IRanOutOfIdeas

My first GNR show ever, man. It's such a weird disconnect after obsessively examining them on the forums for about a year and a half. I remember getting in YouTube arguments about people vigorously supporting the CD lineups and I'm just looking back laughing now.

Seriously though, one of the best shows in my life. I always figured that they'd sound better live, but I was floored how great Axl sounded, especially after it seems like we've been timing how much rasp he used inbetween 2012-present. It just seems like he's got an incentive to deliver. Can anyone verify if he's using a vocal coach?

I screamed when Steve came on for a few songs. Wish he could've come back for Nightrain and I was really holding out that Izzy would join him and they'd do just the original 5 for Paradise City. Nonetheless, it's definitely the coolest guest appearance I've ever seen at a show. Was texting an old flame who saw them in Chicago and that, combined with that they played Patience for what I believe to be the first time this tour, she got really pissed. 

Everybody brought it though. Never would have thought I would see Axl/Slash/Duff all share the same stage again. The choice of the CD material was great; I enjoyed Slash's take on Better a lot. I feel like Richard is the perfect counterpoint for Slash and at points he helps embody the twin-lead idea I've always thought would work the best. Frank seems to have a bit more groove than what I've heard on YouTube videos in the past. I always thought that he was the worst drummer that GNR has had but the fluidity of the performance has gotten to me (or maybe I just had to see him live to experience it). Not really too sure what I think about Melissa though. I laughed a little bit when I was reading a review that says she looks like an anime character. Definitely the odd one out, but I'll take anything over Chris Pitman (if anyone knows me they know how much I despise that guy). 

Life is good friends. I'd love to see them in Nashville with Chris Stapleton opening, but i'm just in grateful awe of how great it was. Lets hope they keep riding this train for a long, long time. 

It probably should have scaled a few of the smaller markets to arenas.

I was at the Cinci show and it wasn't sold out at all. I originally bought bleeders in the 300 section for 85 (Well it was actually like 60 but good God 25 dollars for a ticket fee is atrocious) and they upgraded me to lower arena. What would those seats have originally cost, 200? Either way I got really lucky.

Everything up to and including the 200s were filled and it makes me think they should have gone for whatever indoor arena is in Cinci. Either that or Louisville (where I'm located) has a very nice indoor arena. But then again I'd have to look at the numbers and see. 

17 hours ago, wasted said:

Seems like they are leaving it in the vault. CD 2 was done and remix album but nobody wanted to release it I guess. 

Axl has shown some material to Slash and Duff which might (not) be CD2 material. 

I wouldn't say soon is the word?

Where did this info come from?

17 hours ago, TheDemocracyRose said:

Rumors says that a greatest hits album(with new songs) could surface before Christmas...

Wasn't there a proposed 2-disc collection in like 2008 with songs from CD included on it?

I'm really surprised someone dug this up.

I've said this before in a few threads but Axl clearly said not too long ago that the UYI tour and the dynamics there were miserable for him, I can imagine he looking to avoid a close repeat of the line up from that. If Matt and to a lesser extent Gilby were brought back it would just be a reboot of that time, whilst clearly (if the rumoured line up is true) much of this is based in nostalgia it also still has an element of trying something new.

This is probably the main reason that he's out in my eyes. It's a sacrifice that has to made in order to get Axl and Slash back together I guess. It doesn't hurt Frank's case either that Duff has toured with him.

It still sucks though, Frank is the worst drummer that GNR has ever had. I know a few people on this thread have ranked Matt as lower on the hierarchy than Frank (And yes, Matt is definitely lower than the core 3), but at the end of the day, Matt has a shitload of contributions to the band, moreso than Ferrer, and his name has been immortalized because of it.

So have Izzy and Steven been totally ruled out for even a cameo appearance at Coachella? I can understand if they aren't there during a total world tour since Izzy doesn't like touring and Adler is a liability, but I know there's a lot of people who would appreciate the original 5 hitting the stage together.

Really the only two things that bother me about this Coachella lineup is 1) Chris Shitman is still in the lineup and 2) [Most importantly] Frank Ferrer is there. Frank is easily the worst drummer GNR has ever had, I've always thought he was just a watered down version of Brain; his drumming is stale and voiceless. If Steven is a liability for the eventual world tour, then Matt should reclaim the drumming seat. For all of the flack that he gets from people, I still think he's better than Frank.

I'm kind of surprised to hear though that people are still discussing a third guitarist. I mean yeah, you can argue that there were plenty of overdubs on AFD and UYI and having an additional guitarist allows all of the recorded parts to be played, but I'm of the opinion that (Most) rock shows are about live spontaneity and NOT recreating what you hear from the studio. And honestly, I think a lot of us know that having a third guitarist was just to eliminate the Slash comparisons (Except for DJ Asshat coming into the fold), and he's back now. The only way I see a third guitarist coming into the fold is if Izzy does guest appearances, and that's totally fine by me. If he's not there, Fortus is more than capable of holding down the rhythm role. But having a Slash/Fortus/Kusher triad? Are you all crazy?

I've always been on anti-Pitman streak, much more previously than since his name has been coming up in the reunion (I think the reason I joined this forum was to talk about the validity of his contributions to the band in a live setting).

To me, Pitman is the epitome of wasted space in a live setting and he looks and sounds like a complete tool whenever he is there. Stupid floppy keyboards, towel waving, and when he is audible, shitty synths that completely ruin the song. GNR is a rock band, not some sort of weird hybrid electronica thing that Axl thought the band would evolve to when he hired Pitman in '98. Chris is just an example of someone who has kept their mouth shut and has been rewarded with being on a hefty payroll.

Honestly, how many popular bands have consistently utilized two keyboardists in their live setting? There's barely any. All I can think of is Chuck Leavell during his run with the Allman Brothers, but the only reason he was there was to fill in for Duane Allman. I saw the Alabama Shakes have two keyboardists live and I couldn't really discern the difference between one or the other.

Really, anything that Chris can do, Dizzy can also easily do. I've still been waiting for someone to prove me wrong on why Chris is essential in the live setting. The closest I got was playing a Spanish guitar for ITW. But honestly, who the hell cares about that?

Just lock him up in the vault with Tobias and relegate him to a studio role for a sequel album that will never see the light of day.

I know there's always going to be the argument that Axl owes nothing to the fans, but realistically I want to see the return of the 2006-era Axl. He may not have had the consistent rasp as he did in 2006, but he was on fire and in great shape physically and vocally.

Even if this is just a cash grab, I hope that they all put in the effort to make it seem like it's a bit more than that.

Just call Brian he has more swagger, feel and technique then Adler and Sorum combined. Axl, Duff and Slash is all that matters (and I love Izzy but I doubt he will commit full time - some guest spots for sure)

No just no

He played horribly on AFD and UYI songs....

Brian is just flat out amazing even comparing him to any other GN'R drummer is insulting to his skills.

I doubt Axl will sign to make it AFD lineup reunion

- he will be one against whole band

- Adler is just unreliable

- Izzy isn't a safe bet either

So I guess it will be something like Axl, Slash, Duff + Frank/Brian + Fortus with some Izzy guest performances. If it happens of course.

How could anybody have faith in Adler he is just crazy and I get an impression that he is just 8year old child in old body. I think if there is a deal for reunion they will have to eliminate guys like Izzy or Adler as they can blow out whole thing.

have you heard him with GNR? he IS HORRIBLE

can't even play the YCBM intro drum fills right....

Yeah, he is a good drummer on modern rock songs, but overall, he was a pretty shitty player even in 2006, i heard him with my own two ears and honestly some youtuber 12 year old can play better AFD or UYI songs than him....

even Slash's current drummer (Brent Fitz) got more swagger than Brain, sorry

He may a technically good drummer, but have got zero "feel"

So don't suck his cock so shiny...

He's got a combination of Adler's groove and Sorum's power.

Sure, he can't do YCBM right, but he's still a shitload better than fucking Ferrer.

It isn't a terrible song, not really one of the highlights of UYI by any means but it's got a killer solo that closes out the tune. Didn't make my UYI playlist CD though.

Haha so basically imagine a scenario where Guns N Roses has sunk so low that they are relegated to a band that lets guys who kinda play some keyboards prove themselves on guitar. Yeah that's pretty cool. I'm thinking if Frank quits we should also let Dizzy prove himself on drums. He's earned a shot. PLus I've seen him hit some bongos.

Maybe the better term is "Actually letting him do something that provides an integral element to the band's sound".

GNR (And quite a few bands for that matter) never needed a second keyboardist in a live setting. They're not like, say, mid-70's Allman Brothers Band where Gregg had a rhythmic organ that provided counterpoint for Chuck Leavell's keyboard work (Which in turn was a twin element to Dickey Bett's guitar). Hell, Teddy Zig-Zag added more of a role than he has ever have. Chris Pitman is the biggest waste of space I've ever seen in a band lineup and if you actually have an argument that's worth defending him, please, go right ahead.

And for the record, I'd give Dizzy a chance on drums since Frank is the worst drummer in the band's history.

MONEYMONEYMONEYMONEYMONEY

Have you run out of ideas?

It's why I left the forum for a few months. This is the biggest news in a while and it's actually something to comment about.

First off, let it be known that to this day I still have no idea why Chris Pitman is in GNR. I think he's just an absolute waste of space and aside from playing the Spanish guitar intro on ITW, I've never seen or heard anything discernable from him in a live setting aside from waving a fucking towel.

That being said, with the mass exodus of guitar players that have occurred within the past week, I feel like that this may be an opportunity to prove himself by switching instruments. From what I've read, he is a multi-instrumentalist and I think he may have filled in bass for Tommy once. But, I don't know his technical prowess on the guitar at all and the cynic in me imagines it's probably a bland style that's on par with Paul Tobias.

I'd actually rather see just a two-guitar, twin-lead lineup in GNR if they decide to push through all of this. I'm not one for excess, but if they're not going to get rid of him, I'd rather see something useful come out of his position. What do you think?

Time for realistic suggestions yes?

I don't think John 5 is necessarily a bad choice, but I'm still not convinced on him entirely. He does have an impressive resume and he's got that industrial/edgy appeal that Robin and DJ had (Also while being a better guitar player than both), but Idunno, something doesn't feel entirely right. Maybe it's because he's exclusively a Telecaster guy. Can't really see SCOM being played on anything besides a Les Paul.

I've always been a big fan of John Sykes. He's ex Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. Hell of a shredder and decent songwriter to boot. He's more or less doing nothing right now so I feel like he'd be a great fit. Only disadvantage I can think of is that he's British and I've always considered GNR to be an American band (And he seems to be a bit of an egomaniac), so that could cause synergy issues.

I think I was originally an advocate for Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard/Dio fame, but he's got a very stable and successful career with Def Leppard in which he's actually released music. I don't think he'd handle Axl very well. He's also undergoing cancer treatment I believe too.

Richie Kotzen is also another excellent choice. Fits all of the above requirements.

If another guitarist does end up getting hired, I hope that they keep the lineup down to just two guitarists because I really want to see them and Fortus finally introduce a twin-lead style of playing into the band. When DJ was fired, I was really hoping that he and BBF could end up doing that, but now that he's also confirmed to be out of the band that's out of the playing field. They could always move Pitman to guitar, but I honestly doubt that he has any technical prowess save for a bland, Paul Tobias-esque rhythm style.

Am I the only one that can't stand Coma and Locamotive? Estranged all the way.

Is that Matt drumming?

Thinking about making a playlist with the best songs from both albums. But from what I've heard, there's an awful lot of filler on them (Probably more with WoF since it's 17 songs/Almost 80 minutes).

Suggestions?

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/171394/20150204/guns-n-roses-new-album.htm

It's a bunch of shit but I found this on a GNR bootleg page on Facebook. Take it as you will.

Didn't Slash say in his autobiography that the original mixes with Bob Clearmountain (Or it may have been the Sex Pistols guy) were really raw?

But both of the albums are just overblown and overproduced (For me, what really "dates" it for me is the fucking stupid sound overdubs on KOHD, I can't listen to the studio version anymore). They're hard to digest together in one sitting. Even when it's trimmed down into a single 80-minute disc it suffers from the same problem.

Josh Freese is probably the best of the lot, but I really don't consider him to have ever been a member of GNR since he played on only 1 mediocre song.

I love Brain's work, definitely was a great mix of Steven and Matt although he did fuck up a few songs (YCBM being one of them). Frank is a fucking terrible drummer though, just a watered-down and stale version of Matt. I never understood the hatred towards Matt. Nobody will ever be able to copy Adler's groove, so why try to mimic it?

I really don't see the appeal of Locomotive at all. Axl's voice is intolerable.

I'm beating a Dead Horse with this topic...Haha.

But yeah, I finally got around to listening to both of the UYI albums after a few years and my opinions haven't really changed at all. I decided to make an 80 minute playlist that I can burn into 1 CD though and it goes as follows:

1) Civil War

2) Dust n' Bones

3) Live and Let Die

4) Don't Cry (Original)

5) Yesterdays

6) Bad Obsession

7) Double Talkin' Jive

8) You Ain't the First (Never understood why this song gets so much shit, it's a nice little acoustic number and the spanish-ish outro from Double makes for a good transition into it)

9) November Rain

10) You Could be Mine

11) 14 Years

12) Knockin' on Heaven's Door (God I really hate the sound effects)

13) Back off Bitch

14) Dead Horse

15) Estranged

Honorable Mentions (Would make good B-Sides or an additional EP):

1) Breakdown (Really wanted this one on here, but there's already plenty of long songs)

2) Garden of Eden (Lost to Back off Bitch)

3) Right Next Door to Hell (It grew on me)

4) Bad Apples (It doesn't have much focus in the beginning if you ask me, but it turns into a great jam)

5) So Fine (Not a terrible song at all, Duff's voice isn't as terrible as people stake it out to be)

Why is this getting so much attention? I've seen the announcement on Rolling Stone, Ultimate Classic Rock etc. They've been saying the same shit since CD came out.

I don't like Axl's vocals on RNDTH and Perfect Crime. Too fast, too metal for my taste.

I never understood why people don't like You Ain't the First, it's a good little acoustic number.