LurkingSince'06

What is this sappy bullshit? Kid probably had a Snickers in his pocket, or something. Axl loves Snickers.

People like you are what's turned this place into the toilet it has become. How can you be negative about this? Get a life.

I heard the unedited interview..........there was about 6 minutes of actual DJ conversation cut out.

Four minutes of it was DJ plugging his various non-GnR ventures. Mainly Ashba Swagg and all the really cool clothes and materials he sells.

The other two minutes were DJ talking about how much booze he drinks, how much ass he kicks and how many hotel rooms he destorys while on the average tour. He also slipped in this great story about screaming in the face of a 65-year-old hotel mail when she tried to tell him he couldn't smoke in a non-smoking room.

Good stuff. Not sure why the TV show cut those parts out. One of the producers was probably a friend of Slash's and was jealous of DJ's success.

Where did you hear the uncut interview?

He didn't, I think he's trying to be funny.

There is nothing funny at all about my post!

it's ironic that you dislike DJ for being a douche.

John Frusciante

Favorite to least (and it changes all of the time):

1. There Was A Time (Didn't do much for me at first; the Bucket solo is the album highlight for me now; crazy good!)

2. Better (My favorite at first; I overplayed it; I sightly prefer the 2006 version)

3. This I Love (great; I overplayed it; wish Axl would stick with simple--like this--a bit more often)

4. Madagascar (really like the live LA Forum You Tube with lead-in solos by BBF and Fortus)

5. IRS (but strongly prefer the demo version that's heavy on the Hammond-style organ; album version drops 3-4 notches)

6. If The World

7. Prostitute (for some reason, I don't listen to it as much as the rest, but like it when I do)

8. Scraped (WTF at first; then grew to like it; liked the drum-heavy intro in live version)

9. Street Of Dreams (sometimes really like out-tro and get it stuck in my head)

10. Catcher In The Rye (ditto above)

11. Chinese Democracy (don't like the lyrics; music is kind of generic; prefer 1999 version)

12. Shackler's Revenge (hated it at first; skip it often, but have stretches where I'm really into it; hearing multi-tracks with vocals isolated gave me a new perspective on this one; it's cool, just not my usual kind of music)

13. Sorry (not bad musically but a little boring; kind of lame lyrically if its about Slash or the fans)

-----

14. Rhiad & The Bedouins (only song I don't like; the stolen intro did make it better, LOL!)

I still find this album fascinating. It's one that you need to listen to several times, and then you fall in love with it. I probably gave it the chance that the typical listener didn't because I was so fascinated by the mystical/mythical history of the delay. It does have several near-misses from greatness (especially Prostitute, which has awkward transitions and If the World which has grating vocals at the start), but the lyrics are interesting and the music is really strong. It's sad when I see people on here bash it, seemingly because it's not like Appetite. It's a really good, complex rock album. People get mocked for saying it's one of the best rock albums of the last few years, but I think it really is. Also, if you know the confluence of events that caused the delays, and that it wasn't (all) just Axl being messed in the head, I think that helps (for a great read on the history, go read Chinese Whispers at www.gnrevolution.com).

I wonder if there's anything that these guys wouldn't do for a paycheck. There's definitely no question that there willing to look like a clueless asshole publically for the right price.

Pretty sure they won't blow guys for drug money like your hero. . . . just sayin'

I saw it last night. It was called "tubesteak" or something similar. I didn't click on it because I thought it was BS (or maybe MSL showing us his junk!). Wish I had clicked in case it was a new song.

I hate to rain on everyone's parade. Although the timing of this could mean that something is up, I will tell you that I am an attorney who has represented a record distributor and who has a good working knowledge of how CDs are stocked and removed from retail stores. Think about it like real estate. Distributors often pay (or negotiate) a premium for prime placement in stores (e.g., the "waterfall" racks at the ends of aisles; stand-alone displays like they had for CD) or to be in stores at all (e.g., the exclusive with Best Buy or placement in certain stores at all). Also, the store/chain typically has certain rights to return the CDs at some point (either at their discretion, or once sales slow to a certain rate, or after a certain time). In other words, they aren't stuck with the merchandise until they sell the last copy. Moreover, distributors (i.e., middle man between record labels and stores) often have it built into their contract that they will charge the label a re-stocking fee if CDs are returned to them and they have to scan, shelve, and store them. Often it costs less to destroy them than re-stock them, and the contract, again, may provide that the distributor has certain rights to destroy them, or can put the artist or label to the choice of receiving the returns, authorizing destruction, or ending up paying for storage of the returned-and-unsold CDs (which is a pretty silly thing to do if you don't think they'll get back out to the stores). It may simply be that Best Buy--especially if they are reducing their floor space for compact discs--have elected to use their space on something else, or have fulfilled their contractual obligations for how long they had to carry the product. My guess is that the unsold copies have been returned to the distributor, or were authorized for destruction upon return to save handling and re-stocking charges. After all, it is a business. The record, by accounts from the SoundScan and other folks who track the stuff, was not selling well enough in the last year or so for all remaining copies to sell out, so no signs appear to point to that being what happened.

Sorry if this is taken as bad news by anyone. I think it's a fantastic album, and one that would have sold better with some promotion, but which likely never would have had the huge commercial success of prior G n R albums because it's not that kind of album, because tastes have changed, and because the media machine right now is not geared towards giving something like it the spotlight (see Jonas Brothers, et al on the cover of the nutless Rolling Stone). I also think the band missed the boat by not making "Better" the single and having Axl do an interview with Rolling Stone or some other BIG media outlet. Rolling Stone's initial response was very positive. Also, despite all of the folks saying there was not "monumental promotion" there was definitely some serious radio attention nationally for the roll out, and that probably included the band or label paying a lot of marketing folks who work the stations directly to get airplay (e.g., FMQB). Also, ESPN was incorporating CD songs into their broadcasts, there was the Dr. Pepper deal, the Grey Cup, Wrestling, and there was some other interesting co-branding and placement. Axl just took his ball and went home for reasons unknown to me. It's a shame. Maybe he wasn't ready for his big moment and didn't appreciate it being forced on him when he wasn't at his best or in a way different than his 100% vision of the album. He recovered well, though, and had an excellent international tour. I hope he does at least some publicity in support of the U.S. tour. There's nothing wrong with advertising something you are trying to sell . . . especially if it's a good product, which it is. Unfortunately, he may not have financial backing from the label to do it, and they may be holding the last album in limbo, hoping for something better, or to keep leverage over Axl. I'd be very interested to see the settlement agreement with Azoff to see who is gaining what from the deal for the tour, and how, if at all, future commitments might be addressed.

This was not just any record sale/distribution deal. This was an exclusive deal. Your working knowledge of how CDs are normally distributed may not apply in this particular case.

Ali

Absolutely true. My info was just meant to give a point of reference for what might be happening based upon industry norms. The Best Buy contract may have some basis in them, or they may have chucked EVERYTHING out the window. It's likely that at least some of the usual terms were part of the deal, though. I'm certain, too, that there there were some interesting and unusual customized terms. You generally would have some basics in there because, at the end of the day, selling CDs, even with a big name, is speculative, and you are going to share the risk if you have any sense at all. That's what negotiation is all about.

I was just being an ass, but, you're probably right.

But, you could also be wrong. I guess we'll find out eventually.

Or we wont.

LOL. No problem. I'm on here almost every night. I just never posted before because I mostly just like keeping up with what's going on rather than debating. I just hate to see so many people jump to hopeful conclusions all of the time without some dose of reality. I'm like the rest of you, though. I'd love a re-release with new artwork and a new song or two . . . or even the "double" Axl always envisioned. I'm curious about his quote that interviews were planned for much later. Did he plan for the lawsuit and a re-release? Is he going to build on the publicity of the HOF announcement (I doubt he wanted to wait THAT long)? You never never know what's up with Axl, and that's what keeps most of us checking back here.

I hate to rain on everyone's parade. Although the timing of this could mean that something is up, I will tell you that I am an attorney who has represented a record distributor and who has a good working knowledge of how CDs are stocked and removed from retail stores. Think about it like real estate. Distributors often pay (or negotiate) a premium for prime placement in stores (e.g., the "waterfall" racks at the ends of aisles; stand-alone displays like they had for CD) or to be in stores at all (e.g., the exclusive with Best Buy or placement in certain stores at all). Also, the store/chain typically has certain rights to return the CDs at some point (either at their discretion, or once sales slow to a certain rate, or after a certain time). In other words, they aren't stuck with the merchandise until they sell the last copy. Moreover, distributors (i.e., middle man between record labels and stores) often have it built into their contract that they will charge the label a re-stocking fee if CDs are returned to them and they have to scan, shelve, and store them. Often it costs less to destroy them than re-stock them, and the contract, again, may provide that the distributor has certain rights to destroy them, or can put the artist or label to the choice of receiving the returns, authorizing destruction, or ending up paying for storage of the returned-and-unsold CDs (which is a pretty silly thing to do if you don't think they'll get back out to the stores). It may simply be that Best Buy--especially if they are reducing their floor space for compact discs--have elected to use their space on something else, or have fulfilled their contractual obligations for how long they had to carry the product. My guess is that the unsold copies have been returned to the distributor, or were authorized for destruction upon return to save handling and re-stocking charges. After all, it is a business. The record, by accounts from the SoundScan and other folks who track the stuff, was not selling well enough in the last year or so for all remaining copies to sell out, so no signs appear to point to that being what happened.

Sorry if this is taken as bad news by anyone. I think it's a fantastic album, and one that would have sold better with some promotion, but which likely never would have had the huge commercial success of prior G n R albums because it's not that kind of album, because tastes have changed, and because the media machine right now is not geared towards giving something like it the spotlight (see Jonas Brothers, et al on the cover of the nutless Rolling Stone). I also think the band missed the boat by not making "Better" the single and having Axl do an interview with Rolling Stone or some other BIG media outlet. Rolling Stone's initial response was very positive. Also, despite all of the folks saying there was not "monumental promotion" there was definitely some serious radio attention nationally for the roll out, and that probably included the band or label paying a lot of marketing folks who work the stations directly to get airplay (e.g., FMQB). Also, ESPN was incorporating CD songs into their broadcasts, there was the Dr. Pepper deal, the Grey Cup, Wrestling, and there was some other interesting co-branding and placement. Axl just took his ball and went home for reasons unknown to me. It's a shame. Maybe he wasn't ready for his big moment and didn't appreciate it being forced on him when he wasn't at his best or in a way different than his 100% vision of the album. He recovered well, though, and had an excellent international tour. I hope he does at least some publicity in support of the U.S. tour. There's nothing wrong with advertising something you are trying to sell . . . especially if it's a good product, which it is. Unfortunately, he may not have financial backing from the label to do it, and they may be holding the last album in limbo, hoping for something better, or to keep leverage over Axl. I'd be very interested to see the settlement agreement with Azoff to see who is gaining what from the deal for the tour, and how, if at all, future commitments might be addressed.