Fortus on Slash & Duff: 'I Think We All Agree It Clicked Instantly' [Update Page 7 - ''I Don't Think This Band Has Ever Sounded Better Than It Does Right Now'']

[RONIN]

11 minutes ago, Sunset Gardner said:

who?  

Exactly

[Tom-Ass]

1 hour ago, RONIN said:

No one cares about Dizzy Reed including Dizzy Reed.

I care more about Dizzy than Fortus.... Instant chemistry my ass lol...

[xBrownstonex]

I care about him in the estranged piano part, as would everyone else.

[Intercourse]

On 5/14/2017 at 8:46 PM, Billsfan said:

Again, I've ben consistently saying that this is still Axl's band at the end of the day, Slash and Duff aren't completely as equal. If they were, wouldn't Axl, Slash, and Duff have an equal vote on who plays guitar? Or even, who plays drums? I doubt they even voted on Melissa Reese or Chris Pitman... Idk, I'm sure someone is still massively offensive over me taking this position but, I just find it hard to believe that Slash and Duff have an equal say. If they did, I doubt they would have voted Frank in as the drummer (Richard's comments back that up). Maybe over Adler since there's too much risk there, but over Sorum, or another free agent drummer that would play the songs the way they should as well as be even easier to work with?! hell, I honestly don't think they would have voted in Fortus as a member over Izzy. Fortus was an Axl hand picked guy, gilby Clarke was a slash/duff hand picked guy. I truly believe there's things that Slash and Duff would like to do differently as well with new music and the set list as well as other things but, why speak up to Axl and risk the tour ending tomorrow?! The important thing is getting paid $$$$

100% agree on all points. This band is not one that Duff and Slash would design. They would have the old crew back, warts and all  to give it a whirl. I'm assuming that Duff and Axl would order Slash to keep Steven on a very tight leash.

I believe they would have taken both Sorum and Addler out together and have them swap roles from bongos to main drums as dictated by their recorded output. 

Richard alluded to the fact that Duff and Slash struggled to get into Frank's drumming  - having read every article on these men over the years, we all know that this would not work for Slash, he has to gel with players or else its not right for him. This time however, Duff and Slash joined Axl's band because they were tired of the war with Axl, the money was astronomical and the old band is dead to them for so long they probably couldn't be arsed fighting for its resurrection any more.

Fortus, Frank and the chick came with Axl.. take it or leave it. Axl is loyal to Frank and Richard now and I bet Slash and Duff understood that and respected that, took the huge pay off and got to work. 

 

If this was a genuine reunion where the main power brokers were on even terms I believe we'd have the core members from the AFD and UYI lineups with Sorum and Addler sharing the drum seat and probably working on a two man rhythm section. 

 

Edited May 17, 2017 by Intercourse

[Rovim]

16 hours ago, Sunset Gardner said:

richard is fine… i'm glad he's been retained as a touring employee by axl and team yes… of all the guitarists from axl's solo years richard is the one and ONLY that would and could work, i don't know if it's an accident or somebody figured it out, but richard is a great fit and no doubt could one day write and record with the band and become a real member.    

my issues are with frank and this interview seems to suggest there were issues for slash and duff as well.  while he seems like a excellent human being it's hard for me to watch shows and not think how much better the whole thing would be with adler/sorum trading off.  adler is guns, matt came in after steven's four bandmates abandoned him and did a really good job and earned the right to be a real member of the band, but the further you get away from steven the less guns it gets.  while matt is fine, frank is a bridge too far.  frank should be let go by axl's company, given a really great severance package, thanked and praised for his service and let go to make room for the two real members.

anything that doesn't include adler while adler is living and able sucks.  steven and matt should both play on a new record and tour behind it.    

I see Frank as the bridge between Steven and Matt stylistically speaking. Groovier than Sorum, more powerful than Steven, and so jolly, even when he fucks up. As good as a fit as Fortus is to be frank. I still want Popcorns N' Sorums cameos, but the shit Frank gets for his fuck ups and style is unwarranted.

Frank is clickable.

Edited May 17, 2017 by Rovim

[Magnus Cavalerra]

I recently listening some tunes from live era album, and lmao i notice Sorum can't do the rifling drum intro of ISE it's embarassing.

[shotsfired cro]

This group of guys just aren't a group of friends and therefore the time they will spend together is limited. As is the creative process they can achive...

Hoestly, Fartus saying what he did made an alibi shot that can get Fran out of the picture within a day.

However, Frank out and Steve/Matt ever coming back, doesn't leave much reason to keep Rich in.

Slash/Duff/Axl/Steve or Matt combo will have Izzy back as soon as Frnk is out (or Gilby).

[default_]

We all know Axl hates Sorum and never liked Gilby, get over theses guys people lol
They were employees just as Frank and Fortus.

[Rovim]

2 hours ago, default_ said:

We all know Axl hates Sorum and never liked Gilby, get over theses guys people lol
They were employees just as Frank and Fortus.

Sorum more than groped it, he forcefully injected his integrity into it and made his mark on Guns like it or not. Clerk probably, but never Matt. Disrespectful to dolphins all over the world. Axl and Matt shared a "loath-hate" connection and it probably wasn't French or natural but way more than merely an employee plus Slash and Duff hiring him to be VR's drummer. He's part Guns. Credits where credits due. He served the band well, his teeth and laugh are fake, give him a break.

Edited May 17, 2017 by Rovim

[Sunset Gardner]

6 hours ago, Rovim said:

I see Frank as the bridge between Steven and Matt stylistically speaking. Groovier than Sorum, more powerful than Steven, and so jolly, even when he fucks up. As good as a fit as Fortus is to be frank. I still want Popcorns N' Sorums cameos, but the shit Frank gets for his fuck ups and style is unwarranted.

Frank is clickable.

 

3 hours ago, Rovim said:

Sorum more than groped it, he forcefully injected his integrity into it and made his mark on Guns like it or not. Clerk probably, but never Matt. Disrespectful to dolphins all over the world. Axl and Matt shared a "loath-hate" connection and it probably wasn't French or natural but way more than merely an employee plus Slash and Duff hiring him to be VR's drummer. He's part Guns. Credits where credits due. He served the band well, his teeth and laugh are fake, give him a break.

i agree.  i do see sorum as a real member who earned his place.  i remember the first pictures to come out, the first videos with sorum and no steven… his poodle curls and drummer faces were very hard to look at and accept… but like i said, he earned it, he plays on some of my favorite songs.  it's a shame what a train wreck steven is because it distracts from what a unique stand alone drummer he is, watch a clip from the ritz 88 show to see steven peaking or even from the NITL tour… they just sound better with his swing… unfortunately he's a handful off stage and i get everyones trepidations about including him on this tour.  moving forward, now that's it's been established everyone can and will get along and play nice, i'd love to see steven included… and matt.  

frank definitely gets a lot of shit which sucks because he's clearly a good guy who wasn't about to pass up the money/gig to work for axl and be his drummer… and maybe he really was a great fit for axl's solo record and tours but he's just not gnr, there's something missing in my opinion, it's a feel thing, like maybe there isn't a word to describe it. 

i used to work in this restaurant in hollywood and matt used to come in (around the time of VR's first record).  he was always kind, always said please and thank you and ALWAYS left a generous tip and ALWAYS had a pretty girl on his arm.  matt's okay in my book.  

Edited May 17, 2017 by Sunset Gardner

[Mendez]

8 hours ago, Magnus Cavalerra said:

I recently listening some tunes from live era album, and lmao i notice Sorum can't do the rifling drum intro of ISE it's embarassing.

He could probably do it, just chose not to for whatever reason

[Sosso]

48 minutes ago, Mendez said:

He could probably do it, just chose not to for whatever reason

 http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/matt-sorum-says-he-wasnt-asked-to-take-part-in-guns-n-roses-reunion/

[Mendez]

1 hour ago, Sosso said:

 http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/matt-sorum-says-he-wasnt-asked-to-take-part-in-guns-n-roses-reunion/

I fail to see how this is relevant to Sorum's ISE intro

Edited May 17, 2017 by Mendez

[Sosso]

3 hours ago, Mendez said:

I fail to see how this is relevant to Sorum's ISE intro

I thought that you was talking about the tour

[Silent Jay]

We got a new interview here, very cool.

Quote

 

Guns N'Roses Special: We met current guitarist Richard Fortus

Far from being a hired hand, guitarist Richard Fortus has become an indispensable part of the Gun N’ Roses line-up. He tells Wayne Byrne how the massively successful Not In This Lifetime tour has been going.

A mainstay of the Guns N’ Roses line-up since 2002, former Psychedelic Furs man and sometime Thin Lizzy member Richard Fortus has been rocking stadiums around the globe as part of a phenomenal dual guitar assault with Slash on the Not In This Lifetime tour. Given the massive success of the GNR reunion, he’s unsurprisingly in top form when Hot Press catches up with him.

“This tour has exceeded anything that I’ve previously been a part of,” he beams. “The band is tighter than it’s ever been and everyone is extremely focused and at the top of their game. It’s been an honour to be a part of it and something that I will always be very proud of.

“Playing two nights at Giant Stadium in the city where I lived most of my life, New York, was a huge thrill. I’m also really looking forward to playing my other hometown, St Louis. It’ll be the first time that the band has played St Louis in 26 years! It will be my first time to play.”

In a band that has seen many members come and go, what does Fortus feel has been the key to such longevity for him?

“It’s really not been much of a challenge for me to stay in this band,” he replies. “It’s frustrating for some, because there are periods of downtime. I’ve always been able to find work when I needed to without much problem.”

 

From an observer’s perspective there seems to be an effortless chemistry between Fortus and Slash.

“I’ve a lot in common with Slash,” he notes. “He feels like a kindred spirit and we relate on many musical levels. I’ve a lot of respect for him as a musician and have a blast playing with him. The greatest thing about him is that he’s constantly stretching out. He’s trying new things. Every night, he plays differently and is always reaching for new heights. He’s very inspiring to play with.”

With Slash and Duff now back in the saddle, Fortus says he hugely admires their no-nonsense style of playing.

“Slash and Duff have the same approach that I do. You play for the song, first and foremost. It’s not about it being some type of masturbatory showcase for your abilities; it’s about working together as a band. Supporting wherever the focus needs to be, not simply waiting for your turn to wank. I don’t think this band has ever sounded better than it does right now. Axl has never sounded better and we’re tighter and more focused than ever.”

Although unable to shed much light on possible future material - “I sure hope so!” he says simply - Fortus is hugely looking forward to Slane, given his familiarity with the Meath venue – even if GNR’s notorious 2010 gig at the O2 (now 3Arena) was the one major misstep in their Irish history.

“That was a very rough night. Fortunately, the Dublin fans were willing to give us another chance and the last time we played there went great. And playing Slane with Thin Lizzy in 2011 was pretty incredible. They were the first band to ever headline Slane, so it was special to have been a part of their return.”

 

How did the reunited line-up go about choosing the setlist for the tour?

“We all threw in ideas and then played through everything,” explains Richard. “The ones that were working the best were the ones we went with. In terms of Slash and Duff tackling the Chinese Democracymaterial, they took a straightforward approach. They both have such strongly unique musical personalities and they insert those personalities into the songs. I love the way we’ve been doing those songs on this tour. Of course, we also have Melissa Reece playing on keyboards. She has an incredible energy and is very musical. Her backing vocals add so much, and the auxiliary keyboard parts that she adds allow us to do everything without utilising backing tracks and having to play to a click.”

What is it about the reunited GNR core of Axl, Slash and Duff that gives them such an incredibly unique chemistry?

“They care more than most and work even harder,” says Fortus. “It’s been an incredible honour and learning experience to work with all three of them.”

 

https://www.hotpress.com/Guns-NRoses/music/interviews/Guns-NRoses-Special-We-met-current-guitarist-Richard-Fortus/20023373.html

[Sunset Boulevard]

Fortus is FANTASTIC 

[BorderlineCrazy]

Far from being a hired hand, guitarist Richard Fortus has become an indispensable part of the Gun N’ Roses line-up  

"I don’t think this band has ever sounded better than it does right now." Such a shame he wasn't a fan, he missed all the 80's and 90's gigs...

"Axl has never sounded better." I love Axl and I'm definitely enjoying his performances on the NITL tour but, never sounded better? Sure, Richard...

I like Richard but I like him a lot more when he's not talking.

I did appreciate the comment about those who wait their moment to wank, though. Bumblefoot must be pleased 

[Zoot]

2 minutes ago, BorderlineCrazy said:

Far from being a hired hand, guitarist Richard Fortus has become an indispensable part of the Gun N’ Roses line-up  

"I don’t think this band has ever sounded better than it does right now." Such a shame he wasn't a fan, he missed all the 80's and 90's gigs...

"Axl has never sounded better." I love Axl and I'm definitely enjoying his performances on the NITL tour but, never sounded better? Sure, Richard...

I like Richard but I like him a lot more when he's not talking.

100% This.

Quote

I did appreciate the comment about those who wait their moment to wank, though. Bumblefoot must be pleased 

I could appreciate that but Fortus just seems to be saving all his wanking for the press so

[RONIN]

On 5/17/2017 at 1:28 AM, xBrownstonex said:

I care about him in the estranged piano part, as would everyone else.

I would too but apparently people have claimed here that it was Axl who wrote the piano parts for Estranged. If that's true, Dizzy is even more expendable than we thought.

I have nothing against Frank, but he's a poor man's Brain. Literally. Axl couldn't get Brain back in the band so he settled for Frank.

[xBrownstonex]

1 minute ago, RONIN said:

I would too but apparently people have claimed here that it was Axl who wrote the piano parts for Estranged. If that's true, Dizzy is even more expendable than we thought.

i was talking about live shows. Axl cant play that part while running around

[Mendez]

13 minutes ago, RONIN said:

I would too but apparently people have claimed here that it was Axl who wrote the piano parts for Estranged. If that's true, Dizzy is even more expendable than we thought.

Of course true, just look at the linear notes. 

[AlexC]

17 minutes ago, Mendez said:

Of course true, just look at the linear notes. 

He also alludes to it on Making Fucking Videos but says he can no longer play it because he's forgotten. Dizzy did write the piano to Street of Dreams though I believe.

[default_]

1 hour ago, BorderlineCrazy said:

Far from being a hired hand, guitarist Richard Fortus has become an indispensable part of the Gun N’ Roses line-up  

"I don’t think this band has ever sounded better than it does right now." Such a shame he wasn't a fan, he missed all the 80's and 90's gigs...

"Axl has never sounded better." I love Axl and I'm definitely enjoying his performances on the NITL tour but, never sounded better? Sure, Richard...

I like Richard but I like him a lot more when he's not talking.

I did appreciate the comment about those who wait their moment to wank, though. Bumblefoot must be pleased 

I'm pretty sure hes talking about the band since he joined. 

[Tom-Ass]

"It’s not about it being some type of masturbatory showcase for your abilities"

I feel like that is exactly what Fortus is doing... Along with masturbatory faces... 

[Sunset Gardner]

i like richard too and i know he means well… but some of this stuff... there's so many layers of delusion… "we’re tighter and more focused than ever.”  like he's actually played with guns n' roses before, like guns n' roses has toured since 93.  at this point richard is a great replacement for izzy but not a real member, he's simply an axl holdover who remains on the payroll.  

no doubt he's a great guitarist though and i would love to see him write on a new record and earn his place like matt did.  i'm totally behind it.  but writing and touring for axl solo and now simply playing live with guns doesn't cut it to be talking like this.