Iron MikeyJ

Episode 2!!!

Hey everyone, it's been a while. I've been busy over on YouTube. I have a new Live Stream Show, some of you guys might enjoy it.

The iiRcadians

4 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said:

Watching now, where’s the JCM900? 

Thats in my basement, with the lego. This is my arcade.

Here's a tour of my room guys.

https://youtu.be/9_bSfL7iyrk

5 minutes ago, Ak1nney said:

If you play the rockers from Chinese Democracy, then follow it up with Hard Skool, man... Hard Skool is a heavy fucking hitter.

That's kinda what I'm saying. 

Let's go down memory lane, lol...

I remember buying Oh My God the day it dropped, and being SO HAPPY, because it was the first Guns n' Roses song since Sympathy for the Devil in early 94. Having said that (while I enjoy OMG for what it is), if I'm honest it's NOT what I wanted from guns n roses, I wanted Axl and Slash, rocking out. Having said that, I STILL called my local radio station and requested OMG for days.

Around the same time, I downloaded Ain't going down for the first time (back in the early days of downloading, in an old man now, lol). Anyways, Ain't going down WAS exactly what I wanted from a guns song, I SO wished it got proper lyrics and finished. 

Long story short, Hard Skool reminds me of Ain't going down, but better honestly (ain't going down was not a finished song). So, for me, hard Skool is the first REAL sounding guns song since ain't going down (which was only on a pinball machine).

1 minute ago, The-Jungle83 said:

Gawddammit, I have to say - I like this song! I'm sure there are those that'll pick holes in it, whinge about when the song was recorded etc etc etc, but I'm gonna enjoy the song for what it is, as close to a classic era GN'R rocker as we've had in a hell of a long time! 

Yup

One thing to keep in mind, is how much the music scene has changed since the 90's. When we talk about bands like Guns, their "B" songs would be "hits" in today's climate. That's why bands like Greta Van Fleet even exist, the competition for "old Skool" rock and roll isn't NEARLY as competitive as it was in 90's, let alone before then. Had Greta been a 70's band, they probably wouldn't even get signed. 

So a song that really rocks, getting released today is a pretty big deal (regardless of the band) imo. Which I'm sorry but an Illusion "B side" (which is where I would rank Hard Skool), is GREAT in 2021. 

I'm digging it.

Let me start by saying that criticism of the band can be helpful, and HAS been warranted at many times during the bands history. 

Having said that, the "endless complaints" that some people have are interesting to me, as a long time fan. Sure, when compared to how (Metallica) for example do things, then yes criticism will most likely be warranted in some minds. But let's look at Guns "eras"

1. OG line up (not counting pre appetite eras)

2. Illusions era

3. NUgnr era 1

4. NUgnr era 2

5 Reunion era

Besides the OG and Illusions era, the Reunion era HAS to be the third best era for the fandom. I don't know how ANYONE could argue either NUgnr era was better (I'm not talking about music, but just how the band operated). EVERYTHING Guns n' Roses related has been on the upswing since Slash and Duff came back. 

I guess it's hard for me to complain when things have been MUCH worse. But I also don't come here every day anymore and analyze the bands movements either. 

4 minutes ago, Pele said:

You've seen it all - except all the unreleased songs that we've all heard?  Cool.

No, I've heard Hard Skool before as well. But I heard it once, and just put it out of mind. As I did with Going Down. Honestly, that was around the time my "opinions" on leaks changed. I "liked" going down, it was a good song. But it wasn't guns n roses to me, it was something else. If Axl sang the whole song, I would have liked it better, but given the state of the band at that time... Leaks just didn't appeal to me anymore. Why get excited about unreleased music by a band with one original member, that's imploding for the 2nd time (Tommy was leaving, BBF left, Ashba was Ashba, etc). Guns n roses were dying to me at that point. So ANY unreleased music from that era, recorded by those musicians, just didn't excite me anymore.

So when Hard Skool and others leaked, I listened to them once or twice. Then thought about what Axl said about "the world doesn't revolve around guns n roses music" or something to that effect (I'm paraphrasing). Which he was right, so like many, I just stopped caring. 

The reunion was great, that gave me hope. But I didn't feel a band (even as great as guns), can REALLY make a big impact on the music scene anymore. They can release new music (or not), tour, live their life, etc. But to expect some sort of "ground breaking" music from a band who's members are at this age, just isn't realistic. Name me ANY band/musician that REALLY did something special by this point in their careers? You can't. So why should I expect anything different from guns?

As for new music, I had faith we would hear some stuff. I think that might have been part of the reason why NUgnr imploded like it did, Axl didn't have faith in those musicians to release an album with. At least that's how I see it. So again, it made sense for the reunion. But after sitting through the CD drama, the band seems pretty drama free at this point. Which is a good thing. Plus I'm sure Covid effected plans (as it did with everyone). So I had hope new music would start coming out, and it has. Which if I had played myself out on the Hard Skool leak, it would be like the CD release all over again for me. So I'm glad I didn't listen to it a bunch. 

Production sound aside, could anyone seriously argue that Hard Skool couldn't of easily been on the Illusions? I love every song on those albums (except for My World). To me, it sounds like classic gnr. Perhaps not Appetite/lies era gnr, but still old Skool gnr (sorry for my pun).

I like the song, more than I thought I would. But my expectations were on low end after Absurd, and Hard Skool impressed me. 

Perhaps some of you should reevaluate your expectations perhaps? Guns are NEVER going to top Appetite, Jungle, PC, SCOM, NR, etc. It's just NOT going to happen, I've excepted that. But can they give us more music along the lines of Dont't Damn me, Garden or Eden, Right Next door to hell, Thinking bout you, etc? Before yesterday, I would have said no. But they did, I would ABSOLUTELY put Hard Skool next to the songs I just mentioned.

So in my book, it's a big win.

4 minutes ago, RussTCB said:

If/when it's available physically I'll buy it. I'd prefer vinyl but I'll buy it on CD if I have to. 

Right on, I'm assuming I'll feel the same way later tonight when I get to test it through my main setup. 

I hear ya. I avoid buying CD's at this point. Why even bother? If I want a physical item, vinyl for me as well. On top of that, I'll download it.

They need mIke Clink to produce.

Honestly, of you don't like the chorus of Hard Skool, I'm not sure if you really are a Guns n' Roses fan. It's up there with Anything Goes, Thinking Bout You, etc. Catchy but for all the right reasons. No, it's not top tier, (jungle, PC, etc). But it's good old gnr.

It reminds me of Ain't going down (Hard Skool overall) is anyone else getting those vibes. Which in 1995-2008, I would have LOVED for a proper release of Ain't going down. Anyone else see similarities?

6 minutes ago, ACDC8 said:

I know the vast majority will hate my comments, but I don't give a crap - I've been a loyal fan of this band for the past 30+ years, I won't change because of the majority... 

1. "OMG... they released a new song... which is not technically new, but still.." - ok, cool, good for them, good for you, but to me, it will never be a new song because it is NOT a new song - never released it is very different than a "new" song. It will not turn my day from great to fantastic because of it. Sorry, I have VERY high standards, and a "never released song" is not a new album. Not a big deal, AT ALL, to me. 

 

Man, of course you are right, Oh My God IS an old song, I'm not sure what it has to do with Hard Skool though ,🤔

I kid of course, just messing with you. I disagree with your opinion, but it IS your opinion. 👍

3 minutes ago, Pele said:

Yeah but outside of maybe Perhaps and Atlas, you'll never hear the others unless you listed to the leaks.

Oh, well then. I'm not going to agonize over unfinished songs that don't have Slash and Duff playing on them. If CD had been released as an Axl solo album, I doubt most here would be going crazy over those leaks anyways. 

If they are good, I feel they will get released. We've had two new songs recently here, something IS happening for once. 

Hey man, I bought Oh My God the DAY it was released, as I have with ALL guns releases since 1994 or so. I've been a fan since 92, I don't need any guns n roses advice, I've seen it all, lol.  thanks though. 

I'm saying it now, new album drops this November.

If you look at Axl's release history, it all lines up. CD was the first single from CD (kinda strange, new sound). They followed that with Better (which was one of the most classic sounding songs on the album, it's also more of a rocker). Then they released SOD around the time of the albums release. Even the Illusions had a similar type of release. 

I would go so far as to say Absurd is like CD, Hard Skool is like Better, and we will get the ballad around the time of the albums release (my guess is November). 

After CD actually released, I didn't spend much time agonizing over leaks. Sure, I would listen to them a time or two, but didn't care to put them on my phone or anything like that. Why? Because it was the CD era band playing on them. So I knew the final versions would be different (and they are). If I could do it all over again, I might not even have listened to them. It's like watching a movie without the special effects, or even worse, the star got recast. Sure, you will get the plot, characters, etc. But you run the risk of burning yourself out on the songs, before you hear the proper versions. 

I did that with CD. I was pretty much burnt out on CD, Better, SOD, tWAT, Shackler's, etc before I even heard the dang album. I don't really care to do that again. Just my opinion.

So my thoughts on Hard Skool. First off, what an improvement over the leak. The leak had potential, but it would have ended up sounding like a CD era song. The final version, ACTUALLY sounds like Guns n' Roses. Dare I say the first "proper" Guns n' Roses sounding song since Sympathy for the Devil.

I did not expect to like it this much, it NEARLY amazing imo. I'll start with positive, I like it better than Thinking bout you (which I LOVE all the songs on Appetite). But I could totally take thinking bout you off of Appetite, and replace it with Hard Skool, and it wouldn't hurt the album in the slightest. I honestly didn't think they could top a song from Appetite, even the worst song in Appetite. So I say congrats to Axl, Slash, and Duff for pulling that off. 

As for the negatives, the only major complaint I can say, is they didn't realize the full potential of the song. When I think of Guns, one thing I NEVER say, is they had more areas to explore with a song, that they didn't explore. Take Nightrain, that song has everything including the kitchen sink in it. They took that song to every possible avenue it could go to, which is what's missing from Hard Skool. Why? IMO, they didn't jam it as a band enough, and it shows slightly. The fact that it was an Axl "paste" job, holds the song back. I hope they explore some possible areas for the song live, because I can hear a classic Guns n Roses jam out in the outro of the song (think Nightrain, which Hard Skool lacks). 

Having said that, the song is banger. I'm really impressed. It's a more rocking song than ANYTHING on CD (and I like CD), but THIS sounds like Guns n' Roses. It brings me to my final point, I disagree with many of you on here, Izzy and Adler are not required for a Guns n' Roses song. Heck even Duff isn't required, it's ALWAYS been Axl and Slash. If you have those two, than the Guns n' Roses magic is there. 

Despite TSI weaknesses, it's biggest strength is Axl and Slash are awesom on that album. So it STILL sounds like Guns n' Roses, even without Izzy and Adler. Same applies for the Illusions albums, plenty of those songs were written by Axl, Slash, and Duff (Civil War, Estranged, November Rain, etc). So I've never bought into the idea that Izzy and Alder are required for a "Guns n' Roses album." Axl and Slash are capable of bringing the magic all by themselves, and when you add Duff, it's just Guns n' Roses, plain and simple. Now you need Izzy and Adler for the Appetite era magic, I'll agree with that. But not for the. "Guns n' Roses magic" Axl and Slash are really all you need, and Hard Skool proves that. 

Finally, this is the most rocking song by Guns n'Roses since TSI. Better than anything on CD, as far as a rocking guns song goes. It not on the same level as Jungle, YCBM, Nightrain, etc. But I WOULD put it on the next tier down with songs like Anything goes, Thinking bout you, Garden of Eden, Right next door to hell, etc. 

Good job guys 👍👍

This confirms my suspensions, if Slash and Duff played on Oh My God back in 99', it would have been FAR better received. 

This reminds me of when OMG dropped, I bought that soundtrack the day Best buy opened, skipped school to do it.

3 minutes ago, NicoRourke said:

It overlaps with the previous lyric, it’s unsettling or annoying - I haven’t decided yet. But I firmly believe it’s intentional.

The song IS Absurd, I think that's all part of the point.

8 minutes ago, Zeppelin said:

Best song on CD? Yikes. I mean, I get opinions and all, but this song makes Riad sound like Jungle.

No, just no. Riad and Scraped are up there with My World for me. That's my bottom three. As absurd as it sounded to me watching it oon a cell phone video (and not really liking it), the studio version is winning me over. 

I agree with others, I see this as a song 2 ISE and Shackler's spot o nthe album.

Ya, call me crazy... But I think it's coming. I feel like its been done, the whole pandemic has put them on the waiting game. 

They didn't NEED a new album before, they could sell the reunion. Now it's new album time. Axl even said so when he said "We had to finish this, before we could work on what's next." Or something similar. I'm going to base things off of how things have been since the reunion started, which has been very professional, and very smart business wise. Just look at all the new merch... They didn't have that back in 02,06,09, etc. Everything has a BIGGER feel now, as such I think they are making the smart moves. They want to tour and make their money that way, in order to do that, you need new music, other wise people get bored. 

Besides Absurd, I'd say the Illusions were the last time Slash REALLY played on songs that are "pushing the envelope" musically and artistically. Sure he had Anastasia and some other moments, but they were still pretty "safe" imo. Axl on the other hand is ALWAYS pushing the limits, to his detriment at times. Songs like Coma, Locomotive, and now Absurd is where the two meet. I prefer Coma and Locomotive, but I'm curious about the rest of the album. If nothing else, this album will be interesting from a creative stand point. Say what you will about CD, but it might be the most "progressive" album ever by a band that started out as a "hard rock" band. Sure Tool and others push the envelope, but they can't rock the "old school" style like Guns can. Which other bands from guns era, can't write songs like Absurd. I'm sorry they just can't. I'm of the opinion that AC/DC hasnt been relevant creativity since The Razors Edge. I could say the same about Metallica and others. 

I might be of the opinion that no matter what the album ends up b into/sounding like I will love it. The mainstream audience might not, but I don't care about that. But one more guns n roses album is the perfect ending of the band for me. Whether it's good or not is secondary, honestly. I'd LOVE it to be great and the whole world love it, but I don't need that. 

Besides, just having Slash and Duff back, I'm bound to like it more than CD (which I also like). But this album will feel more like guns, even if the songs are mostly CD leftovers. But I'm hopeful Slash and Duff will get a couple of new compositions in there as well. 

Its interesting the song as credit as written by Guns n' roses. That ensures Slash and Duff writing credits, because correct me if I'm wrong, but legally Guns n' Roses are Slash, Duff, and Axl?

I'm surprised the forum hasn't been shut down, lol.