BKinNYC

I don't hate anyone in the band.

However, I can't stand how some people fawn all over these guys (except Axl) like they're the best thing since sliced bread. If ANY of these current "band members" left tomorrow, you wouldn't give two shits about their solo albums or what they're up to, much like Robin, Buckethead, Brain, Tobias etc. (I know, I know - there will be always be the one guy on here who'll say "I CARE!!") Whatever. They just don't have the personality or chemistry that Duff, Slash and Izzy had.

At this point, they're all replaceable. I can't stand the phony love some people have on here for them. Oh, and before you slam me for being a hater, I've seen this current lineup probably 5 times, but it's for Axl, not the neverending solos, or because I enjoy hearing Bumble play the Pink Panther theme, or Stinson singing Motivation.

Um....wrong on all counts. I love Buckethead's solo material, and being in GNR did a TON to boost his solo fanbase. GNR and NIN have a tremendous overlap in fanbase, including Axl and Trent being mutual fans, so Robin goes without saying. Tobias was nobody when he joined GNR, and he's still nobody.

As for the current guys, most except for Ashba who had solo careers before/during their time in GNR have built a fanbase out of their GNR tenure. Bucket and Tommy are both doing solo songs during GNR shows at this point, and most people who could name the whole lineup are getting to know their back catalogs. I guess Dj is the one exception, as people have mixed reactions to his Sixx:AM and Beautiful Creatures work. I, for one, was already a huge Ashba fan before he joined, and was thrilled when he was added. I'd be crushed if he left.

Basically, lots of people - not "that one guy" - will care. Most people who actually follow this band and know anything about the current line-up would be sad to see lots of the current line-up walk away. You're wrong.

I disagree. Tobias was a nobody, but Buckethead is a nobody to me too. Let him wear his mask and do his weird performance art someplace else. That's not Guns n Roses to me. And like someone else said, when this band I see onstage every night finally goes into the studio and records an album TOGETHER, then maybe I'll believe that there's some true chemistry outside of playing live. And I'm willing to be that lots of people won't be crushed if and when any or all of these guys leave. They'll just defend whatever replacement musician comes in to take over, and all except the die-hard fans of their solo works (like in this instance - you with Ashba or Bucket) will forget that any of these guys ever existed.

I don't hate anyone in the band.

However, I can't stand how some people fawn all over these guys (except Axl) like they're the best thing since sliced bread. If ANY of these current "band members" left tomorrow, you wouldn't give two shits about their solo albums or what they're up to, much like Robin, Buckethead, Brain, Tobias etc. (I know, I know - there will be always be the one guy on here who'll say "I CARE!!") Whatever. They just don't have the personality or chemistry that Duff, Slash and Izzy had.

At this point, they're all replaceable. I can't stand the phony love some people have on here for them. Oh, and before you slam me for being a hater, I've seen this current lineup probably 5 times, but it's for Axl, not the neverending solos, or because I enjoy hearing Bumble play the Pink Panther theme, or Stinson singing Motivation.

Got my tix today, but is anyone else alarmed/surprised that this show and the AC show isn't selling out? It only fits like 3K at each venue. Kind of crazy there are still tickets available.

Because the only person in this group worth hearing from or knows what's going on with new music is Axl, and he'll be nowhere to be found. No interest in live discussions with the other "band" members.

For those who saw shows in 1991 before the records came out, how was the general crowd response to the new songs at the time? I'd be interested in knowing if the crowd was receptive to hearing songs like November Rain or Estranged for the very first time.

In '91, the crowd was fired up, because everyone read about them, and was anticipating hearing these songs for the first time in just a few days. So it was like a sneak preview. They'd play a song like Bad Obsession, and kind of critique it on the spot, trying to hang on to that memory, because when you heard it for the first time on the album you'd say "yeah, I think they played that!"

But November Rain stuck out, because it was so epic and different than anything people heard from Gn'R. I remember the place just exploding when it was finished.

I'm also a big fan of mixing up setlists, and I believe that was one of the only shows on the tour where they opened with Nightrain instead of Jungle, which was super cool.

1. CNE in Toronto, 1991 - Like a previous poster said, this was a few days before the Illusions came out, and they played everything. In fact, at one point Axl asked the crowd "what are some song titles you heard - we'll play 'em," and someone yelled out Back Off Bitch, which they played. Then at around 1AM, Axl sat down at the piano to play November Rain - the first time I ever heard the song. Awesome.

2. Hamilton, 1993, Skin N' Bones tour - It pisses me off to this day that some asshole threw something at Axl and the show was cut short. They brought out couches and did a full acoustic set. Then, right after that, Axl said "we're going to be here for awhile," and they went into Paradise City, like halfway through the show. But then someone ruined everything.

3. Buffalo, NY, 1992 - this was great because there were like 80,000 people there, and I was second row. Still the closest I've ever been at a Gn'R show. It was a whole experience though, because I met the band the day before at their hotel, and caught one of the roses that Axl threw out at the end of the show.

4. Hammerstein, 2006, First Show - the anticipation was amazing. What would Axl look like? How would he sound? That performance blew me away.

I'd say the worst show was probably Toronto in '92, mainly because I was so far away, and they didn't seem to have their heart in it that night.

Good topic - I love reading everyone's memories!

What would be brewing? The only reason they're longer shows is because they added more jams. Take a look at the setlist from a few years ago - they were on stage for less time, but played more songs. I'd take that anyday.

Just change the setlist up from night to night. It drives me nuts that people say "great setlist tonight!" when they play the same songs EVERY night in almost the exact same order.

Hell, even two years ago, the setlist was much richer with CD songs. On this tour, they've dropped a bunch of those they used to play regularly, and added two AC/DC covers. WTF?

In a perfect world, I'd love if they copied what Springsteen or PJ do. One night you might hear Estranged, the next night they'd add Civil War etc. etc. It'd make every show just a little more special.

Setlist being played now blows away the setlists of bands new and old playing today. Stop complaining and realise what we have is special.

Um, no it doesn't. Check out setlists from Foo Fighters (who I don't even like, but respect) and Pearl Jam (no setlist is ever the same).

Hell, even this Gn'R setlist isn't as good as it was a couple of years ago. NEVER CITR, TWAT, or IRS anymore. Let's settle down with the "great setlist!" praise after every show. It's essentially the same. I'm going to the Camden show, and if they play this same setlist, I'm going to be a little disappointed.

I mean really, can't they even change up the order once in awhile? Yes, I'm complaining. I've seen them 15 times since '91. Change up some songs once in awhile. Damn.

Hilarious. "Probably just a deluxe edition at a show." "Maybe a DVD release." Talk about delusional. When has this band (or Axl) EVER given us something special like that? Answer: Never. So I'm not really sure why you'd expect anything now.

They'll play the same songs at all of the dates, and for some reason people will come on here and say "Great setlist tonight!" Even though it's the same songs they've played the last 10 nights, in almost the exact same order.

I don't want to be the negative nanny, but what I don't get:

If CD is to be released on Nov 23th, shouldn't there be a single out at least two or three weeks ahead? Didn't Axl say in 2006 he wanted to promote CD properly? Don't they have to make a video for the single? Doesn't making a video neccessarialy mean that all of the band members have to be at the same place at the same time? Why are all the band members up and away with their side projects still? Why don't they stop that and team up?

I agree with the first part - I'm not believing anything until I hear it directly from Axl or BB. I've been let down too many times over the years with rumors from Del, Bach and other random "insiders." I don't care how many websites or magazines report it. As always - I'll believe it when I have CD in my hands at the register.

However - I don't get this "They need to release a single/video" thought that many people have. That is SOOOOO outdated. No one watches videos anymore because no one plays them, and do people really sit by a radio and wait to hear a Top 10 countdown every night for the most popular songs, or buy CD singles? The way people listen to music is extremely different than it was 15 years ago.

Woah, Woah, you mean to tell me that people aren't waiting in line to buy the new Sebastian Bach record? Retailers have never heard of it? I can't believe it!

Nothing is "going on." Geez - I've been a fan since '88, and I'll say that right now this is WORSE than it's been in the last few months. We hear leaks to wet our appetite, and then no one says a damn thing, which makes me want the album even more.

Apparently (allegedly?) some shows are less than two months away, and we can't get an official statement out of anyone - the band, Merck, the record company etc. etc.

Bash me all you want for this, but I'll still be a fan of Axl, and I'll STILL remain frustrated by not hearing anything. But the people who say "stop living in the past" don't understand. A lot of them have no idea what it was like hearing and seeing Gn'R consistently when most of the original band (minus Steven) was still together, recording AND plying live.

You have no idea how big it was. That last tour was just a sample This "new" band wasn't around long enough to leave people wanting more, like the old band was. I find it comical how people can say "Oh, this band is much better." Based on WHAT? A few live shows and studio demos that we have no idea who was playing on them?

OK, sorry I'm rambling. But remember - just because I like old Gn'R and I'm frustrated doesn't mean that I've stopped waiting for Axl's next move.

Yeah, that's true. No need for a reunion of the greatest band of all time.

Instead, I love this new "band," - you know, where no one besides Axl knows what's going on. They seem really tight.