Blunoze

I have just arrived at the Intercontinental COEX in Seoul, nice hotel. Its 6:25pm here now. The traffic in this city is fucking mental, it took us 2 hours to get from Incheon Airport to the hotel, which is only 1km from the concert venue, so we will be walking there. Its going to be fucking crazy, I am with two Germans, a french guy, and two Chinese (and for the record, I am welsh). And of course, around 15,000 Koreans. So its a real cultural cauldron. Time to get to the bar now, and have another beer. I'll try and write up some kind of report after the show.

If there is anyone else on here also in Korea, send me a PM and we can meet up.

I am really getting excited now. I just finished packing my suitcase, will fly to Korea in the morning. Hopefully I will be able to give some updates, if I can get the internet on my phone in Korea...

First of all, Axl Rose isn't frozen in a time warp and therefore, apart from his not needing to, he isn't going to fulfill your expectations of how he should be behaving. If you expect him to, it is you who are stuck in time.

Secondly, Axl's reply on a very sensitive and personal topic, that has been the subject of much previous debate and examination, was not just eloquent, but very candid. If it were any more prepared, it wouldn't have come off as fresh and authentic as it did. That is also why it evokes such intense responses from both those who appreciate what he did and from the naysayers ( typical of the man, I think). If in this effort, he fell short of your expectations on the matter of sticking to proper punctuation and grammar, while taking the effort to respond to hundreds of questions from fans and forum members (with most of those questions lacking perfect grammatical structure in any case), maybe you should clarify what kind of image of Axl the Rock Star and Guns N' Roses the band, you really have. Since when did being a rock star (you seem to know a lot about that) require having to write in perfect English in a fan forum? Raw intelligence has nothing to do with knowledge. Axl may not be a Phd. in English, or a classical author, but he possesses intelligence in abundance and that fact is fully evident in not just his post, but also in the amazing lyrics that he has given us over the years.

Thirdly. the fact that you feel sorry for Axl because he is aware of commonly used chat/text lingo while at the same time calling him a hermit is contradictory and shows a gap in your logic.

Fourthly, your sympathy for your 'fuck you' idol would be at odds with any such kind of an attitude; in addition to being unwanted, out of place and just plain manufactured scorn, you have not provided any real reason why W. Axl Rose would need anyone's sympathy, much less yours.

Fifthly, did you say, 'a totilatarian quest for finding himself within music' ? There is much to say when it comes to proper use of grammar. There is also much to say for the proper use of words and style.

Sixthly, if you had actually read Axl's material, you would understand that his intentions are a world away from your scenario of 'changing the ingredients of a brand and still expecting the same product'. This detracts from the credibility of your entire post.

Seventhly, your hypothetical situation of two tours per venue, is just that. Hypothetical. The fact is, most of the time, bands mix up old and new material and many times are faced with audiences where some people don't react to new material. There are plently of forum members who have seen this band tour in '06 and '07 and rocked out to the new songs.

Finally, the rest of your post, though not much else of it is left, is mostly your opinion and you are entitled to it.

Firstly, if you had read the first line of my post, then maybe it would make more sense. If you believe that Axl Rose sat at a computer and directly typed those words onto this forum, then I am happy it makes you feel warm inside and gives you belief. But even if it is him, I am suprised a man of such self proclaimed integrity would utilise an Internet Forum to openly criticise his former close friend, and person who collaborated in giving him his status today. And then have the gall to say 'I made the name Guns N' Roses, so its mine', when he knows full well that without the other members, there would never have been a Guns N' Roses that we all know and love today! I have no doubt Axl Rose is a talented artist, and I appreciate and enjoy his music. However I genuinely prefer the sound of the the original line up, thats what Guns N' Roses is to me. Not just the music, but the story behind how those guys met, their fight against drugs, society and all the other things I could relate to. GNR was way bigger than just the music to me. But I appreciate other people feel differently. I cant see how both versions can be called Guns N' Roses, when they seem so different. The soul of GNR was the controversy and the struggle in my opinion. And this was the fuel to create that music. Now it seems slightly more diluted in the sense Chinese Democracy only appears to have been influenced and shaped by one person. I can truly feel that when I listen to the record.

Nevertheless, if you want to just chat with me about my personality and writing style, I have no problem with that. However my post was in answer to the use of the Guns N' Roses brand on Chinese Democracy. I could pick a thousand holes in what you wrote in order to try and be 'clever', but I take no pleasure in openly criticising somebody or trying to destroy the credibility of somebody elses opinion.

I am still not at all convinced this is Axl Rose writing these pieces.

I am simply amazed that Axl Rose is fully literate with internet slang (such as 'j/k'), and uses emoticons!! Next thing he will have a sig eh??

More interestingly, I am suprised somebody of his intelligence finds it difficult to write coherent sentences with the use of grammar.

If it is him, I do feel genuine sorry for the guy. What was once without shadow of a doubt my 'dont give a fuck' idol, is now nothing more than a hermit with an extremely big grudge against anybody that wouldnt follow his totalitarian quest for finding himself within music. What makes music any different from other situations? A brands popularity is based on its product. You cant change the ingredients of that brand, and still expect to produce the same product.

Imagine if GNR decided to tour, and put on two shows per venue. One show was dedicated to old GNR material, and one to new. Which would be more popular?

Chinese Democracy is a good album, but my no means the pinnacle of what GNR stands for in most peoples eyes. Its nice to see a lot of people have embraced it as their pinnacle of GNR music, however it is truly a tiny fraction of people compared to the impact of the old Guns movement.

It is honourable to try to continue something special, but sometimes there comes a point where you have to call time. It parrallel's to me GNR being a heavyweight boxer, trying desperately to reclaim his title. And then getting knocked out in the first round by a modern fighter with a different style. Sometimes things should be just left where they are, and not have the name tarnished by squeezing out every last penny.

Move down a weight, change the name, by all means yes. It hurts most people that the brand is being associated with a product that the majority simply dont relate to.

But thats modern economics and human nature I guess. Desperate times invoke desperate measures.

Right... it is hard to understand Axl is 'internet literate' and whatever you mean by grammar thing, Shakespeare... so I fully understand why you don't understand a thing he says... but it is better not to comment on those things you don't understand because it makes you look stupid...

says the person that doesnt understand the meaning of grammar...

I am still not at all convinced this is Axl Rose writing these pieces.

I am simply amazed that Axl Rose is fully literate with internet slang (such as 'j/k'), and uses emoticons!! Next thing he will have a sig eh??

More interestingly, I am suprised somebody of his intelligence finds it difficult to write coherent sentences with the use of grammar.

If it is him, I do feel genuine sorry for the guy. What was once without shadow of a doubt my 'dont give a fuck' idol, is now nothing more than a hermit with an extremely big grudge against anybody that wouldnt follow his totalitarian quest for finding himself within music. What makes music any different from other situations? A brands popularity is based on its product. You cant change the ingredients of that brand, and still expect to produce the same product.

Imagine if GNR decided to tour, and put on two shows per venue. One show was dedicated to old GNR material, and one to new. Which would be more popular?

Chinese Democracy is a good album, but my no means the pinnacle of what GNR stands for in most peoples eyes. Its nice to see a lot of people have embraced it as their pinnacle of GNR music, however it is truly a tiny fraction of people compared to the impact of the old Guns movement.

It is honourable to try to continue something special, but sometimes there comes a point where you have to call time. It parrallel's to me GNR being a heavyweight boxer, trying desperately to reclaim his title. And then getting knocked out in the first round by a modern fighter with a different style. Sometimes things should be just left where they are, and not have the name tarnished by squeezing out every last penny.

Move down a weight, change the name, by all means yes. It hurts most people that the brand is being associated with a product that the majority simply dont relate to.

But thats modern economics and human nature I guess. Desperate times invoke desperate measures.

I think the majority of signatures on this board are extremely bad taste and very childish, at least this guys actually made me smile.

The Jesus of Rock?

I have never heard so much shit in all my life!!!!

"Jesus disappointed his disciples today by turning up three hours late to the Sermon on the Mount due to the fact he demanded a roast lunch before performing...."

Get a fucking life you bellend.

I think we can safely conclude that nobody actually knows, but will swear they are right. Only Axl knows exactly when he started creating a CD called Chinese Democracy. Anybody who tells you otherwise is full of shit.

Good songs, but its never going to be the best album GNR have produced. Certainly not in my book anyway. I lean towards the old days of GNR being bordering on a punk rock band. Songs like 'Its so Easy' still blow me away, its my 'taste' and style. I cant see me going mental to songs like Madagascar. It doesnt have enough power for me.

But since GNR are now a soft pop rock band, then songs like CITR and The Blues suit their image. Axl has grown older and wiser, and has lost that rebelious edge that I used to adore. He also doesnt have the punk influence Duff heavily put on the band. This is what is lacking in my opinion. None of them have that crazy 'dont give a fuck' attitude.

Somebody answer this then to all those who are saying 'poor little Axl has got a cold and should be given a break', why has he cancelled the show, and not postponed it for another time as alot of bands do? Why not re-schedule to show genuine regret for not performing?

Aww, bless him. He has been blowing his nose a few times lately so must be really ill. I wish I could have a day off every time I had a cold. Still, he can go back to his multi million dollar mansion that we have paid for and get top medical attention, again paid for by us the fans.

I saw a talent show last saturday ( X factor or something) and a girl had tonsilitis yet still sung to the best she could. It wasnt brilliant and you could tell she really struggled. But she got the biggest cheer of the night for having a go.

I remember watching the Stereophonics and Kelly was really ill, and could hardly sing. But as a fan, I appreciated it so much that he had made the effort. Even though the singing wasnt the greatest, it was a million times better than the disappointment of a cancellation.

I think its a load of bollocks that he was 'too ill'. And as always, people lap up the bullshit put out by the GNR management. No wonder we are all treated like shit when there are pricks out there that believe any crap they are fed.

Good post, very well put.

I do enjoy reading the posts of people who criticise Kaneda. They confuse the word 'realistic' with 'negative'. They seem to think they are 'better' than everybody else. Kaneda tells it how it is, which is better than living in this GNR bubble. What a fucking joke. Its very simple, if you dont like reading his posts DONT FUCKING READ THEM. Can it be any clearer?

Would you read a book if you didnt like the author? I know I wouldnt.

Okay, if anyone of you listening to CITR for the first time did not hear the similarity of the chorus of that song with the chorus of 'Hey Jude', you need to buy a few Beatles records.

I can see where this dude's coming from... the sound he speaks of is VERY evident in CITR... and it's very refreshing.

I'll buy it.

What little credibility you had has just been quashed. 'CITR' compared with 'Hey Jude'? What a fucking joke. I suggest you go back to burger flipping Matt as you havent got a clue what your talking about.

Are you real??? Comparing GNR to the The Beatles? I am all for optimism and support, but this takes the piss now.

Hey, McFly, this is an internet fan forum. Credibility only exists in the real world and ESPECIALLY if money is on the line. You, Blubalz, should disconnect from the internet and reconnect with the real world.

Also, learn to read, Einstein. I think comparing GNR to the Beatles is laughable. I did not say that I agreed with the poster nor tried to elevate GNR to the level of the Beatles, shit-for-brains.

HOWEVER, I do know a little about music. Hey Jude became so popular because 1. it was by the Beatles, I mean, c'mon and 2. the chorus... NAAA NAAA NAAAA NAAA NA NA NA NA. That's it, sing along....

In CITR, the chorus has a similar effect... NA NA NA NA, NA NA NA...

Funny, both groups even used the same word. NA. Haha. The first thing I thought was after hearing that in CITR is: "Whoa, they're ripping off Hey Jude!"

So, the similarity IN THAT EXAMPLE, MUSICALLY, falls out of the sky, lands on your face, and starts to wiggle.

Sorry your brain is incapable of understanding that.

In other news....

So they are similar because they use the same words in a chorus? Hmmmm....

So I guess everybody can hear the similarity between Sheryl Crow and the beatles? Keep them coming Matt, your level of intelligence is fascinating.

Link

I dont believe these new songs by GNR promote any sort of rebellion. AFD caused mayhem with its liberal statements about drug taking and prostitution. A song dedicated to alcohol is always well recieved too!

Songs like 'CITR, Better, Madagascar' etc. just dont have the energy or the lyrics to inspire younger people. Axl is getting old, and that is blatantly obvious when listening to his music.

blah blah blah.... For all we know there coud be 8 songs on the album about drugs and prostitutes... AFD was not all about sex and drugs and violence

And have you heard anything to suggest that? Lets talk about facts, we can all make something up to cause discussion. The leaks dont show any kind of relation to AFD's rebel topics.

Okay, if anyone of you listening to CITR for the first time did not hear the similarity of the chorus of that song with the chorus of 'Hey Jude', you need to buy a few Beatles records.

I can see where this dude's coming from... the sound he speaks of is VERY evident in CITR... and it's very refreshing.

I'll buy it.

What little credibility you had has just been quashed. 'CITR' compared with 'Hey Jude'? What a fucking joke. I suggest you go back to burger flipping Matt as you havent got a clue what your talking about.

Are you real??? Comparing GNR to the The Beatles? I am all for optimism and support, but this takes the piss now.

I dont believe these new songs by GNR promote any sort of rebellion. AFD caused mayhem with its liberal statements about drug taking and prostitution. A song dedicated to alcohol is always well recieved too!

Songs like 'CITR, Better, Madagascar' etc. just dont have the energy or the lyrics to inspire younger people. Axl is getting old, and that is blatantly obvious when listening to his music.

The most ridiculous comparison I have heard.

Can you give some examples of how GNR compare to The Beatles? The beatles normally had just one DAY to produce some songs, yet GNR takes years to produce an Album. To even hint that Axl has anywhere near the same degree of musical prowess as John Lennon, is an insult and an insight into your own knowledge of music.

The Beatles were way ahead of their time, using alien techniques such as unconventional mic positioning and alternative instruments (Sitars etc.) to produce the most original yet diverse sound that I have ever heard. The 'echoey' voices was truly awesome and fitted the music perfectly.

GNR has by comparison taken 13 years to make one album, which is highly unlikely to contain any top ten hits, never mind number ones.

How do you 'quit' a musical taste?

Its like saying 'I dont like potatoes anymore because their flavour hasn't changed for so long'.

You dont choose to enjoy certain aspects of life, your personality dictates what you enjoy and what you dont. You may choose to not go to the concerts and buy merchandise, but thats about it.

If I had the choice, I would never listen to GNR again the way the whole thing has been handled since the early ninties. As I love AFD and always will, I live in the hope of some new material in that style. But it is merely a hope.

Funny how Europe accepts washed up artists from the US with open arms...it proves nothing. Europe is always second fiddle to the US...

Thank you for proving that you're an ignorant idiot with your head to far up your own arse.

Stop giving your fellow Americans such a bad name with statements like this.

Amen! Thank you, Ron! Getting tired of idiots like Kaneda and Da Illest saying moronic things like that. Truth is that the EU and US are very similar now; both are better than the other in certain areas, but overall they're quite equal.

Amen to that, my EU and US friends. Both Europe and the United States brought forth some amazing music artists over the years. I'm proud to be an European, and I'm proud that I had the opportunity to study in the US for 1 semester. Both are great continents with great cultures. For a stupid dickless horse-blowing bed-pisser like Kaneda to use cultural difference between forum members for the sole purpose of causing fans from different continents to diss eachother, I think the motherfucker should be banned!!!

Give him the attention he needs: Shoot the bastard!!!

I am proud to be European? What the fuck does that mean? Europe isnt a fucking country you fool. I am British, and proud of my tradition and heritage. I deserve the right to that just as anybody from any country does. But there are parts of Europe I wouldnt piss on if it wasnt on fire. Stop collectively tagging us, we each have our own views and cultures. America cannot be compared to Europe!

Pollstar tells us that Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band are the most popular band in america right now. Twice as popular as GNR. Is this something to be proud of?

I somehow do not believe that Pollstar is a true reflection of the state of ticket sales. If somebody can prove to me how the power index is calculated, then I will believe. But stop quoting Pollstar if you dont actually know what it is.

I think the NA tour is doing okay, but nothing special. People who talk about how its down to promotion etc. are full of shit. The European tour was frequently sold out with no major promotion.

Of course, nobody on here is waiting for anything. This is why there is a new topic everyday saying 'when is the album coming out? I hope its soon'.

Some of you guys on here are full of shit. EVERY GNR fan on here has been waiting for this album to come out, myself included.

Do you honestly think ivarzzz thought that people have been sat on a computer for 13 years waiting for an album? Some of you guys are thick as shit. I wish you would learn the basic concepts of english before posting silly answers.

Back on topic, yeah I see what you mean Ivarzz. In reality, I shouldnt even like this band anymore the way they have fucked us about. But I just cant seem to help it, once you are a GNR fan, it seems impossible to change that. Its like a drug. I liked the 'beaten wife' comparison. No matter how much this band fucks us over, we are always still there in our millions ready to support them as much as we can.

Sweet, all you cock knockers that stand up for Kaneda's "right to an opinion" are the same one's bashing this chick for her opinion. Bravo; your hypocrisy is now transparent for all to see.

edit: ..... ok, so maybe it is a bit creepy, but still...

As this thread was started by somebody who seems infatuated, then the following sentence isnt off topic. Is it just me, or does this rocketking guy (or gal?) mention this Kaneda guy in every post he makes?

Do a search on his posts, it is quite frightening.

Do you remember in school when you secretly liked a girl, but if anybody asked you the answer was always 'eww, no way, she is horrible', even though you secretly pined for her and was to embarrassed to let the world know? I think the same logic applies here...

just play one in a million, civil war or breakdown....and threats bashing the setlist are passé

If they want recognition as a real band, they have to play their own music! I thought this was called the Chinese Democracy tour?

I really cant beleive Im even saying anything..

because I totally understand where your coming from..

but, in this case..they played most of the new songs they've been playing..

minus most notably T.W.A.T...

It'd be nice for some new songs..

or, even a few more illusion era tracks thrown in..

and, I've even made that joke..

it looks like the AFD tour..the sequel..

you even say in your post, that the crowd dies down because they dont know the new songs..

so..from a concert go-ers point of view...dont you think it'd be to much of a risk to play songs that the crowd isnt familiar with..occupying the set of more songs that they dont know..or, to slip in a few new tunes..and, play what a majority of what the people came to see...

Im sure this is why there doing what there doing..

Some good points, but I have to disagree. Every GNR fan I know has heard the leaks, and looking at the amount all the torrents etc. have been downloaded, then I'd say 80% of concert goers have heard the new material.

Do you not just think possibly the new material just isnt as good as the old stuff hence the reserved reaction at concerts? All I can say is how me and my friends reacted. We went absolutely mental to all the older stuff, yet found IRS and Better are not songs you can go mental to, as they dont have that depth and spirit to them. Just my opinion. I personally believe the new stuff is not accepted as well because it is simply nowhere near as good.

me mad to the top of my own head

me mad to the top of my head

at night sugar, im sorry if i turn up late

well now honey, my turn, check mate

Axl doesn't write lyrics this lame.

Doesnt write lyrics this lame? How about this:

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I had to put her

Six feet under

And I can still hear her complain

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I knew I miss her

So I had to keep her

She's buried right in my back yard

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

She bitched so much

She drove me nuts

And now I'm happier this way

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I had to put her

Six feet under

And I can still hear her complain

Chorus

So this was an inspired piece of wrting eh? Must have took a while to write this song!

This song would be laughed off the chart if it was released. It is not cutting edge music, it has been done many times before, there is nothing special about it. What is it that you guys think stands out about it? Just sounds like a run of the mill album filler to me.

Awesome setlist? With the exception of 'Think about you' and 'Anything Goes', every AFD song was played. You dont need me to tell you that the majority of those songs are over 20 years old.

I dont see what is 'awesome' about hearing a cover band. You have to remember that the musicians (Obvioulsy minus Axl and Dizzy) in the current line up did not write or have anything to do with 80% of the music they are playing, so this pushes them towards a tribute band rather than a cutting edge Rock Band surely? Why are this new band getting credit for playing other people's material?

If they want recognition as a real band, they have to play their own music! I thought this was called the Chinese Democracy tour?

After going to a few shows this year, it is obvious what is more popular to the crowd. How well does 'IRS' go down when compared to 'WTTJ'? Or 'Better' versus 'Its so easy'? The old material is much more appreciated than the new. Largely because the new stuff seems pretty alien to most GNR fans, and please remember that this forum is probably less than 0.1% of GNR fans in the world. So dont give me the argument 'the majority on this Forum thinks the new stuff is cool so your wrong'.

I remember hearing this set minus the new songs at Donnington in '88, so all they have added is a few new songs in eighteen years. What a shame the band never carried on what it started. The new songs are alright, but certainly nothing that will be listened to in twenty years time though.