I noticed something that really pisses me off, it's how some of the "old time fans" and longtime board members think they are too cool to share links with "newbies". Well here's a newsflash: the more fans the band gets, the better for them and for any true fan. So let the whole fuckin world hear the music, because that's what these leaks are all about. It's about promotion for the band and it's about the MUSIC - not about your personal "i have/know something you don't" powertrip for fucks sake!
Do you think you have special privileges because you discovered the band earlier than others? The only privilege you gained from that is being able to introduce following generations - the 'newbies' - to the band and that's it. So you better share with EVERYONE who wants to hear our favourite band and don't act above new fans by being selective about who you send the links to. Just because someone does not have 500+ posts doesn't make YOU who might come here 24/7 a better, more passionate or more devoted fan. Your attitude is just arrogant and it's everything a fan community should not be about. You snobs calling yourself fans make me sick.
The demos are out there for a reason and that reason is called promotion. But 50% of the "fans" are doing a wonderful job in KILLING that promotion with their pussy attitudes. After all, it is up to US to spread and let everyone hear these demos because they are better than what other artists release as hit singles and therfor they are the best promotion for GN'R - until the real thing arrives. And the feedback could as well encourage the band to move that last step foward and finally release the fuckin album. Maybe they wanna hear the public opinion (without having to play concerts) because they want to take that into consideration for the first single? Ever thought of that?
One more thing.
I read how some people are having emotional problems with listening to the first new music in years. You come to this board for YEARS, checking for news, deperately waiting for new music. But now that you get it, your sensitiveness does not allow you to listen to the material because you "don't wanna spoil the surprise" and you "don't wanna hurts Axl's feelings by listening to leaked demos".
Well congratulations, you are officially insane.
I read Jarmo stating how Axl knew the bootlegs would be out when he played "The Blues" and stuff live in 2002 and how this was a different situation when people STOLE THE SOUNDBOARD FROM THE BAND. I hear that in the current leak situation, he and other webmasters want to "respect the managements wishes" and that's why they do not allow sharing the links openly, not even in the download section. So Axl did not know that the songs would be out when he was giving / playing them to Mike Piazza, a Strip Club in Vegas, a club in NYC...and whoeverfuckinelse?
I don't know if those stories (Vegas etc.) are true. I have to form an opinion about this on what I read on the internet. But that is also the case when it comes to what the management says! I have to form an opinion on what I read on the internet because the management is too cool to issue a statement, speak out and actually communicate.
First time "I.R.S." leaked, the management went active and it kinda dissapeared, and this time "I.R.S." gets fuckin RADIO AIRPLAY and they sit back and wait before issuing some half ass comments over third parties. But if they don't sue the radio do you think they gonna sue some fan website? I don't think so. And I know that if the band or their management had something official to say we would hear it through them in the media and not the hush-hush third party way through webmaster and "insiders".
Hope to hear your opinion on this...
Author