Article on Axl / Buckethead - Press relations (From NY Times)

[darknemus]

Written by Chris Nelson - found at this link: http://www.iht.com/articles/513408.html

Here's the article:

Hire a pro to break bad news, experts advise
 
In the 11 years since Guns N' Roses last released an album, fans have often wondered what Axl Rose, the group's reclusive lead singer, has been doing. Apparently, attending how-to workshops for publicists has not been on the agenda.
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Last week, Rose issued an emotional news release through the Business Wire to explain the recent departure of the new Guns N' Roses guitarist, Buckethead, and the group's subsequent cancellation of its May 30 appearance at the Rock in Rio concert in Lisbon.
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"During his tenure with the band," Rose said in the statement, "Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and commitment - despite being under contract - creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals and live plans with confidence.
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"Regardless of anyone's opinions of me and what I may or may not deserve," the release added, "clearly the fans, individuals in this band, management, crew and our support group do not deserve this type of treatment."
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Rose's approach was not embraced by his newfound colleagues. Public relations professionals usually advise clients to distance themselves from bad news by letting a representative or corporate entity break the information, said Bob Merlis, who worked in publicity at Warner Brothers Records for almost 30 years, and whose firm M.f.h handles media contacts for the singer John Mellencamp and others.
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Lois Najarian, a publicist with Dan Klores Communications whose clients include Prince, called the dirty laundry in Rose's release "a cringe factor."
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"The criticism that Axl gets when he does bold stuff is that he's showing some sort of instability or lack of reason," Najarian said. Still, she said some fans appreciate Rose's candor.
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Few doubt that Rose follows a quirky muse. He has spent more than a decade working on his group's next record, alienating his bandmates in the process. The group's 2002 tour was nixed after Rose did not show up for concerts in Vancouver and Philadelphia.
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Buckethead himself is no stranger to eccentricity. Born Brian Carroll, Buckethead never appears in public without a wig, a mannequin mask and a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket on his head.
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The New York Times Hire a pro to break bad news, experts advise
 
In the 11 years since Guns N' Roses last released an album, fans have often wondered what Axl Rose, the group's reclusive lead singer, has been doing. Apparently, attending how-to workshops for publicists has not been on the agenda.
.
Last week, Rose issued an emotional news release through the Business Wire to explain the recent departure of the new Guns N' Roses guitarist, Buckethead, and the group's subsequent cancellation of its May 30 appearance at the Rock in Rio concert in Lisbon.
.
"During his tenure with the band," Rose said in the statement, "Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and commitment - despite being under contract - creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals and live plans with confidence.
.
"Regardless of anyone's opinions of me and what I may or may not deserve," the release added, "clearly the fans, individuals in this band, management, crew and our support group do not deserve this type of treatment."
.
Rose's approach was not embraced by his newfound colleagues. Public relations professionals usually advise clients to distance themselves from bad news by letting a representative or corporate entity break the information, said Bob Merlis, who worked in publicity at Warner Brothers Records for almost 30 years, and whose firm M.f.h handles media contacts for the singer John Mellencamp and others.
.
Lois Najarian, a publicist with Dan Klores Communications whose clients include Prince, called the dirty laundry in Rose's release "a cringe factor."
.
"The criticism that Axl gets when he does bold stuff is that he's showing some sort of instability or lack of reason," Najarian said. Still, she said some fans appreciate Rose's candor.
.
Few doubt that Rose follows a quirky muse. He has spent more than a decade working on his group's next record, alienating his bandmates in the process. The group's 2002 tour was nixed after Rose did not show up for concerts in Vancouver and Philadelphia.
.
Buckethead himself is no stranger to eccentricity. Born Brian Carroll, Buckethead never appears in public without a wig, a mannequin mask and a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket on his head.
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The New York Times

I thought it was a good read and at least pretty evenly slanted, as opposed to being hardcore anti-Axl as some pieces tend to be.  Thoughts?

-darknemus

[Pandora]

No offense Darknemus, but who gives a fuck about PR professionals?  
We're talking about GN'R here, they've never done anything the traditional way  

[kockstar99]

I guess its obviouse that Axl Rose doesnt give a fuck about the publicity experts...

If he wants to issue a statement he issues a fucking statement....

Nice to read what they say about it though...

Thats funny the "cringe" part... its not like hes commenting on foriegn affairs or something.. he announced the cancellation of a fucking rock concert..  

[noonespecial]

"No offense Darknemus, but who gives a fuck about PR professionals? "

Yeah, you tell him...and not only that, I would never use the word professional and GNR in the same sentence either
LOL!

[loretian]

I would count myself amongst those who appreciate Rose's "candor" in the matter.    Axl took a step forward and made a statement, for the band and for himself, and I, as a fan, really do appreciate that.

[C0ma]

I understand everyone in here liking the fact that Axl steped forward and spoke to his fans, but this article makes a great point. Sure a couple hundered 'true fans' loved this little note from Axl, but in the public it added another humiliating mark to GnR's already tarnished public image. The crying and pointing fingers make him just look bad, not to mention the majority of casual fans know that Axl is exactly what he described Bucket as being.

[Rockin' Rose]

I think this some how proves that other artist's don't have the balls to make their own statements, being to affraid of saying anything 'cause some fans might walk away or someone get's upset

GO AXL!!!

[pilferk]

Interesting read.

I think, however, that Axl handled it the right way.  I think Bucket leaving was very personal for him, and I think he needed to handle the matter, personally.  Also, I think this was Axl's way of taking some of the blame.  He didn't WANT to be distanced from the "bad news".

[Falcon]

I was happy to get the statement in general, at least it was something...

That said, the tone of it was less than professional at best, but nothing I'm going to critisize Axl for or bash unmercifully.

Just Axl being Axl, he's got a chip on his shoulder as big as a cinder block, always has, always will.

I accept it.

[Smoke]

I liked that he wrote that letter, rather than having some dude write about a situation that he knows nothing about.  It shows that he cares about the fans and what is going to happen in the future for this band.  

[Eternal Flaming Sword of Death...]

I prefer it this way. we wanted some type of update and we recieved it. I would rather see Axl's statements anyway. They are rather interesting and give you an insight into what is going on in Axl's mind, when statements from the Gnr camp are rather rare.
Axl does things his way....take it or leave it, i guess

[warrel]

Are we certain Axl actually wrote the press release?  

[RZ4]

Buckethead doesn't wear a wig.

[Skunk]

unprofessional, bold, honest.. whatever you want to call it, that's Axl Rose. the fact that he writes the letter, and says what he feels, is part of his fame. despite a decade of hiding, Axl never really hides. not from what he feels and not from criticism. this side of Axl may now make him seem unstable and may now seem to be a bad thing... but when he has new material out, even if he still seems unstable, it will also be news, and it will make his spotlight brighter.

[Glen_xx]

I think what he did was good, and anyway like a few guys already said its just axl being axl, remember the Paris gig that got shown everywhere and he got Stuck into Warren Beatty? That was pretty funny-and maybe no the best place for it- but its just axl being axl.
I just hope he can get on with finishing this album now- maybe slash could go over to the studios and help him with it- and replace buckethead.  what do you reckon???

[NickNasty]

Interesting read.

I think, however, that Axl handled it the right way.  I think Bucket leaving was very personal for him, and I think he needed to handle the matter, personally.  Also, I think this was Axl's way of taking some of the blame.  He didn't WANT to be distanced from the "bad news".

I agree....Axl has "distanced" himself with silence for too long. At this point in time, he HAD to come out and say something just to help keep us "true believers" even remotely pacified.

[gnrgoblue]

Are we certain Axl actually wrote the press release?  

Not a chance. I absolutely love the guy's music, but a trained writer he's not. Compare this release to Axl's clearly unedited ramblings around the time "Oh My God" came out and anyone can see a stark difference. Having worked in both journalism and public relations, I've developed a good nose for PR-speak and this reaks of it. That was the first thing I thought when I started reading it.

My educated guess is that Axl wrote the skeleton of what eventually became this document. I'm sure it read much more fractured and caustic but more from the heart. "The band has been put in an untenable position by guitarist Buckethead and his untimely departure," for example, probably sounded a bit more like, "Bucket fucked us by bolting," in Axl's version.

He probably ran it by a PR pro close to him, who cleaned it up and toned it down but maintained its essence.

[badgirl]

Axl or not, i always find it refreshing in a great way when celebrities speak their minds and don't need to ask permission from their PR people where to shit.. i feel PR, as an industry, really looks down upon the average intelligence of the public (though most people are THAT fucking stupid). My point is that Axl hardly seems the type to give a fuck about PR and that is a good thing.

[matt88]

Like he cares

[AylaRose28]

Whoever said "who cares about PR professionals" is your right, but you should. I'm getting a masters in it now and as much as I love GnR, they are a PR nitemare.

I agree who ever said the press release reaked of PR talk. I have a feeling Axl didn't write that. He never "wrote" us when they canceled the tour and that was the TIME to be giving apoligies and explanations. Now he does it over this. Someone is giving him advice PR wise now I think. Which is GOOD. Since most of you "don't care" and think Axl doesn't, you're wrong. He better start getting good PR or what promoter is going to take the risk to take him out on tour next? None of them, unless he proves he's dedicated. (We all know he is, but the public and promoters need to be assured). I have a feeling Axl cares also. He's Mr. Perfection. He wants his fans to know he's still around. That's where PR people come in. To get the word out and not leave it up to bullshit media hate mongers who bash him like they did back in the day. Axl has a close circle of people around him. He needs someone to trust and a PR person might be able to help him. Esp. if that person has his best interest at heart.

Good article btw. I'll take it to class with me sometime and see what others have to say about it also.

ayla