GeorgeGlass

Well funny or not, Chinese Democracy is the vision of one man. Adding some guitar parts or tweaking this or that should not give someone credits on an album. It is very apparent by the melodies, lyrics and overall songs that Axl was 99% of the album. The other 1% should be credited to ProTools.

Ok. Well, to do a solo record Axl would have to assemble a band and go in the studio, and it would take forever. He already has a band that he works well with. If he used the same band for a solo record, then what would be the point of the solo record? It would be the same thing as Guns n Roses. So he would have to build an entirely new band. That's difficult.

Just doesn't make any sense, and he'll never do it. The truth is, GNR is Axl's solo project. Yeah, there's other people involved, but he is the boss. Maybe GNR isn't as pure of a solo project as an official solo project from Axl, but it is still all in his hands.

Very well said.

You applied simple logic here but meaningful.

+1

Now it is his solo project...but he could do a whole album with his vocals and protools.

I thought the shorts were wicked. Just a huge "fuck you" to everyone...

Nobody else could pull something like that off except for WAR...

You got some brown on your nose, I can see it all the way through the internet. That kind of shit was done long before 'WAR'...go look at David Lee Roth's even gayer outfits from the early days of VH.

The one thing that's bothered me with all iterations of the new band, but especially this one, is the lack of an official group portrait/shot. I think it would really help the image of it being a 'band' if the band was to have a studio photo together. It also might end every news article about the (new) band using a portrait shot of the original band.

It would also help if they toured regularly, put out new records regularly, you know...stuff normal bands do. Too bad Axl has nothing left but a cult following primarily in Europe.

Outside of the songs they've covered live, what would you want to see them cover live or in the studio?

For me, one would be Ten Years Gone by Zeppelin. Another would be Show me the Way by Peter Frampton, and American Woman by the Guess Who.

They're covering everything done by Axl Rose so I'm not sure what I'd want to hear.

Very well said. Guns N' Roses is a living legend.

Living?

A band writes material together, a solo artist writes everything and has the band cover it. This is how I feel the last 10 years of GNR have been.

Well read the writing credits, if that really bothers you.

You're a fool if you think that Chinese Democracy was anyone else's vision besides Axl's. Since he can't physically play all the instruments, of course there are credits in there.

No Media Reviews yet ??

Of course not - A great show by possibly the best rock act on the planet .

If you're referring to Axl as the best rock act, I can see that...but nobody gives a shit about anyone else on that stage.

Delusional statements on this board:

- CD is better than Appetite and UYI

- New GNR is better than original GNR

- There is no problem with Axl using the GNR name, even though 10 years on it's completely backfired on him and caused him a loss of credibility

- CD was written by people other than Axl

- People don't want a reunion

- You buy into Axl's rhetoric that he is a victim and takes no responsibility for the demise of GNR

Accurate statements on this board:

- Axl can still sing well

- People go to shows ONLY to see Axl

- Ashba is Slash-like, the other guy is Izzy-like, which intentional or not, is what should have been done in '02

- Buckethead was an idiotic mistake in trying to forge a comeback. People laughed at him, regardless of how much talent he has. He's better off in a band like Slipknot.

- A reunion is what 99.9% of the people want and hope for, the .1% comprise members of this board

A band writes material together, a solo artist writes everything and has the band cover it. This is how I feel the last 10 years of GNR have been.

The best way to do it is with Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven.

Yawn.

You know, I love the original lineup. But comments like this are just so pointless in threads that have zero to do with the old lineup or a reunion. Feel better now?

It's not pointless, the OP asked what the best way to release CD2 would be and I answered. Is there anyone with an IQ above 50 that would say the original lineup coming back and releasing new material WOULDN'T be the best way? Ron, DJ Ashba and Frank Ferrer aren't exactly names to get excited for - they cover the hits well but nobody even knows who they are.

Just because I don't look at things with the perspective of 'Axl can do no wrong' (this board) means I have to support this half assed incarnation of GNR? I love Axl as a performer, and enjoy a great percentage of CD songs, but this is NOT gnr and in fact is a disgrace to the name. Axl's made a mockery of a once wonderful band but I'd still go see him perform even if he had a clown on lead (like in Boston '02). THAT means I'm a fan.

He'd absolve himself of 99% of criticism if he didn't use the GNR name.

I think it would be good if they just released the un-released material from the past decade or something to let people hear it. Just work on them a little more to to make them sound better and release them.

Than work on a new album with new material with DJ and Bumblefoot. Release it in early 2011 or 2012 and tour behind it and promote it.

You continue to use logic when talking about Axl Rose. Any other performer would probably do something along the lines of what you suggest, but he's still out in fucking left field doing whatever the fuck it is he does at 3 in the morning.

What makes you think the old lineup coming back WOULD be the best way?

Financially, yes, it probably would be, but do you care how rich the people involved are, or about the music?

I don't see the old members being able to work out their differences and put out anything better than Chinese Democracy. I really don't. I see it being a cash grab, and a cluster fuck that would soon end in yet another split.

DJ helped write SOLA for Motley, and Sixx:AM so he's got some obvious writing talent. Anyone want to question Ron's ability? And everyone seems to forget about Richard.

I'd rather have those guys, working together, than a dysfunctional family.

BUT THESE GUYS AREN'T WORKING TOGETHER. Doing live shows is one thing, and not difficult. Original material with credits to all is something...and that hasn't happened.

Even if it's a clusterfuck, wouldn't it be worth it to see the original lineup with newly recorded material, even if it's one tour and one album? It's not like the new version has been touring and banging out records for 10 years, so why are they any better? Shows here and there, no new material, nobody with any say except Axl, average show attendance. And there's no question that between Axl, Izzy and Slash they could put out an incredible album. Izzy in particular is a masterful song writer.

One album in 15 years and even that was like pulling teeth. Why does he pull shit like this?

The old line up were never at leeds or reading they didnt exist then.

The original line up made history, in good and controversial ways. The new line up does exactly the same thing. That's what GNR is all about.

Everyone has their opinion, mine is this, AXL is Guns and is the reason this band are legendary. Not slash or any of the others apart from Izzy. Ironic how Izzy made the most significant contribution to guns apart from Axl and if you asked one of these cunts who he was they wouldn't have a clue. Tommy and dizzy are more GNR than Slash.

Glorified cover bands don't play original material. Thick fuckers.

I am answering your last three points:

1. This new lineup does whatever Axl says - HE'S the band right now nobody gives a shit about any of the other clowns on stage.

2. Slash is of equal importance to GNR, that's why people laugh at Axl now and why they play to half empty venues and are mortified to tour the US.

3. Original material is all Axl's, so they are even covering CD. Half of those no-names weren't even around when the songs came to be. Please don't think this is a band. It's a bunch of somewhat stable guys that for now can tolerate Axl's bullshit cause the pay is good. They don't write or have a say in anything.

Axl's biggest mistake wasn't parting ways with Slash, it was choosing to use the GNR name to do whatever the fuck it is he's done over the last 15 years (one album and <100 shows). He's had lots of time to prove himself and it hasn't happened. It's fine to buy the name, but you don't have to use it, just shelve it and prevent others from using it - don't make a fucking mockery of it.

Jay-Z #47

Eminem #79?

Looks like hip hop artists got bent over on this list... Eminem sold more records than any artists in the 00's and Jay-z has more #1 Albums than Elvis, yet nirvana is above them? and not just above them, about 30 places above jay?

Let those people have their own top 100.

Just watched their segment. I thought it was interesting everyone spoke in the past tense about them. Including Dave Navarro even spoke, no mention of CD

It's not interesting because 80% of the guys that helped put them at #33 are no longer there. And why would anyone talk about Chinese Democracy? Outside of this board, it's well known to be an Axl Rose album under the guise of GNR - that is if that many people even know about it. Nobody really cares about CD.

The best way to do it is with Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven.

Yawn.

You know, I love the original lineup. But comments like this are just so pointless in threads that have zero to do with the old lineup or a reunion. Feel better now?

It's not pointless, the OP asked what the best way to release CD2 would be and I answered. Is there anyone with an IQ above 50 that would say the original lineup coming back and releasing new material WOULDN'T be the best way? Ron, DJ Ashba and Frank Ferrer aren't exactly names to get excited for - they cover the hits well but nobody even knows who they are.

Just because I don't look at things with the perspective of 'Axl can do no wrong' (this board) means I have to support this half assed incarnation of GNR? I love Axl as a performer, and enjoy a great percentage of CD songs, but this is NOT gnr and in fact is a disgrace to the name. Axl's made a mockery of a once wonderful band but I'd still go see him perform even if he had a clown on lead (like in Boston '02). THAT means I'm a fan.

He'd absolve himself of 99% of criticism if he didn't use the GNR name.

I think it would be good if they just released the un-released material from the past decade or something to let people hear it. Just work on them a little more to to make them sound better and release them.

Than work on a new album with new material with DJ and Bumblefoot. Release it in early 2011 or 2012 and tour behind it and promote it.

You continue to use logic when talking about Axl Rose. Any other performer would probably do something along the lines of what you suggest, but he's still out in fucking left field doing whatever the fuck it is he does at 3 in the morning.

I think it's pretty obvious that the next Chinese Democracy album is right around the corner, probably with a coinciding U.S. tour.

Oh,wait, nevermind. That would actually be really great for the fans. God knows Axl's been doing his damndest to keep that at bay.

:

Yeah you're absolutely right - I get the whole 'Axl Rose' thing, but there's really nothing wrong with releasing an album more frequently than every 15 years. Just do it Axl, we won't call you a conformer, really we won't.

I think it's pretty shitty the way that the media has mis-portayed Axl's actions during the recent Reading, Leeds, and Dublin shows. It's as if they don't care that they are negatively impacting one's life and livelihood with their gutter journalism. Instead of them praising Axl's heroism in getting his band-mates off-stage while being attacked with plastic cups full of "unknown" substances, they instead paint him as some sort of insensitive asshole who cares about no one but himself. Instead of them praising his dedication to the fans for not putting on a show until he is fully ready to give his best performance, they criticize him for being a dickhead who makes his fans pointlessly wait for hours. Their willingness to put a negative spin on a positive situation just to make a buck is disgusting.

Do any of you think the media's misportrayal of events will negatively impact a US tour (assuming that they plan to at some point)? Or is the public just brainwashed in to thinking this is just par for the course with Axl?

I think the absence of Slash will negatively impact a US tour. As much as Europeans and South Americans might nay say the US, they eat up anything and everything American, including lone rock stars who ditched their band years ago. Axl's no dummy and he knows this, which is why he can still play to crowds the size that he does and why he hasn't been on tour in the US since '06 - which wasn't really a tour. I was at Worcester in '06 and there were thousands of empty seats as well as lots of open GA area. It was great for the Axl fan but not good as it was evident that in a 10,000 seat arena, he was pushing the limits of adequate venue size. He really should start playing some high end club shows to build it all back up then start hitting the arenas. It aint '92 anymore.

The best way to do it is with Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven.

if we're talking setlists, then I'd kill to see them play Dead Horse again one day. Always thought that song was enough of a blank canvass for the 3 guitarists to jazz it up and it would fit Axl's "new" voice reasonably well....

Great, great song.

I'm not the type of fan to say "Axl should do this" but I just want to see if anyone else agrees with me on this. who's knows if we will even get a new record but let's just say we are.

To make a Chinese Democracy type of album we could be waiting for years and years. Not saying we will, but it is certaintly a possibilty. Sure, Axl could just release a box-set or whatever of material from up to eleven years ago, i do not see him doing this, (hold for stupid jokes like "wasnt chinese democracy that") My point is would anyone like to see the current incarnation of Guns do a more rock n' roll type of record? Think about it: The lineup (no Bucket, no Finck) as it stands now is more rock n' roll (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-QZJsf-hXI and

I do not see the 2002 lineup or the 2006 lineup doing that) than it is Chinese Democracy sounding. Wouldn't it fit this lineup more? A rock n roll type record would take less time. Alot less time than a CD II. Frank Ferrer, as Brain himself said is more like Steven Adler in a sense that he is more rock n' roll. I think we all know Bumbles is straight up rock n roll from his music influences. And dont tell me Richard aint

In the end it is all up to Axl. I'll support him either way. All i'm saying is a rock n' roll type of record would take less time ( in fact the original intention of Axl way back in 98 or so was to make a rock n roll type record. he said the reason for not making a rock n roll type record was Slash. But i believe in this lineup and i think they could pull it off) and also it fits this lineup more IMO. For the Buckethead stuff GNR can release a box set or something.

so what do u guys think?

Ok so Axl wasn't the one who told Slash that 'he wanted to make a record that sounded more like Pearl Jam'? Don't believe everything Axl says - every side has two stories, and his is the almost unthinkable side that says SLASH didn't want to make a hard rock record. Yeah, right. In every single post he made here, not ONCE did he ever take the blame for anything. You had 4 guys in the same ballpark and one that was on an entirely different planet, and 15 years later he still finds himself alone, musically.

That said, the only thing 99% of the people are waiting for is a reunion. There's half of 1% on this board that really think this new band can be great and do great things and I applaud your optimism but come on...let's cut the bullshit and get these 5 guys back together..

I can diggit, and get it. I used to sing long live sets and warm ups can be tricky, especially if you want to eat first (breakfast in Axl's case) as you can't warm up soon after eating. You also have to look at did he cool down enough if he had a show the prior night, or did he go backstage and talk up a storm? All this affects you, and even more at 48 ish, and it's easy to have nothing the next day and all you can do is sing softly in falsetto for an hour until it's back.

As to warming up earlier again it may be something as simple as choosing between going on stage starving, or eating instead , waiting, then going off to warm up.

The guy didn't do a single show for a great majority of his career. His voice should NOT be a concern and people seriously have to stop making excuses for him. He does what he does because his 'thing' is to be the anti-establishment rock star. If he behaved and played a show on time he wouldn't be Axl Rose anymore. If he respected the fans and surfaced more than every 4 years he wouldn't be Axl Rose anymore. That's why at 48 years old he's still throwing punches at people.

When's he going to mellow out and drop all the hostility? Maybe never but that kind of stuff doesn't work when you're approaching 50 years old.

Great great setlist. Awesome to see Patience, Better, Shacklers... looks like it was a 10/10 show!!!

Wow you have low expectations for what a 10/10 show should be. The first 4 shows in Asia were 10/10 for their setlists alone, but realistically 8/10 due to Axl's vocal issues.

seems like an amazing show.

Yeah wow, amazing...a couple songs from CD, a bunch of 20 year old songs and 3 or 4 solos.

What do you want, the second coming???

I think this thread illustrates a very important point: there are certain members of this board and the "fan community" who are only happy when attacking the band. When there's controversy - Reading, or Dublin - they circle and squawk like vultures, and the threads balloon to 50+ page flame wars.

But when you get a solid show with a solid setlist, bringing back a couple of tunes people had been wanting to hear, there's nothing. No positive side, because they have nothing positive to say. They're not fans, just shit-disturbers.

Hope everyone at tonight's gig had a great time. The setlist looks sweet. Even with those 20 year old songs (I mean, come on, right? Why keep an old song like Paradise City in the mix??? /sarcasm)

While I wouldn't expect 3 hour shows like in Asia, there is enough material to put on solid 2.5 hours shows on each stop. It's not as if this is a tiring world tour with 125 stops. It just seems to be Axl's doing the bare minimum with these performances. I wanted to see refinement of live CD songs throughout the tour like Shackler's, If the World, Catcher, Prostitute and There was a Time - these are tunes that were a bit rough and raw but ones that I thought had real potential to become live masterpieces.

Believe me, I love the old songs, I really do, but a better mix of CD songs (since it is the CD 'tour') and a 2+ hour setlist would be nice. Last thing, people hate when I compare Metallica, but one of the really cool things they do is play one unique song in each setlist throughout the tour - on the DM tour, among other songs, they played things we haven't heard live in YEARS - Trapped under ice, outlaw torn, shortest straw, through the never, Dyer's Eve, etc, etc. Imagine Axl pulls out don't damn me, perfect crime, 14 years...

Wow, some of you act as if the band has to release a new album every year while doing world tours just to be eligible for the title "active". CD was not released that long ago and they are still currently touring. There is a lot going on in the GNR world and they could take some downtime after this tour without it meaning they are "done" with their careers! If they finished this tour and we didn't hear or see from them until 2012-2013 (album or tour) I would consider that a fine schedule. It's going on now, enjoy it.

Release a new album every year? No. Every fifteen years? Give me a break. Spotty tour with no US stops? Retarded.

The only thing Axl had to do in order to avoid all the cover band criticism was to NOT use the name Guns N Roses, even if he owns it. Shelve it and bring it back if/when appropriate. What's transpired over the last 10 years is not the right time nor is it deserving of the legendary GNR name.

seems like an amazing show.

Yeah wow, amazing...a couple songs from CD, a bunch of 20 year old songs and 3 or 4 solos.

I keep reading threads where other people refer to Slash as "cancer boy" or similar stuff.

Can we all agree that as much as we all support Axl, that was not his finest moment. And even if you thought the cancer remark was cool and justified, then out of pure human decency lets stop the hurtful references to cancer when the guy (and i bet many of us on here, me included) have lost close relatives to that disease.

"Cancer boy" is not even witty.

This is not a Slash Vs Axl thing by the way

He's lashing out because he knows how badly he fucked up by not reconciling with Slash or any other members. I think it's pretty obvious that Axl, post-Slash, hasn't exactly been successful. Sure he sounds great and is doing some shows here or there, but everything else in between continues to be a joke.