GeorgeGlass

At least that band is performing.

Why are you a Guns N Roses fan? I know why I am - because in the late 80's and early 90's Axl and the guys didnt bend for anyone!

That's fine to not bend for anyone, and in fact is admirable, but during those 6 glory years they released 4 albums, toured extensively and as a result had a global following. Tours were announced which would span years, which each leg lasting 6 months or more. Sure he went on late and a show here and there was canceled or stopped early, but the trade off was that GNR were on tour and available for all to see. Now we get jack shit from a has been who's past his prime. The balls on him...

Mastadony, why is Axl's lack of communicating with you via electronic means such a huge deal in your mind? You obviously have a problem with Axl - so why follow the band? Its not the same line-up as it was 20 years ago, and no amount of bashing Axl is ever going to change that.

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I think the internet generation has forgotten the way bands released information in the past. Yes, your younger bands are going to be avid facebook, tritter, myspace, boggers, etc because that's what they grew up on. Older rock stars like Axl grew up in a different time. When I was in my teens and early 20s we didn't have any of that stuff. ALL band news came from watching MTV news, headbangers ball once a week, and getting hit parader and circus magazines once a month!

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So stop bashing Axl for not twittering or facebooking you on an hourly basis. He didn't grow up with the internet and may not be comfortable using it - or, may not want to waste his time online constantly. Not everybody is addicted to their internet, facebook, twittering and texting. Maybe he is out enjoying life, and would prefer doing that than sitting on a computer all day talking about what he did.

I do have a problem with Axl. Love the music, can't stand the man. I think he take us ( his fans) for granted. Axl may be of a different generation but so is Trent Raznor. Trent makes it a point to give his fans updates. I am not asking for an 800 page autobio but an interview here or there would be nice.

I couldn't care less if Axl continues to be an asshole, but the major difference here is that he's not touring (no, 3 and 4 shows are NOT tours, and he hasn't hit the states in 4 years), whereas during UYI it was 2.5 years of touring so you knew you'd be able to see him perform, so people would be content to put up with his shit, going on late...of course he COULD do it 20 years ago but not anymore.

but right now it looks like BBF is out the door very soon. I'd rather have an inactive period knowing that the band still has a decent guitarist than watch them do a half-assed tour with a pissed off guitarist who'll be leaving by the time the year ends.

And then you don't know what you're talking about. Maybe he's pissed off (and probably rightfully so), but I think you'll find he cares more about the band, his work in it and the fans (probably the fans above all) than to walk out on it anytime soon. It's threads like this that he'll read (and believe me, he does read these places) and want to quit even more. Once the fans give up, he'll be gone.

Ron's just another victim of the fucked up ways of Axl Rose...perhaps Ron and Slash have more in common than we thought.

One day Axl's gotta realize that this isn't 1992 and he isn't the biggest rock star in the world anymore. He could kind of get away with this shit twenty years ago when his fan base was young, but the fans are getting older and many people simply don't want to wait around until after midnight for a concert to start when they have to get home to the kids, go to work the next day, or take care of other responsibilities that they wouldn't have had twenty years ago. When I saw them in '06 they came on at midnight and more than half of the crowd had left by the end of the show. I can't blame BBF if he is pissed. He's a professional and seems to really care about the fans. How many guitarists is Axl going to lose before he gets his shit together?

Correct. I saw them in Worcester in '06 - he went on around 11:40, and there were probably 7500 people there. It was really sad.

do you remember axl punching that photographer before the tour started ???

its just a bit of media hype before this leg of the tour starts , it makes the next fews gigs a bit more exciting "will they turn up " kind of thing !!!

its been on bbc radio 1 news all day , so its quite a big story over here in the U.K

Just building anticipation thats all

The publicity ship has sailed for Axl, a long, long time ago. His asshole ways are catching up to him (again) like they did during UYI. He should be grateful anyone shows up for a show where 80% of GNR are not there and he continues to pull this shit? When's it going to end?

The Asia shows got them 750,000 u.s per show.

Wow for attendances of 5,000 or so, Axl's got a great manager to pull that off.

I think most people would lay off him if he reunited the old band. That's quite an albatross to carry around.

I agree. For whatever reason Axl's the only stubborn one who's not seemingly onboard. There's pride, then there's stupidity. A 47 year old man holding a grudge like a 15 year old boy. All the stuff that's been communicated us to have transpired, I don't really see what the hang up is after 15+ years. There are bands who hated each other more (I don't even think Axl and Slash hate each other) and they have reunited. Stop the whole 'I won't sellout' thing and just fucking reunite.

Now their guitarist is even talking shit about Axl - does this crystalize in any way how much of an asshole Axl Rose really is?

Axl Rose is like a wealthy alcoholic. He's hit rock bottom numerous times, but due to his money and the sycophantic hangers-on who surround him, he's been allowed to get away with his general assholery.

Correct. Even though people shit on Metallica here, I use them as the benchmark as to how a band should act towards their fans. They reliably tour every year, have a great website, do meet and greets for their fanclub and always show a great appreciation for the millions of people who helped made them who they are. And NOBODY here has the right to talk shit about Load and Reload and all the sellout shit given what CD is all about. Load and Reload are GREAT albums.

Metallica as a live band still works, but they forgot how to make a good album years ago. I'll take a problematic band like Gn'R anyday, with some fuckin' inspiration left in it, over a great live act that put out Death Magnetic which was, let's face it, a watered down ..And Justice For All with none of the originality, energy and memorable solos, and on top of that, has the worst mastering I've ever heard in my life. Unforgiven 3? what the fuck?

This is all a subjective debate, I get that - but unforgiven 3 is the completion of a trilogy (sound familiar?) which tells a story. I take it you've not seen them live in some time, you'll take back your energy statement as well as the lack of solos. If the Ecstasy of Gold intro doesn't give you chills, you're not alive...something big is about to happen. Nobody debates the slotting of DM, timeline-wise, as a perfect fit between AJFA and the Black Album, but it has fundamental Metallica sounds that take you back 20 years during a time where rock and metal are manufactured and boring. Remember, these guys are pushing 50 so some of the stuff slows down, but they still do 125 shows a year.

---BACK ON TOPIC---

All that notwithstanding, here's the thing that sticks with me most - I know that if I want to see Metallica in the next 12 months, I have a very, very good chance of doing that. In the next 24 months? Guaranteed. With Axl, nobody knows what the fuck is going on and at this particular point in his career, he should really reconsider this approach. Until he comes out and says "I don't give a fuck about touring, fans or anything else", he at least owes us that.

I just think the fans are owed some closure, one way or the other - either I'm committing myself to music, or I'm history...

George Glass you are hijacking this thread.

GNR is alive , well and about to embark on a tour and you are not "owed" nor "entitled" to anything. It has been made more than clear that the tour is happening. Stop blubbering facts about Metallica. Nobody wants to hear that. Slash is not coming back so get over it. The band will not suffer from carcinogen exposure on the UK tour or any other tour.

Hijacking because I can't believe the lack of self respect you people have. Axl could take a shit right on your head and you'd be fine with it, because you'd put on your gay facebook page that "Axl just shit on my head" awesome!

Axl Rose is like a wealthy alcoholic. He's hit rock bottom numerous times, but due to his money and the sycophantic hangers-on who surround him, he's been allowed to get away with his general assholery.

Correct. Even though people shit on Metallica here, I use them as the benchmark as to how a band should act towards their fans. They reliably tour every year, have a great website, do meet and greets for their fanclub and always show a great appreciation for the millions of people who helped made them who they are. And NOBODY here has the right to talk shit about Load and Reload and all the sellout shit given what CD is all about. Load and Reload are GREAT albums.

Metallica as a live band still works, but they forgot how to make a good album years ago. I'll take a problematic band like Gn'R anyday, with some fuckin' inspiration left in it, over a great live act that put out Death Magnetic which was, let's face it, a watered down ..And Justice For All with none of the originality, energy and memorable solos, and on top of that, has the worst mastering I've ever heard in my life. Unforgiven 3? what the fuck?

This is all a subjective debate, I get that - but unforgiven 3 is the completion of a trilogy (sound familiar?) which tells a story. I take it you've not seen them live in some time, you'll take back your energy statement as well as the lack of solos. If the Ecstasy of Gold intro doesn't give you chills, you're not alive...something big is about to happen. Nobody debates the slotting of DM, timeline-wise, as a perfect fit between AJFA and the Black Album, but it has fundamental Metallica sounds that take you back 20 years during a time where rock and metal are manufactured and boring. Remember, these guys are pushing 50 so some of the stuff slows down, but they still do 125 shows a year.

---BACK ON TOPIC---

All that notwithstanding, here's the thing that sticks with me most - I know that if I want to see Metallica in the next 12 months, I have a very, very good chance of doing that. In the next 24 months? Guaranteed. With Axl, nobody knows what the fuck is going on and at this particular point in his career, he should really reconsider this approach. Until he comes out and says "I don't give a fuck about touring, fans or anything else", he at least owes us that.

I just think the fans are owed some closure, one way or the other - either I'm committing myself to music, or I'm history...

Load and Reload are GREAT albums.

No. Just no.

Why because you can't headbang or want to commit acts of violence while listening to it? RONNIE, ATTITUDE, FIXXXER - you can honestly say these aren't great songs? It was a very appropriate double release during a time where thrash metal and hard rock were taking a backseat to other types of music and Metallica chose to explore. It is a very diverse selection of music that highlights the fact that they're more than a thrash metal band from the 80's.

Ron Works for Axl, Axl Hired Him, Axl Pays Him, Ron Should Not Have One Word Said, The Guy Can Be Replaced, If Slash Could Be Replaced, Hell, Everybody Can, Bumble's Sad? So Fucking What? If He Decides To Leave Then He Will Be Replaced OR Axl Decides To Retire, All These Guys Were Made By Axl, Axl Made Them Who They Are Today, Nuff Said.

Slash was physically replaced, but look at GNR since he's not been around - not exactly the model of a "band moving on successfully". Axl NEEDS Slash and although this is speculation, I can only hope and dream that this latest clusterfuck may be a sign that a reunion is imminent. Swallow your pride, stop being an asshole and get with the people that have allowed you to act like such an asshole for the last 10 years.

Axl Rose is like a wealthy alcoholic. He's hit rock bottom numerous times, but due to his money and the sycophantic hangers-on who surround him, he's been allowed to get away with his general assholery.

Correct. Even though people shit on Metallica here, I use them as the benchmark as to how a band should act towards their fans. They reliably tour every year, have a great website, do meet and greets for their fanclub and always show a great appreciation for the millions of people who helped made them who they are. And NOBODY here has the right to talk shit about Load and Reload and all the sellout shit given what CD is all about. Load and Reload are GREAT albums.

WHAT THE FUCK

REUNION IN THE WORKS!!

Okay I'm sick of all the negative topics that keep blooming on this section. Could people just focus on the music?

For fuck sake this new band is the shit, these guys play the old and new songs PERFECT and Axl's voice is on TOP OF THE HIMALAYA MOUNTAIN!

Man Axl is the nicest person in the world with his fans and you people keep bashing and bashing. It's no wonder the man doesn't come here anymore. I got the chance to briefly meet him in Oslo and he is the best, I didn't need more than 5 minutes in his company to understand he wasn't the deluded weirdo pictured in so many websites and magazines.

I don't get why you people are all so negative about this band and presume about things "oh my god is Bumblefoot gonna leave??", "Bumblefoot sucks bring back Bucket", "He looks like he might quit in this interview", "Stinson would be homeless without Axl he'd better shut up or he'll be fired", you people are out of line. This band is tight and I bet good money that Axl and Ashba are gonna record some new songs together, there's a clear alchemy on stage between those two, same could be said with Stinson. As to Bumble and Fortus, they do their show and kick ass on guitar, what more is it to ask? (and this is coming from someone who was disappointed meeting them, didn't like them much but so what? They still kick ass!)

Who cares about Chinese Democracy II or Reunion? GNR are coming to Europe again in two weeks and I'm going to see them live AGAIN!

GUNS N FUCKIN' ROSES MAN!!!

Wow, 5 minutes with him and you realize he's a nice guy? I suppose if he told you to fuck off, you'd say how "rock and roll" he was. If he's so nice, why does he leave his fans in the lurch for months and years on end? In case you didn't realize, his recent inactive periods haven't exactly drummed up the "we can't wait for him to come back" sentiment...people have long forgotten about Axl Rose and there's nobody to blame but himself.

Guns N' Roses announce UK tour:

London, O2 Arena - October 13

Birmingham LG Arena - 17

Manchester MEN Arena - 18

A three gig tour? I'm not sure what constitutes a 'tour' but it ain't three shows. That to me is a warm up schedule for a bigger tour that'll never come because Axl's in for a quick payday then another 6 month dormant period.

The Nightrain knee-pump.

0:42-0:51

LOL I love how Bumble goes in full gameboy mode with Izzy on stage

Surreal.

What perplexes me most is that Axl needs lyrical assistance from a monitor for a song he's been singing for over 20 years.

Also, my favorite stage move is when he actually shows up on fucking stage to tour in the United States. And I'm not talking about some half a fag club in NYC for 100 people.

I prefer Mike Patton...Never gave a bad performance ( or I've never heard one ), always looked cool, and his batshit craziness can rival Axl's.

But yeah, Axl has more charisma and a more distinctive voice.

This is a damn good performance:

Would be better with: 1 less guitarist and the removal of those god awful backing tracks. C'mon Axl you don't need that garbage muddling the song.

Some very overrated people up there and some underrated ones that didn't even make it to the list (Layne Staley, James Hetfield just to name a few).

Anyways, this is just their opinion, and, afterall, personal tastes are like asses: everyone should mind their own... too bad RS didn't wipe theirs.

Layne Staley,

James Hetfield though? C'mon I like Metallica but he doesn't belong anywhere near a greatest singer list-AHH

Depends on the criteria...on pure vocal talent, Axl, Het and Layne all do NOT belong there, whereas Freddie Mercury and Paul Rodgers would. The list would again be different if it were combined with stage presence, at which point Axl would be at or near the top. I've still yet to see a real front man who put in as much energy during a 2 hour show as Axl did during the UYI days.

By the time it came out the industrial/dance/rock kind of thing sounded dated. Korn did that a decade earlier. It's not bad song though. I'd have preferred a stripped down acoustic blues version of it.

Absolutely correct. I do like the song too, but 'stripped' down, as I heard it in Osaka (the song still has some dreadful parts as the sound guys were trying to double in Axl's voice). Most of the material on CD was available 8-10 years ago, when Korn and NIN were doing it. Not to mention it would've only been some 6 years since they stopped touring with UYI, and he still would've had some momentum as a relevant rock act. That "new" industrial sound would have had people hooked, rather than saying "WTF is this" as they do now. Having ditched the band, waited 15 years, and released music that nobody wants, Axl's been reverted to a 'cult hero' these days. He's probably fine with that, it's just unbelievable that so many people here think he's still "Axl Rose, the most dangerous front man in the world". Those days are loooooooong gone.

Okay so now we have Chinese Democracy, and after the delay of what Azoff tried to do the band is finally on tour. With the occasional break between legs.

Are you typing from a different planet or are you just not aware of what a 'tour' means?

Awesome tune, one of my faves from thew entire album. Looking forward to seeing it at the live shows in a few weeks.

Maybe because its horribly overproduced with doubling and tripling of Axl's voice? Live, it's good but it's 1/10th of what it is in the studio. You can't do the things live that you can with ProTools.

In fact, you could strip out 40% of the (over)production in Chinese Democracy and it would've been much better.

I'd say he's prolly partying and banging hot chicks.

That's part of the job.

I can't believe 17 years after his fame he's still able to do that.

They were too enamoured with blues based hard rock numbers. I've seen no evidence that Slash or Izzy are capable of writing anything other than old-fashioned hard rock, and neither of them seem particularly good at it anymore. Slash's solo album sucked alot of dick and was vastly inferior to Chinese Democracy in almost every respect. Even the Illusions were filled with samey sounding tracks from Izzy and Slash, who both became lazy, uninspired songwriters after they had their lucky break courtest of W. Axl Rose. Axl was the only one who seemed interested in honing the songwriting craft and it was his contributions that raised the UYI albums out of the depths of mediocrity. I truly believe that Axl was the heart and soul of GNR. His lyrics, vocals, and vocal melodies made GNR stand out from the crowd. The rest of the lineup were no different and no more talented than any number of other hard rock musicians.

So basically, I think GNR's breakup was a good thing. The old band were restricting Axl's ambition and pigeon holing GNR into some hard rock cliche... Regardless of whether you like Chinese Democracy or not, you have to respect that it's daring and ambitious... unlike Slash, Duff, and Izzy's generic fuckin' crap post 1990. Thank god GNR never became another Judas Priest/Iron Maiden/Kiss/Aerosmith... churning out the same cliched garbage year after year.

Thoughts?

New GNR isn't any better. One album, a handful of shows and a revolving door of musicians. If you ask me, I'd MUCH rather have the same ol GNR than the joke that is Axl's GNR now.