Del James interview at RevolverMag.com

[jarmo]

http://www.revolvermag.com/content/web-exclusive-interview-revolver%E2%80%99s-hottest-photo-director-interviews-writer-del-james




/jarmo

[Mr. Redman]

http://www.revolvermag.com/content/web-exclusive-interview-revolver%E2%80%99s-hottest-photo-director-interviews-writer-del-james


Cool shit so far, just started reading it.

[33]

http://www.revolvermag.com/content/web-exclusive-interview-revolver%E2%80%99s-hottest-photo-director-interviews-writer-del-james

/jarmo

Cheers Jarmo. Very cool read! Interesting as usual from Del!!

Thanks

Mike

[Olorin]

Cool interview, I love how he always gives thoughtful and detailed answers, doesnt seem like a "yes" "no" "ummmmm.... I guess so"  - kind of a guy

[CheapJon]

Del referencing Sweden twice he rocks someday i'm gonna read his stuff 

thanks for posting

When Axl finally breaks his silence, hopefully a lot of misconceptions will get set straight. The truth hurts and the truth about Axl and GN?R has yet to be presented accurately or honestly.

I?ve managed to stay tight with Axl for over 20 years the same way I?ve managed to stay close with some of my New York people for nearly 40 years. You judge people by the way they treat you. Nobody?s fucking perfect, but I tell ya what, it would be really hard to find a more loyal friend than Axl Rose.

[damnthehaters]

After reading Del James interview, it gave me an idea that I think would be really cool.  It was good to hear someone say nice things about Axl as we all know that this is rare.  And its rare because of the exact reason Del mentioned.. Axl rarely goes out in the public and tells his side of the story.  Therefor, people only ever hear the GNR story through bitter people like Slash, Duff, or Matt.  And im not saying this is necessarily a bad thing as I actually respect Axl a lot for keeping to himself and not getting caught up in all the bullshit.   

However, I think it would be really cool to copy that Del James interview (or at least the part about Axl) and paste it in an email to those who continuely bash Axl.  Just to give them another angle on Axl or GNR. 

For example, I called my local radio station in Portland last weekend to request Chinese Democracy because the weekend guys at the station won't play it and have it out for Axl.  When talking to the DJ, its clear that he doesn't even give the song nor GNR a chance.  He told me ... "Axl broke up one of the best bands because he's an asshole!"  And its not just this guy, there are plenty of people around the world that think this.

Now we could say to ourselves "who gives a rats ass about these people, I like GNR and Axl and that's all that matters."  And we would be right.... However, I would love if I were to copy and paste this interview of Del to this local DJ of mine and it were to change his mind even the slightest bit about Axl.  You never know, an email like this might do wonders and help people look at the situation a little differently.  They may even start playing the music, or taking better about Axl and GNR when on the air.  

So what im proposing is that if you know of a DJ who just isn't giving GNR a chance, hates Axl, or just refuses to play new material, use this thread as  jotting down their email address. After a little while, and receiving emails, I will send an email to all these people.  I think its better to do it this way so we dont send multiple emails to the same people.

What do you guys think?     

[FunkyMonkey]

Thanks for posting.  It's so true what he says here about people trying to get press.

Why do you think that Axl gets such a bad rap these days?

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? Well, Axl has stayed out of the public eye, concentrating on other things while other people have talked a lot of smack. It?s total fucking bullshit. You have VH1?s Behind the Music featuring a bunch of disgruntled ex-employees or former friends who won?t look in the mirror and see their own shortcomings but have no problem painting Axl out to be the bad guy. You have all these biographies coming out written by people with agendas and no access to the subject of the biography. Seems like some people have figured out that an easy way to get press is by talking shit about Axl. When Axl finally breaks his silence, hopefully a lot of misconceptions will get set straight. The truth hurts and the truth about Axl and GN?R has yet to be presented accurately or honestly.

I?ve managed to stay tight with Axl for over 20 years the same way I?ve managed to stay close with some of my New York people for nearly 40 years. You judge people by the way they treat you. Nobody?s fucking perfect, but I tell ya what, it would be really hard to find a more loyal friend than Axl Rose.

[commissioner]

When was this interview taken? Anybody know?

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

I absolutely believe there is a very different side to the stories we've heard from the ex band members, however I also think that Axl's perception of events could be a bit skewed as well, just based on some of the statements he has made in the past.  I'm not in a position to pass judgement on anyone, because I nor any of you have been there.  But I do believe it to be true that some of the old guys never felt as close to Axl as they did with each other, and there is no one side to blame in those situations.  But I do know that you just can't step inside to 14 years!

[willow]

When was this interview taken? Anybody know?

I would think if Del posted it on his myspace that it is brand new.
Boy I love that guy!
amyl

[Drew]

The truth hurts and the truth about Axl and GN?R has yet to be presented accurately or honestly.

So, does Del just think that whatever Axl says will be "the truth" finally and agreed with completely by everyone? Come on! It will be Axl's interpretation and and Axl's viewpoint. Whether what Axl says is accurate and honest, we as fans won't know with certainty, only Slash and the other former band mates and crew will know. It will be nothing more then, the typical 'he said, she said' that we've all been hearing since the original band started dissolving. All I see now that can be accomplished is Axl rebutting a statement made by someone else. Does he have pictures or tape-recordings? Most likely not. It's irrelevant now. What's done is done. No matter what any former or current band or crew says now won't change what's done and through with anyways. Axl has a new album coming out and and a new band and I feel that's what his focus should be on.

[IKnowWhereIAM]

Awesome, as always.  Loyal to his friends - No appologies, no excuses...this is a guy I would like to know.

[cocoscum]

The new Testament album kicks ass!  I didnt even realize he had writing credits.  That just makes it more badass.

[draguns]

 I think the MOST impressive part of this interview was how Del james said that he drives with one eye. There's a lot to be said about how he has acheived success with one eye. I think it also shows the open-mindedness of Axl. Too many time we have heard the bullshit of how  Axl Rose is a racist and homophobic. Well this interview shows how Axl accepted someone's disability. I just wish more people would do the same.   

[Cherona]

Really interesting read, thanks Jarmo! 

[McDuff]

I find it really funny how some people on GN'R forums worship Axl.What I mean is that it's not just Slash and Duff's fault that the old band broke up,Axl's just as much to blame as those guys are,and it's also funny how Del seems to be always kissing Axl's ass.

[Alfie Bones]

I find it really funny how some people on GN'R forums worship Axl.What I mean is that it's not just Slash and Duff's fault that the old band broke up,Axl's just as much to blame as those guys are,and it's also funny how Del seems to be always kissing Axl's ass.

Well, your username says it all.

Del's friends with Axl. I don't see how it's kissing his ass. When the media and the phony fans bailed, his inner circle, guys like Del, stuck around.

And I dispute the whole thing about the band breaking up. Slash quit. Duff quit a year later. I'm sure everyone was to blame to some degree, but the Axl fanboys can't be nearly as irritating as the "THIS IS AWFUL. WE WANT SLASH" kids.

[Annie]

Thanks for posting.  It's so true what he says here about people trying to get press.

Why do you think that Axl gets such a bad rap these days?

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? Well, Axl has stayed out of the public eye, concentrating on other things while other people have talked a lot of smack. It?s total fucking bullshit. You have VH1?s Behind the Music featuring a bunch of disgruntled ex-employees or former friends who won?t look in the mirror and see their own shortcomings but have no problem painting Axl out to be the bad guy. You have all these biographies coming out written by people with agendas and no access to the subject of the biography. Seems like some people have figured out that an easy way to get press is by talking shit about Axl. When Axl finally breaks his silence, hopefully a lot of misconceptions will get set straight. The truth hurts and the truth about Axl and GN?R has yet to be presented accurately or honestly.

I?ve managed to stay tight with Axl for over 20 years the same way I?ve managed to stay close with some of my New York people for nearly 40 years. You judge people by the way they treat you. Nobody?s fucking perfect, but I tell ya what, it would be really hard to find a more loyal friend than Axl Rose.

Del is so cool. I'll never forget how nice he was to me when I spoke with him in Las Vegas!

[IKnowWhereIAM]

I find it really funny how some people on GN'R forums worship Axl.What I mean is that it's not just Slash and Duff's fault that the old band broke up,Axl's just as much to blame as those guys are,and it's also funny how Del seems to be always kissing Axl's ass.

Well, your username says it all.

Del's friends with Axl. I don't see how it's kissing his ass. When the media and the phony fans bailed, his inner circle, guys like Del, stuck around.

And I dispute the whole thing about the band breaking up. Slash quit. Duff quit a year later. I'm sure everyone was to blame to some degree, but the Axl fanboys can't be nearly as irritating as the "THIS IS AWFUL. WE WANT SLASH" kids.

Take what Axl, Del, Cantor, Duff, and EVEN Slash have all said - in their own words - add it up and the sum of it all is Drug use caused rift as early as '89, Izzy got sober and left, Axl threatened to break up over 'brownstone' and then began to phone it in, final fight with Slash is over what direction GnR would go...Axl wanted input, Slash wanted HIS album...Slash got his album as SP and quit GnR.  It is just a fact of Rock n' Roll that when all but one member of a band are jacked up, they are doomed...when one member is jacked up, the others gang up or he quits (see: VR).  Everyone that has been involved with GnR has been great at what they do, and they all deserve credit for what the band was/made/accomplished during their tenure.

GnR in '86-90 was GREAT, GnR in '91-92 was GREAT, GnR in '01-02 was GREAT (except we didn't get much chance to know them...), and GnR 2006 - Today is GREAT. {Dont read anything into the gaps - hopefully you get my point} The common denominator in each of those is AXL (and Del).  I wish the old players would kiss and make up...do some walk-ons with the band like Izzy (a class act)...but most of all I wish ALL the GnR fans would drop their gloves (or put their gloves back on for hockey fans) and end the silly old band/new band - Slash Vs. Axl argument.  We have 21 days to wait for a GREAT new album from the band Guns n' Roses.

[commissioner]

Awesome, as always.  Loyal to his friends - No appologies, no excuses...this is a guy I would like to know.

Ya, those boys stick together.