DJ's Letter

[Axl4Prez2004]

There seems to be this popular misconception on here that anyone who calls things for what they see is just a negative toxic so and so... It's utter crap!
can so many people be wrong?

"What they see"....

I think most people call things for what they see, but interpretation is very individual. It also depends on how many things you want to factor in ? in order to form an opinion on something. Also, exactly how much you can factor in depends on your knowledge and memory. The results are a vast difference of opinions across the whole specter.

I would say that there's also a popular misconception of people seeing positives in things being blind followers. I like to generally keep it positive, but I'm fully aware of all the information (or lack thereof) we're being provided.

Silence often creates a breathing ground for speculation and rumors. It can be fun to do that, but very few people actually gets it right in the end.

I don't know man...based on everything that has transpired in the past year, seems like lots of folks who love GNR are "getting it right in the end."   
 

Haha, maybe. What specifically though?

Like I've said before, I am a hardcore GNR-supporter. 
I've seen the new band 6 times...loved every dam show.  Phenomenal performances...and I'm not complaining about them.
I love CD.
Axl is a once-in-a-generation talent...greatest rock star ever in my opinion.
I've supported Brain, Bucket, Robin, Bumble, DJ...along with contributions from several others who apparently helped lay the foundation for CD in the late '90s, early '00s   
But for God's sake, it gets tougher and tougher to look at my favorite band as a "band."
GNR is going through guitarists like Spinal Tap went through drummers!
I've heard the word "soon," and "plans for..." so many times...and it seems every time I (and other fans) get my/our hopes up (about new music), we get let down...or, as I jokingly referred to it as, "getting it in the end." 
...and now, if I am to see the band continuing, yet another guitarist will enter into the fold?
I feel like a kid whose mom keeps bringing home boyfriends that I get attached to, only to have them leave and break my heart.
Yeah, sounds childish, but that's about the best analogy I've got for it right now.
 

[Gaymo, the Hobbit]

He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsRy5FtWBM

[GNR4L]

He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsRy5FtWBM

I would blame his tech on that one.

[Nytunz]

He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsRy5FtWBM

I would blame his tech on that one.

That sounded a bit... out of tune...?

[Axl4Prez2004]

He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsRy5FtWBM

Ya know, the whole "bashing DJ" really caught on a while back, and I believe it's really unfair.  Have these same people gone back in time and listened to live performances from 25 to 30 years ago from "you know who?"  You could fill an entire cd with "cringeworthy moments" from a certain top-hat-wearing guitarist.

I will miss DJ's solos most.

[C0ma]

He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsRy5FtWBM

When you are playing such a massive stage show with songs using alternate tunings and you are relying on a guitar tech to pass you an instrument with just a few seconds to spare this is bound to happen. Like has been pointed out this happens to everyone, even the best guitar players throw a couple of stinkers out there while playing hundreds of live shows.

Hell I'm lucky if I can play some of these songs while sitting on a stool, DJ does them while jumping off of 10 foot risers on the stage. I actually get queazy when I see him on the elevator behind the drum riser.

He's not my favorite guitarist, and Robin certainly isn't, but at the same time they both are amazing players with their own styles and quirks. They each gave something to the history of this band. There is no reason to bash any of them on their way out.

[FunkyMonkey]

Here is video of DJ.  He's asked what is going on with GN'R, he says "I just departed."  Then he's asked if the best part of being in a band is when you break-up and make more money doing your own thing, he says "yeah."

DJ Ashba Talks About Sixx: A.M.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QoC_Rppr3w

[Lucky]

this seems fake/staged.

[FunkyMonkey]

this seems fake/staged.

Low budget paparazzi.  It's an awkward Q&A for sure.

[Lotgrinder]

This letter is the best news ever.

DJ Ashba was shit.

[LIGuns]

2 RUMORS from months ago:
1- Band Memebrs told to pursue other interests
And....
2- Axl to retire....

One down....Hope this is not the case...

[HBK]

2 RUMORS from months ago:
1- Band Memebrs told to pursue other interests
And....
2- Axl to retire....

One down....Hope this is not the case...

When, Who Said ?

[The Prez]

I think it's obvious the band is not going anywhere anymore unfortunately.

After CD was released, nothing really excited happened anymore except some touring...some great shows, some less great shows...
I'm always happy to see them performing, and the most exciting moments in the last years was they decided to play some songs live, which we haven't heard for a very long time (live).

With DJ Ashba in the band, I really thought they had a future (new music, new albums) because DJ seemed always very positive and ambitious concerning new GN'R music.
Now with his departure, I feel the GN'R era is really over. I made peace with it.

 

(unless the unthinkable would happen - a reunion with original members - then we might face some exciting times again with our favorite band)

[RnT]

I think it's obvious the band is not going anywhere anymore unfortunately.

After CD was released, nothing really excited happened anymore except some touring...some great shows, some less great shows...
I'm always happy to see them performing, and the most exciting moments in the last years was they decided to play some songs live, which we haven't heard for a very long time (live).

With DJ Ashba in the band, I really thought they had a future (new music, new albums) because DJ seemed always very positive and ambitious concerning new GN'R music.
Now with his departure, I feel the GN'R era is really over. I made peace with it.

 

(unless the unthinkable would happen - a reunion with original members - then we might face some exciting times again with our favorite band)

If Axl reunites the old band, what will he do with all the music from CDII, CDIII, CDIV, V, ... MMMCMXCIX ?

[D-GenerationX]

If Axl reunites the old bad, what will he do with all the music from CDII, CDIII, CDIV, V, ... MMMCMXCIX ?

To be fair, what's he really doing with it now?

A few months shy of 7 full years since the last album came out.  And they are still "looking at everything".  Death row appeals move faster than this guy.

I don't see a reunion in the cards, ever.  But I don't see how he couldn't just forget about all that stuff in the alleged vault in 3 seconds. 

And as for us, can't lose something you never had.

[RnT]

If Axl reunites the old bad, what will he do with all the music from CDII, CDIII, CDIV, V, ... MMMCMXCIX ?

To be fair, what's he really doing with it now?

A few months shy of 7 full years since the last album came out.  And they are still "looking at everything".  Death row appeals move faster than this guy.

I don't see a reunion in the cards, ever.  But I don't see how he couldn't just forget about all that stuff in the alleged vault in 3 seconds. 

And as for us, can't lose something you never had.

I can see Axl releasing CDII in 2017, touring with a new band for 3 years and retiring touring, and just releasing singles on the internet for the next 20 years. But I can?t see him going back to the old band for touring (of course they won?t do a full album again) and throwing away his 20 years of Chinese Democracy music.

[Ginger King]

If Axl reunites the old bad, what will he do with all the music from CDII, CDIII, CDIV, V, ... MMMCMXCIX ?

To be fair, what's he really doing with it now?

A few months shy of 7 full years since the last album came out.  And they are still "looking at everything".  Death row appeals move faster than this guy.

I don't see a reunion in the cards, ever.  But I don't see how he couldn't just forget about all that stuff in the alleged vault in 3 seconds. 

And as for us, can't lose something you never had.

I can see Axl releasing CDII in 2017, touring with a new band for 3 years and retiring touring, and just releasing singles on the internet for the next 20 years. But I can?t see him going back to the old band for touring (of course they won?t do a full album again) and throwing away his 20 years of Chinese Democracy music.

Yeah...I really don't see a scenario where he creates new music from scratch.  I think the best we get is the release of The Vault, followed by a tour (note: that's not me complaining or stating facts, just my opinion).  Obviously, in the Hollywood scripted ending, you'd have a reunion of the classic lineup.  I know there has been talk about that by some (including Eddie Trunk) but I'm not so sure.  I've been listening to some of the '02 shows, and Axl has some epic (and angry) rants, primarily directed towards Izzy and Slash.  Seems like he's made some peace with Izzy...but if he even feels remotely the same about Slash, there's no way the two of them can/will share a stage.

Fernando coming on here has piqued my interest that there is some plan in place.  He knows what most people want is new music, so I'm hopeful we'll hear something soon in that regard.

[Ow-So7411501]

If Axl reunites the old bad, what will he do with all the music from CDII, CDIII, CDIV, V, ... MMMCMXCIX ?

To be fair, what's he really doing with it now?

A few months shy of 7 full years since the last album came out.  And they are still "looking at everything".  Death row appeals move faster than this guy.

I don't see a reunion in the cards, ever.  But I don't see how he couldn't just forget about all that stuff in the alleged vault in 3 seconds. 

And as for us, can't lose something you never had.

I can see Axl releasing CDII in 2017, touring with a new band for 3 years and retiring touring, and just releasing singles on the internet for the next 20 years. But I can?t see him going back to the old band for touring (of course they won?t do a full album again) and throwing away his 20 years of Chinese Democracy music.

Why not? Van Halen is currently doing exactly that. With the exception that they had more than one album with Sammy Hagar (which were successful) before reuniting with Roth.

[D-GenerationX]

Why not? Van Halen is currently doing exactly that. With the exception that they had more than one album with Sammy Hagar (which were successful) before reuniting with Roth.

Because although DLR and Eddie aren't exactly blood brothers, they can be professional enough to see the wisdom of being able to work together.

Our guy cannot.  He'd rather just be mad. 

His prerogative, obviously.  But its why he's in the spot he's in and Van Halen is in the spot they are in.

[Ow-So7411501]

Why not? Van Halen is currently doing exactly that. With the exception that they had more than one album with Sammy Hagar (which were successful) before reuniting with Roth.

Because although DLR and Eddie aren't exactly blood brothers, they can be professional enough to see the wisdom of being able to work together.

Our guy cannot.  He'd rather just be mad. 

His prerogative, obviously.  But its why he's in the spot he's in and Van Halen is in the spot they are in.

But in that essence you kind of have to respect Axl and for that matter the rest of the originals (except Adler). I don't think any of them would do it unless it felt right. At this point I think Van Halen are totally doing it as a quick cash grab. Eddie makes no bones that there is no relationship between himself and Roth.