"Next Album" rumor / speculation thread *UPDATE AUG 22/2023*

[jarmo]

Most bands who get to a certain level function that way.

There might be differences in how the business side operates, but other than that, it's similar. Aerosmith doesn't all live in a house together and practice in the garage....




/jarmo

[pilferk]

Yeah, but so what?  There is no innate crime in speculation.  And most of what you've said is interesting.

No, it's not really meant as an apology.  More as a qualification.  I don't want anyone reading here to think I either have inside information, or that I'm speaking from any sort of position of authority.  It's interesting discussion points....but I don't want it taken as anything other than what it is: My overactive brain creating a "what if" narrative. I know YOU won't, and there are lots of regulars who will know that too...but I just want to make it clear.  You'll notice I do that a lot.

That's all.

[pilferk]

Most bands who get to a certain level function that way.

There might be differences in how the business side operates, but other than that, it's similar. Aerosmith doesn't all live in a house together and practice in the garage....




/jarmo

I was actually going to use them as an example.

There are other, high profile, examples, too....some of them pre-packaged label "bands".  Some of them are long standing entities that have been through all the phases of "band-om".

They're not all Metallica, who attend "couples therapy" together....

[Spirit]

That's interesting.  You might be onto something here.

Many have said that this is so unlike a real band in so many ways.  One of those ways is that the band seems like a job.  And maybe that is part of it.  Its not the "we're all blood brothers" type of a thing.  Its just a job.  They are co-workers, not besties.

I think there are relationships between the OTHER members....and I think, specifically, there are relationships between the other members and Tommy. And I suspect a strong friendship between Tommy and Axl. In my fantasy world, Axl is the Don, and Tommy is the consigliere.

But I think maybe that Axl sort of puts up some walls to protect him from getting "hurt" like he was with the original membership. 

I wouldn't qualify it as "just a job", either, though. I think it's a creative collaboration. I think they do bond...but over the music, not over personal connections. And....that's not as unusual as some people think it is. Maybe it's not as widely talked about with those bands..but there are plenty of bands where the whole group isn't besties.

Again, I'm so totally theorycrafting here, it's remarkable.

I think there's a creative relationship between Pitman and Axl as well. I remember reading about them sitting in the studio creating music together, specifically Madagascar. This could perhaps relate more so to the early days of the new band though, I don't know.

We know Axl took interest to bringing in electronic elements to the music, and Chris must have been a natural collaborator for Axl in that respect.

[jarmo]

Seems like some fans (of any band) have this glorified idea of what a band really is. But as soon as they make some money, it basically becomes "work".
Might not be their main job, but you have to start thinking about money and business things.

I think there's a creative relationship between Pitman and Axl as well. I remember reading about them sitting in the studio creating music together, specifically Madagascar. This could perhaps relate more so to the early days of the new band though, I don't know.

We know Axl took interest to bringing in electronic elements to the music, and Chris must have been a natural collaborator for Axl in that respect.

Not only him. The whole band. Look at the writing credits on Chinese Democracy.
That's a group effort. Not somebody making a solo record and then not crediting others.





/jarmo

[pilferk]

I think there's a creative relationship between Pitman and Axl as well. I remember reading about them sitting in the studio creating music together, specifically Madagascar. This could perhaps relate more so to the early days of the new band though, I don't know.

We know Axl took interest to bringing in electronic elements to the music, and Chris must have been a natural collaborator for Axl in that respect.

I think there's "creative relationships" between all of them, really.  It's the personal, lets sit down and have some beers and play a game of "Cards Against Humanity" and swap stories kinda relationships that I think Axl might sort of...be careful with.  I honestly think he protects himself from that kind of closeness.  He has an inner circle (Beta's clan) that he trusts and confides in.  I think those are his real personal, bestie, "closeness" outlet...and I think that's taken a LONG time to build up.  I think he's careful with developing those personal relationships.....for precisely the reasons I laid out.

I don't KNOW it to be true, but I can tell you that, given his level of "hurt" coming out of the old incarnation of GnR....it would completely make sense that he took it as a life lesson to keep his guard up, a bit.

[D-GenerationX]

I think there's "creative relationships" between all of them, really.  It's the personal, lets sit down and have some beers and play a game of "Cards Against Humanity" and swap stories kinda relationships that I think Axl might sort of...be careful with.  I honestly think he protects himself from that kind of closeness.  He has an inner circle (Beta's clan) that he trusts and confides in.  I think those are his real personal, bestie, "closeness" outlet...and I think that's taken a LONG time to build up.  I think he's careful with developing those personal relationships.....for precisely the reasons I laid out.

I don't KNOW it to be true, but I can tell you that, given his level of "hurt" coming out of the old incarnation of GnR....it would completely make sense that he took it as a life lesson to keep his guard up, a bit.

And that might all be true.

But has surrounding himself with "Beta's clan" and little else in terms of a support structure been a net positive or net negative?  Don't you at least occasionally have to hear some dissent in your life?  Which is unlikely to come from people who's lives you bankroll, I would think.

[Spirit]

Seems like some fans (of any band) have this glorified idea of what a band really is. But as soon as they make some money, it basically becomes "work".
Might not be their main job, but you have to start thinking about money and business things.

I think there's a creative relationship between Pitman and Axl as well. I remember reading about them sitting in the studio creating music together, specifically Madagascar. This could perhaps relate more so to the early days of the new band though, I don't know.

We know Axl took interest to bringing in electronic elements to the music, and Chris must have been a natural collaborator for Axl in that respect.

Not only him. The whole band. Look at the writing credits on Chinese Democracy.
That's a group effort. Not somebody making a solo record and then not crediting others.





/jarmo

What I meant was (without knowing of course) that Axl maybe leaned more on Pitman in that process, and maybe had a closer relationship with him in regards to creating music. With Robin and Bucket I would think that they produced a lot of riffs and ideas, while they pieced it together with Axl afterwards. With Pitman, I can see those two collaborating in creating a song from the ground up. That relationship probably has a lot with them both playing keys of course, and can more easily work on each other's ideas.

I'm not saying that Axl didn't work directly with the other members, but I just think the relationship and process working with Chris was a bit different.

[pilferk]

And that might all be true.

But has surrounding himself with "Beta's clan" and little else in terms of a support structure been a net positive or net negative?  Don't you at least occasionally have to hear some dissent in your life?  Which is unlikely to come from people who's lives you bankroll, I would think.

IDK.  I can't even speculate or theorycraft, beause I don't even have a little bit of information on which to base it.  I know you' re not going to like it..but I literally have no opinion.

IF you supposition is correct, and they are very much "yes men", we've seen lots of other stars...big and small (Mariah Carey or Oprah, anyone) who operate in a very similar way.  It has worked, and not worked, depending on the person, and the people they surround themselves with.  I guess I'd go with that.

And your opinion of how well it's "worked" for Axl is largely going to depend on your outlook and opinion of the current band, it's productivity, etc.

[jarmo]

With Pitman, I can see those two collaborating in creating a song from the ground up. That relationship probably has a lot with them both playing keys of course, and can more easily work on each other's ideas.

It's possible.

But you're forgetting that Axl does play guitar as well.




/jarmo

[D-GenerationX]

And that might all be true.

But has surrounding himself with "Beta's clan" and little else in terms of a support structure been a net positive or net negative?  Don't you at least occasionally have to hear some dissent in your life?  Which is unlikely to come from people who's lives you bankroll, I would think.

IDK.  I can't even speculate or theorycraft, beause I don't even have a little bit of information on which to base it.  I know you' re not going to like it..but I literally have no opinion.

Oh hey, I have no clue either.  I just think when you are the bank for a group of people, odds are that never is heard a discouraging word.

IF you supposition is correct, and they are very much "yes men", we've seen lots of other stars...big and small (Mariah Carey or Oprah, anyone) who operate in a very similar way.  It has worked, and not worked, depending on the person, and the people they surround themselves with.  I guess I'd go with that.

And your opinion of how well it's "worked" for Axl is largely going to depend on your outlook and opinion of the current band, it's productivity, etc.

Uh-oh...

[Spirit]

With Pitman, I can see those two collaborating in creating a song from the ground up. That relationship probably has a lot with them both playing keys of course, and can more easily work on each other's ideas.

It's possible.

But you're forgetting that Axl does play guitar as well.




/jarmo

Yes he does. Maybe it discouraged him to push it further after trying to work on a Buckethead riff? 

[Spirit]

Just to add.. The latest studio picture was posted by both Chris and Axl right? We can assume they're both in the same studio together now, right?

To pilferk: If you spend more time together with a person with anyone else for whatever reason, it could mean that you'll have a closer personal relationship with that person as well.

We also have the geographical issue, how many of the current line-up resides in LA?

[jarmo]

Just to add.. The latest studio picture was posted by both Chris and Axl right? We can assume they're both in the same studio together now, right?

Yes, Chris posted it first and then Axl posted the same one.
That's the assumption many have made.




/jarmo

[pilferk]

Just to add.. The latest studio picture was posted by both Chris and Axl right? We can assume they're both in the same studio together now, right?

To pilferk: If you spend more time together with a person with anyone else for whatever reason, it could mean that you'll have a closer personal relationship with that person as well.

We also have the geographical issue, how many of the current line-up resides in LA?

That's the assumption I'd make.  Something else to keep in mind: I'm pretty sure Pittman has some experience running a board....so it wouldn't surprise me to hear that he's "in on" some of the mixing and recording processes.

Normally I would agree with that bit about time..but that's what I mean in a lot of what I'm saying.  I think time, alone, isn't enough...and I think that's a conscious choice by Axl to sort of keep people at arms length.  Or maybe it's an unconscious defense mechanism...

In either case, I think he has done a LOT to sort of separate his creative collaborations from his personal relationships.   Not to the point where he treats all the guys like they're his lackeys or something...I don't think that (though I know others do).  But I don't think he's pouring his heart out, either.

[Spirit]

In either case, I think he has done a LOT to sort of separate his creative collaborations from his personal relationships.   Not to the point where he treats all the guys like they're his lackeys or something...I don't think that (though I know others do).  But I don't think he's pouring his heart out, either.

I think you're right in what you're saying. It could be an age factor as well, as Axl himself said: "The Stones aren't out bowling every Tuesday night" (paraphrasing, but you get the idea).

[Ginger King]

Just to add.. The latest studio picture was posted by both Chris and Axl right? We can assume they're both in the same studio together now, right?

Yes, Chris posted it first and then Axl posted the same one.
That's the assumption many have made.




/jarmo

Is that the assumption you've made as well?

[D-GenerationX]

Axl retweeting Chris's pic isn't as ideal as Axl tweeting on of his own. 

But, I think it still shows work being done.

[Spirit]

Axl retweeting Chris's pic isn't as ideal as Axl tweeting on of his own. 

But, I think it still shows work being done.

The picture combined with Richard's comment about Axl being in the studio makes it ideal I think.

[D-GenerationX]

Axl retweeting Chris's pic isn't as ideal as Axl tweeting on of his own. 

But, I think it still shows work being done.

The picture combined with Richard's comment about Axl being in the studio makes it ideal I think.

I still consider Axl's retweet a commentary on what they are up to, even if its not from his phone, specifically.