Highway Zero

Never heard of Active Rock Radio, but it's not even in the Top 10 on Billboard....http://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs#/charts/rock-songs?begin=1&order=position

The album is #63 after 4 weeks.

'88. Easily.

But I have to say, Axl sounds great on the 2012 version. Nice guitar work from Fortus too. Nothing against Ashba, but I don't see why they really need him. Bumblefoot can easily handle all the lead parts and Fortus the rhythm (and some solos). They did the 3 guitar thing for 12 years, why not go back to 2? It worked well enough for the original band. I really don't think that third guitar will be missed by anybody live...unless it's Finck.

I know Axl loves the song (as do many here), but I find it to be one of the weakest songs he has ever put out. I wish he left it off the album, which is already somewhat ballad heavy. I think tunes like "Street Of Dreams" and "Catcher In The Rye" are great. "TIL" doesn't do much for me.

Unlike the other songs you mention (that I personally love) TIL is a simpler, straight forward ballad for the casual fan/listener - that's exactly what gives it a broader appeal. Regular people are usually put off by more complex songs like most in CD.

Simple is better if you wanna reach mainstream anyway...

Personally, I think "Street Of Dreams" would work better as a single. It sounds more like the GNR of "Estranged" & "November Rain". "This I Love" doesn't really sound like Guns and is pretty cheesy IMO...sorry Axl.

The reality is (at this point) a new GNR single is not really going to get much airplay no matter how good or bad the song is. There might be interest in a "video single" on youtube, but rock artists over 40 (for the most part) don't really get much airplay on the radio...in the US at least...and Axl's 50. Even U2's new stuff doesn't get much play anymore. Their last hit was "Vertigo" and that was about 8 years ago now. Can you think of any rock artists over 40 whose new material gets heavy play on the radio....Foo Fighters maybe?

I'm not really interested in Slash's new music at this point outside of VR w/Scott.

For the record, AL fell to #19 in it's 2nd week on the US Billboard album chart. Based on the fact that the #1 album sold 65,000 copies, I would estimate Slash's album probably sold around 14,000 copies this week. I would expect the album to drop into the 30's next week.

Slash's album fell to #44 in it's 3rd week on Billboard. The #1 album sold 75,000 copies, so I'm guessing Slash probably sold around 5,000 or so.

for someone who's "not interested" you seem to be doing a good job keeping track of the album don't you?

keep it up

lol

I'm still a fan of Slash, even if I don't care for the new album. It is just interesting how some people here think Libertad bombed. So far, it has sold better than the new Slash album. My "reporting" is as simple as looking at the Billboard 200 on Thursdays to see where the album is. Takes about 30 seconds. A few people in this thread commented on how it would sell and I thought some might be interested in the info. But now since you know where to go, I'll stop posting....just go to Billboard.com on Thursdays if you care.

I know Axl loves the song (as do many here), but I find it to be one of the weakest songs he has ever put out. I wish he left it off the album, which is already somewhat ballad heavy. I think tunes like "Street Of Dreams" and "Catcher In The Rye" are great. "TIL" doesn't do much for me.

Yes, it could have been interesting with Gilby or Paul...Better than AFD, Lies & Illusions? Doubtful. It might have been a train wreck too. The band was totally different when Izzy left. They became a stadium band with a huge production....2 keyboard players, a horn section, backup singers, bloated videos....I can understand why Izzy bailed. The next album could have been generic stadium rock for all we know. None of the remaining original members seemed particularly happy with the band after the UYI tour and their popularity was starting to decline a bit as well. The Spaghetti Incident was not a big seller and received mixed reviews.

As far as Dave Navarro goes, I like Jane's Addiction, but I don't feel hit fits into GNR at all, especially with Slash in the band. I can't see them complimenting each other well on guitar either.

Ultimately, I think Izzy was irreplaccable, but Gilby Clarke was a fine choice for the tour. Fortus would have been good as well. Live wasn't really the problem, it's replacing him as a writer and obviously Slash and Axl couldn't agree on anybody. Classic GNR was over when Izzy quit IMO. They could have gone on recording new original material with somebody else, but the chemistry would have been totally different. For me, Axl, Izzy, Slash & Duff were all equally important in making GNR what it was maybe if someone else stepped in (like Gilby) live and Izzy continued to write with the band they might have been able to continue, but it wasn't to be.

I'm not really interested in Slash's new music at this point outside of VR w/Scott.

For the record, AL fell to #19 in it's 2nd week on the US Billboard album chart. Based on the fact that the #1 album sold 65,000 copies, I would estimate Slash's album probably sold around 14,000 copies this week. I would expect the album to drop into the 30's next week.

Slash's album fell to #44 in it's 3rd week on Billboard. The #1 album sold 75,000 copies, so I'm guessing Slash probably sold around 5,000 or so.

I'm not really interested in Slash's new music at this point outside of VR w/Scott.

For the record, AL fell to #19 in it's 2nd week on the US Billboard album chart. Based on the fact that the #1 album sold 65,000 copies, I would estimate Slash's album probably sold around 14,000 copies this week. I would expect the album to drop into the 30's next week.

Come on. Izzy probably rehearsed the song once without Axl. Yes, they forgot a few words and Axl is missing some of his "rasp", but it was just old friends having fun, not a contrived reunion like the HOF. To compare it with when they were in a band together 20 years ago is just ridiculous.

For me, this performance had much more GNR attitude than the Myles Kennedy Award Show lineup.

Axl looks like he's having a blast hanging out with Izzy....and the ladies of course.

Old and new...Kind of says it all really....

I believe Izzy has expressed an interest in rejoining in the past but isn't interested in getting mind-fucked again. I think if it was less of a headache he'd be into it.

Where did you hear that? I never heard Izzy mention he was interested in joining NuGuns. Can you site a source?

Just based on how NuGuns tours he wouldn't rejoin + many other reasons. He's probably working on another album too.

Steven Adler has spoken frequently lately of his desire for a reunion of the original GN'R. Tell me what you think of that and how your relationship with Steven is at the present.

Izzy: “Steven lives a very confused life."

But if it were to occur, you would consider the possibility of a reunion?

Izzy: “Yes, of course. I wrote a great deal of that material."

http://chinese-democracy.blogspot.co.nz/2008/11/exclusive-interview-with-izzy-stradlin.html

Izzy is refererring to the fact if old GNR (Axl/Izzy/Slash/Duff/Steven or Matt) got back together that he would be up for it...something which is never going to fucking happen....and he said this around the time CD came out. He doesn't even consider NuGuns GNR and would never join up with them. He joins Axl every now & then for fun and the fact that Axl is one of his oldest friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

I believe Izzy has expressed an interest in rejoining in the past but isn't interested in getting mind-fucked again. I think if it was less of a headache he'd be into it.

Where did you hear that? I never heard Izzy mention he was interested in joining NuGuns. Can you site a source?

Just based on how NuGuns tours he wouldn't rejoin + many other reasons. He's probably working on another album too.

Izzy will never rejoin. He likes doing his own thing. He'll always be bros with Axl, but he knows NuGuns isn't really GNR. It would be cool if Axl & Izzy write some songs again together, but I think a guest appearance here & there is enough for Izzy.

It will continue to be "The Axl Show".

Some pics....

http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=174815

I gotta say, while I'm excited to hear Axl and Izzy were on stage together, I'm a little miffed as it comes on the heels of no-showing the HoF.

I really wanted to see him play with Slash, Duff, and Adler.

Maybe he's doing it for the payday? I think I recall Axl saying the last time he came out and did a couple spots, he made a little green, no?

Izzy's set for life financially. If he really needed money, don't you think he would have promoted himself or been consistantly touring the last 20 years? He made tons of money from the royalties on AFD/Lies/UYI 1 & 2/GH and that is just in sales. He also probably has the most writing credits combined from those albums next to anybody else in the band except Axl. The dude has plenty of $$$.

As to the HOF, I'm guessing it didn't really mean much to Izzy. If Axl wanted to reunite and play, I'm sure Izzy would have gone for that, but there was most likely no chance of the old lineup playing even if Axl went. I don't know how anybody can get miffed because Izzy played with Axl last night. Those are the 2 guys who started GNR and have been friends for like 40 years. Their bond goes beyond just the band.

Izzy sounded great. Axl sounded decent too. Kind of weird seeing Izzy standing between BBF & Ashba. I like BBF for the most part, but that solo was totally misplaced. No offence to DJ, but I just don't really care for him with the band. He's the complete opposite of Izzy. I would love to see Izzy & Axl write songs together again, but I get the feeling he new main writing partner is probably Ashba.

IF the remix album is indeed something that will happen, I wouldn't be surprised if one or two tracks weren't so much remixes as they were alternate versions; "This I Love (Orchestral Version)", etc.

But I wouldn't want all of CD re-re-re-tinkered with. To be honest, I love the album as is... Only song I'd want a re-worked version of would be This I Love

Can you imagine how long it would take them to remix CD?

There are some "techno" moments in some of the songs I don't really care for, but it is what it is.

I know Axl loves the song, but "This I Love" is probably my least favorite track from the album.

Maybe take the best "Chinese Leftovers" and make a 75 minute disc and bundle copies of CD that didn't sell as a bonus to go along with it.

I like most of it too. I think for an album of "punk" covers though, "Since I Don't Have You" was the wrong video/single to lead with. It wasn't a great indicator of what the rest of the album sounded like. GNR were also kind of overexposed at the time with the stadium tours & the big-budget videos everywhere. It was also the height of grunge. I think people were just burnt out on them a bit. I also miss some of that Slash/Izzy/AFD-type of guitar interplay, but there are some great moments like "Ain't It Fun" & "Hair Of The Dog". It might have been better received if they went with the original plan of an EP...maybe just 5 or 6 songs or something leaning towards the heavier tunes. I do like Duff's version of "Memory" though.

Okay, what has izzy written that's on a scale of Appetite/illusion's since he left the band? You can't judge how he is now by his glory 25 years ago, perhaps he writes great songs with the people who were around him at that time?

Izzy has written 11 albums since he left the band. Have you heard all (or any) of them? He still is a fine songwriter. But obviously his material is going to be hightened when working with Axl, Slash & Duff in GNR. Izzy doesn't really experiment like Axl or like Slash (luckily). He just makes solid Stones/Dolls influenced rock n' roll for the most part. If you like it, that's great. If not, he probably doesn't care. I'll admit that when I hear some of his solo stuff, I can imagine Axl singing and some of the songs sounding much better, but classic GNR is history. I do think Izzy's stuff has been the most consistant out of all his fellow ex-gunners...not including VR, since they had the combination of Slash, Duff & Matt.

I'd love to see Izzy N' Axl write together again. I don't care if Izzy ever rejoins Guns (and I don't think he ever would), but it would be cool to see if the Stradlin/Rose writing team could still come up with the goods.

Izzy don't show up to the HOF but is happy to jump on stage with a bunch of hired hands - fuck Izzy

Give me a break. Izzy has played with Axl in the past & they have known each other since they were like 13 or something. This has nothing to do with the HOF. Axl N' Izzy don't seem to care about it, why do you?

If the RNRHOF is so sacred, what was Myles Kennedy doing on stage "filling in" for Axl? The other guys didn't have to play without Axl N' Izzy. (Personally, I don't give a shit either way. I can't understand why people get so hung up on an awards show.)

I'd say that's right. The one thing that might get Axl in the same room as Slash didn't pan out. Neither is going to reach out to the other, so that's the end of any legitimate hope for a reunion.

There's a chance of Axl and Slash getting together, but it won't be about recording music or reunions. I think after Slash has made the rounds for the new CD, he's just going to do the songs and not talk about it anymore, unless some documentary's planned.

There's going to be other opportunities for them to get together, but as far as playing together go - it would have to be something super informal and a small handful of people there to witness it.

If Sorum's hard rock version of Ringo's All Starr becomes a summer thing, we'll see Matt, Duff, and Slash together for that, maybe Izzy and maybe Adler.

That "Ringo" thing sounds like a cool idea for a tour situation by Matt & his friends, but I can't see Izzy or even Slash ever doing it, except maybe showing up for a one off gig or something. As for anything including Axl...can't we just let it go at this point?

It had to be called Guns N Roses, its just another step in the progression of Guns.

Don't kid yourselves, all these forumers saying it shouldn't be called GnR are mostly Slash fanatics, many of whom have spent a decade on a forum bitching about the reality of the situation. I really dont blame them, these days Slash is struggling to fill up the bars and casino's he's headlining and doesn't have enough followers to even carry a forum. Its a sad state of affairs where Slash is at and the GnR fans unfortunately have to bear with the trolling of his fans as a result.

Don't let these same fans continue lying about Chinese Democracy sales either, they believe that by repeating it was a commercial failure it actually was. In fact Chinese Democracy topped the charts in over 17 countries worldwide and was on top 3 in 15 others. It was the 14th best selling album of 2008 despite only having 6 weeks of sales in that year. On the back of the album they have made several successful tours and headlined the biggest festivals in the world. Only rebuttal you'll ever hear is that it disn't sell as expected in the US, fair enough, however it was a exclusive deal with a non specialized retailer that played a huge part in that.

Truth is the truth hurts don't you agree?

It didn't have to be called GNR. Axl could have decided not to use the name anymore. FWIW, I'm not a "Slash Fanatic", but I think he, Izzy & Duff were as important to GNR as Axl. Beyond GNR and VR, I'm not a big fan of Slash's albums. I'm not a fan of Myles at all. I agree with you about CD. It sold better than people claim, but if Axl didn't use the GNR name, he might be playing small venues like Slash as well.

Why is it if you don't agree with Axl continuing as GNR you're a "cupcake"? I like a lot of CD, I just think GNR had 4 irreplacable members. The reason why Axl is so successful today pretty much based on the music he made with the original band, not CD. Is taking 17 years between albums with only 1 original member really a progression?

I like Axl & will support his new music, but I think VR was more GNR than NuGuns.

Maybe instead of kushner ask izzy to come back? Izzy was the original rhythm guitarist for VR but left when they were auditioning singers, they should bring him back and find a front man he is comfortable with. I'm glad he didn't have to deal with scott

That's the thing, Izzy doesn't want a front man. He wanted to do it low-key with just him, Slash, Duff & Matt with Izzy & Duff singing. The other guys wanted to play big places. Izzy just wanted to do clubs and tour in vans. That's the only way Izzy would ever come back. I can't see him doing "GNR with a new lead singer". He's too close to Axl and knows Axl would be royally pissed if they got someone to "replace" him.