Bumblefoot Interviewed by Ultimate Guitar

[sofine11]

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/hit_the_lights/gnrs_bumblefoot_on_replacing_slash_etc_its_like_filling_a_shoe_closet.html

Great read.  Brutally honest!

[estebanf]

Lots of never known by the fans things. He unleashed the darkest facet of his story with GNR.

Mercuriadis was GNR's manager at 2004-2006, right?

anyway, i am very happy to know Bumblefoot's finally 100% confortable with his gear/sound.

[FunkyMonkey]

Nice interview, thanks for posting.  It's always good to get Ron's take on things...

It definitely had its challenges though, like learning the new songs and having to fill more than just one pair of shoes. That's another thing that was strange; it was a whole new experience being part of a band where a lot of followers of the band had this attitude of "You're not my daddy.. You're not my real dad (laughs)" - that whole thing of "You're not Slash, you're not Buckethead, you're not Gilby... you're not...". It's not just filling someone else's shoes - it was like filling a shoe closet (laughs). That surprised me as well, because usually when you're onstage, and people come to see you, it's because they want to see you. Getting used to the idea that there were people that might be wishing I was someone else made for a very dynamic situation where in the same moment you're being hit with that, along with fans that were just so grateful to see the band back on the road and so happy to be hearing it, and enjoying getting to know each other... It was extreme highs and lows that went along with the gigs in the beginning.

[Estranged#9]

Ya that is a great read!!!

Ron is a great person! its sounds like he now can say in (this) interview the things he wanted to tell us the fans
back in 06!! 
It makes total since about how he had to kinda learn on the fly and didn't get to put his right sound in things, and how now the band sound is crisp and great!!  I think the whole process was tough on everybody that was involved with Chinese Democracy!!  but now that the album is released
and the guys had a chance to get prepared and the proper gear ready , they are better then ever!!

Im really happy for the band, and for Ron for being such an understandable person!!  His efforts are defiantly noticeable and he is a backbone for this band!!! 

Its pretty crazy how bad (Merch) or whoever handled the situation when he was soon to jump on board!! and he couldnt even get the time or the material to work on the new stuff! Ron is a true professional !!!

Really looking forward to reading part 2 of the interview tomorrow and I really hope this band tours for a long time!!  everybody is on top of there game and is having fun!!!!  good times for the Gunners !!

[dimitrisaxl]

Very interesting things to read here!

[Christian]

Fucking great reading!

[ppbebe]

this is truly a great interview. a gnr fan must read!

thank you for posting this sofine11.


"Head to UG tomorrow, Feb 6th, to read the second part of the interview where "Bumblefoot" shares his thoughts on 'Chinese Democracy', and Axl Rose!"
yay!

[Mysteron]

That is a great interview. A must read for any GN'R fan.

[Lou]

This is great - can't wait to read the next part!

[jazjme]

Definitely a awesome interview and read, Ron is great, so candid, and genuine.

[One.In.A.Million]

Bumblefoot really is one of the most genuine and kindhearted people I've ever met. The amount of interviews he does whilst talking to fans via email, shows how much he cares for us. I remember attending a meet and greet with him in December of 08 in London, and everyone in the room was hanging on his every word, and he seemed so comfortable. Not having access to the new GN'R material in 06 must have been tough when you are expected to play them along with the solos. But for myself personally Ron's improved the most since 06/07, every solo he plays now is spot on, with the right effects and everything.


Lee   

[helenluna]

Bumblefoot really is one of the most genuine and kindhearted people I've ever met. The amount of interviews he does whilst talking to fans via email, shows how much he cares for us.

+1

Never met Ron in person (hopefully in March I will) but he has been nothing but nice and sweet to me all the time in his forum. He's honest, funny, has a pretty sharp mind and you just can't help falling for him. Now his interviews were already all awesome reads, and they're getting each day juicier!

[Fingers]

Great read, but I will never understand how Axl has let bad management cost this band so much-in Ron's case, year and a half??? Unreal

[Sillything]

Great read indeed

[GypsySoul]

On 'Chinese Democracy' songs, I play the parts that I wrote and recorded, and with everything else, I try to respect the songs as they were written and recorded.

That's pretty cool.  I didn't know Ron actually wrote some of his parts on the album.  I thought that his (and Frank's) parts were just re-recordings of what was already written by someone else.

[Spirit]

On 'Chinese Democracy' songs, I play the parts that I wrote and recorded, and with everything else, I try to respect the songs as they were written and recorded.

That's pretty cool.  I didn't know Ron actually wrote some of his parts on the album.  I thought that his (and Frank's) parts were just re-recordings of what was already written by someone else.

One example is the riff during the verses of Chinese Democracy which he does on the fretless. Adds a lot to the song imo.

[KIKO2K6]

 The best  Interview from a Guns member in a long time .

My favorite line

Quote
It's not just filling someone else's shoes - it was like filling a shoe closet (laughs) -----> Classic Ron bumblefoot thal

[One.In.A.Million]

On 'Chinese Democracy' songs, I play the parts that I wrote and recorded, and with everything else, I try to respect the songs as they were written and recorded.

That's pretty cool.  I didn't know Ron actually wrote some of his parts on the album.  I thought that his (and Frank's) parts were just re-recordings of what was already written by someone else.

One example is the riff during the verses of Chinese Democracy which he does on the fretless. Adds a lot to the song imo.

In regards to this also, along with the fretless work during the verses to some songs like Better and Chinese Democracy, I'm pretty sure the solos he plays are all his original work. For example the Riad solo is definitley Rons original idea, as the previous one which I believe was shared between Robin and Bucket sounds completely different. Along with this, his Catcher solo is considerably different from the original with only the melody staying the same.

With Scraped and Shacklers the only versions we've heard are the final ones with Ron doing the solos. Ron also does these with a fretless guitar so even if there was a previous guitar solo layed down on any of these tracks. I'm certain Ron would have changed them considerably just like he did with Catcher and Riad.

So I think it's safe to say that Ron did alot more than just some fretless guitar work on the verses. I also think you have got to give him credit for them 4 solos.


Lee

[CheapJon]

very cool, second part is up now

[jazjme]

HOLY SHIT, THAT WAS THE MOST IN DEPTH  , and real insight I have read of GN'R now, thanks so much Ron for doin that!.