Dizzy Reed Article (3 CD's Worth Of Material)

[rainX]

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_3042759

http://www.thenewguns.com

Gun N'Roses bandmate leaves fast lane behind but still rocking
By Emily Young

Dizzy Reed wasn't up and at 'em until 1 p.m. Friday.

The keyboardist of Guns N'Roses is touring the East Coast with his cover band, Hookers & Blow, and had a late-night show Thursday in Burlington, Vt.

The band will be here in Fitchburg tonight at the Compound.

"Put your drinking shoes on and come out to rock and roll," Reed said.

The band's name was "an idea that's been floating around for awhile," and took root after Reed rejected the idea of naming it after himself, he said.

"Basically, there are a bunch of guys from Hollywood who play in the clubs together," Reed said. "Hookers & Blow have come through this area six, seven times. A lot of times, it's a different line-up. We're not trying to get a record deal or anything. We just want people to come out and party."

Reed first befriended Guns N'Roses lead singer Axl Rose in Hollywood during the 1980s.

"Early on, Axl (Rose) said they were planning on adding keys and he wanted me to join the band," said Reed, who joined Guns N'Roses in 1990.

Reed resisted relating tales of back-stage insanity, but noted it was a signature part of the Hollywood scene.

"Hollywood in general at that time was nuts. When I joined the band, they were already pretty big. But we drank milk every night, tucked ourselves into bed, and got up for church in the morning," Reed joked.

The now 42-year-old rock star has changed his ways with the passing of time.

"I've mellowed out quite a bit. There are more important things in life than partying all the time. But we manage to have fun still," Reed said.

Reed noted that Rose has altered his lifestyle, too.

"He's just healthier, in a better space," Reed said.

Reed is the only original member of Guns N'Roses to stick by the band's frontman.

"I believe in Axl. We have three CDs worth of songs. Everyone contributed and it all goes into the mill," Reed said. "We did some touring about three years ago, but things are on hold for now. (Rose is) working hard to finish our first record in quite awhile."

Reed has not talked to the other former Guns N'Roses members since they quit during the 1990s.

"People don't realize that (the original band members) quit over time. That one person quit at one time and then the other guy quit. It was a gradual thing," Reed said. "I think no matter what, situations are hard. It's a little like being married to three, four other guys. A lot of musicians have big egos. Early on things are easier and then problems grow over time. But people were so (expletive) up back then that people didn't notice."

Reed considers himself from Colorado, even though his family moved to Boulder, Colo., from Chicago when he was 8 years old.

He first began playing keyboards as a young child.

"I started playing when I was really young, like 6 or 7. My grandma had an organ which I started playing on, and soon after I realized that the instrument was very cool in rock and roll," Reed said. "I was 11 or 12 when I formed my first band. It was called 'Hairy Bananas.' Yeah, from 'Hairy Bananas' to 'Hookers & Blow.'

[Voodoochild]

Thanks rey! 

Hmmm... So, it's 3 cds worth of songs? Maybe the thrilogy stuff is still possible (not at the same time, of course). 

[madagas]

He's lying....burn him at the stake....crucify him.......he's a WITCH........

[Charity Case]

I wouldn't put any stock whatsoever in anything Reed says about GNR.  If they had 3 albums worth of material that was decent in any way we would have had CD a long time ago.  He is just saying shit to keep people interested in the project.  I find it funny that he says that the project is on hold for now.  To me that is the mor telling statement.

[sandman]

i agree, Charity Case. that statement is very telling.

it's also interesting that after months of hearing nothing (and some desperation/declining interest on all gnr boards), we suddenly get statements from two different members. 

i hate to make assumptions, and i hope i'm wrong, but it seems like they release these statements just to keep somewhat of a buzz going among the die-hards. so now they keep us hanging on for another 4-6 months (since it's pretty obvious there's little or no chance of it being relased this year).

[jarmo]

it's also interesting that after months of hearing nothing (and some desperation/declining interest on all gnr boards), we suddenly get statements from two different members.?

Yeah, isn't it great?




/jarmo

[chineseblues]

I wouldn't put any stock whatsoever in anything Reed says about GNR.  If they had 3 albums worth of material that was decent in any way we would have had CD a long time ago.  He is just saying shit to keep people interested in the project.  I find it funny that he says that the project is on hold for now.  To me that is the mor telling statement.

Oh no of corse we can't believe someone who is actually in the band and who knows about this kind of stuff. No thats a crime to believe those guys. Instead we have to believe some random internet boob about whats going on in GUNS.

[DeN]

yes it is.

NOVEMBER !!! 

[Mikkamakka]

If they had 3 albums worth of material that was decent in any way we would have had CD a long time ago.?

So true.

BTW Dizzy said that CD isn't finished. So 2005 is not the year, I have serious doubts about even 2006... Well, 2007 is very likely. Now.

[Thorazine Shuffle]

He only said that GNR have 3 CD's worth of material.  He mentioned nothing of them actually releasing 3 CDs.

[Mikkamakka]

He only said that GNR have 3 CD's worth of material.? He mentioned nothing of them actually releasing 3 CDs.

And Axl said that they had 3 albums worth of material back in 1999.

[madagas]

No, in 1999 he said they were working on roughly 70 songs and that he had two albums of solidly recorded material. In 2002, Axl mentioned the three album plan. And another fucking thing-the fact that Axl has chosen not to release anything has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL! We know nothing-good or bad. To the rest of the band members, the project is on hold. They have completed their parts and put the ball in Axl's court. It is his record/records to complete-not their responsibility. I really wish I could reach through the computer some times and just smack the hell out of some of you. Argghhhhhhh. So jaded and negative.

[Mikkamakka]

No, in 1999 he said they were working on roughly 70 songs and that he had two albums of solidly recorded material. In 2002, Axl mentioned the three album plan. And another fucking thing-the fact that Axl has chosen not to release anything has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL! We know nothing-good or bad. To the rest of the band members, the project is on hold. They have completed their parts and put the ball in Axl's court. It is his record/records to complete-not their responsibility. I really wish I could reach through the computer some times and just smack the hell out of some of you. Argghhhhhhh. So jaded and negative.

If Axl had been satisfied with the product, he would have released it. Don't you think? I agree that CD can be great, but I'm sure that Axl wasn't satisfied with that. C'mon, it's been 6 years since we know the title of the album... they had 70 songs/ideas in 1999.

[madagas]

Axl's crazy as a fruit fly.....that's my rationale. He certainly travels to the beat of a different drummer...and guitarist..and bassist! The fact that he is not satisfied with it, doesn't mean it is not good. It simply means HE isn't satisfied with it. Tommy or me or you may think it is the best thing ever recorded. But, it is Axl's project and HE has to be satisfied with it. Get my drift?

[Mikkamakka]

Axl's crazy as a fruit fly.....that's my rationale. He certainly travels to the beat of a different drummer...and guitarist..and bassist! The fact that he is not satisfied with it, doesn't mean it is not good. It simply means HE isn't satisfied with it. Tommy or me or you may think it is the best thing ever recorded. But, it is Axl's project and HE has to be satisfied with it. Get my drift?

My thoughts exactly.  I've never said that CD can't be fantastic, but Axl's surely insecure about the product. He can be right and can be wrong.

[the dirt]

C'mon, it's been 6 years since we know the title of the album... they had 70 songs/ideas in 1999.

I don't even think "Chinese Democracy" will be the title of the album anymore, if it comes out.

[Izzy]

If they had three albums of material Geffen/Interscope would force a release - its not concievable an artists could fail to honour his contract, have material available and for the record company to stand idly by when it owns those tapes and legally has every right to take them.....

More crap from Mr Reed....

[duga]

Three albums worth of material doesn't mean three complete albums. It's probably mostly unfinished songs without voice...

[Izzy]

Three albums worth of material doesn't mean three complete albums. It's probably mostly unfinished songs without voice...

Well if u include unfinished material then ''three albums'' is still rubbish as he has music from 1994 onwards, thats got to be scores of albums worth of 'incomplete' stuff - including tracks with Izzy and Slash

[younggunner]

Geffen/Interscope would force a release

it pays to be very good friends with Merck doesnt it?


Isnt it logical to think that the reason Axl isnt releasing yet is because he isnt ready? By him releasing an album, doing promo, and probably a tour would mean he would have to be committed to doing something that big. you people take for granted that Axl wants the spotlight again. He might not. His actions show that he is quite comfortable with his situation.

hes making a lot of material, getting to "perfect" it or see it through, not much pressure from the label all while remainng in the shadows. maybe he doesant want attention at this point in time. Maybe hes waiting for everything to be "right" {whatever that may be} then he will proceede.