A_Sense_Of_Rage

Axl,

I must say, I’m very thankful that you’ve come on here and answered questions and been so gracious and patient in explaining some issues surrounding the past, present, and even the future of Guns N Roses. For all the criticism, demands, and nonsense you’ve had to endure up to this point I am rather humbled by, once again, how the reality has been transmutated into an incredible art form on Chinese Democracy. You’ve captured our hearts and struck chords with your audience through it all, because of it all, despite it all, and even underneath the sometimes crushing weight of it all. I want to express how much more grateful I am that I’ve had the privilege to find the satisfaction in your work that uniquely resonates with me, as it must with any fan who would take the time to really listen and enjoy what you’ve created. I consider that experience a very great gift that you’ve intertwined within your work back since we’ve first heard you. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from great art, from songs and melody that stirs you inside, from an imagery that can only be called up when you deliver. The many years that have passed in anticipation of this new album were more than worth it because timeless art is just that, and great artists that strike a chord with someone personally may not even be so common as once in a generation. I would only hope that you would know and understand that those of us out here who felt some of your soul in these recordings and live shows have gained so much from the experience where a man put through what must have been hell at times never forgot those perhaps few who gave them the opportunity, maybe even only once, to feel a little satisfaction with something that resonated with them for once rather than the first whiskey shot effect of so much that tries to emulate but will never accomplish what can only be done naturally by yourself and your art. For your years of effort and struggle, I hope you too can find that sense of peace you have given us to replace what our normal lives often give us as a sense of rage.

Thank You once again. Thanks for giving so much to us. I will never forget your generosity with what you have given of yourself in your music.

~M

Nine Lives....

Coda.

Why exactly? Just curious....

Isn't that called the Hyundai Pavilion or something like that now, used to be Blockbuster Pavilion? There's no floor there...all seating.

Axl already delivered on his statement: he said we would hear music this year. He didn't say the album would be released, he said we'd hear music. We heard it at the shows these last few days and we'll continue to do so throughout the summer in Europe. That being said, if you people get pissed because the album isn't released in the fall then you have no one to blame but yourselves for misinterpreting what Axl said.

I'm impressed with how many songs and how long they played, just goes to show that they're in top form heading into Europe.

Any info on Bumblefoot's playing or Axl's voice? Looks like everyone's up to peak performance...all the hard work is paying off big time.

Any word on how Bumblefoot's playing was tonight? For those at the concert, how would you gauge his performance so far?

i might be the only one but i really hope Rhiad gets played on some of the tour dates

I'll second that.

how did bumblefoot do on november rain?

Somebody who's there confirm the lineup of the band....

..i wouldn't call that an official statement for a GNR dvd release....

..if a worker replies such a question with "a DVD"...i mean..what the fuck..of course for a dvd...and what the fuck he knows?..i bet he signed an contract not even to say a word..cause not to make such things and rumours happenin'...

..after the tour back 93..w. axl rose first wanted to make a great cinema GNR tour movie...like madonnas "in bed with madonna"..even showin' him peein' in a bucket backstage...during one of hudsons solos in "knockin' on heavens door"

more than 800 hours on camera...result?..nothin' was realeased...(...see the result of the old band...)

If it is somehow official, that would be one hell of a package: CD with live concert footage...

If we ignore him he will go away like all good cupcakes do.

Did it work with warchild ?

Anyway, great post Kaneda.

Axl's fanatics are reacting like this because truth hurts.

I'm sure Kaneda appreciates you jumping on his bandwagon; misery loves company or so I'm told.

It's so easy...to be negative, maybe that's why they never made a statue for a critic.

I think your real problem is that you're both afraid that Axl and Guns N Roses and the fans are all moving on without you...

"no one told you when to run....you missed the starting gun"

I still don't think the leaks were intentional. I think the leaks were played because playing yet more new songs could potentially make the whole album available on the net.

I think we'll get one new song at Rio.

R.

Precisely, if they play all the new songs we haven't heard yet then there will be less reason to buy the album

If the live performance last night is any indication, which I believe it is, then the band is in top form and the live recordings might end up being favoured by some more than the studio cuts. Provided better recordings turn up, which they will sooner or later, then a setlist of material we mostly haven't heard yet bootlegged all around the world might do something to preclude album sales, at least at first. We have a lot to look forward to! Let's just enjoy what Axl gives us in his own time.

I don't think he wants to let the cat totally out of the bag just yet. Hopefully he can retain some control over the distribution of his own material before the birds start circling...

Stop to consider: we're fucking with his livelihood here, not just our own gratification. Peace!

Sounds like a great show, and a great new beginning for Guns N Roses. There's great potential in Bumblefoot as the new guitarist for Guns. The combination of great technical skill and creativity with Axl's vision for the future of the band; in which everyone can grow together as musicians in a combined synergy; will break new ground and yeild amazing results. I think if everyone could just stop for a minute and have some faith rather than fear we'd all feel better about all of this.

I'm just glad Axl Rose was generous enough to gather such massive efforts for all the fans. I hope he feels that the overriding sentiment in all of this was thankful for him and all the people he worked with to put this all together. I hope he understands that lack of such is only lack of perspective and does not constitute a majority opinion. I don't presume he is fragile but I do presume to stand for something positive regardless.

Axl: Keep it going, brother. We're with you in our hearts even when our pride gets in the way. Rock On!

Hanging out with Madison of course

It's a valid opinion, of course, but a rather unsound argument. If the fans are so disappointed, then why do they continue to hang around? Guns N Roses fans still exist in large numbers today because of the relevence of the music they create, not because they tally statistics. The author goes at length to explain his reasons for not being a fan, and then appeals to his own unqualified authority to explain why the reader should not expect to be satisfied as such.

(And thankfully it's WAY different from the grandpa workout gear he wore at the airport - but we won't go there again).

I forgot about that

He looks good. At least we get to see him around now.

Christ people...... slash didnt say this, period, just look at the quotes... the one who said this shit is AXL himself

That's not what it says, read it:

"Slash came to inform Axl that: 'Duff was spineless,' 'Scott [Weiland] was a fraud,' that he 'hates Matt Sorum'"

R.

Anyone consider the possibility that neither Axl or Slash said those words? That's just as big a possibility as any other. It might explain why it seems so bizarre...

The press releases were confirmed, sure, but not by Axl and Slash. There's a very important distinction. And responses from Merck don't indicate anything beyond the normal arms length recitation of their closed door policy. No specifics were addressed, and thus what kind of credibility do we assume to have just because they have knowledge of the event? They are very careful not to verify what happened as described...

Looks like Luiz moved to Russia and took up the guitar....

You're assuming those lawsuits are baseless, and I really don't see how you are in a position to make that call. Or maybe you think Slash and Duff should just bend over and take it no matter what? In America you have the right to sue unless your name is Saul Hudson or Michael McKagan. Or maybe everyone in America has the right to sue, unless they're doing it to Axl? We can talk about how frivolous their case is after a courts renders a verdict or a settlement is reached.

But whatever, that's going off on a tangent from the real issue. You'd have to be pretty naive to think this news release is because of the lawsuits (even though it is announcing a counter claim). Those suits have been in existence for months. Axl's camp never provided comment. Lately we get Axl sightings, a few song leaks, tour dates...and then out of the blue a voluntary (and quite lengthy) news release (with a lot of mud slinging) from Axl's side about an issue that most people stopped caring about a long time ago.

More good points. An even better question is where is all this shit coming from? That's the problem with rumours, with information in general: the more people that have it the more valuable it becomes, and the more credible. Someone's telling fairy tales and knows how to pass it around enough times through enough hands for it to build its own "validity". That someone has a rather vested interest in generating attention around these issues, presumably based upon an agenda that has something to gain from GNR rumours. That person or persons also knows just which hands things have to pass through to be considered "worthwhile sources". Look for the pattern; just open your eyes and look, its right in front of us.

This isn't the kind of promotion I was talking about last week with regards to building a community of music fans as a business strategy for them. This is purpose driven and specific; but not to what Axl or Slash or their management would want to build their businesses.

I think we're closer to the truth than we all realize...

This whole thing makes no sense at all. For the past couple of weeks we have had leaks and rumors about a reunion, then nothing......out of left field comes this questionable press release about "nothing" that has been going on recently. The way I see it, is that someone is changing the subject or diverting attention away from what the real story is. This is nothing more than a feeling that I have, More than likely i'm way off but I had to say it.

I tend to agree. Good insight.

It did cross my mind earlier, sort of along the sames lines as what you are saying, that this could all be diverting us from the real story of an Axl/Slash reunion. The rumours just wouldn't die, and if they are in fact getting back together perhaps they want to surprise the world. So in the meantime they have to kill the rumours so that nobody expects it can happen. Well, this is a good way to do that, to say the least.

And before anyone goes all fuckin' ape on me, it's just a crazy theory. No I do not think this is what is actually going on...although it is possible, it's highly unlikely. I think it was P4A who said it best...this wild story about Slash better be true, or else Axl will be slapped with a slander lawsuit faster than he can say "soon is the word." I guess the longer it takes Slash to respond the more suspicious I would get...either that the accusation on the part of Axl's lawyer is true, or that this is a set up and Slash is in on it.

The bottom line is that one of those things must be true. I feel to make this kind of accusation, if it is in fact baseless, is much too reckless for even a law student to make, much less a full-fledged lawyer. The alternative is that Slash has signed off on the release.

I also doubt Businesswire would edit a release. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is not what they are in the business of doing...they post news releases, not edit them. I think Axl's legal team may have had two releases drafted...one with the Slash stuff and one without. They may have originally sent out the release without the Slash stuff to Businesswire, maybe by mistake, or maybe that's what the original plan was and only afterwards decided they wanted to include that stuff...which is why they went ahead and issued a correction.

But in the end I sense this is all designed to distract us from something. Not to mention some of the claims are extremely hard to believe, and personally I'll doubt them until I see some corroboration.

Just some thoughts...

Good points, but I would also consider that ALL of this is manufactured. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that Axl and Slash had nothing to do with this "story".

I don't know. Apparently Jarmo has confirmed this as a real release from Axl's side. I don't think Axl's lawyer would take it upon himself to make these claims in public without Axl's approval. Assuming the release is legit, Axl must have something to do with it, and at the very least he approved it.

Maybe I'm missing something here?

I'm not sure Axl had anything to do with this, unless there's some very convincing evidence to the contrary.

This whole thing makes no sense at all. For the past couple of weeks we have had leaks and rumors about a reunion, then nothing......out of left field comes this questionable press release about "nothing" that has been going on recently. The way I see it, is that someone is changing the subject or diverting attention away from what the real story is. This is nothing more than a feeling that I have, More than likely i'm way off but I had to say it.

I tend to agree. Good insight.

It did cross my mind earlier, sort of along the sames lines as what you are saying, that this could all be diverting us from the real story of an Axl/Slash reunion. The rumours just wouldn't die, and if they are in fact getting back together perhaps they want to surprise the world. So in the meantime they have to kill the rumours so that nobody expects it can happen. Well, this is a good way to do that, to say the least.

And before anyone goes all fuckin' ape on me, it's just a crazy theory. No I do not think this is what is actually going on...although it is possible, it's highly unlikely. I think it was P4A who said it best...this wild story about Slash better be true, or else Axl will be slapped with a slander lawsuit faster than he can say "soon is the word." I guess the longer it takes Slash to respond the more suspicious I would get...either that the accusation on the part of Axl's lawyer is true, or that this is a set up and Slash is in on it.

The bottom line is that one of those things must be true. I feel to make this kind of accusation, if it is in fact baseless, is much too reckless for even a law student to make, much less a full-fledged lawyer. The alternative is that Slash has signed off on the release.

I also doubt Businesswire would edit a release. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is not what they are in the business of doing...they post news releases, not edit them. I think Axl's legal team may have had two releases drafted...one with the Slash stuff and one without. They may have originally sent out the release without the Slash stuff to Businesswire, maybe by mistake, or maybe that's what the original plan was and only afterwards decided they wanted to include that stuff...which is why they went ahead and issued a correction.

But in the end I sense this is all designed to distract us from something. Not to mention some of the claims are extremely hard to believe, and personally I'll doubt them until I see some corroboration.

Just some thoughts...

Good points, but I would also consider that ALL of this is manufactured. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that Axl and Slash had nothing to do with this "story".

Official statements in response to bullshit like this lend it the attention it so desperately needs to build its own credibility. That's why they aren't made. Now what does that say about most shit in the GNR world?

So where exactly did this whole fairy tale come from anyway? Sources?

It sounds a little too contrived based upon someone's dramatical hunger pangs rather than actual truth, but please feel free to prove me wrong!

In October of 2005 Slash made an unannounced 5:30 AM visit to Axl Rose’s house. Not appearing to be under the influence, Slash came to inform Axl that: “Duff was spineless,” “Scott was a fraud,” that he “hates Matt Sorum” and that in this ongoing war, contest or whatever anyone wants to call it that Slash has waged against Axl for the better part of 20 years, that Axl has proven himself “the stronger.” Based on his conduct in showing up at Rose's home, Axl was hopeful that Slash would live up to his pronouncements that he wanted to end the war and move on with life. Unfortunately that did not prove to be the case.

That part clearly doesn't belong with the rest; unless the proofreader missed it before sending it out.

Really, what kind of "official" statement is that? Don't beleive everything you read.

I will admit, listening to new GNR material is a nerve racking experience. Since I am such a fan, my expectations are sky high and over the years, I've romanticized the unknown material so much that it becomes difficult to actually accept the song in reality. So when I heard I.R.S., Better and T.W.A.T., I didn't know what to think at first. It's difficult not to look at new material through a GNR lens of old. Wanting to hear another Sweet Child, Paradise City or Estranged is not my fault, it's just what being a GNR fan waiting for new material expects. But to truly understand the genesis of Chinese Democracy, you have to let go of your expectations as a fan and look at this thing through the eyes of the creator -W.Axl Rose. For once you do that, it makes complete sense why this new band sounds so much different than the band of old. It needed to be this way.

Axl knows he can go on stage and sing all of the classics from yesterday, so why try and re-write similar versions of songs he could never top? Those songs are classics and they represent moments in Axl's life that are over. He is no longer riding the nightrain. Rather he is 44 years old and has gone through a lot of personal suffering and loss in his life. The lyrics of the new material seem to reflect and mirror his abject suffering. But Axl is the only singer that can deliver such sullen songs in such a beautiful way. His voice and lyrics seem directly linked to his tortured soul; and he sort of sings the way we all wish we could if we were to express the pain of our own lives. By combining heavy rock elements with soulful lyrics and the most unprecedented voice in music, you get something very special, something that can only be called Guns N Roses.

Axl Rose will live and die by this musical dichotomy. With Chinese Democracy we are going to get the next chapter in Axl Rose's vision for Guns N Roses. Like any good series of books or movies, it's boring if we made the same journey over and over again. While Slash and Co. were clearly keen for creating more Appetite for Destructions, Axl didn't want to go there anymore. After hearing the new creations, I am very happy he broke away. We would never be listening to songs like Better or TWAT if it was just Izzy and Slash writing. Some people say that the old guys would have made a better album. Who knows? But what we have coming our way soon is going to be something special. Hearing Axl, older and wiser, composing tracks like Better, tracks that have that timeless appeal and modern, yet classic, feel at the same time, you know it's going to take over the musical world.

And when it's all said and done, when all the material is out and you put all of W.Axl Roses material against any other performers; whether Rock, Rap, Classical, New Age, Pop...etc...there will be nobody that comes even close to his level of talent. Not the Stones, not The Doors, not Zepplin, not Bon Jovi, not Aerosmith, the only one that comes close is Enrique (just kidding). The wait is coming to an end, and it will be sad when it's over because this wait has sort of bonded us all (in misery albeit). But at least the nay sayers will eat their words when Axl returns. Sucks to be Velvet Revolver.

Clever bastard, had us all fooled, didn't you?

Good words, Kaneda. It's all in your perspective.