyed having him in Guns N' Roses.

With that said, I'd imagine he is more than happy to step aside for Duff.    I'm sure he knew going in that this was a possibility.

And who knows what the future may bring.   Tommy is super talented.   In Guns or elsewhere, he will do great things.

As far as DJ, I suspect it was more about his obligations to SixxAM, now that Motley is history.   But who knows?

ty for that. probably the first vid interview I've seen of him

when i first came around, i thought people knew what they are talking about. now i realize that there are no authorities on a gnr message board. nobody knows where this band is going, despite how confidently they say so or how many posts they have. truth is, everyone is just as much in the dark as the next guy. Just an observation i had recently.

Not sad at all pumped Duff is in

We're all guessing, pretty much.

Tommy added a lot to GNR.

So yes, sad, but not extremely sad due to Duff coming back.

If Tommy Is Bass & Duff On Guitar ?

 :-X

I can't see Duff playing guitar in the band that he helped make popular with someone else playing  the bass.

Hey they are in GNR now. Tommy isn't.

To myself it had seemed Tommy hadn't been a part of the band for a very long time.   I sorta got this confirmation when I read that interview he gave in aug.  where he pretty much said he wasn't apart of any guns plans

He was great in and for the band.   Too bad we only got one album with that great 2002 lineup

Yes they are in GNR now and that was my point.
Richard, Frank and Chris are NuGuns not originals.
Besides Axl, Dizzy is the interface between the OldGuns and NuGuns yet is categorized as neither.  Not original but certainly not considered one of the new guys.

Do we need to review again what "original GNR" technically is? :D

No such thing as NUGuns.

No one is forcing you to join this discussion. 

A discussion forum is geared so if you are a member you can reply to conversations :D

Marvels of Modern Technology!

Please stop making this a personal attack on me and my opinion.
I was replying to someone who directly quoted me and commented on the topic.

En GNR Play Guitar In 2012

 ;)

As a guest... he isn't a guest anymore.

Tommy was one of the main reasons why I became a GNR fan. Therefore, it is more than sad to see him go.
But Duff is a great bass player as well so I don't wanna talk bad about him at this point.

I didn't get a chance to see Duff play in Guns back in the day, I was too young for concerts and living in a small town when Duff was touring in the band.

I've seen GNR 3 times between 2002-2010 and Tommy did a great job - but no I'm not sad Tommy's gone, or any of the other temps. I finally get to most of the original line up that was together when GNR became my first favorite band (if they make it to Canada, if they have that summer tour).

Are you serious? Have you seen some of the stuff people are taking for granted, "confirming" claims what "we" to "know"?  :rofl:

No one know shit, the ones who do, won't say anything. That's all I know with my 11k posts.

I can't say I'm particularly sad about it.  I've never listened to The Replacements, so the "street cred" he is said to have from that doesn't really register for me.  More importantly, I can't say that any of the songs on Chinese Democracy have basslines that really jump out at me - certainly not to the extent that I'd rather have him in the band than Duff (especially if the setlist is going to be dominated by songs that Duff played and had a role in shaping originally). 

Good luck to the guy, but I'm not wistful about his departure. 

Why wouldnt you check out the replacements?


check this out !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wigclcg3stc&list=PLC9vU9hHukpPrb4ku_qpQWViYKfp7p4y_

haha. yeah, reunion put it all on the table i think. if this can happen, anything can happen. never say never with this band.

now its just bad movie reviews!!!!   hahahaha

jk

I'm glad that tommy was in one of the biggest bands in the world,played big shows and earned million of dollars