Billboard Exclusive: Axl Rose Speaks

[Jim Bob]

Once you learn the reason(s) behind his decision, maybe you think for a second and realize that things aren't always that easy.





/jarmo

I dont' think thinking and D go very well together. 

[Juanjay]

The point is most albums don't have 6 singles. If you're talking about 6 singles being released, then you're talking about an above average album.
You're entitled to your opinion about the individual songs, but you have to realize that many people disagree with you. It seems that you're not a big fan of this bands sound on the more rock or louder tracks. That's fine but it's a very subjective opinion. I don't think most people who listen to this album decide they love half of it and hate the other half. You can't stand Better, but most fans and critics alike list it as a standout.

I agree about the difficulty in getting any money out of Universal, but an indie label is definitely not the answer. As a rule the smaller labels will work harder but have less resources, and the big labels have the resources but will only spend them on guaranteed returns. The way NIN does things may be pointing to the future, but i don't think it's here yet. I think you lose out on commercial potential that way. It's mostly profit, but the material never goes as far as it could.

Its really weird about the louder tracks as I love loud, fast, angst ridden music. I guess its weird to me because part of the album sounds dated to me and then the other part sounds timeless. Hard to explain.

I know people disagree with me on the music and that's great. I think its great people love the music as much as they do. Hopefully they can do what they need to with this album and they can make more music, go on more tours and all that good stuff. I respect all the blood sweat and tears they put into getting this ball rolling.

The big labels problems isn't just that they will only spend it on big returns, the other problem is they give every band that goes platinum these days their own imprint and A&R staff and let these jackoffs believe they can spot talent and bring bands up. But all we get is a clusterfuck of similar sounding shit. That's when the labels really really tanked.

[gcluskey]

Axl, Duff and Izzy...that'd be fucking cool to hear a new song with them

[marknroses]

Axl, Duff and Izzy...that'd be fucking cool to hear a new song with them

Years ago, Axl wasn;t interested in being with Izzy and now he has him on tour and maybe in a studio on the 3rd new GNR album (or 4th or something)?
Now, Axl is talking about being interested in collaborating with Duff (without fellow alumni) - (maybe on the 5th new GNR album)

Time is on the side of a GNR reunion. Maybe if Slash and Axl take a few years off from bashing each other in the media then they can resolve their pending issues and reunite musically (on the 15th new GNR album)

MNW

[GypsySoul]

Time is on the side of a GNR reunion. Maybe if Slash and Axl take a few years off from bashing each other in the media then they can resolve their pending issues and reunite musically (on the 15th new GNR album)

Did you read the interview? 

Give me a fucking break. What's clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is. Those decisions were made a long time ago and reiterated year after year by one man.

[ppbebe]

a few years? to my knowledges axl hadn't made any remark on slash or any of them for several years.
 
his talking about the maybe collaborations just shows he's basically rather lenient.

"but that's it, and not something I'd have to really get down into, as I'd get left with sorting it out and then blamed on top of it. So, no, not me."

I was wrong in thinking it finally silenced reunionists.  

[Julio Von Kummer]

Sure it isn't "ALL" Axl's fault, but u guys are acting as if he has NO fault, and I don't understand that.

There's a lot of things I don't understand. Like how you can claim 75% of the guitars suck on the album.

But, anyway... The whole "no fault" thing is silly.

Everybody makes decisions based on something.

So Axl chose not to promote the album as you had hoped. Of course, without knowing any reason(s), you (as in a group of people) can just do your usual "Axl didn't do anything to promote the album, it's his fault" routine.

Once you learn the reason(s) behind his decision, maybe you think for a second and realize that things aren't always that easy.





/jarmo

I get your point Jarmo, but everybody was expecting a major promote for the album, don't you?
All I can see about Axl is pure selfish attitude...Is the label money the only reason for him to get in tour?
He doesn't show any consideration for us whose have supported and waited this album for so long...at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?
I doubt That you are knowing much more than we do about Axl's reasons and you insist in justify his careless attitude.Pathetic!

[ppbebe]

Guns N' Roses are on the album.

You finally got what you'd waited for and now why the fuss?

[H76]

Sure it isn't "ALL" Axl's fault, but u guys are acting as if he has NO fault, and I don't understand that.

There's a lot of things I don't understand. Like how you can claim 75% of the guitars suck on the album.

But, anyway... The whole "no fault" thing is silly.

Everybody makes decisions based on something.

So Axl chose not to promote the album as you had hoped. Of course, without knowing any reason(s), you (as in a group of people) can just do your usual "Axl didn't do anything to promote the album, it's his fault" routine.

Once you learn the reason(s) behind his decision, maybe you think for a second and realize that things aren't always that easy.





/jarmo

I get your point Jarmo, but everybody was expecting a major promote for the album, don't you?
All I can see about Axl is pure selfish attitude...Is the label money the only reason for him to get in tour?
He doesn't show any consideration for us whose have supported and waited this album for so long...at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?
I doubt That you are knowing much more than we do about Axl's reasons and you insist in justify his careless attitude.Pathetic!

So you are saying that Axl is selfish because he does not live up to your expectations is he.. ? 

[erose]

Sure it isn't "ALL" Axl's fault, but u guys are acting as if he has NO fault, and I don't understand that.

There's a lot of things I don't understand. Like how you can claim 75% of the guitars suck on the album.

But, anyway... The whole "no fault" thing is silly.

Everybody makes decisions based on something.

So Axl chose not to promote the album as you had hoped. Of course, without knowing any reason(s), you (as in a group of people) can just do your usual "Axl didn't do anything to promote the album, it's his fault" routine.

Once you learn the reason(s) behind his decision, maybe you think for a second and realize that things aren't always that easy.





/jarmo

I get your point Jarmo, but everybody was expecting a major promote for the album, don't you?
All I can see about Axl is pure selfish attitude...Is the label money the only reason for him to get in tour?
He doesn't show any consideration for us whose have supported and waited this album for so long...at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?
I doubt That you are knowing much more than we do about Axl's reasons and you insist in justify his careless attitude.Pathetic!

You are out of your mind my man. They tour, you get an album, interview with billboard, q&a with online sites and you're still bitching? WTF lol. They will tour again, but they are not going to say shit untill it's set in stone cuz if something change, you get pissed.

And you know who's in the band and you know who's on the record so what is your problem? If you're refering to robin, that has been answerd.

[jarmo]

He doesn't show any consideration for us whose have supported and waited this album for so long...at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?

You mean like coming to the fan message boards and answer questions?

By the way, you don't have to wait anymore. The album was released in November 2008. 



What's pathetic is people who want Axl to change to suit their needs/lives. People who feel "owed".





/jarmo

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?

There's a wonderful section on this website called "biographies."

Spend some time getting to know Guns N' Roses.

[H76]

a few years? to my knowledges axl hadn't made any remark on slash or any of them for several years.
 
his talking about the maybe collaborations just shows he's basically rather lenient.

"but that's it, and not something I'd have to really get down into, as I'd get left with sorting it out and then blamed on top of it. So, no, not me."

I was wrong in thinking it finally silenced reunionists.  

Now I know why Axl kept his mouth shut all these years..if he says white, tomorrow it will turn into gray and day after that it'll be black.  The man was just trying to be nice about it. Axl said it as clearly as he could: "one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is." If that for someone is a sign of a reunion then I don't know what isn't - maybe VR finding a new vocalist in some time in the future is also a part of a reunion plan.. 

[Bridge]

  slash is sickening!  gotta love axl man.  that guy just tells it like it is, and doesn't give a fuck what anybody thinks.  god bless him.

and universal can serioiusly go to hell.  just like the members of the press, they have worked their hardest to sabotage axl and tear him down.  i don't think there's much i hate in this world, but i officially hate universal (domestic, not international who did a good job).

I took that comment to mean that he finds it sickening that some "fans" would want him to reunite with Slash for their entertainment regardless of the history between the two men.

Ali

That's exactly what it meant... it's especially obvious since saying Axl did NOT say "Slash is sickening" -- that was a misquote by flaungun.  Axl elaborately explained that the fact that some people put their entertainment desires ahead of others' personal feelings is sickening.  It's very cut and dry, and obvious what he meant.


Personally, I'm surprised as hell that Axl said he'd consider working with Duff here and there again.

[GypsySoul]

Here's the pics* they used in the hardcopy of the mag.







*The only photographer credit I see is for ERIK WARD/RETNA on the second pic.

[Jim Bob]

Axl, Duff and Izzy...that'd be fucking cool to hear a new song with them

read the interview again.  he said no more than one alumni at a time.

[D]

What I don't understand is, Duff, and Izzy have trashed Axl just as bad if not worse than Slash has, so why is it only Slash he wants nothing to do with?

[Julio Von Kummer]

He doesn't show any consideration for us whose have supported and waited this album for so long...at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?

You mean like coming to the fan message boards and answer questions?

By the way, you don't have to wait anymore. The album was released in November 2008. 



What's pathetic is people who want Axl to change to suit their needs/lives. People who feel "owed".





/jarmo

Do you really think that for him to come in a message board and answer a couple of questions is a big deal? Is this a such great way to promote an album?
Bullshit!
All of this is too small for Guns N' Roses and doesn't mean a shit!
I don't wanna know about old Guns, Slash or anything from the past...

As all we know, every single band get on tour when release a brand new album.
Why is so difficult to Axl?
That's only what I'm asking for!

Pathetic is suck Axl's ass like some people in this message board use to do!

[Julio Von Kummer]

at least could him tell us who Guns N' Roses are?

There's a wonderful section on this website called "biographies."

Spend some time getting to know Guns N' Roses.

Yeah, I know that your stupid bitch!
I'm with Guns for much more time you're alive and yes, a couple of years ago I used to know exactly who's in the band or not...        
but currently seems that even Axl doesn't know that.

[jarmo]

Do you really think that for him to come in a message board and answer a couple of questions is a big deal?

Yes, a very big deal.

Ask most sensible fans and they'll tell you the same.

He answered the fans' questions instead of talking to the usual journalists.

All of this is too small for Guns N' Roses and doesn't mean a shit!

It meant a lot to many fans.

As all we know, every single band get on tour when release a brand new album.

Who said they won't tour? If you read the article this thread is about, Axl mentions "tour cycles".


By the way, if you're gonna keep posting insults aimed at posters here, I suggest you log out.




/jarmo