AXL_N_DIZZY

Enjoyed it a lot. Perhaps the record will have that "Spaghetti-vibe" (i.e. not the greatest Blues album you'll ever hear- but a terrific rock tribute to Blues). Clink on the dials doesn't hurt.

Just speculating- but if 2 of Tommy's best buds in the "Guns Family" to this day are Robin n' Fortus , and those guys had reportedly worked really hard to put a "2 guitar" version of the band together post-Bucket that everyone thought was pretty cool- he probably wasn't too thrilled to welcome in another virtuoso guitarist, with an alternate name/persona, etc. on the fly. Toss in the fact that Ron's a tough "New Yorker"-type personality (which he openly admits I'm pretty sure), and the clashes were probably inevitable. That said, I always felt everyone seemed to be having a good time live- particularly the 2009-14 version of the band- which appeared to almost be a touring rock n' roll frat party of sorts. So credit to them there. Lastly, don't know about bullying- but never cool obviously...

Fortus is on Tommy's first two solo records. Possible IMHO he was just throwing shade at the other Leads (i.e. Bucket/Bumble/DJ)...

Wasn't there a rumored Axl, Bucket n' Brain Christmas "album" at some point? Probably, someone taking a piss- but damn- would be great. Anyone have Dizzy's Christmas album(s)? They're quite nice (very chill, stripped down instrumentals). Weiland's ain't bad either IMHO.

Abbruzzese's a great drummer- but has always been a wildcard IMHO. Would approach anything he says with caution. This no exception.

Not so much "corny"- as over-indulgent, and "out of step" IMHO.

Fall 1988 after seeing the "SCOM" video. 12 yrs old at the time.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays- and a prosperous, and healthy 2024 to all Gunners!

I think August/September '92 was really damaging to Guns' rep (at least in North America). The Montreal riot, backed by the Kurt feud at the MTV Awards in such a short period of time seemed to knock them from their perch with casuals, peers, and the media- and having finally accomplished it- no one was going to let them regain it. Not any time soon anyway. People were just exhausted by all the nonsense. I'd say 93-94 they were still kind of limping on as a "Top Ten Band In The World" type thing (which was a serious demotion from their previous heights) before gradually fading. There was some buzz around Slash's departure in late '96 obviously, and then a long, curious slog toward "Axl's techno album" beginning in the late 90s. At the end of the day though, they were never completely forgotten- and certainly NITL numbers bear that out.

It's hard to explain- but I find "The General" one of the most interesting post-1991 Guns tracks by far. Much in the same way as "Oh My God" is endlessly fascinating to me as an incomplete sketchbook with promise that got cast aside or something. FWIW, my 3 favorite post-UYI tracks are "Sorry", "Oh My God", and "The General" (in that order). Like it that much. Psyched for the vinyl under the Christmas Tree...

My memory is that tie-dye made a quasi-comeback during the early 90s. Maybe they loaded up on it when they knew they'd pumping the Illusions anniversary for a few years?

Love the record. My 2nd (or technically 3rd) favorite after the UYI Twins. Still wish the '99 record had gotten out though. Guess it would have been a lot more like the "OMG" demo/single- but I think that was the purest version of Axl's vision. Would have been cool IMHO for Axl to push a few aggressive industrial records out with Finck/Freese, etc., and then perhaps pivoted back to a regrouping a lot sooner. Wasn't in the cards though. Still very pleased w/what we got. Lastly, as far as enduring legacy, I'd say Chinese will be to Axl/Guns as Fantasia is to Walt Disney 80+ yrs later. A bit of a curious, "purple unicorn" in a celebrated career- but without question acknowledged as containing some brilliant work (particularly the guitar performances ironically enough). Guess our kids will know for sure...

There may well be a story that takes Axl/Guns down someday (shit was crazy in the 80s/90s)- but highly doubt this is it...

"Ashba Better Remix" > Album Cut Has that last bit of "commercial polish" that would have made for a late 2000s hit.

I bet Axl respected them more for being truthful when confronted. That tour was such a trainwreck circus anyway- why not have an opener that hates you?

1. Rock In Rio III 2. Appetite For Democracy bd The first came with lots of fanfare, and a killer review from Loder in Rolling Stone. The second debuted #1 on the Billboard Video Music Chart, and even won a 3D Music Entertainment Feature Award. Not that those are particularly huge milestones relative to the Classic Era's legacy- but they at least connotated some level of success/acceptance.

This right here. "PPV" (i.e. streaming) Event + bd/cd for a couple AFD 5 NYE shows in LA or London or something...

Funny enough- I actually enjoyed the 2009-14 era a lot. Just seemed like they were having fun goofing off, and the band was trending back to more of a "Classic Guns"-vibe in general. With that being the case, reunion/regrouping was really the only logical next step IMHO...

Couldn't have been feeling too good about things at the time IMHO. 5th or 6th show, apparently Axl (and most fans) wanted Bucket back right up to Hammerstein- and meanwhile Robin/Richard/Tommy all pissed that a 3rd guitarist is even there. Personally, never got that great a vibe about things 2002-2008. The initial revamped line-up (i.e. 97-01) had a lot of studio/rehearsal time, and things like RIR 3 to bind them- and I always had the sense the 2009-2014 line-up was more of a traveling frat party just playing the string out with much of the pressure off them. 2002-2008 you had riots, record release pressures, band tensions around Bucket, Bumble, and even Robin (in or out at Chinese release?). Meanwhile, Axl really "in and out" on a lot of things too- and I believe Canter alluded to him being in a very bad spot emotionally 2007/08. So much so even Slash was worried for him (if I remember correctly). When you have that kind of trouble at the top of an organization- hard for anything else to go super well.