AXL's Rant in San Juan last night

[JimMorrison4]

It's possible the setlist doesn't change because the band doesn't know how to play any other GNR songs. They've supposedly spent the past 7 years trying to put album out. Why would they take time away from that to practice old songs?

These guys are professional musicians.? It's not like Duff was laying down Flea-esque base lines.? If Fink can pull off some of Slash's old solos, then they should have no problem learning a few UYI tracks (if they wanted to)...

I didn't say they aren't capable of learning how to play GNR songs. I'm just saying that if they've been writing 70+ songs for the past few years, why would they take time away from that to learn how to play the entire GNR catelog? The setlist isn't changing because they can only play what they know. These guys aren't sitting around, learning the timing on Dead Horse when they're supposedly writing new songs for Chinese Democracy.

(And I say "supposedly" because I refuse to believe CD even exists until I see proof)

[RancidPunx]

It's possible the setlist doesn't change because the band doesn't know how to play any other GNR songs. They've supposedly spent the past 7 years trying to put album out. Why would they take time away from that to practice old songs?

These guys are professional musicians.? It's not like Duff was laying down Flea-esque base lines.? If Fink can pull off some of Slash's old solos, then they should have no problem learning a few UYI tracks (if they wanted to)...

I didn't say they aren't capable of learning how to play GNR songs. I'm just saying that if they've been writing 70+ songs for the past few years, why would they take time away from that to learn how to play the entire GNR catelog? The setlist isn't changing because they can only play what they know. These guys aren't sitting around, learning the timing on Dead Horse when they're supposedly writing new songs for Chinese Democracy.

(And I say "supposedly" because I refuse to believe CD even exists until I see proof)

They are professional musicians. Who said they should learn the whole discography? How about learning  Dead Horse? Oh, I forgot, in the middle of those "seventy" songs there has been no down time for them to get together and learn some of the older material

[JimMorrison4]

Well it's either that, or they're too lazy to change up the setlist. Take your pick.

By the way, being a "professional musician" doesn't mean you just automatically know how to play a song with correct timing.

[Duffio]

Well it's either that, or they're too lazy to change up the setlist. Take your pick.

By the way, being a "professional musician" doesn't mean you just automatically know how to play a song with correct timing.

  yes it does.. that's why you're a proffesional... I mean i can pick up a song by listening to it and learn the timing.... if you're a musician you'd know.. so don't make silly assumptions based on that you probably aren't a musician...   this thread got way off topic..   I thought it was about the rant, now it's about timing on songs..    Good to see Axl reads and (somewhat cares) about what his fans think...

[faldor]

I dont really understand the complaining about setlists. ?This is the first real tour in years. A lot people going to the shows havent seen GnR live. And most of the ones who have, dont have previous setlists memorized anyway. And why not keep the same setlist throughout the tour? ?What difference does it make to people in Los Angeles what they played in New York? If they do change it up, then you will complain about how you would have preferred the "name city here" set list to the one they saw. ?As long as SCOM, WttJ, and certain others are played, most fans will go home happy. ?Now, if GnR toured about every other year or so, and had the same setlist for years, thats different. ?But this is the first tour back. There will always be songs that you wish that they played. ?This is true with every concert. Metallica doesnt play "Fade to Black" sometimes, which really gets me, but thats the nature of concerts. I go to see GnR hoping to hear Rocket Queen, not expecting to hear it. ?

Good post.  Me too, I can HOPE to hear certain songs (especially Rocket Queen) but I know there's a good chance I won't hear it.  I'm not gonna let that ruin my night.  I plan on seeing the best concert ever at MSG on 11/10 whatever songs they choose to play.  And as I read updates from concerts I don't attend I check to see if any different songs are played.  If they're not, I don't let it ruin my day and bitch about it on internet message boards.  I just thank my stars that my favorite band in all the land is playing shows and touring the world.  And I couldn't be happier about it.

[Ines_rocks!]

so funny as it just takes Axl to say something to put ppl agreeing with each other... axl indeed must be a god... Now everyone does like the setlists again, now all others who dont r just assholes, and all this cos Axl said so... are we that brainless??

[Dr H Lecter]

so here... who's from Ireland and whines about this gnr tour ??

I'm from and live in Ireland and was proudly at the RDS show in June, never did I once bitch or moan, I would however like to see the album this side of my 60th birthday (I'm 25) if that classifies as bitching then just call me biatch.

[CAFC Nick]

Well it's either that, or they're too lazy to change up the setlist. Take your pick.

By the way, being a "professional musician" doesn't mean you just automatically know how to play a song with correct timing.

Thats a very ridiculous accusation to say that its 'laziness' which is why they ain't changing the set-list. They can play whatever they want, whatever songs they feel are best to get the audience going, and which ever songs they are most comfortable playing. I know that whether they change it or not I will still be supporting them and attending any show that I can.

[faldor]

so funny as it just takes Axl to say something to put ppl agreeing with each other... axl indeed must be a god... Now everyone does like the setlists again, now all others who dont r just assholes, and all this cos Axl said so... are we that brainless??

It didn't take Axl's latest rant for me to make up my mind.  I've been sick of people screaming for a different setlist since the 2nd Hammerstein show.  Most bands play similar setlists every night.  I bet if you check out gnrontour.com and check the setlists for the UYI tours etc. the setlists would be quite similar.  Just back in those days the internet wasn't as powerful as it is today.  People are free to speak their mind and share their opinions.  It doesn't mean we all have to agree.

[JimMorrison4]

Well it's either that, or they're too lazy to change up the setlist. Take your pick.

By the way, being a "professional musician" doesn't mean you just automatically know how to play a song with correct timing.

? yes it does.. that's why you're a proffesional... I mean i can pick up a song by listening to it and learn the timing.... if you're a musician you'd know.. so don't make silly assumptions based on that you probably aren't a musician...? ?

The only silly assumption I see being made is that if you're a "professional," it automatically means you no longer need to practice . If a 9 piece band has never attempted to play a song together, it's going to come out like shit. Just listen to the terrible version of TWAT they played at Hammerstein. If you can convince yourself it was good, then you must be one of the people who tried to convince themselves that Axl sounded good in 2002.

If you really want to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they do know more songs than what they're playing, then laziness is the only thing you can blame the repetitive setlist on.

[oldgunsfan]

16 pages of replies on Axl's rant.....

He's right people need to get more of a life and new interests

[norway]

Of course, this is all false until you post the mp3

[fixintodie]

Axl saying he doesn't have a problem with cameras at shows was possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I guess it most blow for the band to have every song on the setlist so heavily scrutinised, but the flipside of that is the level of excitement and encouragement that will be generated when a new song is added.

[polluxlm]

Just back in those days the internet wasn't as powerful as it is today.?

How old are you people? There was no internet in 91. Yes, the millitary has used it for decades, but it wasn't made available to normal people until 94.

[gnrbacik]

If Axl only played new songs off the new albumn and no classics at the next concert, image the bitching people would do then. ?The classic's are great songs, no matter how many times you hear them. ? ?Enjoy the mix they're doing now. ?Just a little patience

[The Legend]

Axl saying he doesn't have a problem with cameras at shows was possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I guess it most blow for the band to have every song on the setlist so heavily scrutinised, but the flipside of that is the level of excitement and encouragement that will be generated when a new song is added.

I wonder what people from St. Louis think about that.

[estranged.1098]

Axl saying he doesn't have a problem with cameras at shows was possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I guess it most blow for the band to have every song on the setlist so heavily scrutinised, but the flipside of that is the level of excitement and encouragement that will be generated when a new song is added.

I wonder what people from St. Louis think about that.

Perhaps you should read the whole story about the St. Louis incident.

[faldor]

Just back in those days the internet wasn't as powerful as it is today.?

How old are you people? There was no internet in 91. Yes, the millitary has used it for decades, but it wasn't made available to normal people until 94.

Thanks for the history lesson.  I'll be sure and look up the initial year the world wide web became mainstream next time.  Sorry that irked you so.

[RancidPunx]

Axl saying he doesn't have a problem with cameras at shows was possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I guess it most blow for the band to have every song on the setlist so heavily scrutinised, but the flipside of that is the level of excitement and encouragement that will be generated when a new song is added.

I wonder what people from St. Louis think about that.

Ahh, cause somehow that riot is not related to Axl, right?  ::)Having your picture taken when you don't want it to be is a perfectly just reason for putting thousands of fans in harms way
Perhaps you should read the whole story about the St. Louis incident.

[Duffio]

lol and you wonder why axl doesn't give us updates... all the fans fight over stupid shit all the time.... this is getting old. so fast.