New Dj interview at LegendaryRockInterviews.com (Sep 2014)

[D-GenerationX]

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

True.

Pearl Jam's last "hit" was 15 years ago, and its was a god damn cover of a 40 year old song.

Yet despite this, they still fill 20,000 arenas all over this country.  Just a few years back, they did 4 nights here, 70-80,000 tickets sold for one week of shows.

Somehow, despite the changing music business, shifting demographics, bad economy, lunar eclipse, cats and dogs living together, or whatever the fuck else...they just go out and do it. 

Perhaps they have some secret formula. 

[EmilyGNR]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

If you buy a whole album at one time (for example, using the "Buy Album" button on iTunes), it counts as one album sold. If a consumer buys one or multiple tracks from an album separately, those count as a "track purchase."

Shows are geared to the attending audience, most of the attending audiences are casual fans that want to hear the hits, the tunes they are familiar with.

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

[mortismurphy]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

[EmilyGNR]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

Not a fan of Vedder's mumbled vocal deliveries, PJ are not even in the same league with GNRs IMO.

Did you even attend any of the performances at the First Vegas Residency, or are you offended by proxy?

I attended several performances during the first residency and I can assure you your opinion wasn't shared by anyone in attendance I ever spoke with, it was very successful and the audiences enjoyed the shows.

[Ginger King]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

Not a fan of Vedder's mumbled vocal deliveries, PJ are not even in the same league with GNRs IMO.

Did you even attend any of the performances at the First Vegas Residency, or are you offended by proxy?

I attended several performances during the first residency and I can assure you your opinion wasn't shared by anyone in attendance I ever spoke with, it was very successful and the audiences enjoyed the shows.

I am not surprised (at all) that the people you speak to share your same viewpoint.

[Ginger King]

Bucket got fed up with the prolonged inactivity, for example. 

Not true. 

The 'Buckethead no longer being in GNR' story is out there and 'prolonged inactivity' by the band was NOT the reason.

Isnt it amazing the things they choose to believe to support their narrative and negative agenda?

Ok so we'll ask you:  what's the real story?  Are you discrediting the stories that are posted on HTGTH?

[mortismurphy]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

Not a fan of Vedder's mumbled vocal deliveries, PJ are not even in the same league with GNRs IMO.

Did you even attend any of the performances at the First Vegas Residency, or are you offended by proxy?

I attended several performances during the first residency and I can assure you your opinion wasn't shared by anyone in attendance I ever spoke with, it was very successful and the audiences enjoyed the shows.

I am not much of a Pearl Jam fan either but I do respect PJ much more than GN'R for the way they are still creative (changing setlists around and releasing albums) and the way they treat their fanbase. The ability to buy a legal bootleg of the show you attended is superb - imagine if gnr gave their fanbase this sort of respect?

Not my scene, Vegas. I find the playing of nostalgia sets in casinos, cheap and tacky. It is certainly not where I envisioned Axl Rose ending when he re-emerged in 1999! I did by the way see Axl in 2012 and it was a good show, certainly, but somehow empty without a direction from this band. It is probably my last gnr show (I have seen them a number of times) unless Axl releases an album.

[GNR2014]

If albums are pass?, how about a single?

[Ginger King]

If albums are pass?, how about a single?

It's funny/sad that we're to the point where we're saying, "hey, band that's played over 200 shows around the world, please release one song." [insert self-important, entitled, complaining, parent-basement dweller response here]

[LongGoneDay]

Bucket got fed up with the prolonged inactivity, for example. 

Not true. 

The 'Buckethead no longer being in GNR' story is out there and 'prolonged inactivity' by the band was NOT the reason.

Isnt it amazing the things they choose to believe to support their narrative and negative agenda?

If you go back in the archives, you?ll find interviews of Matt, Slash, Duff, Zakk Wylde, Robin, all talk about Axl being MIA when it came to rehearsals, and putting lyrics to music.
I?m almost certain there are a few other names you can add to this list, but I don?t remember whom off the top of my head.
Several producers passed on the project because they saw the lack of progress.

Axl himself later spoke of having writer?s block. Regardless the reasons, is it really that far fetched to believe Buckethead may have left over prolonged inactivity?
The prolonged inactivity happened, and in terms of producing original material, appears to be happening again.

However negative it may be, there are countless documented instances/interviews insinuating Axl holding up the creative works.
You can choose to ignore it, or not to believe it, but there simply isn?t much evidence to suggest otherwise.

[D-GenerationX]

I am not much of a Pearl Jam fan either but I do respect PJ much more than GN'R for the way they are still creative (changing setlists around and releasing albums) and the way they treat their fanbase. The ability to buy a legal bootleg of the show you attended is superb - imagine if gnr gave their fanbase this sort of respect?

Any third party analysis of both band's operations would arrive at the only logical conclusion that one does things the right way and other is a cautionary tale as to how not to operate.

Not my scene, Vegas. I find the playing of nostalgia sets in casinos, cheap and tacky. It is certainly not where I envisioned Axl Rose ending when he re-emerged in 1999! I did by the way see Axl in 2012 and it was a good show, certainly, but somehow empty without a direction from this band. It is probably my last gnr show (I have seen them a number of times) unless Axl releases an album.

Yeah, this was what I was alluding to earlier in the thread.  That is sort of the perception of Vegas.

Of course, bring it up and the answer you get is that the person had fun at the show and so did the people around them, which obviously totally misses the point.

[D-GenerationX]

If albums are pass?, how about a single?

Which has been said for years.

But, fear not, there are any number of reasons to explain this.  None of which are that he can't be bothered.

[D-GenerationX]

If you go back in the archives, you?ll find interviews of Matt, Slash, Duff, Zakk Wylde, Robin, all talk about Axl being MIA when it came to rehearsals, and putting lyrics to music.
I?m almost certain there are a few other names you can add to this list, but I don?t remember whom off the top of my head.
Several producers passed on the project because they saw the lack of progress.

Axl himself later spoke of having writer?s block. Regardless the reasons, is it really that far fetched to believe Buckethead may have left over prolonged inactivity?
The prolonged inactivity happened, and in terms of producing original material, appears to be happening again.

However negative it may be, there are countless documented instances/interviews insinuating Axl holding up the creative works.
You can choose to ignore it, or not to believe it, but there simply isn?t much evidence to suggest otherwise.

Exactly.

These aren't state secrets.  With all the band defections, producers leaving, etc, the common denominator is always the lack of any real activity.

Mountains of evidence of that which can't just be ignored for whatever reason people ignore it.

[Spirit]

If you go back in the archives, you?ll find interviews of Matt, Slash, Duff, Zakk Wylde, Robin, all talk about Axl being MIA when it came to rehearsals, and putting lyrics to music.
I?m almost certain there are a few other names you can add to this list, but I don?t remember whom off the top of my head.
Several producers passed on the project because they saw the lack of progress.

Axl himself later spoke of having writer?s block. Regardless the reasons, is it really that far fetched to believe Buckethead may have left over prolonged inactivity?
The prolonged inactivity happened, and in terms of producing original material, appears to be happening again.

However negative it may be, there are countless documented instances/interviews insinuating Axl holding up the creative works.
You can choose to ignore it, or not to believe it, but there simply isn?t much evidence to suggest otherwise.

Exactly.

These aren't state secrets.  With all the band defections, producers leaving, etc, the common denominator is always the lack of any real activity.

Mountains of evidence of that which can't just be ignored for whatever reason people ignore it.

It can be hard to judge from the outside when two sides are arguing on what the real reason was for whatever happened.

In my opinion, based on the nature of Buckethead, I think it's reasonable to assume that he doesn't care for prolonged periods of inactivity.

On the other hand, I can also assume that Axl had a lot of legitimate reasons for things taking a long time. There were a lot of lawsuits distracting his time. Based on the interviews and articles in recent years, I think Axl are quite open for Buckethead to return while the guitar man himself hasn't said a word. I don't think Bucket has anything against Axl as a person, but might be stand-offish to the idea of going a couple of years without releasing any creative output.

[EmilyGNR]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

Not a fan of Vedder's mumbled vocal deliveries, PJ are not even in the same league with GNRs IMO.

Did you even attend any of the performances at the First Vegas Residency, or are you offended by proxy?

I attended several performances during the first residency and I can assure you your opinion wasn't shared by anyone in attendance I ever spoke with, it was very successful and the audiences enjoyed the shows.

I am not much of a Pearl Jam fan either but I do respect PJ much more than GN'R for the way they are still creative (changing setlists around and releasing albums) and the way they treat their fanbase. The ability to buy a legal bootleg of the show you attended is superb - imagine if gnr gave their fanbase this sort of respect?

Not my scene, Vegas. I find the playing of nostalgia sets in casinos, cheap and tacky. It is certainly not where I envisioned Axl Rose ending when he re-emerged in 1999! I did by the way see Axl in 2012 and it was a good show, certainly, but somehow empty without a direction from this band. It is probably my last gnr show (I have seen them a number of times) unless Axl releases an album.

Imagine if the fanbase actually supported GNRs instead of coming online to whine and offer unsolicited advice on how they should operate. Works both ways, of course I dont consider the whiny complainers fans at all though.

So you didnt actually go to any of the Vegas gigs you just
like to complain about it? Classic idiocy

I own several bootlegs, nobody is stopping anyone from acquiring them.

I can't honestly take PJ seriously, they have horrendous lyrics, I cant relate at all.

[EmilyGNR]

If albums are pass?, how about a single?

It's funny/sad that we're to the point where we're saying, "hey, band that's played over 200 shows around the world, please release one song." [insert self-important, entitled, complaining, parent-basement dweller response here]

Someone once said- "If you're tired of waiting, don't -go live your life..."

[mortismurphy]

It is like a bubble here. It is not a real reflection on what real GN'R fans think. A bubble.

I mean what if Axl did release albums regular? Let us just explore this point. Presumably, if Axl released albums at a regular ratio (say, every 3-4 years) he would release a stinker at some point (as it happens I do not think GN'R have had a turd in their discography unless you include TSI). It happens to all bands, The Stones (take your pick), Metallica (St Anger), Queen (Hot Space), Beatles (Let it Be) - every band, no matter how great, releases a stinker, eventually. It is nothing to threat about, ''a bad day at the office call it''. Laugh at it later. Even Hetfield has joked about St Anger. It happens! Yet, what if Axl did this? Firstly,  HTGTH would go around in cartwheels trying to defend this, blatant stinker? I can just here the defense now: ''Some fans enjoyed it'', ''the media have an anti-Axl agenda'', ''it sold poorly because the music industry has crashed''.

A bubble.

[JAEBALL]

If you go back in the archives, you?ll find interviews of Matt, Slash, Duff, Zakk Wylde, Robin, all talk about Axl being MIA when it came to rehearsals, and putting lyrics to music.
I?m almost certain there are a few other names you can add to this list, but I don?t remember whom off the top of my head.
Several producers passed on the project because they saw the lack of progress.

Axl himself later spoke of having writer?s block. Regardless the reasons, is it really that far fetched to believe Buckethead may have left over prolonged inactivity?
The prolonged inactivity happened, and in terms of producing original material, appears to be happening again.

However negative it may be, there are countless documented instances/interviews insinuating Axl holding up the creative works.
You can choose to ignore it, or not to believe it, but there simply isn?t much evidence to suggest otherwise.

Exactly.

These aren't state secrets.  With all the band defections, producers leaving, etc, the common denominator is always the lack of any real activity.

Mountains of evidence of that which can't just be ignored for whatever reason people ignore it.

It can be hard to judge from the outside when two sides are arguing on what the real reason was for whatever happened.

In my opinion, based on the nature of Buckethead, I think it's reasonable to assume that he doesn't care for prolonged periods of inactivity.

On the other hand, I can also assume that Axl had a lot of legitimate reasons for things taking a long time. There were a lot of lawsuits distracting his time. Based on the interviews and articles in recent years, I think Axl are quite open for Buckethead to return while the guitar man himself hasn't said a word. I don't think Bucket has anything against Axl as a person, but might be stand-offish to the idea of going a couple of years without releasing any creative output.

I honestly think Axl views Frank, Ron and maybe even DJ in the way he viewed Gilby... he likes playing with them but no interest in writing new songs with them..I only say this based on the info that they never have worked on anything new...

If given a truth serum he would want Robin and Bucket back to finish the rest of the songs... I use the term finish loosely...because who knows waht is finished and for how long it's been.

I have no clue what to the post about not knowing the real story behind Buckets departure is about...........but it seems pretty clear to me what it was about... his manager publicly stated the reason...

[JAEBALL]

It is like a bubble here. It is not a real reflection on what real GN'R fans think. A bubble.

I mean what if Axl did release albums regular? Let us just explore this point. Presumably, if Axl released albums at a regular ratio (say, every 3-4 years) he would release a stinker at some point (as it happens I do not think GN'R have had a turd in their discography unless you include TSI). It happens to all bands, The Stones (take your pick), Metallica (St Anger), Queen (Hot Space), Beatles (Let it Be) - every band, no matter how great, releases a stinker, eventually. It is nothing to threat about, ''a bad day at the office call it''. Laugh at it later. Even Hetfield has joked about St Anger. It happens! Yet, what if Axl did this? Firstly,  HTGTH would go around in cartwheels trying to defend this, blatant stinker? I can just here the defense now: ''Some fans enjoyed it'', ''the media have an anti-Axl agenda'', ''it sold poorly because the music industry has crashed''.

A bubble.

As much as some posters here get bashed for having an agenda and coming here to stir things up for no reason.... there are people who come here solely just to post for the Axl defense force....

Both parties can be quite obnoxious... if people posted with some common sense and the ability to debate and not be so defensive...it would be a better place to shoot the shit.

[mortismurphy]

It is not simply a question of equating album sales with ticket attendances, the people who buy the album with the people who buy the ticket. The release of an album (with most bands other than New gnr) brings out multiple ancillary factors (marketing, interviews, television spots and music promos, radio work) which heavily contribute to promoting a tour. And also, the 'modern day' argument works both ways. Surely someone who downloads an album '(legal' or other wise) may attend a show based on the strength of that album? What about these people who pick certain tracks from places like itunes and amazon - presumably that is not regarded as an 'album' sale?

Also, about this, 'people wanting to see the hits' agenda'. I never saw this agenda affect Pearl Jam or Neil Young. Funny that?

No idea how Pearl Jam operates, not a fan of anything past "10".

Very differently from gnr. No flying pianos in vegas there.

Not a fan of Vedder's mumbled vocal deliveries, PJ are not even in the same league with GNRs IMO.

Did you even attend any of the performances at the First Vegas Residency, or are you offended by proxy?

I attended several performances during the first residency and I can assure you your opinion wasn't shared by anyone in attendance I ever spoke with, it was very successful and the audiences enjoyed the shows.

I am not much of a Pearl Jam fan either but I do respect PJ much more than GN'R for the way they are still creative (changing setlists around and releasing albums) and the way they treat their fanbase. The ability to buy a legal bootleg of the show you attended is superb - imagine if gnr gave their fanbase this sort of respect?

Not my scene, Vegas. I find the playing of nostalgia sets in casinos, cheap and tacky. It is certainly not where I envisioned Axl Rose ending when he re-emerged in 1999! I did by the way see Axl in 2012 and it was a good show, certainly, but somehow empty without a direction from this band. It is probably my last gnr show (I have seen them a number of times) unless Axl releases an album.

Imagine if the fanbase actually supported GNRs instead of coming online to whine and offer unsolicited advice on how they should operate. Works both ways, of course I dont consider the whiny complainers fans at all though.

So you didnt actually go to any of the Vegas gigs you just
like to complain about it? Classic idiocy

I own several bootlegs, nobody is stopping anyone from acquiring them.

I can't honestly take PJ seriously, they have horrendous lyrics, I cant relate at all.

Who is whining. I am merely offering an opinion that Vegas residencies are not to my taste. Why should I support GN'R's decision to do something I find cheap and tacky just because, I happen to like GN'R? I am a grown man and can freely criticise people I admire(d).

I have also stated that I am not a Pearl Jam fan either. The musical quality of PJ is irrelevant to the discussion. I merely wish Axl would treat his fans a bit more like PJ treat theirs - throw us a bone, Atlas Shrugged on a soundtrack, anything!