Does Guns only exist now for nostalgic purposes?

[D]

If you look back at some of my posts in other topics similar to this you see I have tried to explain the American mindset towards modern day Guns N Roses as opposed to other countries.  This is just my interpretation of what I hear and read from American fans. 

It seems the American audience has a sense of ownership of the band, since its an American band.  To them, GNR is the "Appetite" or "illusion" line up and any deviation from that is usually met with negativity.  To them GNR is also a  classic hard rock band, and any deviation from that sound is also met with negativity. 

I truly believe that GNR would sell millions of records and play stadiums in the States if they had the original line up and just played old Slash style riffs with Axl singing over them, even if the songs were not as good as "Chinese Democracy."  Look at bands like Metallica, Aerosmith, and Ac/Dc.  Those bands sell out arenas and stadiums no problem here in the states, and they sell a lot of records too.  "Death Magnetic" and "Black Ice" were just weaker versions of those bands previous efforts and both of them dominated the Billboard charts.

The bottom line is Americans like familiarity.  They like a familiar looking line up putting out familiar sounding songs.  Guns N Roses today is not only a totally different sounding band, it is a different line up.  Those are the two things Americans identify with most and they are not there. 

I thought GNR tried to do something with "CD" that had never been done before and pulled it off brilliantly.  I was one of the fans like many of you who checked the bands movements on this site everyday for the decade leading up to "CD."  I was completely happy with the album and can't wait for more from them.  I see GNR live every chance I get, and I always will.  I am the exception to the rule though here in the states.  For every one of me there seem to be 10 "fans" that spread nothing but negativity.

I think you're spot on on several points. Honestly, I  think Americans  just dont give a shit. They dont care. Even if the original lineup in some bizzare turn of events got back together and toured, after the initial shock and going to the first few dates I think it would die off and they would be playing to 3/4 full houses and that would be that. Especially if Slash had his way and they were going on stage every gig on time and there was nothing to gossip about. I could very much be wrong and not have the full grasp of how bad the casual person wants to see a GnR reunion across the entire US, but I'd imagine smaller markets would still be a tough sell.

As far as the US goes, I think Axl, in reality has made the best decisions he can make. He doesnt draw a lot of attention to the new lineup, doesnt do many interviews, the band in general doesnt do a lot of US interviews for major media outlets and he just put out the record and let it speak for it self. I thought it was HIGHLY underrated and haters couldnt listen to it for what it really was, they had their minds madeup before they even listened to it. So for him to go out and try to sell it when he has that to deal with is just setting himself up for rage!! 

Do they exist for nostalgia reasons? No, They are a rock & roll band.. and a damn good one

I don't really agree with people who don't like the album being haters etc.... its possible people just don't like the new soung.  Its a good album but kind of a depressing album..... I know myself... I have to be in certain moods to listen to it cause otherwise it kind of brings me down... Appetite and the Illusions i can listen to repeatedly over and over but Chinese is great when im depressed or down... but its the last album i'd reach for if i were having a good time or in a great mood.

[Verasa]

Yeah, I didnt mean to come across as all people that dont like the album being haters. I was meaning the haters that wouldnt give the album a chance or had their mind made up before it was released. 

[D]

Yeah, I didnt mean to come across as all people that dont like the album being haters. I was meaning the haters that wouldnt give the album a chance or had their mind made up before it was released. 

oh yeah. Problem is.. most prob heard the first single and didn't even give album a chance like u said when in all honesty, CD the song is prob in the bottom 5 if u were ranking the songs on the album.

[Verasa]

Yeah for me CD the song is definitely middle of the pack as far ranking them goes. I was much happier with earlier demoed versions of the song. Not a big  "Street of Dreams" fan or "Scraped", though i wish I could find that Eric Cadieux club mix in a full version. Alot of people just had pre-concieved(sp?) notions and never got past it.. and the album is definitely something you have to listen to more than once, it grows on you the more you listen to it. I remember playing "If the World" for a friend who saw old gnr back in 87 in Pasadena and was still a gnr fan, but man the first time he listened to it he was like.." What is this? sounds like some jazz shit" "this is horrible" but a few days later he's like " Dude, this record is pretty damn good the more I listen to it" and I just giggled  .

Axl does what he does and I respect that. A theater tour in the states would be amazing. Something like Hammerstein capacity across the US would be really cool. Or something big like a big bill Aerosmith/GnR arena tour would be killer

[m_rated96]

Lets be honest about this. Don't kid yourselves that this band is like any other band - its Guns n Roses, with its own story.

I, like most people here, don't know much, but my view based on all the actions I've seen:

Axl does like writing new music, but hes rich as fuck and has no motivation to write or tour except for fulfilling his own musical desires. So he wants to but he's probably lazy, and very picky when he does work, and would probably usually rather just enjoy being a zillionaire - as I would if I were him. So he tours partly because he loves playing music (including CD which im sure hes proud of) and partly cos he wants to make money to continue to fund his lifestyle. Hes writing new music because he wants to, but there's no NEED to, thats why its so slow. Fuck, if I was him I'd be doing the same.

And im sure there's hundreds of other factors at play. But, from all his actions, thats the vibe i'm getting on the situation

[Stoned_In_L.A.]

Lets be honest about this. Don't kid yourselves that this band is like any other band - its Guns n Roses, with its own story.

I, like most people here, don't know much, but my view based on all the actions I've seen:

Axl does like writing new music, but hes rich as fuck and has no motivation to write or tour except for fulfilling his own musical desires. So he wants to but he's probably lazy, and very picky when he does work, and would probably usually rather just enjoy being a zillionaire - as I would if I were him. So he tours partly because he loves playing music (including CD which im sure hes proud of) and partly cos he wants to make money to continue to fund his lifestyle. Hes writing new music because he wants to, but there's no NEED to, thats why its so slow. Fuck, if I was him I'd be doing the same.

And im sure there's hundreds of other factors at play. But, from all his actions, thats the vibe i'm getting on the situation

Your vibe may very well be correct.

Maybe Axl doesn't care about recording or releasing new albums.

But, I can't say that I don't find this thought very depressing as a fan.

[D]

Releasing an album isn't that easy though. especially with the label he is on which mostly pumps out shitty Rap/Pop stuff.

[Bridge]

I don't think the majority of fans are really going to a Stones concert to hear "A Bigger Bang".   Regardless of the setlist, they get to see the people that created the music they love. I think somehow people really underestimate that.

They would not even need a new album, because at the very least, people would have a chance to see the members that created those sounds on the records they love.

You're 100% correct, and this is something that few fans consider when these issues are discussed.  A large number of fans want to see THE actual band members that created the music and legacy.  The setlist or any recent albums are incidental.

Take Journey as another example.  Since they last recorded with Steve Perry in 1996, they've continously toured and released albums with a revolving door of new singers (and without classic drummer Steve Smith).  I imagine that fans are happy with just seeing the name Journey on the marquee and a setlist featuring old hits.

On the other hand, there are fans like myself, who couldn't care less about their new albums.  However, I would go see Journey in a heartbeat if they reunited with Steve Perry, even if they just played hits from the 80s.  You can call is a "nostalgia act" all you want to, I call it a special opportunity to see ALL the band members that helped make Journey what it was in my mind and many others' minds as well -- not just 3/5 of the classic lineup with repeated singer changes.

A lot of people were underwhelmed with Chinese Democracy, so it's tough to find fault with someone who doesn't want to spend $70+ to see a new band they were never a fan of to begin with.

Indeed, and people also have to understand that it's not just the ticket price.  Going to concerts also involves the cost of gas, the cost of food, the cost of parking ($30 at some U.S. venues), taking time off from work, sitting in horrible traffic in clogged cities, and let's not forget standing outside the damn venue holding your bladder until the bastards at the gate finally decide to open the doors.

If I'm going to endure the ticket price plus all of the above, I want to see ALL the band members that made me love the band to begin with.  Hearing the songs and seeing a show isn't enough for me.

[Bodhi]

I don't think the majority of fans are really going to a Stones concert to hear "A Bigger Bang".   Regardless of the setlist, they get to see the people that created the music they love. I think somehow people really underestimate that.

They would not even need a new album, because at the very least, people would have a chance to see the members that created those sounds on the records they love.

You're 100% correct, and this is something that few fans consider when these issues are discussed.  A large number of fans want to see THE actual band members that created the music and legacy.  The setlist or any recent albums are incidental.

Take Journey as another example.  Since they last recorded with Steve Perry in 1996, they've continously toured and released albums with a revolving door of new singers (and without classic drummer Steve Smith).  I imagine that fans are happy with just seeing the name Journey on the marquee and a setlist featuring old hits.

On the other hand, there are fans like myself, who couldn't care less about their new albums.  However, I would go see Journey in a heartbeat if they reunited with Steve Perry, even if they just played hits from the 80s.  You can call is a "nostalgia act" all you want to, I call it a special opportunity to see ALL the band members that helped make Journey what it was in my mind and many others' minds as well -- not just 3/5 of the classic lineup with repeated singer changes.

A lot of people were underwhelmed with Chinese Democracy, so it's tough to find fault with someone who doesn't want to spend $70+ to see a new band they were never a fan of to begin with.

Indeed, and people also have to understand that it's not just the ticket price.  Going to concerts also involves the cost of gas, the cost of food, the cost of parking ($30 at some U.S. venues), taking time off from work, sitting in horrible traffic in clogged cities, and let's not forget standing outside the damn venue holding your bladder until the bastards at the gate finally decide to open the doors.

If I'm going to endure the ticket price plus all of the above, I want to see ALL the band members that made me love the band to begin with.  Hearing the songs and seeing a show isn't enough for me.

I'm sorry I was paying attention until you said you would go see Journey in a heartbeat and then I stopped reading.. 

[Street of the Blues]

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.

Only one (!) album of new material in over 20 years! 

[jarmo]

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.

Only one (!) album of new material in over 20 years! 

Coming to a GN'R board to state that in order to get a reaction. 

Bye.


/jarmo

[new gnr fan]

In my opinion, GN'R was always ONE band, i dont care, how many line up changes they had in the past.
and i dont need words like "new" or "old or "next" gnr, because it only describe the different eras of one band.
So for me, CHI DEM is the sixth studio album from GN'R, as AFD the first.

[wadey]

In my opinion, GN'R was always ONE band, i dont care, how many line up changes they had in the past.
and i dont need words like "new" or "old or "next" gnr, because it only describe the different eras of one band.
So for me, CHI DEM is the sixth studio album from GN'R, as AFD the first.

as long as it says Guns N' Roses on the cover thats good enough for me 

[Crashdiet]

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.

Only one (!) album of new material in over 20 years! 

Coming to a GN'R board to state that in order to get a reaction. 

Bye.


/jarmo

GOD you are such a fucking loser... do you actually remember the days you actually ran a forum where people could express an opinion.. now your so far up Axl's arse I don't even recognize you.  Ya cool... you get to go on tour with Axl... U cool buddy.... but seriously this forum WAS cool... yep there was a time... but now.. your such a complete ass kisser I'm embarrassed for you... really... I cringe when you post... good job buddy... I'd run a forum the same way if Axl paid my way to go on tour BUT that doesn't make it cool and certainly doesn't make YOU cool.... regardless your a complete and utter douche you pudgy little wiener go fuck your self with a bad ass black dildo and post it on I LOVE AXL:S ARSE DOT COM

"this message will self destruct in T minus 30 seconds because Jarmo can't handle one ounce of criticism because he his the hitler of Axl's world....enjoy the payroll... hey your like dizzy... Ya cool"

[lynn1961]

hmmmm....wow!   whoa.....    umm... you're really holding nothing back.  l.....never mind......keep your nose out of it, Lynn.  Keep your little nose out of it. 

[jarmo]

GOD you are such a fucking loser... do you actually remember the days you actually ran a forum where people could express an opinion.. now your so far up Axl's arse I don't even recognize you.  Ya cool... you get to go on tour with Axl... U cool buddy.... but seriously this forum WAS cool... yep there was a time... but now.. your such a complete ass kisser I'm embarrassed for you... really... I cringe when you post... good job buddy... I'd run a forum the same way if Axl paid my way to go on tour BUT that doesn't make it cool and certainly doesn't make YOU cool.... regardless your a complete and utter douche you pudgy little wiener go fuck your self with a bad ass black dildo and post it on I LOVE AXL:S ARSE DOT COM

"this message will self destruct in T minus 30 seconds because Jarmo can't handle one ounce of criticism because he his the hitler of Axl's world....enjoy the payroll... hey your like dizzy... Ya cool"

Leaving this so everybody, including the poster above, can see why you were banned.

Of course it's all because "you can't handle criticism".

This is what the mantra is. "I was banned for saying the truth". They never take responsibility for their actions and always "forget" that 99.5% of their truth was personal insults aimed at me and/or the band.



Thanks for the support Lynn.

Appreciated. 


/jarmo

[raindogs70]

There's a lot of musicians that aren't recording new music because they're not making any money off of putting new music out.  GNR's contract ended once Chinese Democracy was released.

If you know someone with a record label... 

[LunsJail]

There's a lot of musicians that aren't recording new music because they're not making any money off of putting new music out.  GNR's contract ended once Chinese Democracy was released.

If you know someone with a record label... 

I'm pretty sure they are still under contract with Interscope/Universal. Axl said something about dealing with the label in that newspaper interview he did back in December.