Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Former GUNS N' ROSES and current SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba says that he "loves" the fact that that a partial reunion of GN'R's classic lineup is finally coming together, but hopes that Steven Adler and Izzy Stradlin will also be involved in the band's return.

Ashba, who joined GUNS N' ROSES in March 2009 following the departure of Robin Finck and stayed in the band until last July, was asked during a question-and-answer session on SIXX: A.M.'s Facebook page how he feels about GNR's reunion and guitarist Slash. Ashba responded: "I love it for the fans. However, I hope they bring in Steven, Izzy and even Matt [Sorum] and Gilby [Clarke]!" He added: "I've always been a fan of Slash's playing; that was a big reason why I took the gig!"


GUNS N' ROSES has so far announced six headlining performances in April, including two in Las Vegas and two at California's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan slated to perform together again for the first time in 22 years.

The rest of the band's lineup for the shows ? and a potential tour later in the year ? remains unclear, although keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboard player Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer are all believed to be involved.

According to Alternative Nation, there is an "oversight management committee" handling GN'R's affair, with Slash, Axl and Duff each having a representative and a fourth person representing the other members.

Fan speculation around the involvement of original members Izzy Stradlin (guitar) and Steven Adler (drums) has been heavy, with Stradlin reportedly not interested in doing extensive touring and the band members not sure whether Adler, who has a longer history of drug problems than any of the other members, can hold it together on the road.

Ashba issued a statement in July 2015 saying that he was leaving GUNS N' ROSES. His statement read in part: "It is with a very heavy heart and yet great pride that I announce that I've decided to close this chapter of my life and encapsulate the wonderful times that I've shared with GUNS N' ROSES into fond memories. I have reached a point in my life where I feel its time to dedicate myself to my band SIXX: A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me."

Ashba added: "I want to take a moment to thank Axl from the bottom of my heart for not only the most incredible experience of my life, but for truly believing in me. You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful. And even as I move on to pursue other endeavors, I will always remain one of your biggest fans. I also would like to thank each and every one of you fans for your love and support throughout the years."

Ashba said earlier in his statement that working with GUNS N' ROSES was "the most incredible journey I could have possibly imagined."


Source: Blabbermouth

He also said this, Blabbermouth didn't run this part:

Nick Mullins How does working with Sixx a.m. compare to your time with GNR?

Dj Ashba: I had the time of my life playing for GNR, but Sixx:A.M. is songs from my soul, both great, but no comparison.

And DJ's opinion on this matters? Just saying...

And yours???

At least I'm not shamelessly trying to promote myself. 

He is doing press for his band and is asked a question about a band he was in for more than 5 years, what should he do? I get it you don't like him... you've made that abundantly clear.

Shamelessly trying to promote himself.  That was the answer to a fan's question, about 100 in, on the Sixx: A.M. Facebook Q&A.

He's a bum

But had a very hot wife

So he is doing something right

DJ was a very good guitarist.  He has respect for the legacy, and the songs.  Some didn't like him, but I always got a great vibe off of him.

These comments are nothing but love and respect for the classic guns, and the fan base.

I think Izzy, and Adler will have limited roles, and it will make a lot of fans happy.

I used to love DJ. he is a great guitarist and designer. But he is even BETTER at PR for Sixx Am. Those comments are about love and respect for HIMSELF not the "classic " guns.

I keep hearing all these "talking heads" saying I hope Izzy and Steven are involved.....I've heard musicians (Alice Cooper, DJ Ashba, etc.) DJs on radio stations making comments, and talk show hosts (Trunk).

and I'm not one to race to Axl's defense or defend the band at all costs when it comes to media comments, but it is getting really fucking annoying that no one clarifies their statements with "IF those guys actually WANT to be involved."

the comments wishing they were involved are always made with no clarifications which probably leads a lot of the general public to believe that they have not been invited. and truth be told, none of us know who has or has not been invited.

BUT I wish everyone would acknowledge that FACT (i.e. that we do not know who has been invited and who may have said no) when they comment cause it's really fucking annoying when I read these comments and the general public is probably left thinking that some decision was made NOT to include izzy and steven. it's an assumption that just puts a slightly negative spin on the whole reunion/tour.

I think Izzy and Steven will be involved in some capacity.
I think Fortus and Frank are there more as a safety net.
Is that wishful thinking on my part? Maybe.

I can understand why they might not fully trust Steven and Izzy alone to finish a world tour, but I don?t see them being excluded entirely.
And if Steven was invited, he?d be volunteering to help build the T-Mobile Arena faster.

Love Dj (and Sixx: A.M.)- and have no real issue with these comments. Would have been nice IMHO to see him give Richard n' Frank a "shout out" as well though (e.g. "happy for those guys", etc.)- rather than just rattle off every classic rhythm guitarist and drummer- each of whose potential/theoretical involvements present varying challenges...

As far as Dj's constant self-promotion- no problem here. The music industry ain't what it was (particularly rock). You got to hustle- and he's pieced together a very solid career with multiple revenue streams. Smart.

I agree with a lot of what you say, BUT it just seemed like he and Axl were friends. Axl deserved more genuine loyaly than DJ chose to give. Axl gave DJ the opportunity of a lifetime. No wonder Axl doesn't want to do any interviews.

Yeah. I got you Annie. The Axl/Dj chemistry onstage (and seemingly off) was very special to me as a fan. The shows I saw in 2011 and 2012 were just so much fun. So it was tough to see things go as they did (though over the moon that Slash is back). I hope there are no real bad feelings there (beyond some eye-rolling at Dj's promotion fro time-to-time)- but of course I don't know that to be true.

I guess whether it be Slash n' Duff back in the 90s, Buckethead, Robin, Dj, etc. I just can't imagine willfully leaving Guns N' Roses- so these decisions have never really made that much sense to me. Perhaps in Dj's case he got the sense (not from Axl- but elsewhere) that Slash coming back was a real possibility though- and best to get in front of the story with a resignation and thank you.

No I think that DJ leaving was unexpected and that is what opened the door to Slash's return. Just my opinion and something I read on gnrtruth. I wish DJ well. I just don't like the spin he is putting on things to make himself look like some sort of saint. And all his comments about the current lineup are just a way to get his name out there since GNR is so hot right now.

Yeah- I'm sure the letter was very calculated. On the whole though- as a fan (Axl and camp may have a different take which I of course respect if true- though I know no details)- I didn't mind it all that much as up to very recently there had always been so little positive/complimentary about Axl out there. All that said- I completely agree with you about Dj moving forward. I would prefer if he wouldn't speculate about lineups, etc. and rather just took a "real happy for Axl and the guys- and hope things go great!" approach. Personally, I think being realistic Dj's too "out there" with Sixx: A.M. amping up, Nikki probably chiming in here or there, etc. to expect that he'll go completely silent (a la Bucket, Robin)- especially with it being a huge event in the industry- and the genre in particular. That said- a simple- supportive "go to" statement would be the way to go IMHO- rather than injecting Steven, Matt, Gilby, etc. into the discussion.

I have a couple of issues with this

1. What loyalty was owed? DJ was given an opportunity to play guitar in a live touring band. Was it lucrative? Yes, but that doesn't mean that DJ the artist can't make a decision to focus on what he enjoys the most, which is creating and playing his own music. At the end of the day this is a band, it's not a Special Ops team that needs to trust people on a life or death level... If Axl can't understand his decision and continue a friendship because he was tired of waiting around, then were they ever really friends?

2. I would argue against the idea that Axl gave DJ the opportunity of a lifetime... If anything Motley Crue gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. He is more interested in playing his own music. Motley Crue allowed him to write music, which then transitioned into the Heroin Diaries, which basically became Sixx AM which he is very much more interested in (based on his decision to not move forward with GnR). That band draws more attention from Nikki and Crue than they do from GnR, while he got a signature guitar from Gibson during his tenure with GnR, I don't think the average Rock fan really knows him or is flocking to Sixx AM shows because of a few years touring with GnR.

Dj Is Good Guitar, NOT MY STYLE And Not Legacy In GNR

Ok. Riddle me this then, Why does he talk about GNR every chance he gets?

Maybe because he was in the band last time they played a live concert?



/jarmo

Isn't the bigger question why people still pretend they care about him good, bad, or indifferent?

Kind of thought that fa?ade could be phased out now.

It's not like people still pretend to be Bumblefoot fans any longer.  How is this any different?

Exactly. Which proves my point that Axl and GNR gave him the opportunity of a lifetime and not Motley Crue.

I don't think that SIXX AM is going to achieve world domination but DJ will have more success post GNR than Bumblefoot. And he does make some cool clothes.

Axl gave DJ a BUSINESS opportunity, which is ALWAYS what a band is.  It was a JOB.  DJ was hired to play guitar, and received a paycheck to go on tour and do that job.  That's it.  I guarantee you that friendship was nowhere in the contract, as it never is.  By all accounts, DJ did his job and did it well during the time he was involved with GNR.  He doesn't owe Axl anything beyond that and he never did.  DJ's obligations are to his own life and family and he's more than entitled to pursue that.

As far as DJ talking about GNR, it's because he's ASKED.  Lord knows Slash got asked ten billion GNR questions after he left the band, and some people were all over his ass about it too.


It's always been that way.  When they're in GNR, people are huge fans of them.  When they quit/leave/whatever, people slag them and (in some cases) hate their guts.  That has always applied to original members, replacement members, etc.

Indeed. 

We are one weird bunch.

I don't hate DJ. I was just very disappointed in his overly dramatic calculated I'm such a great guy departure.  I don't think that it is unreasonable to assume that
a relationship goes beyond business when DJ said that he would take a bullet for Axl. He would not have the fame he has if he hadn't worked with Axl, and that is the truth.

do you mean music fans or just GNR fans?  You realize DJ Ashba was very successful before Guns N Roses right?  I've been a fan of his since before he joined GNR and am still a fan of his after leaving GNR.  Sixx AM is a very successful modern rock band. Their songs are on the radio all the time, and it's not because DJ Ashba was in Guns N Roses once.

Bumblefoot i will admit was more unknown when he joined the band, and GNR probably helped widen his audience.

I thought DJ handled the departure with absolute class.  Also, he was rich and famous before Guns N Roses, although he probably gained some more fans after joining GNR.  I think the fact that Sixx AM had a very successful record in 2014 that got tons of radio play has more to do with his current success than the fact he played in GNR.  Not saying GNR didn't help him, probably did.  But you guys are really shortchanging this guy, and I don't understand why.

We? Who is we?. I've never been a fan of DJ and a lot people in other forums were not fans of him either

I know I have no strong feelings about him one way or another... I just always get a chuckle at the pure rage that Little EMO Annie brings to her DJ and Trunk hate. I have people that have caused me and my family harm that I don't hold in this level of disdain... Some people just seem to assign this level of mythical artistic integrity when it comes to GnR yet Axl is the one that drives this like a well oiled business with 'contracted employees' but when a contracted employee meets the requirements of that contract and walks away (reaping the benefits of that business relationship) they are assholes (in certain fans eyes).

Great post- and exactly my feelings on Dj. Sixx: A.M. is within my Top 5-10 favorite "active" bands, I loved therefore when Dj was in my favorite band (Guns)- and am still a big fan of his current endeavors. Ultimately- with Guns in its own period of MAJOR ascendancy now with Slash and Duff back- I would hope this can be an "it all worked out for the best" situation- at least in the long run...

I wasn't a huge fan of him in Guns N' Roses, and I've not checked out anything else he's done, but I don't bear the guy any ill-will.  He made some cash from touring with Guns, and being an ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist probably puts a few dollars on his fee for guitar clinics and the like in the future, but so what?  It's his job.  That's his daily bread, and good luck to him.

People should put themselves in DJs shoes for a moment... imagine playing lead guitar in your favourite band.  It would be a dream come true and you'd mention it a lot too!  Good for him I say... :smoking:  DJ's period in GNR obviously means a huge amount to him and its quite right he mentions it with pride during interviews. I also have a lot of respect for him for seeing the GNR period for what it was and respectfully choosing to get out when the timing was right.  For this the guy has class.

I must admit however, that I felt DJ was never a great match for the Guns.  It became apparent to me that his touch seemed a little forced and lacked a certain vibe that I was hoping for.  The Fractal Axe FX rig sounded a bit one dimensional too IMHO and was lacking in the dynamics I would expect in what I would think a GNR tone should be.  His approach does work well in his other projects though, and I certainly don't deny that the guy has a lot of talent.

We are potentially on the verge of GNRs greatest guitar partnership yet.   Fortus has all the necessary facets truly nailed down and is about to team up with one of the world's greatest living axe men.  Things are coming up roses.... no need to slay an ex GNR member though!  

same feeling here, would be nice to have the whole family playing at some point.

Don't forget Marc Canter. :hihi:

DJ Ashba supposedly can't stop talking about GNR.

But I do know that Little Emo Annie can't stop saying the same thing in every single DJ-GNR related thread.

DJ Ashba is a great guitarist. He's really good, but I never liked him in Gn'R. He just didn't fit right with me.

Finck and Fortus fit okay, but Ashba he just felt off. Like a hired gun for sure. I guess him joining post CD makes it feel that way. He was great live when I saw him. Can't complain.

To be fair though, it is a tough industry and Ashba plays the PR game very effectively.

That is very true,

Ok, I will refrain from comments in the future. : ok: