Here Today... Gone To Hell!

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56bc7e94160169.56765838/1280x720.jpg)

Rehearsal no-shows? Lingering bad blood? Fragile egos? A $3 million-per-night pay day? And where's Izzy?

Axl Rose still lives in the house that sits high above Malibu, where Latigo Canyon Road twists and narrows, and a perilous drop lies just feet from the wheels of approaching vehicles. A hidden gate with a camera-equipped call-box guards the entrance to a four-acre estate. It was here in October 2005, at the entrance to this prime piece of Southern California real estate, that Axl said his ex-Guns N? Roses bandmate Slash arrived ?unannounced at 5am? and made disparaging remarks about Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland, who were then his colleagues in Velvet Revolver.

It was the peak of an acrimonious fall-out that meant the ?most dangerous band in the world? were now communicating only via their lawyers. The reunion dreamed of by fans seemed as distant as Axl?s mountain-top house. Matters were seemingly put beyond doubt in 2009, when Axl called Slash ?a cancer? in a rare interview with Billboard magazine. ?What?s clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion,? said Axl.

Jump forward to the summer of 2014. Axl and Slash secretly formalise agreements that they will sign off on the mutually written material performed on their respective bands? DVD releases. In February 2015, Slash tweets birthday greetings to Axl, which suggested a thaw in rock?s most high-profile cold war. The following May he tells the CBS This Morning programme: ?A lot of the tension? has dissipated. Over time we all just got sick and tired of the black cloud. The biggest thing that happens when you have a break-up that is less than harmonious is you build up a bad energy because of the distance.? In August, Slash tells Swedish television that he and Axl have met and reconciled. ?It was probably way overdue, you know. But it?s very cool at this point.?

As this happens, the Chinese Democracy-era line-up of Guns N? Roses reaches a natural end with a second residency in Las Vegas. Latter-day members DJ Ashba, Ron ?Bumblefoot? Thal and Tommy Stinson melt away. With both Axl and Slash on good terms with Duff McKagan, the road to a reunion is clearer than it has been for a decade.

On January 5, 2016 the news is confirmed in a statement: ?Upholding a three-decade tradition of breaking ground, creating trends, and forever changing the face of rock?n?roll, Guns N? Roses announce the most significant music event of this century. Founder Axl Rose and former members Slash and Duff McKagan will regroup to headline the Coachella Music & Arts Festival (April 15-17 & April 22-24). The performances will mark the first time since 1993 the Gunners will share the stage for what is certain to be an explosive event.?

It?s so easy, right? Like the old song says.

Well, almost.

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56c305a9c52057.07341970/1280x905.jpg)

The Guns N? Roses reunion was the worst-kept secret in the music industry. To anyone paying attention, Slash?s birthday tweet to Axl suggested a detente, while Duff made his peace with the singer years ago, even standing in for Tommy Stinson on a GN?R South American tour in 2014. But a speculative reunion took several steps closer to becoming reality in December 2014 when Slash announced his divorce from wife Perla Hudson ? an unpopular figure in GN?R circles.

?There are lots of reasons to re-form now,? says Arlett Vereecke, the LA publicist who has been associated with the band since their early days. ?Axl has been saying it for a couple of years, and basically the main reason is that Slash is available without the attachment of a bitchy wife. Axl has being saying for two years that this year he would put it back together. When that divorce was in the making, it went all forward really fast.? 

There have been some near-misses in the past. In 2008, Scott Weiland revealed to Classic Rock that there was an aborted attempt to reunite the band around their 2004 Greatest Hits album. Black Star Riders/Thin Lizzy frontman Ricky Warwick suggested that Axl wasn?t averse to the idea as recently as 2012, when Lizzy supported GN?R in the UK. ?Axl was quite realistic about the possibility of a reunion, saying: ?Who knows??,? Warwick tells Classic Rock. ?He had fond memories of it. It was always a case of, we?ll see where the road takes us. It was never: ?Over my dead body?.?

If the reunion was unsurprising, then the timing of it is more so. Alan Niven is the gregarious New Zealander who managed the band during their commercial peak in the late 1980s and early 90s.

?There is definitely a ?Why now?? factor to this,? he says. ?Why not next year, when it is the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Appetite? That?s the first question I?d ask. And there would be plenty of promoters asking that too. There are two Coachella shows, two Vegas [before Coachella], shows in Mexico City? But why not have that all in place before there is an announcement??

Tom Zutaut, the A&R man who signed Guns N? Roses to Geffen and who brought in Niven to manage them, feels that the chance to play at Coachella may explain the timing of the re-formation. ?I can only speculate,? he says. ?You?d have to look at [promoters] Goldenvoice and AEG, sitting there with a festival that last year generated eighty million dollars in profits. When you have that kind of money to spend and your festival sells out regardless of whether you have Guns N? Roses or not? given that those guys in GN?R might be looking back at filling out stadiums and selling out multiple nights in arenas, versus where their solo careers have taken them.

?Axl Rose has never done anything for money in his life,? Zutaut continues. ?Nor has Slash or Duff. But when the entire music world is clamouring to see you, the rush of that experience is hard to resist, especially when AEG is waving all those large wads of money at you. Coachella is considered one of the biggest and most influential festivals in the world? Suddenly it might have felt right for all of them to test the waters? 

The sums are giddying: the fee for Coachella has been widely reported at $7m per show, and a financial split of 50 per cent to Axl, 25 per cent each to Slash and Duff ? although it remains speculative and unconfirmed ? it must, along with the timing, have made for an enticing proposition.

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56c307645ba0a0.76552410/1280x725.jpg)

Axl, Slash and Duff re-enter an industry much changed since they last played together. Back then the music business was driven by record sales. Now it is driven by ticket sales. And the sums that surround Guns N? Roses? return are extraordinary. Their fee for the two Coachella shows has been widely reported as $14m. The Las Vegas shows, at the 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena on April 8 and 9, had tickets priced from a hefty $79.50 to an unbelieveable $2,500 for a ?VIP Experience? package. At the end of January, US industry magazine Billboard has reported that a stadium tour of around 25 dates was being negotiated with promoters, with market giants AEG and Live Nation apparently keen to have the tour. Here the figures become even more remarkable, with the band reportedly asking for a guaranteed $3m per night.

Veteran music industry manager Doc McGhee, who looked after the band for two years from 2010, feels that the success of selling a stadium tour depends on the early performances. ?If it?s done right, it should do amazing,? he says. ?If they have their shit together and go out there to kill, I think everybody comes to see them. If not they?ll have a tough time selling it.?

Other promoters are said by Billboard to be more reticent, given the reputation for unreliability and unpredictability that Axl got during the excesses of the Use Your Illusion years. ?It?s incumbent on the artist to convey the message to the fan base: ?We?re back, we?re taking this seriously, we?re in shape, I can sing these songs, and we?re going to create the magic we once had,? said one promoter, speaking anonymously. Another said: ?I prefer not to take part in these kind of all-or-nothing bets myself.?

?The scepticism is two-fold,? says Alan Niven. ?First of all, will they turn up? And second of all, what?s with the ticket prices??

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56c306c1944910.05882964/1280x568.jpg)

Guns N? Roses have been managed at various points by Niven, Rod Smallwood, Irving Azoff and McGhee, who between them have decades of experience of multi-platinum artists and their requirements. Axl Rose has stayed with none of them, instead establishing an arrangement with Beta Lebeis and her son Fernando that appears to fall somewhere between conventional management and familial support.

Little is known about the Lebeises. A LinkedIn entry for a Beta Lebeis has the job title ?Personal Manager at Guns N? Roses?. A Los Angeles KCAL TV station reporting on bush fires in Malibu in November 2007 that threatened Axl?s property interviewed Lebeis, who confirmed that she was resident on Axl?s property. In an undated online interview translated from Portuguese conducted in the city of Santos, Lebeis said that she had first met the singer after she began work as a nanny for the model Stephanie Seymour, who started a relationship with Rose soon after Lebeis?s appointment in 1990. After the couple split in February 1993, Lebeis remained with Axl. She confirmed that her son Fernando and a brother also worked for the singer. ?I think Axl is very close to me and my children because he feels that we like him for what he really is, not for being a rock star,? she said.

In a 2011 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Axl told the paper that Lebeis and her children were managing him, and said that other managers had been too keen to reunite the original line-up of the band. ?They get their commission and don?t care if it falls on its face,? he said.

The relationship between Axl and the Lebeises is shrouded in mystery. ?I?m not going to speculate on that,? Arlett Vereecke says when asked about it. Tom Zutaut is also intrigued.

?I?ve heard that her son Fernando is managing the band. Maybe with this reunion she has gotten her name on it [the job]. I really don?t know,? he says. ?But the woman [Beta] was Stephanie Seymour?s housekeeper and nanny? As to how someone grows a career from that to managing the biggest rock?n?roll band in the world, that?s something we could speculate upon. The only guess I can make is that she?s the type of person Axl needs in his life. When someone like Axl Rose walks the fine line between genius and insanity, she must facilitate that. A lot of great artists, such as Jimmy Page, Steven Tyler and Brain Wilson, had that type of interesting character in their lives.?

Given the uncertainty around the band, the early word coming out of Los Angeles is predictably mixed. They began work at their long-time LA base Mates, which has rehearsal space in north Hollywood and also a state-of-the-art facility just off the 405 freeway in the San Fernando Valley (in early February, sources said that Axl Rose had yet to attend any rehearsals). The plan is to move into an aircraft hangar for full production rehearsals. There is little information on a set-list, although it?s believed that songs from Chinese Democracy, specifically the title track and Madagascar, are being rehearsed along with late-80s/early-90s material. ?It?s certainly an amazing production,? says Arlett Vereecke.

But exactly who is in Guns N? Roses in 2016, beyond the core three members is another matter entirely. The shutters came down almost immediately after the announcement was made, and requests for interviews with members of both the Appetite/Illusion and Chinese Democracy line-ups have either been ignored or politely declined.

Various social media posts and stories from those close to the band have the second guitarist as either former Velvet Revolver man Dave Kushner, or Richard Fortus who was a member of the last incarnation of Guns N? Roses and who recently quit his other band, The Dead Daisies. It?s likely Dizzy Reed will play keyboards. In January, Chinese Democracy-era guitarist/keyboard player/percussionist Chris Pitman tweeted: ?We are playing at Coachella 2016 look out!?, only to remove the tweet shortly afterwards.

Of course, much of the criticism of the reunited Guns N? Roses comes from the fact that, as of mid-February, only three members of the classic line-up are involved. Original drummer Steven Adler has made no secret of his desire to be involved, but that will surely be militated against by his health problems and the difficult relationship that he has had with Axl over the years. His replacement, Matt Sorum, effectively ruled himself out due to an unspecified issue with Axl.

And then there?s Izzy Stradlin, the man who many see as embodying Guns N? Roses? original rebel spirit. The guitarist was the first to walk away from the band, in November 1991, saying: ?Once I quit drugs, I couldn?t help looking around and asking myself: ?Is this all there is?? I was just tired of it; I needed to get out.? He subsequently returned to guest with the band in 1993, 2006 and 2012. Whether the publicity-shy Stradlin wants to fully step back into the three-ring circus isn?t clear, although there is an unconfirmed rumour that he has been made a financial offer to appear with the band for at least part of the Coachella set.

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56c3566af38db0.65989125/1280x811.jpg)

I think Izzy will definitely show up [somewhere on the tour],? says Arlett Vereecke. ?He likes to play but he doesn?t like to walk the line. He likes to live his own life. Him and Axl have been good friends and have never really had a problem. He doesn?t have a problem with anyone. He will show up. Steven would love to do it. I don?t think they will take him on tour. Him and Axl are not the best combination and never were. It depends what Axl is comfortable with. I know Duff and Slash certainly have no problem with him.?

Tom Zutaut agrees that an appearance, perhaps fleeting, by the original five could happen. ?I do keep hearing rumblings of a Mick Taylor scenario with the Stones, where Mick came out and did a couple of songs. I wouldn?t be surprised if Izzy rolled out Mr Brownstone.

But on the other hand, this is GN?R ? I would be just as unsurprised if it didn?t happen. But this is the most volatile band in the world. It might happen on the day of the show ? Steven gets himself inside [the backstage inner sanctum] and they invite him for a song. Or ten hours before the show the three of them will say: ?This isn?t right without the other two.??

There is one major factor in the new Guns N? Roses dynamic: sobriety. ?It?s going to be a much different tour than it used to be,? says Vereecke, who feels that some of the distance between Axl and the rest of the original band was down to alcohol and drugs. ?Axl was totally sober as a front person, and the rest were just party-hardy for days on end.

That causes problems. Axl was not part of their entourage of partiers most of the time, so that was not a fun thing for him, I would assume. I think they?re waiting it out to see how they get along. They are going to see how it works out. It?s going to be a totally different situation this time because everybody is sober. Axl is still having a drink here and there, but Axl was never a big drinker before. Duff and Slash are totally sober. It?s going to be interesting to see how long they can actually get along, all being sober.?

?Sobriety brings more clarity, that?s for sure,? says Zutaut. ?Better decisions are made, though Axl has been pretty much sober ? not on drugs or alcohol ? since the late 1980s.?

Alan Niven adds: ?People have said to me privately: ?Niv, how do you see this going?? I say well, from 1986 to 1991 I couldn?t be certain of anything. How can I be certain of anything now? They are maddeningly spontaneous, and I?ve always said that my definition of management is delivering spontaneity on demand.?

?Axl will not let this fail,? concludes Vereecke. ?He?s been working for too long. I think it will be a good show.?

There is one other tantalising detail to this story. A hint that, if true, would change the complexion of the reunion. The prospect of a new album, or at the very least, some new material.

?I know they?re doing some recording,? says Vereecke. ?They?re definitely doing something there in the studio. Axl hasn?t been there, but Slash is definitely in there and it?s not for anyone else [other than Guns N? Roses].?

?I hope they?ve done it already [begun recording],? says Niven. ?Duff and Izzy were in the studio before Christmas doing stuff. At a casual glance I think they?ve got at least a couple of tracks down. There has to be an element of creativity. Guns N? Roses is about a spirit, about individuality. It can?t just be purely fiscal. It must be about legacy. After all, you don?t see many hearses with luggage racks.?

GN?R?s old manager Tom Zutaut is hopeful too. ?Maybe being in each other?s presence, playing that great music again, will heal the past and restore those friendships. And I believe that all of them are hoping they?ll be able to move forward and do some new things, other than go out there and play the hits.?

(http://files.teamrock.com/images/696d616765-56c302f4e27928.92939824/1280x750.jpg)

APPETITE FOR RECONTRUCTION
We know about Axl, Slash and Duff. But who else will be on stage with them in April?

Izzy Stradlin

The words ?may be involved? have been thrown around a lot regarding the guitarist. ?Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water,? says former GN?R manager Alan Niven. Duff?s wife, Susan Holmes-McKagan, has been similarly ambiguous, saying recently: ?Never say never.? Far from certain, but you?d put a tenner on it ? especially since he?s popped up as a guest star at several gigs since his departure in 1991.

Steven Adler

According to US radio host Eddie Trunk, the original GN?R drummer could make a guest appearance ?if a deal can be worked out?. He also has plans for 2016 with his solo project, Adler, though gig dates don?t clash with Coachella. In the debit column, he hasn?t played with GN?R since 1991, his final days with the band were fraught with drug issues and personality clashes, and he subsequently sued them for $2.5 million. Still, there?s been a lot of water under the bridge since then.

Matt Sorum

Adler?s replacement is remaining tight-lipped, but it?s unlikely that he?ll be involved. Discussing his chances, radio host Trunk said in January:

?I have also been told consistently by many that Matt Sorum is not involved.? He also said: ?Apparently there?s heat with somebody, I don?t know.? Saying this, Sorum does have post-Guns history with Slash and Duff in Velvet Revolver, so perhaps they?ll put in a word for him.

Dizzy Reed

The longest-serving member apart from Axl, the keyboard player has been part of the line-up since joining to play on the two Use Your Illusion albums in 1990. He has also played and parted company with his side-project The Dead Daisies. If anyone is a shoo-in for the reunion shows beyond the three core members, it?s Reed.

Chris Pitman

A member of the GN?R line-up since 1998, guitarist/keyboard player/utility man Pitman is a safe bet to be involved. He all but confirmed it himself, publishing ? and then swiftly deleting ? a series of tweets, including one dead giveaway: ?We are playing at Coachella 2016, look out!?

Bumblefoot

Guitarist Ron ?Bumblefoot? Thal parted ways with GN?R in 2014, after joining in 2006. He played on Chinese Democracy and appeared on subsequent tours, but his GN?R tenure was peppered with friction (describing his first months with the band, he once said: ?It wasn?t the warmest welcome?). He has since focused on solo projects and worked with supergroup Art Of Anarchy. He also hasn?t been subject to the same reunion speculation as Fortus, Ferrer and co. An unlikely one.

Richard Fortus

Another serious candidate for inclusion, Fortus has played guitar with GN?R since 2001 ? and is strongly rumoured to be lined up for Coachella. One Facebook post congratulated Fortus (and Ferrer) for giving GN?R ?a shot in the arm?. Like Dizzy Reed, he quit The Dead Daisies in January in order to focus on ?a momentous project?. Hmmm, couldn?t possibly imagine what that might be.

Frank Ferrer

Radio host Ed Trunk has said that the Chinese Democracy-era drummer  is likely to play ?the bulk? of the Coachella set. Slash fuelled rumours by posting a rehearsal picture on Instagram in which Ferrer?s drum kit was visible. Ferrer also seemed to confirm involvement himself by responding to Facebook congratulations: ?A little going away party on Tuesday?? he replied. He has played with the band for the past 10 years, so he?d certainly be a safe pair of hands.



http://www.teamrock.com/features/2016-02-19/guns-n-roses-the-real-story-behind-their-return

Very interesting read.  Thanks for posting.

That suggested pay split, if true, is more one sided than I thought it would be.  But, I suppose 25% of a shit ton of money is still a shit ton of money.

I guess this whole thing is on Axl's terms. As you say 25% is probably a much bigger payday than anything else Duff or Slash could have gotten elsewhere. It might not matter that much to them either.

I'm also intrigued by the theory of them recording songs again. It was sort of a surprise they set up rehearsals a good 3 months before the first show ? seemed like a long time, but it could have its other reasons.

Liked very much what I read about some rehearsals going on now, with bigger ones planned in a hangar as it gets closer.

That's what the Stones do, and I could not be happier to see them follow suit.  And those are the rehearsals Axl needs to attend, moreso than the initial ones.

So, Arlett Vereecke mentions Chinese Democracy and Madagascar specifically as songs being rehearsed.

I guess CD makes sense as it was the single, and maybe most well-known to the casual fan. Madagascar is a choice I like, but not sure about the reasoning behind it, it was played at the VMAs as well, so it might be for familiarity?

There will probably be a whole lot of people at these concerts that didn't attend in the past 15 years...

 That's a pretty good article. So Izzy, Duff and Slash have been recording, really good news. Looks like we're getting somewhere  ;D

A ton.

And I imagine you want to minimize confused faces and people asking "oh, was this one of the 'Chinese Democracy' songs?" as they sit down.

2 songs sounds like a decent olive branch to the people that insist they have to be there.  And they are 2 of the more accessible songs, I think.

To me, it didn't read like a confirmation to that, more like a "most likely"-scenario.

Hopefully.  :)

This whole thing will no doubt be a trip for the three of them those first few shows...especially for Slash and Duff to be back up in "their band".

Unfortunately all the people quoted in this article.. some of the usual suspects... they don't really seem to have any direct contact with Axl... so whatever they say has to be taken with a little grain of salt.

Not even sure if they have a direct line to Slash either.

Even if they used to, it seems to be disconnected at the moment..

Big time. Wonder what will go through their heads, looking at an endless sea of people knowing they are all there to see them, not some festival crowd.

This is what I am hoping is the case.  I think Axl WANTS to see this work, and with Slash and Duff both sober I think they will be able to get this done. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Duff n Slash have looked into all the chi dem songs to see what best suits their playing style i mean we still have a month and  a half before these shows start so plenty of time for them to figure out what new songs they would go with i think chi dem, madagascar, better and this i love would be your top candidates for cd songs getting played just my opinion though.

In regards to the article though it sounds like just one big piece of all the little tid bits of information that has come out and alot of it is speculative.

That was kind of cynical. So if they play a brand new song you expect the same reaction. Maybe hearing some of the songs off Chinese will make people aware that they missed out on some really great music.

Yeah, good luck with that.

Even if you were a old school GNR fan and didn't actually buy it, you've at least heard it by now.  Either stolen online, Youtube, what have you.  You've already checked it out.

Your point about a new song is true though, unfortunately.  Been to enough Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam concerts where the majority of fans have blank looks on their faces when a song starts up that isn't 'Brown Sugar' or 'Alive', respectfully.

Looks to me like they are rehearsing at the Mates studio in the valley.  From previous interviews etc it seems like Slash usually rehearses at the Mates north hollywood.  Seems plausible that they are ehem, meeting halfway so when Axl does jump in to rehearse its a lot closer to Malibu. You can see in these pics that the wall, lamp, and little stage are the same.


(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-0/p526x296/12507688_10153996322437439_6862538858835726461_n.jpg?oh=b6a74592c9aa2988deb64fa85e31e843&oe=576EF16F)

(http://matesinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/van-nuys-SUP_1315-1024x682.jpg)

I assume the band needs to all get on the same page first.

But once they move into the hangar or wherever, Axl needs to stick his head in and get on that now unified page with them.

I actually think he will.  Why I think that, I have no idea.  But I do.

Honestly when it comes to rehearsing isn't it more important that the musicians at this point are doing most of the rehearsing together its not like axl doesn't know how to sing these songs he can come in a week or two before the shows start to go over ok this are the songs we are going to work with. right now its more about how whoever is involved with slash n duff to get on the same page and whos playing what parts. The reality is if Axl is there with the guys rehearsing at some point great but in the end is that really going to tell you how these guys will gel together thats really not going to happen until they hit that stage for the first time together and then i think everything else will naturally fall into place its not like he hasn't performed with these guys before.

Well the argument is Axl hasn't always sounded his best at the beginning of tours... so if he rehearsed with the band maybe that wouldn't be the case. I am not saying it really has one affect or the other...but that is what the next post is going to argue.

End of the day, only Axl and some medical professionals know what's best for preserving his pipes.

Thorned Rose said a similar thing a few weeks ago....that the split would be even.  I just didn't understand that comment and still dont.  This doesn't surprise me at all.  Do people really think after all these years, Axl is just going to drop down to equal partnership?  No way in hell.....and why would he?

Not saying that you think it should be equal, just referencing what Thorned Rose said

Yep.

And let's not forget he's also taken the stage the first nights of tours and said onstage he hasn't rehearsed whatsoever.  And then proved that fact.

This will be their highest profile show since...what, RIR III?  Lot of eyeballs, lot of wanting to see if buying tickets when they come to your town is going to be worth your while.

Have to keep in mind not everyone is as giddy as we are and will buy tickets sight unseen and regardless of how he sounds.  Most people will need at least some reassurance.  So him being ready to roll from song one, night one, will be big.  I think we all want this to be as successful as can be.
 


I'm not sure what to make of this part though.  

Are we saying that however he sounds the first night, we should assume that's as good as can be because he'll have done the prep work?

Yeah, I recall that.  It was weird.

But also recognize he couches a lot of his stuff in terms of how things "should be".  That's rarely applicable when it comes to Axl, I've found.

Meh...I think it's about right.

First of all....50% + 25% + 25% is the full monty  You, potentially, have 3, or 4, other guys who need to get paid, somehow.  I'm assuming that Axl foots the bill for those guys.  Would make sense, right?

And, at the end of the day, all things considered, I agree with other posts here: I don't think Axl agrees to an equal partnership, IMHO.  MAYBE...I could totally be wrong....but I don't THINK so.  And I also don't think it's about the money, honey.  I think it's just about putting him in the CEO/leadership position and that's represented by the additional percentage (and his responsibility for getting the rest of the band members paid).

Unless it's 50/25/25 on the money left over after everyone is paid, but I think your scenario is the more likely one.  Thing is, if Axl is paying the other band members out of his share, then I would assume he alone picks who else will be in the band.   

Yep, I was just about to say that. If Axl's supposed to be responsible for paying all the other guys in the band and even cover the production costs, it's fair to say he needs a big percentage. If Slash and Duff are getting 25% clear than it's not a bad deal at all.

I just really hope Axl does his homework, cause I'm sure Slash and Duff are.
The whole world will be watching this and since time is really tough on singers in general, he will sure have to prepare. This time the "i didn't rehearse at all. LOL" can get him into major trouble.
Not that I expect the 30 year old Axl, but I hope he takes this seriously.

Does his 50% cover overtime costs?  Sorry, some schmuck was going to bring that up, why not me.   ;D

Agreed, if in fact Slash and Duff are getting 25% clean, that's a great deal for them.  

It's a bloody fantastic deal for them.  Looks like it's a 3-way partnership and any other band alumni that show up will have their own side deals arranged, like Izzy has done a few times in the past.

I'm saying that maybe he knows if he pushes his voice for rehearsals he wont make it thru the whole summer... something like that.

Especially Duff... hes my favorite of the bunch... but if hes making equal to Slash... well that's like stealing for him !

Same here.

And sure don't want to hear how "rock n roll" it all is if he's not prepared vocally or flubbing lyrics.  Nor will the rest of the world think its so "rock n roll".  They'll rip him apart.

None of us want to see that.

This was my thought exactly.

Agreed. If axl isn't 100 per cent vocally, he'll get destroyed. Most people I know are just itching to do it already!

Everyone I have spoken to that has expressed interest in going would not buy a ticket today, if they could.  They are taking a wait and see.

They want to go, but will not go if those first few videos have him sounding poor.  Nor are they hip to the fact that Youtube is not reliable...at least as it pertains to Axl Rose.

I'm already fighting battles over Bridge School, Rock In Rio 2011, and Golden Gods and the DVD.  After awhile, people start to look at you as something of a kook, if not a straight up delusional apologist.

I would bet it is a 50/25/25 split of profits which means after production costs and after the rest of the band is paid.

Also, keep in mind that these figures are total rumors at this point.

Wow! I think you better get other kind of people around you if they are hoping that something goes wrong to destroy Axl  

That?s just low to say the least

Don't look at it that way.  That implies Axl Rose still holds a great deal of their interest in 2016.  That they are really hanging on the outcome here.  Not really.

It's actually the opposite.  If they hear shitty vocals and see him struggling on stage, they just check back out.  They aren't going to listen to our impassioned pleas to ignore what they hear, insist its all fine, or how wild and dangerous it all is.

They are just going to say "eh...thanks, but no thanks, he's done."  That they were willing to give it a chance, but not now.  That sort of thing.

It's not low- they just don't care! They only hear about GNR via me banging on about them! They see them as a joke (sadly) so will love the opportunity to criticize Axl.

The few that used to like them when we were kids have exactly the view that DX says- they wouldn't shell out any cash without evidence they can perform. I quite enjoy all these people from my past popping up though and asking me about them- my love of the band must have made a real impression on everyone when I was a kid!

I strongly disagree..

How many people out there are honestly going to go on youtube to hear how he sounds in Vegas and Coachella to be the determining factor if they buy a ticket over the course of the summer?

People who are interested in seeing Axl and Slash together, who maybe haven't paid to go see DJ and Ron the past few years... they are going to go no matter what Axl may sound like the first couple of weeks.

This is rock n roll history.

There is SOME truth to this.  Even though its a different market, selling out Vegas so quickly proves this.  Because GNR in 2014 wouldn't have sold out two shows in Vegas @ 20k each

Like I stated in a different thread however, a better indication of interest will come once a couple other US cities are announced. 

I think once dates are announced and we all start polling our friends, they aren't just going to take our word at face value because they know we aren't the least bit objective.

Now, I am.  At least, I think I am.  I know around here, some define that as me serving up Haterade by the gallon.  I can't help that.

But I have retained credibility with my friends on the topic of Axl Rose.  I've shown them clips I feel are good, and clips I feel are bad.  You have to do that, or you just come off like a fanboy detached from reality saying everything is super awesome.

But as much as they may see me as a straight shooter, they are unlikely to fork out $150-$250 without at least doing a quick check of their own.  I have to think that is not going to be a phenomenon exclusive to the 20 or so people I am talking about in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Agree with that totally, from a UK perspective!

If they don?t care then they should focus on other bands they like. Instead they want things to go wrong so they would love to destroy Axl???

And let's not forget he will be on stage with Slash and Duff, which will make it even easier and more pleasent to the media destroy him making all the absurd comparisons.

I really don't want to make any excuses for him as I know I've made in the past.

I should probably stop mentioning them to them really! I imagine they would go through their lives unaware of the band, other than hearing SCOM at awful 80s bars if it wasn't for me!  Hard not to share some level of excitement though with friends.

I should probably stop mentioning them to them really! I imagine they would go through their lives unaware of the band, other than hearing SCOM at awful 80s bars if it wasn't for me!  Hard not to share some level of excitement though with friends.
[/quote]

Totally get you! LOL

Yeah- "CD" for the reason you raise. As far as "Madagascar" goes- could be way off- but Loder was so glowing about it at RIR III (and rightly so- as it was a tremendous performance)- even comparing it to the Beatles- that I kind of wonder if it's stuck with Axl as a "well-respected" song through the years. It showed up at the VMA's for one and certainly got lots of play on the Chinese tour(s). Who knows though? Perhaps it's as simple as 5-6 Chinese songs were put forward as options- and "Madagascar" was the one Slash and Duff were most into? Certainly has that Illusions "epic-ness"/drama to it that they would be well-acquainted with IMHO... :peace:

It's also fits Slash's style of playing way better than a lot of the other songs.

I've always thought Street Of Dreams would fit Slash's style really well.

Thanks for posting this Spirit.


Aren't all the people who gave quotes for this article no longer associated with GNR?? as in hasn't been involved with any aspect of the workings of GNR since like way before 1995??

And isn't that Arlett person that says GNR wouldn't reunite because of Axl's distain of Slash's ex-wife, in fact the same person fired from her duties with VR by Perla?

One of the more interesting articles I've read since the reunion was announced.

FWIW I think the fans will be a mixed Bag. Those first shows have to be strong, in fact they really need to blow the roof off. It's the old saying, first impressions count, and the media is just itching to write up some shitty reviews so it's really on Axl to perform at a level. There's no indication that slash and duff won't be tight so it really is all on Axl at this point.

The part about rehearsing and laying down tracks is hard not to get excited about even if it is speculation. I wish I lived locally to that studio lol
I'd be hanging around daily sniffing for some sort of evidence lol

Hopefully Axl does get in there and rehearse, this band needs to be tight and it needs to be seen as a stable venture, Axl being absent from all of this just fuels the speculation and probably adds more pressure to the fact he needs to bring his A game on night 1.

I still think however that he will blow them away. Axl will get this right, as DX said, I don't know why and I have no evidence, but he will

I think it depends on the media coverage honestly. If they rip his performance to shreds, people may choose to pass on buying tickets. If he gets heaps of praise, they'll be much more likely to shell out the dough. But your average music fan doesn't go out searching for setlists, YouTube clips of live performances, etc. They hear a band or artist is touring and they decide if they'd like to go see them. I really don't think as much investigative research gets done as you might think. Again, unless it's handed to them.

I shared some not so flattering clips from Rock in Rio 2011 with friends before attending a local show. I also shared good clips and reviews from future shows to balance things out. The negatives had more of an impact though, and some of my friends had low expectations heading to the show. Happy to say, they were pleasantly surprised when it was all said and done. But if I hadn't shared any of that information with them, they would have gone in with a clean slate. Obviously these shows will get a lot more attention so people won't have to work as hard to seek out the information. So that's why the media coverage may matter more than it has in the past.

Decent article giving a solid summary of everything that has happened to date.

No issues there. However what are people like Niven basing the "oh yeah they have at least a few songs done" stuff on? That just seems like wild speculation.

And, as an opposing anecdote, i have about a dozen plus folks i socialize with begging me to txt them when i hear tickets go on sale, and more than half are begging me to get tickets via the advance sale for nightrain members (i've said no, just cause i'm not comfortable fronting or passing around that kind of mbey amongst friends..lalways trouble, imho).

Anecdotes are like assholes. We all have one....even if its a bit different.

What we know is: vegas and mexico have both sold out (or practically so, for the 2nd mexico show), fast. So there is definitive evidence that there is interest, and people willing to buy tickets, sight unseen. Right?

We will see if that carries over to mult cities and dates....

Axl surely knows whats on the line. I expect him to be as professional about this as should be expected.  With big money comes big responsibilities.  Axl wouldn't put himself in this situation if he weren't planning to be ready. 

That was a good article thanks for posting.    Didn't really like some of the comments here from some daily ball cap wearing, non traveling homebodies.   

But

The article was good

You mean by that-fans who live in the real world and are aware not everyone likes GNR?

Not sure what you're getting at with the 'non traveling homebodies' dig though. Pretty weird.

Pretty much yeah.
I think she worked for VR at some point but was let go. I think Scott took offense to something she said, or something.
Edit: http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scott-weiland-fires-publicist-over-blabbermouth-net-story/



/jarmo

If you know your real world friends don?t give a shit about GN?R. Then I guess you can talk about other things you know they enjoy talking about.

We are all well aware that not everyone likes GN`R the same way that not everyone likes The Rolling Stones. Now it?s another story if those people are hoping that something  goes wrong at a GN?R show

Here it says that Axl was planning the reunion for two years.

Do you think his plans started when Ron announced that he will leave the band, or did Axl's plans lead to Ron leaving?

The wheels in Axl's head might have been turning about doing a reunion but maybe Tommy going back to the Replacements was what set it off. Only Axl can answer that.

It also opens up opportunities for members to work together outside of GNR. Even if Ron, DJ or Tommy are out, they're still a part of the family, so is Izzy and almost everyone except Buckethead. It would be cool to see him and Bootsy Collins showing up to a GNR gig!! Bring the funk.

They're not splitting 7 million dollars 3 ways, a lot of people have to get paid.  

I think it was as simple as Slashes divorce.    Soon as that was announced    The wheels starter end turning

No

What I meant was I didn't like the comments buy some people.  Who wear baseball hats everyday......   Who complain about live shows, but never travel to see them (when some are only a few hrs away), but they love to listen to the audio of the shows.   Then judge them.   Like they where there.  With there ball cap

That was an interesting article, thanks for posting, Spirit.

Funny how people say the reunion tour is not about money, but then everyone talks about the money and the split.

Come on, this is what they do for a living. They don't play for free. Their big houses were not given to them for free. I have no doubt that the band members have some hope of doing something creative, maybe some new songs, but at the end of the day the money has to be a big part of the equation.

This article that Spirit posted is very well written BUT all the stories and people they are quoting haven't been involved with GNR business dealings for years n' years and in most cases decades!  They have ZERO idea what brought about the regrouping and are using their past association with GNR and it's members for their own personal gain and for further their own agenda.

We don't know what the circumstances were for Axl and Slash getting to this point in time.
IMO this Arlett person is possibly stirring up shit by saying it's because of Slash's divorce that brought Axl around when in fact, Arlett has a long standing feud with Perla. 

I am/was not a fan of Perla either but IMO don't think it's right for Arlett to use Axl's name to further her agenda against Perla.

Similar to all of Steven's issues, I wouldn't want to see something like this becoming a contentious issue between Axl and Slash (like "I can say bad things about my ex but don't let me hear anyone else saying bad things about her either" kind of thing)   

Below is the 2005 article by Celebrity Justice where Arlett states her feud is with Perla:

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/07/17/Publicist-claims-she-was-stiffed-by-Slash/69291121619247/
Publicist claims she was stiffed by Slash
Published: July 17, 2005 at 12:54 PM

LOS ANGELES, July 17 (UPI) -- Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash is being sued by his former publicist who claims the former Guns 'N Roses member owes her thousands of dollars.

Publicist Arlett Vereecke told "Celebrity Justice" she got Slash all kinds of work, including a weeklong co-hosting gig on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and a voice part in the animated series, "Kid Notorious" -- and he never paid her commission.

"Celebrity Justice" says Vereecke got fired as Velvet Revolver's publicist after a run in with singer Scott Weiland, but continued to represent Slash as a solo artist.

But she claims Slash's wife, Perla Hudson, came between their business relationship.

"She's on a power trip," she said of her former client's wife. "It's all about her. She doesn't want Slash to be involved with anyone but her."

? 2005 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I'm sorry i don't buy that the guys divorce was the main reason Axl finally decided let go of a 20 year blood feud... I'm sure Perla isn't considered a peach...but still.

The Replacements tour still appears to be the number 1 reason why this finally all came together... until we hear otherwise... that's what I'd put my money on. There is no way after talking so much stuff over with Duff that Axl didn't relent on some of those ill feelings on the past with him and Slash.

It would be really amazing if one day we find out about some chance meeting where they bumped in to each other at the supermarket and just started talking.  :)

Yeah I do like the inclusion of madagascar,

I hope they play This I Love too... would be great. I don't want a bunch of CD songs, they just don't sound that good live to be honest. They are more suited for teh studio

Yeah I just think it should be closer to even or even. I still think that.

It won't be... because he cried to "own" the name... and since he owns the name it is HIS CALL.

Sadly true. but yes 25% of what they are asking is a nice chunk. More than I'll make  in my life lol

After reading through it all, I think Duff had the largest part of this, and when Stinson left... it opened the door.

That is why this reunion is happening I think. Duff being a central stable piece and Stinson bowing out after 16 years of great service.

All is well, jacked up to see this happen!

When Axl is in top form I.R.S. sounds mean as hell. --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzvV4x5nIgE

Tweak it back to the 2002 Street Of Dreams. --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TucXLurA8v8

Any version of Better where Axl goes for the high notes in the bridge.

I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea what this means at all.

Which fans on here are intending to just sit at home and listen to audio and not go to live shows if they can? I can't recall any GNR fan ever saying that!

Also the bit about wearing baseball caps all day is just surreal. What on earth are you talking about?!

Nobody has any idea what he means. Heck! He never has any idea what he means. It's part of his charm. We got used to it


Don't worry about it in the least  :peace:

If you have the money and time to see a Gn'R show... and choose not to... then you aren't a fan.

That's it.

I agree with this

Bullshit.  I choose not to go but that doesn't mean I am any less a fan than those who choose to attend.

Why wouldn't you go?   If you had both enough time or money?

Personally.  If I had both enough time and money.   I would be travelling around with the band seeing every show.  I would also be travelling around with with bluejays watching every game. 

Sadly.  I neither have enough time or money for all that.   

So I am stuck seeing a couple of shows and travelling around to watch a few ball games

Just a personal choice. 
I am also a NY Yankees fan but choose not to attend games anymore either.

I find it odd, to say the least that someone would consciously choose not to attend shows of their favorite band- but different strokes for different folks I suppose.

If you have both the time and money to make a show.   It is very very odd. 

Another I would do if I had the time and money is check out all the greatest beaches in the world.   

But since I don't have all the time in the world.   I will only be able to check it a couple this year

The question was whether or not that means someone is not a fan.
I doubt anyone here would question that about me.

No

The question was

If you have both the time and money to see or travel to a guns show    Why wouldn't you?   And really the feeling is yo are not a true fan

The answer you said was.   It's a personal choice. 

Well thanks for sharing that personal choice generic answer on this website.   

If you have both the time and the money.   And choose not to see them for w reason you don't want to to say.  But is not time or money.   I will call you NOT a real fan.    You may just be a fan of tall along about them online.   And wishing happy birthdays to people

First off, I'm not speaking about Gypsy here...

I'll give you just one example of a case where you may have the time and money but can't go.

What if you have some sort of medical condition that makes it hard to leave the house?

Then you don't have the time

Really???   

Lots of people have issues.   And if they have the time and money to leave they can

If you have enough money you can have the best help.  You could get the best seats.    Shit if you have enough money guns will play in your back yard.    Here's 10 million Axl.   Play in my backyard.   I can't leave the house.

Time and money. 

That's all you need.    If you don't have it.   That's ok.  Just say it

Like I would love to eat pizza all the time.  But I don't have the time to hit the gym so much to work it off

If you have the tome and money.   There is no excuses

It's ok to say you don't have either.    But it's not ok to just say you don't want to go.   If you are a true guns fan

Alan Niven should be the guy that manages the reunion his managerial record is what made GnR successful until Axl sacked him for some ridiculous reason ,one thing that I get from this article is a wait and see how the first few gigs go approach by promoters ,band and fans before a full tour is announced,the fact Axl is not at rehearsal is worrying one of the things that annoyed slash in the 90s was Axl not turning up for rehearsal or when they were recording Uyi,if the reunion is to work Izzy needs to be involved otherwise it will be on a knife edge.

It could be fear of big crowds ...a lot of people have that. Or a handful of other reasons.

^^
That's a good reason.

Doesn't mean you don't have the time. You're not doing anything special instead of going to a show.

I think we are stretching here.   You may be talking about the 1% of people l that have both time and money but can't find a way to see gnr.   

I am courious to hear excuses.     As a true fan that traveles to see the band. 

99% of people with the time and money in life will do anything they want to do.   What they like to do.  If you have that.  What's your excuse for not seeing your favorite band

Baconman, my situation is a good example.  I learned my lesson 10 years ago when I saw  Axl at the very first Hammerstein Ballroom show. It was after work. I took the subway and then walked to the Hammerstein. I had to stand for the entire concert. I  had to  take the PATH back to NJ, which is a mini subway from NYC to Hoboken. I had  to walk to my car, which I parked far. The next day I couldn't walk. The following day I was walking with a limp. I didn't  feel better until that the following Tuesday.

Part of my disability is that I was born with club feet along with a short left arm. The docs reconstructed my knees and ankles to correct it. As a result, I can't be too much or little on my feet.   I have to find the balance. Since then, I've avoided going to any club shows for any band. It doesn't make me any less of a fan. It's just that a medical condition that I have limits me to going to any show that involves standing for the entire night.

lol @ side-discussions sometimes :hihi:

btw, in advance: you're all better than me and beat me one on one

Thanks for sharing, although you didn't have to  : ok:

I don't think anyone should feel pressured to share their "excuse" for not going, but rather choose so themselves ? like draguns here.

If have also been in many discussions here where you have said concerts are too late

Where you have said you can't take time off work off to see these shows.... 

So it's still time and money

I am sure if you had enough money and didn't want to deal with crowds or anything.  You would find a way.   

No I want to read all excuses please.   

Because most of these people will be judging and trying to do reviews Of the band.  When they havnt even gone to see

It's very easy to sit at home and listen to bootlegs.    That's very easy

This is a very aggressive stance I think. Not sure why this matters really.

You say "most of these people" will be judging the shows by listening to bootlegs. Is this really a big deal?

I mean, here we talk about all the shows they do, all over the world and most of them (the ones we didn't attend ourselves) we use the youtube clips as our source.

None of us attend all the shows, except Jarmo... :P

If there's a live stream of Coachella, I can guarantee a live thread full of comments from people sitting at home watching.

Sure! : ok: It's part of who I am that's why I like to share these things. I like doing public speaking and writing on this subject matter of my disability since maybe I can change some misperceptions about people with disabilities..

Baconman, I have said in the past due to time and money for other people. At this point in my life, the time is more of an issue for me than money since I'm single with no wife and kids. I do have my career to think about since I work in a fast-paced, deadline driven company. However, I will be at the MetLife show.  When GNR comes to MetLife Stadium, I'll be willing to spend the money depending on if I'm going by myself or friends.  As far as finding a way if I had money in dealing with crowds, I don't think so. There is a lack of education regarding accessibility issues for people with disabilities in the U.S. Granted things have improved but there is still more that needs to be done. 

If I could attend all shows I would.  

People that can go to just one show that don't.  Blow me away.  

Unless you don't have the time or money.  

But if you have that.  Then don't go.  Then come online after just listening to bootlegs of the show.  Then try and give an opinion on it.  Or a review.   Beat it

And there are lots of people like that

There are also lots of people with personal situations that do just fine and seem to make concerts.  I am not a fan of telling your personal situations online.    If I was to start about mine we would be 20 pages deep.  At the end of the day it's just an excuse as to why you can't.     There is no "cant" in my life

So you plan on going to a show.    Cheers!   

That is great.  Hope to see you at a future show and I will buy you a drink.     

Time and money.   

Sounds good! Likewise!

I'm tickled by the number of people here who've decided they're the arbiters of what makes someone a fan. I assume the next step in determining who's a "real" fan will be the required submission of tax returns and weekly schedules.

If you don't have the money or time you don't have to go to a show

But if you have both.  And choose not to go to a show.   Your not a fan

Why wouldn't you want to go to a show if you had both the time and money?

You're not a fan of telling your personal situations online, but yet you demand people to do it?

Ultimately this boils down to "if you weren't there, you can't say anything about it", right? In my mind this must be the smallest of "problems" in the world.. Just ignore the posts by people who weren't there if their opinions are illegitimate to you. Quick fix.

You will have to do a lot of filtering come the tour I'll tell you, because I can guarantee a wall of opinions by people who watched the youtube clips from the shows they didn't attend themselves.

No.

We are talking about people with the time and money to see a show and choose not to go

That's it

It's very simple,e

Man, I'd be really upset by your affirmed disjunct if you were actually in charge of deciding who's a fan. Since you're not, though, I'm going to have a sandwich.  :peace:

I had no idea that these laws applied when you call yourself a "fan".
Thanks for the enlightenment  ::)

Your welcome

Please tell me if you do have the time and money to see show.  Why you don't?

But the examples given earlier shows that it's not always that simple.

It's not always black and white.

Well, there may be a thousand reasons, I'll give you a few from the top of my head:
1. Love the music, doesn't care for live shows
2. Disability, physically or mentally
3. Can't get a babysitter
4. Want to save the money for future use (honeymoons, house, get kids through college- you name it)

So if you don't like seeing gnr live.  You are not a true fan

As for your 2-4.   It's a matter of money.  If you don't have the money.  That's fine

#2 and #3 is not a matter of money...

FYI:  I have seen GNR live in concert when I really didn't have the time or money to do so.  It truly is an experience that every fan should get to experience. 

And what exactly does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

2 and 3 isn't a matter of money and 4 is about priority of money.

So a true fan must enjoy live shows?
This is obviously a pointless discussion, but just so we get this clear:
In YOUR mind, a need to watch your favorite band live is a criteria to be a true fan.
Yet, this is highly subjective, but you're aware of that. Right?

(By the way, if I had the time and the money to see a GNR-show I would go, but I don't think I would be a lesser fan if I didn't)

Sure it is

If you have enough money.  You can book a whole section of seats for yo and your problems

If you have enough money.  You have no problem getting a babysitter.   Damn I have a nanny   Having kids is no excuse not to travel or see a concert.   Not having the money is.  Or time

No

If you don't have the money or the time to see a show.  Your not less of a fan than anyone else

But

If you have the money and the time to see a show of your fav band.  And you don't!   

Your not a fan!   

Your a bum!

So in your mind, in order to be a true fan, certain people are expected to use many, many times the amount of money compared to others in order to see a show.

The money bar is a lot higher if you have some sort of "problem"....

If you have a medical condition, you better make sure you're damn rich, or else you can never be a "true fan".

It's ridiculous.





Look, I agree with you that if you have the time and money AND there's nothing else stopping you, I can't see a reason not to attend a show.

I don't see why you took this bizarre stance about judging who's a "true fan" or not. It's like "tell me why you won't attend the show, and I'll decide if you can be called a fan or not".

You see if you don't have the money.

You see if you don't have the time.

That's fine.   

But if you have both and choose not to see the shows.  Your not a fan. 

I can't afford to travel to every show so far.  But I can a couple,   

Sure wish I could afford and had the time to see them all. Blows my mind that people may have the means to see a show and just choose not to

For fuck's sake.

Going to live concerts isn't some peoples' cup of tea.

No matter how much time and money they have.

Now, knowing the difference between your and you're... That's an important issue.  : ok:



/jarmo

Haha

No need to curse

So every problem you might have can be fixed with money... that's your viewpoint?

If a ticket costs $100 and you have $500 available, money is not an issue. There might be other issues that doesn't include time and money.

Then you say it's fine, because it's expected that that person must buy off a whole section of seats to go see the concert, so then money becomes the issue. Well, it's not the issue.

The issue is the reason you, in theory, have to buy the whole section of seats. Let's face it, no one's gonna do that.



I won't proceed further into this as it doesn't go anywhere and has nothing to do with the topic.

I suggest if you only Have 500 available money is seriously a problem

But like you said this is off topic. So I as well will give it a rest

Go jays!

I'll just shoot in: You don't have $500 to your name, but $500 available at the time to use on things like a concert.

Is this tirade of yours because I mentioned I'm a Yankees fan?
Seeing a game at Yankee Stadium is truly an experience every baseball fan should get to experience even if you're not a Yankees fan.


And isn't your acknowledging that GNR is my favorite band yet saying I'm not a fan an oxymoron?

You're too funny.  :hihi:

It kind of is on topic since none of the people quoted in this article have been to a GNR show since 2011.  :hihi:
 
And I don't think time and money was an issue for any of them.   :P

It's always nice to meet a fan.  You guys make it all worth it.

If someone shouldnt have to prove being a ''true'' fan its GypsySoul Years of daily activity on a GNR fan site.


In another note, im a little getting tired of you guys, most threads include 90% of bitching about either the band or about other HTGTH Members.

Seriously the band reunites which many of us doubted would ever happen and people are fighting over what makes a true fan. Guess you need something now that it is t old guns vs nu-guns lol

Most people will go if they are fans in any way shape or form. They may go because they really like hearing Sweet Child and Paradise City and not care for the other songs or they may go because when it comes to gnr they travel across state lines to see them.

No one is going to sit around waiting for YouTube clips to decide whether they are going to fork over the money or not based on Axl's voice. If they tell you that then they aren't gnr fans. They are the naysayers that sit behind their computer screens and post vile uninformed attacks on public figures they don't like on Facebook & Twitter.

Axl and the rest of the band are human beings. They are not machines. So let those punks sit at their computers while getting their fingers and faces all greased up with Cheetos as they attempt to fulfill their sad pathetic lives.

People went to see nu-guns play the same show for 8yrs straight. Many didn't even care that it only consistent of 1 gnr member. They got to hear the hits and that's it.

Sure it would be great if Axl is on his game for Coachella but if he's not and it takes a week of shows to get into gear then so be it. It ls not the end of the world.

Trust me. The people who shell out that kind of money didn't do it to pretend to be some kind of musical expert/journalist save that for the internet junkies who sit in their basements waiting for mom to bring them their dinner

SCOTT WEILAND Fires Publicist Over BLABBERMOUTH.NET Story

VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland has posted the following message to the group's official web site, www.velvetrevolver.com:

"This is in response to the posting on [unofficial VELVET REVOLVER web site] velvet-revolver.com entitled 'Velvet Revolver Are Loving The Aliens (Sometimes)' on September 06, 2003, which originally appeared on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Hello VELVET REVOLVER fans. I hate for my first message on the site to be of the negative variety but I feel that it is my responsibility to uphold the honor and integrity of my friend and producer/partner, and to let the truth be known. First off, VELVET REVOLVER spokesperson Arlett Vereecke is not a spokesperson. We speak on our own behalf. Secondly, she was fired two weeks ago for situations not unlike this. Last but not least, Josh Abraham is a genius producer and friend who produced an amazing rock track last week. This track [Josh worked on with us] was not titled 'Loving the Alien (Sometimes)'. 'Loving the Alien (Sometimes)' is an art-rock ballad that was produced by Douglas Grean, an amazingly talented producer and friend who is so humble that he didn't even want me to write this response. But I'm sorry Doug, when it comes to the music that I write with my partners in V.R., the truth needs to be known. It's my responsibility to the producers, to the music, and to the fans. Shame on you Arlett Vereecke. Sincerely, Scott Weiland."

This Woman FIRES By Slash/Scott In 2003

 :hihi: