New Dj interview at LegendaryRockInterviews.com (Sep 2014)

[D-GenerationX]

I find it amusing that I have inquired how old you were in 91, and you refuse to answer which leads me to believe you were probably in diapers, or were sperm.

Its not that I have not seen them.  Its just that you bring so little of value to the table, I don't bother to respond.

I don't claim your clairvoyant abilities, so I have no idea if this is how you are real life.  I can only go by how you choose to present yourself here, and that's as an angry internet clich?.  Look at how many people you have put on blast just on the past few pages alone.  One is a brand new poster that has been here for like 10 minutes, for god's sake.

Trying to have a reasoned conversation with you would be like trying to do so with a Youtube commenter.  Its a great waste of my time.

[GeorgeSteele]

I noticed that on the internet a lot of people have negative things to say about Dj. I think it would be awesome if Dj ended up being like Raiden from the Metal Gear series. Everyone hated Raiden at first. He just wasn't Snake, and that's who everyone wanted. So when Metal Gear Solid 4 rolled around the director of the series decided to make Raiden so cool that it was really hard to dislike him. It would be cool if the next album did that for Dj. I am really curious to see what kind of influence he will have on GNR's sound.

I find the DJ hate pretty over the top.  You'd think this guy was setting fire to live kittens the way people talk.

Some are legit.  He makes some mistakes on stage, and more than the others.  And its kind of troubling how many of the solo spots and other things Ron has to cover live because he can't hack it.

But then you get what I'd consider really petty shit like how he stands on stage or how he presents himself.  You constantly hear that he's a poser and he's very concerned about looking the part.  Which...might be valid if the best and most popular guitar plays this band ever had didn't go be a name like Slash and have his own gimmicks like the top hat.  A lot of the things DJ gets taken to task for, you could easily also apply to Slash if you wanted to be honest about it.

I find most of it pretty silly.  This band has FAR bigger issues than how DJ stands on stage or where he places a liquor bottle for a photo shoot.

Everyone has gimmicks, but some go over well and others just don't... some can pull it off, others can't.  There's a very vocal contingent of the online community that don't seem to like him, but I'm not sure how much that's reflective of "real" life.  Personally, I've seen the band once since he joined, and didn't have much of an opinion either way.  Seems like a nice guy on interviews.  And the Ballad of Death solo is pretty cool.  But watching the Vegas concert DVD, it feels like he's flipping me off every 10 seconds. 

[D-GenerationX]

Everyone has gimmicks, but some go over well and others just don't... some can pull it off, others can't.  There's a very vocal contingent of the online community that don't seem to like him, but I'm not sure how much that's reflective of "real" life.  Personally, I've seen the band once since he joined, and didn't have much of an opinion either way.  Seems like a nice guy on interviews.  And the Ballad of Death solo is pretty cool.  But watching the Vegas concert DVD, it feels like he's flipping me off every 10 seconds. 

Yeah, that's another one people find forced, the flipping off.

Me?  I see a guy that seems to be having fun, seems to enjoy interacting with fans, and seems to be interested in maybe one day actually putting an album out.  I see these as good things.

As for him as a player, I would have a better idea if I could hear him on an actual GNR record.  I mean, yeah, I've seen the clip where he fucks up 'Patience', and its not good.  But that was one night.  Shit happens.  And I was watching the Golden Gods thing when he murdered SCOM by playing the wrong guitar that wasn't tuned for that song.  But I think that's on his tech, not him.

[Ginger King]

Everyone has gimmicks, but some go over well and others just don't... some can pull it off, others can't.  There's a very vocal contingent of the online community that don't seem to like him, but I'm not sure how much that's reflective of "real" life.  Personally, I've seen the band once since he joined, and didn't have much of an opinion either way.  Seems like a nice guy on interviews.  And the Ballad of Death solo is pretty cool.  But watching the Vegas concert DVD, it feels like he's flipping me off every 10 seconds. 

Yeah, that's another one people find forced, the flipping off.

Me?  I see a guy that seems to be having fun, seems to enjoy interacting with fans, and seems to be interested in maybe one day actually putting an album out.  I see these as good things.

As for him as a player, I would have a better idea if I could hear him on an actual GNR record.  I mean, yeah, I've seen the clip where he fucks up 'Patience', and its not good.  But that was one night.  Shit happens.  And I was watching the Golden Gods thing when he murdered SCOM by playing the wrong guitar that wasn't tuned for that song.  But I think that's on his tech, not him.

Yeah, I?m kind of torn.  I really like BOD, and I think he is interested in creating new music with this lineup.  He seems to have a seat at the (very small) table with Axl, so if he can get him focused on new music, I?m all for it.  And yeah, he?s botched some songs before but who hasn?t (there are a bevy of youtube clips where even Slash (gasp!) screws up).

But there?s this gimmicky vibe to him that I can?t shake.  The Hogan ears, flipping off the camera, the quasi-top hat, constant promotion of Monster energy, bottle shots of Jager.  It seems forced. 

Bigger question: with Ron gone (maybe), how does that affect DJ?s parts?  Would they just stick with DJ and Fortus?  Ron seems to handle the more technical, complex solos (Estranged, Prostitute).  Not saying DJ can?t do it, but it will be interesting to see how it?s handled.

[D-GenerationX]

The Hogan ears are perhaps a misstep.

As for the live parts, Ron likely does them now because DJ cannot.  So if Ron is gone, I can't see how DJ gets miraculously better at them.

[LongGoneDay]

DJ?s stage act/appearance does come off as tired/forced.
In his defense, an opportunity to show us what he?s capable of creating in the studio would go a long way in bringing the focus back to what actually matters.

[D-GenerationX]

DJ?s stage act/appearance does come off as tired/forced.
In his defense, an opportunity to show us what he?s capable of creating in the studio would go a long way in bringing the focus back to what actually matters.

Big time.

I straight up loathed Buckethead at first because all I had to go on was the schtick.  Then I heard the leaks (TWAT, especially) and went 180 degrees on the guy.

I doubt that DJ has the same sort of chops, but I'd certainly be able to tell more from an actual in studio GNR song versus just going by bootlegs of him playing old GNR songs.

[Ginger King]

DJ?s stage act/appearance does come off as tired/forced.
In his defense, an opportunity to show us what he?s capable of creating in the studio would go a long way in bringing the focus back to what actually matters.

Big time.

I straight up loathed Buckethead at first because all I had to go on was the schtick.  Then I heard the leaks (TWAT, especially) and went 180 degrees on the guy.

I doubt that DJ has the same sort of chops, but I'd certainly be able to tell more from an actual in studio GNR song versus just going by bootlegs of him playing old GNR songs.

Totally.  I can take a nunchuck dance-off if it means I get to hear a killer Nightrain solo. 

[jarmo]

Does releasing an album equal better ticket sales?



/jarmo

I expect that it would.  Maybe I'm seeing it that way just because that is what bands have always done, having new albums coincide with new tours.  Part of it is also due to how the music business has been run.  When a new album is released, the label markets the band, putting the band into the public's consciousness, which in turn affects ticket sales.  That model has been starting to change, though. 

Personally I'm not so sure about it.
Maybe it's still true in some genres where you get played on radio or lots of views on Youtube.

The whole idea of putting out an album, touring to sell more albums while the record company supports the touring seems to be dying. Less and less people buy music.

Even if you put out new albums over the years, the majority of the crowd are still there for the familiar hits.
The hardcore fans who are there to hear the new stuff are usually in a minority. The rest will stand up from their seats for maybe one or two songs. The rest of the show they'll be telling every around them to sit down.


/jarmo

[Ginger King]

Does releasing an album equal better ticket sales?



/jarmo

I expect that it would.  Maybe I'm seeing it that way just because that is what bands have always done, having new albums coincide with new tours.  Part of it is also due to how the music business has been run.  When a new album is released, the label markets the band, putting the band into the public's consciousness, which in turn affects ticket sales.  That model has been starting to change, though. 

Personally I'm not so sure about it.
Maybe it's still true in some genres where you get played on radio or lots of views on Youtube.

The whole idea of putting out an album, touring to sell more albums while the record company supports the touring seems to be dying. Less and less people buy music.

Even if you put out new albums over the years, the majority of the crowd are still there for the familiar hits.
The hardcore fans who are there to hear the new stuff are usually in a minority. The rest will stand up from their seats for maybe one or two songs. The rest of the show they'll be telling every around them to sit down.


/jarmo

But DJ's interview is about a new album and a new tour to support said new album...so it's not as foreign of a concept in the modern day. 

[D-GenerationX]

DJ?s stage act/appearance does come off as tired/forced.
In his defense, an opportunity to show us what he?s capable of creating in the studio would go a long way in bringing the focus back to what actually matters.

Big time.

I straight up loathed Buckethead at first because all I had to go on was the schtick.  Then I heard the leaks (TWAT, especially) and went 180 degrees on the guy.

I doubt that DJ has the same sort of chops, but I'd certainly be able to tell more from an actual in studio GNR song versus just going by bootlegs of him playing old GNR songs.

Totally.  I can take a nunchuck dance-off if it means I get to hear a killer Nightrain solo. 

The first time I saw the videos from RIRIII, there was absolutely a strong feeling of : What.  The.  Fuck.

So when people made fun of him and the band after the disastrous MTV VMAs in 2002, I couldn't really refute their concerns, because I had them too.

[D-GenerationX]

Even if you put out new albums over the years, the majority of the crowd are still there for the familiar hits.
The hardcore fans who are there to hear the new stuff are usually in a minority. The rest will stand up from their seats for maybe one or two songs. The rest of the show they'll be telling every around them to sit down.

Sad, but true.

[jarmo]

But DJ's interview is about a new album and a new tour to support said new album...so it's not as foreign of a concept in the modern day. 

I didn't say there's better ways. Just questioning the logic that a new album means more tickets sold. Which seems to be the consensus among some fans.

There's many variables at play when it comes to ticket sales. I wonder what percentage of concert goers value a new album out as being the most important variable.




/jarmo

[Ginger King]

But DJ's interview is about a new album and a new tour to support said new album...so it's not as foreign of a concept in the modern day. 

I didn't say there's better ways. Just questioning the logic that a new album means more tickets sold. Which seems to be the consensus among some fans.

There's many variables at play when it comes to ticket sales. I wonder what percentage of concert goers value a new album out as being the most important variable.




/jarmo

Well I don't see how it could lead to fewer tickets being sold.  Clearly DJ and Sixx: AM feel it will increase their ticket sales, otherwise they wouldn't tour on the heels of a new album...they'd just tour.

Giving fans something they've never heard/seen before has to have some value, right?

[jarmo]

Of course.

But the question is, what's more important, a few new songs in the set or a new stage show?
A part of the crowd (the hardcore fans) would say the first. But to the casual rock fan, they might be more amazed by lasers and pyrotechnics. Who knows...

I mean, did people go see U2's 360 tour because of the new songs or because of the huge stage? I personally suspect if they had done a greatest hits tour with that production, the numbers would've been pretty much the same. The album itself didn't sell that well considering the tour was the biggest ever....

Just some reasons I don't instantly buy the "you need to put out a new album to tour" line. Yes, in many ways it makes sense. In other ways, it's not necessarily a must...


/jarmo

[D-GenerationX]

I see what Jarmo is saying.

But the fact is that you tend to get more competent tours behind a new album than ones where the band decides to just book some dates for the hell of it.

I don't think you'd ever see an "Up Close And Personal" type of tour behind a new album for instance.

And I sure hope this isn't just a soft introduction into yet another spin of why its not weird new album ever comes out with these guys.  Hope not.

[jarmo]

I don't think you'd ever see an "Up Close And Personal" type of tour behind a new album for instance.

I think you could. Playing some intimate venues around release date builds buzz as well.



/jarmo

[GeorgeSteele]

Of course.

But the question is, what's more important, a few new songs in the set or a new stage show?
A part of the crowd (the hardcore fans) would say the first. But to the casual rock fan, they might be more amazed by lasers and pyrotechnics. Who knows...

I mean, did people go see U2's 360 tour because of the new songs or because of the huge stage? I personally suspect if they had done a greatest hits tour with that production, the numbers would've been pretty much the same. The album itself didn't sell that well considering the tour was the biggest ever....

Just some reasons I don't instantly buy the "you need to put out a new album to tour" line. Yes, in many ways it makes sense. In other ways, it's not necessarily a must...


/jarmo

Another matter to consider is this --- if a band cannot rely on radio to play its new music, then concerts become a much more important way to market new material.  That can lead to better sales of the new material, which can possibly generate new fans, which can ultimately draw more fans to concerts.  To continue with your U2 example, if you go back to the 90s, their 90s albums were from a different planet compared to their 80s albums, but it created a whole new fan base for them to the point that so many people in that decade were going to their concerts for their new music (new at the time), rather than to hear their 80s radio hits.

[jarmo]

Then you have to consider if the concert goer is considering buying the new album. Will (s)he?

Will they actually go find the cd in a store? Buy it digitally? Order it online?
Maybe if you sell the album at the shows... I've seen a lot of smaller bands do this.

Or maybe if you include a download in the ticket price..



/jarmo

[ice cream sand pig]

I agree that much of the way us internet folk feel about Dj will be strongly influenced by his contributions to a GNR album. I also agree that the hate for him is a little over the top. I wonder why Axl chose him? There are so many great guitarists in the world, there must be something really special about Dj for Axl to have chosen him over everyone else. I have a feeling it wasn't just because Dj is such a nice guy.

I can't speak for all fans, but I can speak for myself. A new album would definitely mean more to me than anything else the band could do because I am a very poor college student and have not been able to afford concerts for years. Chinese Democracy on the other hand... I've heard it countless times. Have it memorized by heart. It inspires me to this day. Even though I have heard it so many times, every time I get drunk I can't help but listen to it again. I can't imagine having another album like it!