Where do we go now

[D-GenerationX]

It was a well run machine? People were fired or quit. There were riots at shows.

Now I know you'll say "they released albums" or "they made music videos". Sure. If that's the case, just say so. Don't say something and mean something else when in reality what you said isn't the absolute truth...

Pretend this was not your favorite band. 

Suppose this was just another band you could take or leave and weren't already a huge fan of.  And you began to talking to one of that band's big time fans.

If you were presented with just the cold hard facts about how that band had been run the past 10 years, and it was exactly the way GNR has been run this past decade or so, and then had that person tell you it was "so rock n roll" and express some sort of ill conceived outrage when you told them it sounded pretty fucked up to you...you'd think they were off their nut.

Well, that's us.  That's GNR fandom in 2013.  We have to deny reality, ignore all common sense about how a band runs, and convince ourselves its not only not a problem...no, no, its actually awesome!!

Pretty messed up.

[Princess Leia]

 Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

[jarmo]

Pretend this was not your favorite band. 

Suppose this was just another band you could take or leave and weren't already a huge fan of.  And you began to talking to one of that band's big time fans.

If you were presented with just the cold hard facts about how that band had been run the past 10 years, and it was exactly the way GNR has been run this past decade or so, and then had that person tell you it was "so rock n roll" and express some sort of ill conceived outrage when you told them it sounded pretty fucked up to you...you'd think they were off their nut.

Well, that's us.  That's GNR fandom in 2013.  We have to deny reality, ignore all common sense about how a band runs, and convince ourselves its not only not a problem...no, no, its actually awesome!!

Pretty messed up.

It depends on your point of view. If you're only interested in bands doing what you want them to, then you're right. Then it fits your idea of "messed up".

This particular band released the album everybody said would never be out within the last ten years. Funny how that qualifies as being messed up.


I get it that you're upset that GN'R doesn't follow the cycle of other bands.


The difference between us is that I don't judge a band on how many albums they put out in how many years. Some of my favorite bands from the past don't exist anymore. Some have taken breaks or changed line ups. Some bands say more with one album then others do in their lifetime.

Axl being Axl is not a problem for me, Axl not being "more like" Jon Bon Jovi, or whoever else is the role model for a band leader, isn't a problem for me either.

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I´m shocked GN´R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

Why are you shocked? The line up this year looks kinda boring.
No surprises. Metallica and Iron Maiden are the "metal" bands.

Wait, what albums are those bands promoting? Must be something new right? Bands are only allowed to tour when they release new albums... Or so I've read on the Internet.

I understand that GN´R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it´s kind of a head scratcher.

Apples and oranges.





/jarmo

[Princess Leia]

I don?t care about the song list. New songs, old songs, Axl can sing Johnny Cash songs if that makes him happy. But the fact that they are not performing in RIR, a place that has special meaning for Axl and the management. And the fact that band members are involved in their own projects then I just don?t understand what?s going on here.

[NaturalLight]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

[NaturalLight]

Why are you shocked? The line up this year looks kinda boring.
No surprises. Metallica and Iron Maiden are the "metal" bands.

Wait, what albums are those bands promoting? Must be something new right? Bands are only allowed to tour when they release new albums... Or so I've read on the Internet.



/jarmo
[/quote]

You know what might be interesting is to pick a few bands - say, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, whoever - and look at how many albums and tours/performances they've done from 2006, when the band really got rolling again publicly, through 2012. Or even 2002-2012.

I bet there's not much difference in what they've done and what guns has done.

[dolphins]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

Hey quit knocking the 50 year old generation    - you're only as old as you feel. Naturally he has slowed down but certainly has more energy than I have. He certainly looks a lot better than some 51 yr old men I see about. 

[Dead N' Bloated]

GN'R has always been a band surrounded by uncertainty. The UYI tour was plagued with "no-shows", riots, hiring and firing/quitting. Honestly, it seems much more stable today than it did 20 years ago.

Even the original lineup copped shit when they released Lies because it wasn't a "true" album. Then the UYI lineup copped shit when they released TSI because it was a covers record. This lineup copped shit when CD was released too. As much as GN'R has always been a very "big name" band, they have constantly been given-up-on for as long as I can remember but somehow still maintain a huge fan base and a bunch of die hards like a lot of us here.

The fact that a band who has been around for as long as Guns has have only released 4 "true" records but still have very strong ticket sales and a massive amount of interest from the average fan is just incredible.

GN'R is GN'R and have always been GN'R. Honestly, aside from a few faces, not a lot has changed in the 20 something years I have been a fan and I for one am ok with that.

Actually, the one change that I have noticed, which has been great for me, is the frequency of Australian tours. Before 2007, Guns had only been here twice (1988 and 1993). Since 2007, GN'R have toured here on 3 separate occasions in the past 6 years, after a 14 year absence..... And I think they will be back again within the next 2 years... and in support of a new album.



 

[Princess Leia]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

Their last show was 2 months ago not 2 days ago. And the other members are not little kids either. Sure you?ll be happy if Axl takes a 7 years break. But I?m afraid the big majority of the fans won?t.  Axl did it once so he can do it again.

[D-GenerationX]

It depends on your point of view. If you're only interested in bands doing what you want them to, then you're right. Then it fits your idea of "messed up".

The current line-up has been together five years now.  They still have yet to all be in a room together to write one note.  Five years.  That's troubling.  These are the things people are taking about when the say how dysfunctional this all is.

Yeah, I would like some competent promotion and a perhaps a more coherent business plan.  Sure I would.

But what I'd like even more, is some of the others to be asked what is going on and not have them laugh at the question.  Or tell us they have no idea, nor expect an idea any time soon.

Five years now.   

[jarmo]

It depends on your point of view. If you're only interested in bands doing what you want them to, then you're right. Then it fits your idea of "messed up".

The current line-up has been together five years now.  They still have yet to all be in a room together to write one note.  Five years.  That's troubling.  These are the things people are taking about when the say how dysfunctional this all is.

Considering they spent most of that time on tour around the globe in support of the previous album, it's not that "dysfunctional" or "troubling".

On one hand you want them to be more like other bands, and when they do, it's not good.... 

Yeah, I would like some competent promotion and a perhaps a more coherent business plan.  Sure I would.

Promotion for what?





/jarmo

[NaturalLight]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

Their last show was 2 months ago not 2 days ago. And the other members are not little kids either. Sure you?ll be happy if Axl takes a 7 years break. But I?m afraid the big majority of the fans won?t.  Axl did it once so he can do it again.

When the hell did I say that?
Do you know how to read?

[NaturalLight]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

Hey quit knocking the 50 year old generation    - you're only as old as you feel. Naturally he has slowed down but certainly has more energy than I have. He certainly looks a lot better than some 51 yr old men I see about. 

Ha ha. Wasn't knocking them. Just saying it's understandable that he needs a break, particularly as a singer.
As far as the keyboards, guitar, etc go, it's probably a lot easier to play continuously day-after-day.
But yeah, he looks a lot better than your avg 50 year older.
Course 50 (or is it 60?) is the new 40.

[dolphins]

Right now there is RIR Festival going on in Brazil. I?m shocked GN?R is not there. Baz will perfom the day after tomorrow, and so will Metallica, Rob Zombie and  AIC. Not only that, many other bands are now doing a South American tour this month and upcoming month.

I understand that GN?R has been on tour a lot this last couple of years. And they might need a break. But as it is only Axl is resting. Chris, Dizzy, Richard, BBF are all involved in side projects. For me it?s kind of a head scratcher.

LOL.
Let's see you at 50 freakin' years old sing like he does, run around on stage and lead a band and NOT need a break.

Hey quit knocking the 50 year old generation    - you're only as old as you feel. Naturally he has slowed down but certainly has more energy than I have. He certainly looks a lot better than some 51 yr old men I see about. 

Ha ha. Wasn't knocking them. Just saying it's understandable that he needs a break, particularly as a singer.
As far as the keyboards, guitar, etc go, it's probably a lot easier to play continuously day-after-day.
But yeah, he looks a lot better than your avg 50 year older.
Course 50 (or is it 60?) is the new 40.

LOL I hope it's 60 is the new 40 cos it sure isn't 50  However when I saw gnr in March for the first time I was 14 again & couldn't believe I was screaming Axl's name when he was near us & throwing bras at him. It was great from my end being 14 again but now so sure it would have looked that great from Axl's end 
I have regained some dignity back until I next see them in concert. He'd better not leave it too long 

[Axlspants]

GN'R has always been a band surrounded by uncertainty. The UYI tour was plagued with "no-shows", riots, hiring and firing/quitting. Honestly, it seems much more stable today than it did 20 years ago.

Even the original lineup copped shit when they released Lies because it wasn't a "true" album. Then the UYI lineup copped shit when they released TSI because it was a covers record. This lineup copped shit when CD was released too. As much as GN'R has always been a very "big name" band, they have constantly been given-up-on for as long as I can remember but somehow still maintain a huge fan base and a bunch of die hards like a lot of us here.

The fact that a band who has been around for as long as Guns has have only released 4 "true" records but still have very strong ticket sales and a massive amount of interest from the average fan is just incredible.


GN'R is GN'R and have always been GN'R. Honestly, aside from a few faces, not a lot has changed in the 20 something years I have been a fan and I for one am ok with that.

Actually, the one change that I have noticed, which has been great for me, is the frequency of Australian tours. Before 2007, Guns had only been here twice (1988 and 1993). Since 2007, GN'R have toured here on 3 separate occasions in the past 6 years, after a 14 year absence..... And I think they will be back again within the next 2 years... and in support of a new album.



 

Great post, as a Guns fan for the past twenty years I agree with you on all points

[Ali]

GN'R has always been a band surrounded by uncertainty. The UYI tour was plagued with "no-shows", riots, hiring and firing/quitting. Honestly, it seems much more stable today than it did 20 years ago.

Even the original lineup copped shit when they released Lies because it wasn't a "true" album. Then the UYI lineup copped shit when they released TSI because it was a covers record. This lineup copped shit when CD was released too. As much as GN'R has always been a very "big name" band, they have constantly been given-up-on for as long as I can remember but somehow still maintain a huge fan base and a bunch of die hards like a lot of us here.

The fact that a band who has been around for as long as Guns has have only released 4 "true" records but still have very strong ticket sales and a massive amount of interest from the average fan is just incredible.


GN'R is GN'R and have always been GN'R. Honestly, aside from a few faces, not a lot has changed in the 20 something years I have been a fan and I for one am ok with that.

Actually, the one change that I have noticed, which has been great for me, is the frequency of Australian tours. Before 2007, Guns had only been here twice (1988 and 1993). Since 2007, GN'R have toured here on 3 separate occasions in the past 6 years, after a 14 year absence..... And I think they will be back again within the next 2 years... and in support of a new album.



 

Great post, as a Guns fan for the past twenty years I agree with you on all points

As a fan for 25 years, I find this to be refreshingly mature, accurate and broad in its view on GN'R's history.

Ali

[raindogs70]

Axl's probably picking a blinged out stroller out for the new addition to the family.

I thought GNR had a busy 2013. It's only been 2 months since they did a show. Remember when they took years? 

[One.In.A.Million]

It all comes down what everyone's personal hopes and expectations for this band are. No one is really wrong as it is what it is to them, and as a fan they are entitled to feel that way. One fan might go "aren't we lucky to have GN'R doing anything, and I'd take touring any day over the silence we had in the past". BUT then another fan might say "I love seeing Guns live but I was expecting a new album alot sooner than this, it's been 5 years already since CD, and 80% of that wasn't really brand new material we hadn't heard". Both fans are right and entitled to feel the way they do, it's just the way it is.

[D-GenerationX]

It all comes down what everyone's personal hopes and expectations for this band are. No one is really wrong as it is what it is to them, and as a fan they are entitled to feel that way. One fan might go "aren't we lucky to have GN'R doing anything, and I'd take touring any day over the silence we had in the past". BUT then another fan might say "I love seeing Guns live but I was expecting a new album alot sooner than this, it's been 5 years already since CD, and 80% of that wasn't really brand new material we hadn't heard". Both fans are right and entitled to feel the way they do, it's just the way it is.

I agree. 

I would also add that the zero sum argument presented by some here is not fair ,or even accurate.

To far too many, in my view, anyone that says they want a new album is told they are against them touring.  You ask about a new album, and you are told they just did some tour dates, so stop being such an unreasonable asshole.  No one is saying touring is bad. 

What people ARE saying, is that touring and actually releasing something in less than 10 year intervals would be better.

[jarmo]

80% of that wasn't really brand new material we hadn't heard.

When I see statements like that, I have to respond. Sorry.

The songs form Chinese Democracy that were played live before its release were: Chinese Democracy, Better, Street Of Dreams, There Was A Time, Riad N' The Bedouins, I.R.S. and Madagascar. That's seven songs out of 14 on the album. Not exactly 80%.

Whoever would say something ridiculous like that can't really blame the band for not scrapping an entire album because tracks leaked and people chose to listen to them before the album's release!

You can do the same math for the Use Your Illusion albums and figure out how many of those tracks people heard before the albums were released....



The album isn't gonna be out any sooner just because you keep repeating that you want it more than you want shows. That attitude didn't work in 2001, 2002, 2006 or 2007. Feeling luckier this time? 

What people ARE saying, is that touring and actually releasing something in less than 10 year intervals would be better.

And you think this is news to anybody?

There's a fine line between anticipation and whining. 




/jarmo