Tommy Stinson article - September 2, 2015

[GeorgeSteele]

My take from this interview is that Dj and Ron never actually quit, since the band didn't exist at the time.  The Vegas lineup disbanded in June 2014 for an indefinite hiatus.  Rather than wait for word on when that hiatus would end, DJ and Ron just decided to move on to permanent gigs outside of Guns.  Tommy seems to be almost in the same boat, except he at least says that he might re-up in the future.

In terms of what that means for a reunion, I'm not sure it means too much, to be honest.  I think Tommy would have stepped aside at any time if a reunion was in the cards.  Of course, the bigger deal is that there are guitarist slots open... that, coupled with Slash saying all is 'cool' understandably is causing some madness, but I think we're still pretty far off from having legit cause to unleash the reunion balloons.  I think we'll have actual clarity on all of this in a month or so, one way or the other.

Well hiatus means break no? As in plans to return... those guitar players have made it clear they don't intend to return no? Semantics probably.

"Left it in Vegas" sounds like there were no plans to return at the time.  It doesn't rule out that plans might be made later, but after June 2014, it appears that there was no band for anyone to quit.  

So when all those Album Plaques where sent out to band members...   There was actually a lot of symbolism behind them.   Sorta like a thank you to the guys, and closing out of that chapter of the guns n roses story

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

[TheBaconman]

My take from this interview is that Dj and Ron never actually quit, since the band didn't exist at the time.  The Vegas lineup disbanded in June 2014 for an indefinite hiatus.  Rather than wait for word on when that hiatus would end, DJ and Ron just decided to move on to permanent gigs outside of Guns.  Tommy seems to be almost in the same boat, except he at least says that he might re-up in the future.

In terms of what that means for a reunion, I'm not sure it means too much, to be honest.  I think Tommy would have stepped aside at any time if a reunion was in the cards.  Of course, the bigger deal is that there are guitarist slots open... that, coupled with Slash saying all is 'cool' understandably is causing some madness, but I think we're still pretty far off from having legit cause to unleash the reunion balloons.  I think we'll have actual clarity on all of this in a month or so, one way or the other.

Well hiatus means break no? As in plans to return... those guitar players have made it clear they don't intend to return no? Semantics probably.

"Left it in Vegas" sounds like there were no plans to return at the time.  It doesn't rule out that plans might be made later, but after June 2014, it appears that there was no band for anyone to quit.  

So when all those Album Plaques where sent out to band members...   There was actually a lot of symbolism behind them.   Sorta like a thank you to the guys, and closing out of that chapter of the guns n roses story

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Well most of the material that hasnt been released was not written by DJ or Ron.   So thats not a problem there.   Tommys influence would be huge on any unreleased stuff I think though.....   

If the old bad does get back together, the demand for guns will be huge

Any album released would sell huge!!   it would be very easy for them just to release a album already recorded and have that sell huge.

It just wont happen if the old guys are back in the band and touring.  If anything we will get a couple of one off songs, from the newly formed band on a soundtrack or something...   

Then in many years, the vault will open and CD 2.0 will sqeek out

[C0ma]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

[C0ma]

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Maybe it's not Axl's decision anymore? If the Chinese Whispers breakdown of the events is to be believed, the record company seemed to have forced some reworking of CD over the years, maybe the same thing has happened this time and Axl doesn't have the energy nor what he feels is the support system in place to do it to his liking, or maybe the label just flat out refused to release it. The question would be (and this is where my understanding of the legal aspects is lacking) who controls the actual content of the recorded material? Axl and Black Frog? Geffen?

Edited to add: I am not trying to pass off anything above as fact... please don't jump to that conclusion...

[GeorgeSteele]

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Maybe it's not Axl's decision anymore? If the Chinese Whispers breakdown of the events is to be believed, the record company seemed to have forced some reworking of CD over the years, maybe the same thing has happened this time and Axl doesn't have the energy nor what he feels is the support system in place to do it to his liking, or maybe the label just flat out refused to release it. The question would be (and this is where my understanding of the legal aspects is lacking) who controls the actual content of the recorded material? Axl and Black Frog? Geffen?

Edited to add: I am not trying to pass off anything above as fact... please don't jump to that conclusion...

Could be... Axl's quote about "seriously looking into that" (or whatever he said exactly) I suppose wouldn't rule out external obstacles like those, but seemed to me to more suggest that anything left to do on that album was mostly in his hands. 

[HBK]

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Maybe it's not Axl's decision anymore? If the Chinese Whispers breakdown of the events is to be believed, the record company seemed to have forced some reworking of CD over the years, maybe the same thing has happened this time and Axl doesn't have the energy nor what he feels is the support system in place to do it to his liking, or maybe the label just flat out refused to release it. The question would be (and this is where my understanding of the legal aspects is lacking) who controls the actual content of the recorded material? Axl and Black Frog? Geffen?

Edited to add: I am not trying to pass off anything above as fact... please don't jump to that conclusion...

Maybe AXL:

- FUCK YOU GEFFEN, FUCK YOU UNIVERSAL, FUCK YOU ALL -

Vacations, Think, Relax, Meditate For One Excelent NewDisc & World Tour 2016

 

[GeorgeSteele]

So when all those Album Plaques where sent out to band members...   There was actually a lot of symbolism behind them.   Sorta like a thank you to the guys, and closing out of that chapter of the guns n roses story

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Well most of the material that hasnt been released was not written by DJ or Ron.   So thats not a problem there.   Tommys influence would be huge on any unreleased stuff I think though.....   

If the old bad does get back together, the demand for guns will be huge

Any album released would sell huge!!   it would be very easy for them just to release a album already recorded and have that sell huge.

It just wont happen if the old guys are back in the band and touring.  If anything we will get a couple of one off songs, from the newly formed band on a soundtrack or something...   

Then in many years, the vault will open and CD 2.0 will sqeek out

Understood, but I meant by closing that chapter, was not so much goodbye to Ron/DJ, but to closing the book on releasing/touring all the CD-era music.  By all accounts, more music still exists.  I think you're right though, if there's a reunion, that stuff likely gets pushed to to the back of the vault and becomes pension material.  But... would a reunion mean that the mid-90s recordings get dragged out from the vault?

[TheBaconman]

So when all those Album Plaques where sent out to band members...   There was actually a lot of symbolism behind them.   Sorta like a thank you to the guys, and closing out of that chapter of the guns n roses story

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Well most of the material that hasnt been released was not written by DJ or Ron.   So thats not a problem there.   Tommys influence would be huge on any unreleased stuff I think though.....   

If the old bad does get back together, the demand for guns will be huge

Any album released would sell huge!!   it would be very easy for them just to release a album already recorded and have that sell huge.

It just wont happen if the old guys are back in the band and touring.  If anything we will get a couple of one off songs, from the newly formed band on a soundtrack or something...   

Then in many years, the vault will open and CD 2.0 will sqeek out

Understood, but I meant by closing that chapter, was not so much goodbye to Ron/DJ, but to closing the book on releasing/touring all the CD-era music.  By all accounts, more music still exists.  I think you're right though, if there's a reunion, that stuff likely gets pushed to to the back of the vault and becomes pension material.  But... would a reunion mean that the mid-90s recordings get dragged out from the vault?

If you mean mid 90s recoding from the old members, Slash/Duff...  I doubt there is anything there.   Anything that may have been recordered, was then re-re-re-re-re-re-recorded.  Or brought to another bands table, (snake pit, VR)

If there is a reunion.  And they decide to work on something.  I feel it will be totally fresh

[TheBaconman]

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Maybe it's not Axl's decision anymore? If the Chinese Whispers breakdown of the events is to be believed, the record company seemed to have forced some reworking of CD over the years, maybe the same thing has happened this time and Axl doesn't have the energy nor what he feels is the support system in place to do it to his liking, or maybe the label just flat out refused to release it. The question would be (and this is where my understanding of the legal aspects is lacking) who controls the actual content of the recorded material? Axl and Black Frog? Geffen?

Edited to add: I am not trying to pass off anything above as fact... please don't jump to that conclusion...

I just have this feeling there is little to no contact between Axl and the label. 

No who owns the vault material recordings, from CD?  Thats a good question

The label did cut off funding and Axl sunk a ton of his own money in the recordings.  Does that mean he owns all the vault and the label is off the hook after the album came out?  I wouldnt think so.  I would think that it would be a 70-30 split, with the label still owning 70 percent of the recordings.

No possibly the label does not want to burn a guns n roses album on this material.  For example there are two albums left of the record deal.  Perhaps the label is holding out for a reunion album to cover at least one of those spots.....   Before any other material will be released

[HBK]

I Know That:

- SEVENTH DISC OF GUNS N' ROSES IS CHNESE DEMOCRACY STYLE -

 

[Princess Leia]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

I don?t think there is soft spot. You don?t have to believe me, just read the statement Axl issued about Buckethead?s departure. It was as bitter or worst than when Slash left. So if Axl has to make out with one of the 2 then Slash makes more sense. They made history together, and they have more things in common like the early days, the friends from those days and the wild things they did together

[EmilyGNR]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

I don?t think there is soft spot. You don?t have to believe me, just read the statement Axl issued about Buckethead?s departure. It was as bitter or worst than when Slash left. So if Axl has to make out with one of the 2 then Slash makes more sense. They made history together, and they have more things in common like the early days, the friends from those days and the wild things they did together

You are omitting Merck's shade on the Bucket situation, if someone is given wrong or misleading information then their reaction cannot honestly be judged honestly imo.

[draguns]

So when all those Album Plaques where sent out to band members...   There was actually a lot of symbolism behind them.   Sorta like a thank you to the guys, and closing out of that chapter of the guns n roses story

Maybe, just don't know why they would want to close that chapter before releasing the album with the remaining Chinese-era songs.  I loved CD, so I'm dying to hear those other songs.  Some day, one day, I guess. 

Well most of the material that hasnt been released was not written by DJ or Ron.   So thats not a problem there.   Tommys influence would be huge on any unreleased stuff I think though.....   

If the old bad does get back together, the demand for guns will be huge

Any album released would sell huge!!   it would be very easy for them just to release a album already recorded and have that sell huge.

It just wont happen if the old guys are back in the band and touring.  If anything we will get a couple of one off songs, from the newly formed band on a soundtrack or something...   

Then in many years, the vault will open and CD 2.0 will sqeek out

Understood, but I meant by closing that chapter, was not so much goodbye to Ron/DJ, but to closing the book on releasing/touring all the CD-era music.  By all accounts, more music still exists.  I think you're right though, if there's a reunion, that stuff likely gets pushed to to the back of the vault and becomes pension material.  But... would a reunion mean that the mid-90s recordings get dragged out from the vault?

If you mean mid 90s recoding from the old members, Slash/Duff...  I doubt there is anything there.   Anything that may have been recordered, was then re-re-re-re-re-re-recorded.  Or brought to another bands table, (snake pit, VR)

If there is a reunion.  And they decide to work on something.  I feel it will be totally fresh

Matt Sorum did say that there were 7 songs recorded and 7 songs in the writing stage for the mid-90s.

[TheBaconman]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

I don?t think there is soft spot. You don?t have to believe me, just read the statement Axl issued about Buckethead?s departure. It was as bitter or worst than when Slash left. So if Axl has to make out with one of the 2 then Slash makes more sense. They made history together, and they have more things in common like the early days, the friends from those days and the wild things they did together

You are omitting Merck's shade on the Bucket situation, if someone is given wrong or misleading information then their reaction cannot honestly be judged honestly imo.

I totally agree

If Axl had any resentment towards bucket. He wouldn't of been on CD at all.....   I think Axl was played a little bit, by certain people.  I think Axl really liked Bucket and was pissed.   But was pissed when he really shouldn't of been

Look for that reunion in 15 years. Hahah

[damnthehaters]

So what has Richard heard, that Tommy hasnt?

Why is Richard so optimistic about the status of the band in 2016, when Tommy doesnt have a clue

Because nobody knows where Izzy is

[AxlsMainMan]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

I don?t think there is soft spot. You don?t have to believe me, just read the statement Axl issued about Buckethead?s departure. It was as bitter or worst than when Slash left. So if Axl has to make out with one of the 2 then Slash makes more sense. They made history together, and they have more things in common like the early days, the friends from those days and the wild things they did together

Axl seemed to have softened towards Buckethead when he said he'd share his Dr. Pepper with him once Chinese Democracy was released. It's also widely rumored that Ron only joined 2 weeks before the first Hammerstein show because Axl was trying to do everything in his power to get Buckethead to rejoin.

[norway]

I rly don't get what I am missing that the reunionists don't. It doesn't make any sense.

 

they can read the same rumors we can on the Internet.

This isn't even a rumor, it is wishfull thinking and speculation.

He actually didn't say he was positive he would go.

It certainly appear he is positive to keep going when asked.

He said he'd have to consider it (aka think about it) if they offered.

He said:

'of course I?d have to think about it'

That means..he's NOT positive he'd keep going.

Most likely he will it seems.

We are at 'Of course' he consider to make GNR (live/touring) a priority over his solocareer (live/touring). No?

[norway]

TOMMY SAID HE HAS NOT QUIT THE BAND

How the fuck can you spin it to 'he is out and a reunion is imminent?' Liek wtf

I never get swept up in the reunion stuff.  But its gotten me this time, finally.

Wont happen. Not in this lifetime

GNR has ended a tour and last we heard the next step is to release new music. 

If, at the end of this, all we get is an announcement Axl has hired 2 more randos so he can keep singing AFD songs in clubs...that's going to be a gutpunch.

Speak for yourself. If he leaves the club before screaming out WTTJ I will riot. What would he sing with duff and slash?

And 'two more' what? Buckethead, Richard Fortus , Bumblefoot and DJ Ashba are randoms? A reunion ($$$) wont give us a new AFD, it would be a TSI'ish album I betcha.

If he truly has no idea what's going on...then that's a really shitty way to treat someone who's been one of the longest serving tenured members of the band.

You are entitled to your opinion, but Tommy has 'nothing but gratitude'. Him not knowing is unlikely a treatment, but a mere consequence.

 Exactly why would Axl eat his own words, leave Tommy behind and reunite?

[Gaymo, the Hobbit]

Because things can change

[EmilyGNR]

I dont think anyone has said that any of the modern lineup guys wouldnt be welcomed back  (Including Bucket and Robin)

I actually wonder if Buckethead would be welcomed back, he really jerked the band and management around. I know Axl does have a soft spot for him (which I try and try to understand, but can't).

I don?t think there is soft spot. You don?t have to believe me, just read the statement Axl issued about Buckethead?s departure. It was as bitter or worst than when Slash left. So if Axl has to make out with one of the 2 then Slash makes more sense. They made history together, and they have more things in common like the early days, the friends from those days and the wild things they did together

You are omitting Merck's shade on the Bucket situation, if someone is given wrong or misleading information then their reaction cannot honestly be judged honestly imo.

I totally agree

If Axl had any resentment towards bucket. He wouldn't of been on CD at all.....   I think Axl was played a little bit, by certain people.  I think Axl really liked Bucket and was pissed.   But was pissed when he really shouldn't of been

Look for that reunion in 15 years. Hahah

Bucket is an amazingly talented guitarist, even if people dont like his quirky eccentricity his talent can't be denied. I think there are factors surrounding his exit that are not known.

I much preferred him over BBF, and own a fair amount of Bucket's music.