Tom2112

2 hours ago, Ratam said:

I think if Axl write now his autobiography and relate "his" true he would put in risk  his  relationship with Slash again. Just my feel

Remember he spoke about this and said how he needs to think about how to tell his version of events while not rocking the boat too much. 

End of the day Duff and Slash have to be reasonable, they both wrote their books and there's things in there that Axl strongly disagrees with yet he has put that aside to play again... So even if there is some stuff they don't like in his book, they have to suck it up just the same. That stuff is 20+ yrs ago, they should be well past it now. I imagine Axl releasing a book would be more to have his version of the story out so the public could make up their minds. I just don't think it matters that much to people anymore though. But the break up is still a huge money spinner, one that they've never tackled since the reunion.

4 hours ago, We love Axl Rose said:

I don't think Axl needs any help from AI technology for vocals in the studio. As many have written here, singing in the studio and at shows are completely different things. He can still use a rasp in concerts, from time to time, but in the studio, he has more time to rest, and because of that he can use it constantly. Rock the Rock is the most recent example of Axl being able to use rasp(vocals) in the studio, i hope we will soon hear that song he sang for Michael Schenker and find out if things have changed.

I agree, I don't think he's unable to give grit in the studio it's just live when he's caught out, and even then he has good days and bad where he can deliver 

1 hour ago, Draguns said:

Who's to say that GNR has to perform new songs in a live setting, though?! Don't Damn Me is one of the best songs ever  from GNR and it has never been performed live by GNR.  There's no rule stating that songs have to be performed at a concert. 

Well they don't have to do anything really, but if they hypothetically release a song and it somehow (despite all their worst efforts) got popular there would be an expectation of hearing it live. 

If gnr had retired as an active touring entity and were just making music like Queen did then fire ahead...just no facking AI, unless it's absolutely the only way of very NG things done.

1 minute ago, ZoSoRose said:

Maybe it’s to launch another $200,000 watch or a pizza restaurant chain

I'll contact my bank manager

1 hour ago, StrangerInThisTown said:

Ok this might derail the thread but I gotta get into this: Yes he is right about the creativity aspect, but he's forgetting one major thing, that just started existing within this last year: which is the advancement in AI technology which also influences the "studio magic" that is possible.

With the advancements of AI technology in just this year alone (it's in it's infancy), Axl can pretty much record and sound like he did on Appetite, aslong as he can still hit the notes (which he can, albeit in his clean tone). He didn't lose his range, he just lost the rasp which is really demanding vocally, and of course you can't keep up that singing style for 30+ years. This is the reason why people like Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler still sound so good, they sang more with their natural tone.

But now in a studio setting, he can record with the clean vocals and apply an AI created Axl voice filter on it, which works kind of like a guitar effect pedal (but just on his recorded voice instead) and have him sound like his 1987 self with the rasp completely added onto the vocals by the AI which works by feeding it with soundclips of his isolated studio vocals from AFD/UYI. People are already doing this with other singers, just applying an AI Axl onto the voice and it sometimes already sounds dead on, so when he does it with his own vocals, it'll sound pretty much perfect.

So GNR can release as much music as they want, aslong as Axl actually starts working on it.

This is a fair and reasonable point, they could use the tech available today.

My argument against is that 1. I'm a purist and don't want to hear robot music. I'm ok with some autotune here and there but the idea of AI enhanced Axl makes me nauseous. I'll take current day Axls attempt for better or for worse. 2. If Axl uses that tech to sound like a younger voiced version of himself, he paints himself into a corner of not being able to perform it live. 3. I'd have to imagine Slash would be seriously against this, he is a pure traditional rock guy and barely likes using pro tools. 

This idea is fine for deceased musicians to finish off demos like the Beatles etc. but Axl is still alive and fit to work. I think the point of the post is the reality of Axls vocal ability and the reality of performing live and that it's not going to get any easier so now is the time to release music and tour while he still can pull it off. I don't think he's going to be able to do jungle etc. in another few years. 

On topic. I would love to read an Axl book. 

I would not like to be the editor though🤣

5 hours ago, 2020_Intensions said:

Axl Rose is 62 years old. It's fucking insane reading ya'll say shit like "years later" in regards to when GnR will get around to new music .... It's like there's no self awareness that this dude is 62 years old and has had a declining vocal capability for years now ... I swear some of you don't recognize the fact that this isn't 40 year old Axl from 2002 anymore ...

Exactly. Anybody that thinks otherwise has their head up their arse. 

He could still hypothetically release plenty of music, but it would take an incredible shift in his thinking, workflow and creative process.

Anyway, you're spot on with all of the above. 

*See serial confused face user below to find the no 1 head up their arse commenter😉

On 4/8/2024 at 2:52 PM, Free Bird said:

You’re probably not well informed but Slash with SMKC have outsell arenas with a capacity of 14-15 thousand here in Europe. I don’t know how well his current tour is attended but he has pulled arena crowds regularly outside of the US

He sold a lot more before gnr reunited. On Dublin 2015 he had a lot more people than this years show which was largely curtained off and the floor was very easy to move around too. There are going to be fluctuations with countries but I'd say that Slash is comfortable around 5000/7000 capacity anything more is a stretch.

On 4/15/2024 at 8:54 PM, Free Bird said:

The main problem with Slash’s merch isn’t the price, which indeed is pretty expensive, but it’s also damn ugly imo… I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Shirt I’d like to wear out of everything he offers tbh. 

Yeah I wanted a shirt but it was fugly

1 minute ago, Rindmelon said:

yep...that has to be the weirdest thing I have seen from the fanbase ever.

I still think the guy who got DJs face tattoed on his entire back wins weirdest fan (sorry if you lost here, but 😬).

And those people waiting outside Axls house.... Leave him alone, if you're that obsessed you're well aware that he loves his privacy, so allow him that.

3 hours ago, Ratam said:

The next will be Axl toilet paper...? 

Axls spice melange💩

3 hours ago, evilfacelessturtle said:

I mean we can get into music theory if you want to. Slash's ideas are absolutely more original. Never mind riffs like Anastasia which are unlike anything anyone else has ever written, there is also a very diverse array of styles he's capable of, from sweet acoustic ballads (Something About Your Love) to funk-rock (Been There lately) to grand epics (Wicked Stone) to heavy metal (Beneath the Savage Sun) to creepy, grinding doom grunge (Lower) and much more.

Again, I'm not trying to make this about popularity. But with all the people singing Izzy's praises any time the reunion is brought up, it's awfully strange that those same people are apparently not listening to Izzy's solo music.

Anastasia.... I mean have you heard of deep purple, neo classical and then of course all the classical music all those were influenced by?? It's a different type of song for Slash though.

There's some variety for sure! And I get where you're coming from with the Izzy stuff! There is this idea that he was the the only writer in the room, he was a big part but those songs he wrote were heavily modded, so Izzy should be given loads of credit but Slash can write a song as can Axl and the others so this idea that people have that they can't write without izzy is a little bit of a stretch. He brings a certain simplicity / authenticity that might get lost by the others sometimes though.

On 3/18/2024 at 12:21 AM, evilfacelessturtle said:

That varies quite a bit by the album. 5 O Clock Somewhere got very little promotion by Geffen and still sold a million copies. I will grant that Contraband benefitted from promotion and the supergroup hype.

But of course, success is not a stand in for quality. I think anyone being honest will admit that Slash had more original riff ideas in his music than Izzy's simplistic chord progressions that have all been done before countless times. Someone can prefer simple chord progressions, but they have to admit Slash's ideas were more original, and in keeping with the type of riffs that made GNR famous. The Snakepit albums in particular have gotten more and more appreciation over the years despite their lack of promotion. Ain't Life Grand in particular, being released by a small label which went out of business just a few years later. While Izzy's name had been built up significantly in the past 10-20 years as this mythical figure, none of his actual music outside Guns seems to get mentioned alongside that.

You cannot compare. 

First off this thing that Slash's material is more original? I don't agree. Bot saying Izzy's solo stuff is either though. They both have very obvious influence.

Secondly as pointed by others Izzy's just releases his albums, no tour no promotion. So obviously you don't hear about those records. I also agree that IF had decided to release music and grab himself a business team he could be playing to reasonably sized rooms and selling a lot more albums. His thought process obviously doesn't factor that stuff though. Slash on the other hand does factor this so he has a big team working for him = more well known solo material. If Izzy ever decides to get in the ring then we can make a judgement, but had Slash decided to release the way Izzy did with zero promotion and touring nobody would know his stuff either 

Estranged. Absolutely insane but epic.

Also Welcome to the jungle. 

Best case scenario is a leaner set with less of the epic tracks, pianos and keyboards are as linked to gnr now as guitars, drum and bass. Plenty of material that can't be played without them, and then there's the problem of tracks that don't need piano/keys but Axl would struggle too much trying to sing them now. That's a very limited set, but it could be cool for Arenas and some larger theatres, that could be cool.

12 hours ago, jacdaniel said:

Slash is too big to do theatre’s really. You’d have to do 4 or 5 nights in theatre to reach all the fans you get at even a 75% arena. 

 But when you play bigger arenas, it can get a bit flat if lots of people don’t recognise the material. 

And believe it or not, most people don’t research a setlist before they buy a ticket. 
 

It’s a tough dilemma for sure. 

I actually think that's the way everybody should go to a gig. Zero preparation or looking up what will be played. Now... With Slash he said pretty clearly there would not be gnr material, it's not his fault if people are checked out and not following his interviews or setlist fm but have tickets. On the flip side, Slash and his team can access geographic data for how well songs are liked/listened to know which songs are going to perform well, so he could have chosen from his solo catalog a little more carefully IMO.

Cool! didn't think there was anything to those rumours but apparently there was. Hope this makes its way out!

7 hours ago, colonizedmind said:

Ok...

So my conclusion before my thoughts...I'm glad I went...in my head I wanted to go, I've just been out the gig game of late, after going to over a 100 a year for work/pleasure in recent past, it's been less of a thing of late ...

So my must see list has been much more diminished but I make an exception for Slash and a few others...I so appreciate those that still tour wide and cover all regions - as often older acts start to miss out areas as the years go on. I only needed one or two encouragement comments to dismantle my faux resistance to make the effort. 

So the Hydro was almost full (13,000) that's a good crowd to pull, especially sans the GNR material. I wonder how many attending are expecting to get GNR and Velvet tracks though?

By the crowd, I'd think a fair few...now he seems to be mixing arenas and smaller venues like you mentioned @allwaystiredin this run and I think for this kinda deep dive set, he needs to can the arenas and I hope since he said he'd be back very soon, he does theatre's for the Bluea tour! Only gate $$$ is the benefit of arena gigs - the atmosphere is never as good, weird isn't it...as you'd think 5 times + the crowd would be better! 

Wednesday night is probably literally the worst night for a rock gig! Bang in the middle of the week people are desperate to get to Friday! Most are middle-aged and have to be up the next day, so can't really let themselves go...and drink ! Which let's be honest, always brings the rowdiness and enthusiasm out most!

I enjoyed the show...I thought Mammoth were decent but his vocal needed a better place in the mix as he's got pipes as well as fret skills! 6 songs a bit short,  more like the amount an opener of a 3 bill gets...but oh well, meant Slash was on earlier and did almost 2 and half hours ..

The first half of the show, atmosphere wise was super subdued. It seemed to weird out Myles, who is probably used to getting great crowds in Scotland most times,.especially when he's played in smaller places with Alter Bridge and solo. He disappeared at one point and came out with a fresh t-shirt saying "Grumpy" and after 3,4 songs began an open monologue he returned to several times...in a typically, Myles, let's not be rude to the audience kinda way, he was saying *Wake The Fuck Up*. ...

He said firstly "Are you having a good time".- asked in an unsure manor and quite surprised when the loudest cheers of the night greeted that question. He asked it again 3 or 4 times...

He tried several times to get folk to sing along in that first half but he wasn't getting anything back, they either didn't know the songs or didn't want to let themselves brace the night (yet...)

He then said after "Starlight" (rather than before - which confused me) "Ya know, I love getting to do what I do and the best feeling in the world, is when people sing with you and rock out with you....Don't be afraid to get your phone light out, dance, sing and have a good time with us"...he seemed a bit pleading but in a roundabout non confrontational way. 

Slash is seemingly unaware, as he's just in the fucking zone...you can go to this gig as you love the SMKC catalogue or you can just go and watch/study and be mesmerized by Slash's skills all night...he never stopped, how much does he burn a show, you think? His finger muscles must be fucking ripped! 🤘

He even though seemed to want to push through and get the casuals more on side as he whipped out (I'm sure every night) a 15 minute version of "Wicked Stone" that seemed to be a marathon but he really was going crazy...he broke two strings on his guitar but then went to lower notes instead and just kept going....like he wanted to smoke his entire guitar by the end of this tune! Everyone could see the string break on the big screens (being an arena they had two at this one - I've seen others complain at the lack of them elsewhere?) and it seemed to warm the crowd up and from then on the phone lights went on, the clapping was way more prolific and there was some singing and call and response with Myles too...

I will say, Todd is just naturally much more of a character and charismatic frontman, really takes his 3 opportunities epically (what pipes and last minute of DDM was like 90s Axl!) And he gets a much louder cheers than any Myles moment. Shame, as Myles is a well trained rock singer, who's very consistence, if slightly ungainly and unremarkable as a frontman. Just my opinion. Probably the perfect foil, to not overshadow what and who is top billing here....🎩

I liked the left field change of pace with the "Rocket Man" cover (biggest sing-a-long all night too) - I think another couple of those moments would benefit the show but it was cool to see Slash on a lap steel...it's like he became Gilmour for 5 mlnutes...

So that's 10 years on from seeing Slash solo last time and whats happened to crowds post pandemic? Like 10 years ago, ok granted, they knew half the set fully and song choices do absolutely (no shit!) make a big atmosphere difference... however 10 years ago, the same SMKC material also got huge response and there were lots of moshing and pits throughout....literally none of that last night and Myles bewildered a.bit and trying politely to encourage participation...Super static and polite applause, mostly.

Is that what all rock acts are getting these days, away from rock festivals and other prime audience locations? 🫤a

 

Agree with basically everything you said!

Yeah Todd kinda steals the show, he just comes on with that 80s rock attitude "Come on you fuckers", I think he could probably take a few more songs in the set. I'm positive Myles would not mind and it would give him a chance to play some more guitar or just have a break. Myles is just not your typical rock showman, he's not going to do all that stuff... 

Also thought Myles was a little take aback in Dublin with the audience at least initially. The crowd got into it, but it took a minute! I could a look of "is this going to be a REALLY long night" on his face after a few of the earlier songs. They should probably change out those intro songs. River is rising is not an opener, it's a lead single form the album so I guess they feel they need to play it but it has no impact. Come on strong (world on fire, Avalon etc.) so difficult to gain ground after a false start.

I think it works better having the separation, bit of a chaotic thing going on having all in one space. 

38 minutes ago, Irish Rose said:

This link should work for everyone. Theres a few inaccuracies in the article. Especially the first paragraph. 

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators review: treat of an encore brings night of foot-to-the-floor rock to an end – The Irish Times (archive.is)

Forgot how good "Fill My World" was. A security guard actually came up and asked me what the song was called.

 

 

That one was a surprise, didn't really like it on the album but it works well live. Myles asking in between lyrics if the dog on a fans phone was a shih tzu cracked me up🤣 

Just now, Irish Rose said:

I tend to agree with you.

The setlist is missing 4/5 hits spread out over the gig to keep people happy. The Elton John cover was the most appreciated song of the night from the crowd. Back from Cali went down well too and I love Wicked Stone. 

I found the sound very muddy but took a few videos from a different position which sounded pretty good. 

One thing that really annoys me about this size of gig (and its not the first time) - what is the story with the lack of screens, production etc? Makes the show feel too small for the size of venue.

I saw them in the Olympia a few years ago and it was probably the best live performance i've seen, but there were way too many people looking bored at this gig. 

 

Yeah production was next to nothing. I think they were going for to frills rock n roll but to me it said "keep the budget tight". Even an animated screen behind them instead of the standard banner would have been something. 

I had great centre seats so I could see everything (in theory should have had great sound too) but had I been further back or on the floor I wouldn't have seen a thing. 

I don't think I'll bother seeing him solo again. 

On 4/1/2024 at 7:06 PM, MaskingApathy said:

Slash has said several times in the past that he's not doing those GnR songs with SMKC anymore now that he's back with GnR, so people shouldn't expect them. It's cool that he's doing DDM and BA as deep cuts but it's not expected that there will always be a GnR song there. 

Not expected true, but the set lacks songs to hold a large crowds attention. 

I saw the Dublin gig and the first 3 songs were really poor choices, I watched the crowd go for euphoria at seeing Slash to then being kinda sedate until he played something better or more well known. Now the crowd was pretty into it for the most part though, but they were not buying the material that's come since WOF that's for sure... with the exception of the Elton John cover. Biggest songs of the night were from the first 3 solo albums Starlight, Wicked stone, You're a lie. That River is rising song is a flat piece of cardboard live

If he's not playing GNR (besides Don't damn me/bad apples) he should at least throw in some Velvet revolver. But my big take away from the show was that Slash's solo material on its own is not up to the task of entertaining an arena, fine for a club. The sound was pretty rubbish too, apparently it was the same when they played England. 

Mammoth were pretty good though, his voice is incredible (as was Myles's) and his guitar work was spot on! Guitar player of the night without question. Now the songs aren't always my cup of tea, but I would have preferred a slightly longer Mammoth set (better sound too).

12 hours ago, Free Bird said:

Well, congratulations. If that’s the definition of hit, then it’s even worse that Axl had only one single hit in the past 30 years… doesn’t affect the idea of my initial post.

I don't like having to do all this research, but it's great when it proves you to be even more off base. Going one further, Perhaps charted on billboard no 24. Hardskool was no 9. Better was no 18

These are all billboard chart positions which is all you count. There was also only 1 official single from Chinese too (this might not be accurate but that's what it says).

Anyway... I'm not defending Axls lack of output. Just saying your initial post wasn't really accurate.

14 hours ago, DannyVinyard said:

Who chose the singles for Chinese Democracy? Was it Axl or the record company? I'm thinking record company since they forced the album out and zero support from Axl. Whoever chose the singles didn't do the album justice. The megahit that should have been is There Was a Time, which IMO is the best song on the album and one of the best songs of all time. How this epic song was not released as a single baffles me. It's so much better than the title track. Imagine the traction it would have gained (along with the album) if Axl released TWAT as first single along with epic UYI style music video.  Street of Dreams would have been a hit, maybe megahit, too. Oh well, two amazing songs that nobody knows about. 

I don't think there was a megahit on Chinese. But the right push behind Better, Chinese and they could have done a bit more than they did. 

8 hours ago, Free Bird said:

A single appearing in the charts doesn’t make it a hit really. If it’s billboard charts maybe but nothing niche-like… and even when… Axl Rose the hit single monster had one „hit“ in the last 30 years? Lmfao

but honestly, I know you’re just joking😄

you are joking, right?

Well charting in itself is a hit but I was also kind of joking... But not joking. It is a fact that when you get into the top ten even if it's not in the great old USA it's counted as a hit... At least since the beginning of modern music history. I mean we can say the goal posts have moved now, but this was what it was.

Not a song that was on regular circulation like Taylor swift or dua lipa but it was popular enough to get onto playlists and that means it was at least a lower level hit. Nonetheless a hit is a hit.

7 hours ago, Free Bird said:

Facts are always going to win against opinions

It really doesn’t matter why, but there is no hit song. Period.

Well after some digging it appears you are dead wrong😄 The song Chinese democracy actually performed on mmfew worldwide charts No 5 on American main stream rock chart. Top 10 song in Canada, top 30 in the UK. Finland, Norway, Sweden etc. were all top 10 too. And there's more countries if you care to scour through that info.

There was no megahit and today almost nobody remembers...but nonetheless a hit is a hit. I rest my case.

2 hours ago, Sweersa said:

Except for Paul Tobias, Richard Fortus, Robin Finck, Buckethead, Bumblefoot, and DJ Ashba  

Well they can technically replace him but what I meant is that you can't escape his shadow. I liked a lot of those guys either on stage or in the studio but that's not the popular opinion, most still say "it took 3 guitar players to replace Slash". Idiots of course😄 

2 hours ago, allwaystired said:

I could see this happening a few years down the line. GNR can sell enough tickets on their own to not have to do it, but give it time.....

Motley will have retired and got back together again, that'll be a hot tour

3 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said:

 

I honestly think Carrie Underwood would be more likely as a 'co headliner' at this point. I can't see Nickelback being a good fit at all, or any of those pop-rock kind of bands. Maybe RHCP, since they're another 'old school LA band' and they barely play more than 90 minutes at their own shows anyway lol. I think RHCP would probably be the closest to a real 'co headline' show, because if we move onto bands like the Foo Fighters or Metallica, GNR would definitely be the opening band...

I wasn't really thinking co-headline, more of a big band that could bring in a slightly different crowd. Have you checked out Nickelback live? I've just seen clips but I can imagine a GNR crowd enjoying them - pyro, big choruses, big hits everybody knows. I'm not going to bat for Nickelback they were just one band that sprung to mind. Carrie underwood would be a leftfield choice, even with her supporting them before and helping out with vocals on that show... but in America that might work, Europe I don't think she's crossed over. Whatever they do there's only so many times they can take out Dirty honey, Gary Clarke Jr and Tyler Bryant. The scrapped covid tour with Smashing pumkins was a good match.

But yeah bands like Metallica/Foo figthers co-headlining with GNR makes no sense other if the bands just wanted to tour together despite each losing some money... which isn't impossible, but I think we can rule out Metallica ever touring with GNR again though😄