LunsJail

3 hours ago, Walapino said:

Did matt said anything about the time he and Axl had a few drinks in mid 2000s and apparently mended fences??

Nothing at all about that encounter

Also, I really didn’t understand how he got fucked on Live Era. If he had actual publishing royalties on the UYI songs, then he could have sued for that. So maybe he didn’t get mechanical royalties? In any event, it didn’t sell that well at the time anyway.

3 minutes ago, lame ass security said:

Anything about Tori Amos? I've always liked her music.

Yes, there is a section about her. Basically they were playing together and the record company decided she was the star and she dumps the rest of the band. It doesn’t end on great terms.

16 hours ago, adamwolff11 said:

Wow, that's odd! I did. A couple of my takeaways:

- Matt is pretty full of himself.. there's not much humility and he's not super complimentary of most people he mentions. 

- It's obvious his feelings are still very raw about the reunion and he feels he should have been included. He doesn't really have anything positive to say about it. He was invited to play, but offered no money by Fernando.

- His relationship with Duff seems to be pretty affected by it. He mentions Duff thinks Frank sucks, but Axl wants him. Basically shits on how Duff handled the whole thing. Said Slash referred to it as 'just a gig'. 

- I was most shocked by how he has NOTHING positive to say about Slash. Not even being complimentary of his playing. Basically says his whole go with the flow, easy going stuff is an act and he's more cunning than anyone. Shits on him for stuff related to Guns, Snakepit, and VR. 

- Glossed over the VR stuff for the most part. Weiland may have been mentioned a couple times, but his death was barely acknowledged.

- Acknowledged he immediately regretted his HOF speech, which was probably the most adult emotion he showed in the book. Also used the HOF as an opportunity to shit on Slash.

- Was easily the most complimentary of Axl out of all of Guns members. I felt his takes were pretty fair.. he criticized some of the bullshit, but was also quick to give Axl praise. 

- This was definitely on the Anthony Kiedis book level of 'Then I had sex and then I did drugs and then I had sex, etc, etc'. It's hard to tell throughout a lot of the book whether he's trying to brag or it's just an honest reflection. A part of me thinks he's a dude that still completely glamorizes the 'rockstar lifestyle', but he's relatively thoughtful at the end.

 

All in all, I would recommend it for anyone who likes the band enough to be reading a Guns forum. I'd say 70% of the book involves the period from him joining Guns through the end of VR, which I'd imagine is what most on here would be interested in. And, to me, the fact that this is the first band member's book to be released after the reunion, that was interesting. 

Having read the book, these were my basic takeaways as well. The most surprising thing to me was his treatment of Slash and Duff. I don’t think he says one kind or grateful thing about either guy in this book.

On 4/26/2020 at 5:43 PM, shotsfired cro said:

https://blog.michaelsegalweddings.com/guns-n-roses-matt-sorum-marries-singer-ace-harper-at-the-colony-palms-palm-springs/

Hadn't seen this one before.  This may explain why Matt felt so buthurt from Duff out of all members

Matt does mention in the book that Duff was a groomsman at his wedding and expected more from him.

On 4/17/2020 at 5:48 PM, janrichmond said:

It's probably The Bellagio, a hotel casino in Vegas. 

The Bellagio didn’t open for several years after this.

There will be no shows anywhere in 2020 at all. The ticket services are just sitting on that money until they have to refund or have some idea of possible makeup dates.

1 hour ago, MaskingApathy said:

That's the part I don't like about the band. He's such a poser with all of his overpriced chains and accessories. Tommy is way more of a legit rock star than him, not to mention Alice and Joe.

@LunsJail are there any interesting tidbits about VR?

The VR section is surprisingly brief. Not much we haven’t heard before. There is a story about Scott walking in on Matt with some groupies (one of whom is his current wife) but I’d heard that one before. He skips right past anything to do with the making of the 2nd album. Also, he treats Scott’s firing as the end of that band. No mention of trying out other singers after Scott.

4 minutes ago, PatrickS77 said:

Yes. But that shouldn't matter, especially not with the role he's playing and the fact that he's the most complete musician in that band. And Duff and Matt actually were big enough names that should have made them get top billing. But I know that this band is just riding Johnny's starpower, letting him play a rockstar.

At the very least, I would say there was a misunderstanding between Matt and the rest of the band over how it would get billed.

2 hours ago, shotsfired cro said:

off the record...

One of the first transcripts from the book was about Matt being dick to Steve at HOF.

Honestly, I always thought that line was a shit on the band and what a bunch of hypocretes they are ie. everyone takes drugs but Adler gets a foot up his bum.

That’s a different take on that comment than I’d considered. The stories in this book support that take as well. Unfortunately, the comment could have been interpreted in many different ways with the manner it was said. I’m no Adler fanboy but I felt bad for him in that moment. He was so happy to be in this club and I cringed to see the air getting taken out of that.

6 minutes ago, EricA said:

The more i read these tiny tidbits, the more i get the feeling that matt is somehow annoyed very fast over random actions from others. It seems he's much more assuming/guessing about everything, than telling facts.

I think he’s just desperate to hang on to the fame and clout he had as the drummer for GNR circa 91-92. He realizes these moments in the spotlight are getting fewer and won’t accept some background role.

3 minutes ago, rocknroll41 said:

I suppose it’s possible that Duff tried to mend fences with him as a means of “damage control,” yeah.

And yeah, I agree. This book is making Matt look very, very whiney! Not to the levels of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons just yet... But close!!

Speaking of Gene! He appears in the book pulling some power move shit. I’ll type out that story when I have more time.

10 minutes ago, rocknroll41 said:

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

Strange that Matt was gonna out this out right as he was about to perform a charity gig with Duff. Wonder if the book delay had something to do with that, and the virus happening around the same time was just a coincidence. Maybe this version of the book that leaked was meant to be changed, to remove all of the Duff slander?

Or maybe Duff caught wind of what was going in the book and some 11h hour fence mending took place? Pure speculation of course.

Matt seems to present this story as an example of how he advocated for Duff to get him in Vampires but got left on the bench for NITL.

Dude, you’re basically a session drummer for yet another all star cover band who have no hits and no current cultural relevance. Yet somehow, that band is getting a performance slot at the Grammys. Matt only sees all the ways his star power is getting slighted here, just like the HOF.

2 hours ago, MaskingApathy said:

Hey @LunsJail didn't you say you were going to share a Hollywood Vampires story?

Yes

- Matt finds out that Alice Cooper is starting a project called Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. Matt calls Alice’s manager to ask for the drummer job which he immediately agrees to. Matt then pulls Duff into the project as well.

- Matt some issues with how things went down at the Grammys they performed at in 2016. He finds out they aren’t all walking the red carpet together, only Alice, Joe, and Johnny are together. Duff tells him he’s walking separately with his wife as well. Matt seems irritated at this, I guess because he assumed later that Duff didn’t want them photographed together.

- Dave Grohl is introducing their performance. Matt somehow catches wind that the script doesn’t call for him and Duff to be called out by name. Matt says something to Dave who replies “I got you”. The band is then introduced as “featuring Matt Sorum and Duff Mckagan”.

- Duff is nowhere to be found backstage after the performance. Depp tells Matt that Duff has quit the band and left the venue. Matt is later told by someone’s manager that Duff quit to go back to his other band (GNR).

I seem to remember hearing that the other band members on the NITL tour (outside of Slash and Duff) are paid out of Axl’s 50% cut. That would sound about right, somehow I don’t see Slash willing to pay for the 2nd keyboard player. If that is the case, it makes even more sense that these other names being thrown around aren’t involved.

I was referring to the Izzy and Duff situation when I said I thought Matt was oversharing. I can’t imagine either one of them wanted those words in public. It’s interesting when people who talk too much complain about not being better informed. But I get that he had a book to sell too.

4 minutes ago, Georgina Arriaga said:

How he was demanding to be the GNR drummer if they didn't like how the things were running by Axl?  

That’s an issue I had. Matt talks out of both sides of his mouth. On the one hand, he was chastising Slash for working with Axl again. This appears to be after he was asking Duff to demand his inclusion in the tour.

I wanted to walk back something I said earlier about Slash and Matt having no contact.

In the book, Matt is talking about the period in the 90’s after he was fired. He had been getting paid $15k a month which was to be recouped from royalties on the next album which he now wouldn’t get. They had to recoup it from UYI royalties instead and it was a long time before he saw another royalty check. Matt also feels he was screwed out of his royalty on Live Era. In general, he didn’t like the way Axl did business sometimes.

Matt then says he was speaking to Slash about this period “not that long ago”. Matt asks Slash how he can work with Axl now and Slash replies that it’s “just a gig”.

22 minutes ago, shotsfired cro said:

he played in GNR and had a solo record while still in the band

 

Oh shit, got ya! It was so obvious I couldn’t see it. Were guys named Jerry and Sean involved in this 2006 show? Nevermind, you added and I figured it out.

2 minutes ago, shotsfired cro said:

Sure that is a way to think of it. But then don't earn millions $ touring  and playing songs that Iz had massive influence on if he ain't good enough to give him his share playing those songs and filling stadiums on his works.

Don't be a hypocrate and cut those songs out, see if the other songs sell out those tix.

2016?  Neither.  Although age wise closer to Alice than Gilby.

I meant 2006 for Gilby. Ahhh, this is killing me now.

8 minutes ago, shotsfired cro said:

OK, my 2 cents on everything, I will repeat mine beacuse people tend to always take sides of some member last 20 years as if it were their family member.

Izzy and Axl grew up in Indiana. The way Iz left and the way everyone always left and spoke of Axl (once they were financialy independant of him), was always pretty much same - complicated motherfucker who obviously has issues.

Once Iz was out, Ax really spared no time talking shit about him and dedicating DTJ to him.  (speaking of Matt, Axl spoke very fondly of Matt in the interviews while Sorum was in the band).

Gilby can't play, Iz comes back to have his commitments to him finally paid out, maybe also to test water for future colaboration but seeing 'the drugged zombies', 'counted days till Gilby comes back'.  Iz leaves, Ax dedicates DTJ at him from the next day on.

Ax goes nuts, thinks he is bigger than universe and decides to ditch Slash and Duff.

We get Neurotic outsiders, 2 great Snakepit albums, few failed Duff projects and a couple ok Gilby and Iz works.

Seeing Slash, with most post GNR success doesn't get past clubs, they decide to make GNR 2 minus Axl.

Iz spooked from Ax tyrany backs out once they want another frontman and Scott enters, although with no great enthusiasm as musically this band is far from STP style, yet Scott must pay his bills but decides to be in until he eventually gets back with DeLeo's.

In a moment of devestation, and probably Perla's pursuasion, Slash gives in, goes to Axl and tells Beta what he honestly thought. Duff spineless and etc.

In 2006, I go and see a concert in a very small club of one former member.

The former member clearly says 'we were are approached recently to rejoin the band. Currently in are Matt, Slash, Dizzy...,basically everyone but not Duff.'. Also says 'the first gig will be in NYC this fall'.

Several weeks later, I mention that on one forum and Jarmo goes mad.  Threatens with bans, says there is no way this person would ever say this, calls it fake rumours...  A day later to more people confirm they were at the same gig and heard the same things from this member...

2008 Scott fixed his relationship with STP and probably feels sick and tired putting up wth VR over no drugs policy when he can get a lot more money with STP.

VR disolve.  Slash is sick and tired of all and goes solo.  Duff is trying but his projects go from bad to worse. Duff plays gigs for 10k max.

Meanwhile around the globe, London excluded, Axl's solo project goes to shit averaging 2500-3000 tix in empty Arenas.

They ALL but Slash NEED money.  Axl plays some gigs for 200k or less. Conspiritors is a relativly cheap project where only Slash and Myles have decent careers and even here Myles has a lot lower contract than in Alterbridge, his primary project.

Duff somehow decides to sneak in Axl's room, even if that means travelling all the way to Londonand makes up this ridiculous story about it all being an accident.

They figure the only way to fame and $$$$ is Slash and Duff is the perfect mediator between the 2.

Slash is not stupid and stadiums are always more tempting than clubs or festivals around noon time.  Money will be x Million, why not.

Axl fires his whole band and works with Slash and Duff on the new band.  Slash sees Axl can't sing shit and demands more %.

Duff figures w/o Slash he is back to Loaded and will give Slash any % Slash demands.

What do we do with Iz?  Iz says equal share. Ax says 'don't touch my share', Duff thinks 'my is lowest anyway.  Fuck Iz.

Iz thinks 'either way they play the setlist, I had big influence on all of Afd-UYI material, equal share or nothing'.

Iz leaves, Steve would play for bits but Ax/Duff don't want him, Ax (unlike some here thought), didn't have issues with Matt so TB texted Matt but the offer was probably way below Matt's likeing...(not speaking about the part where Steve/Matt/Gilby got invited to participate as guests...

Axl thinking, you never know, if Slash turns out to be the biggest deal publicly with Matt/Duff/Iz or Gilby he may take over the band + I flopped with CD anyway publicly.

Axl takes a phone 'Frank and Rich could you come back for a few $k a month'?  Thinking, Frank is shit but anyone else is more $.

Fortus and Frank comeback.  Poster Moneypenny or whatever says 'Neither Slash nor Duff are too thrilled about F n F duo. One of them is hated by both, the other one is tolerated by one of the 2'.

NITL tour proceeds.  End of 2016 I see an legend, very big friend of both Slash and Duff, who just played as opener last week for them in SA, his words 'Man that sounds bad through and through. The worst part - they are aware. Ax/Slash/Duff have seperate backstage each.  None of them talks to the rest of the band. I had to talk seperately to Duff and Slash, beacuse they barely talk...Its not a band man.  I asked Duff why are you doing this to yourself and he replies - my contract says so'.

Conclusion - of course it is all about money, all the bands from foundation on hope to play for money.  The problem occures when it becomes only about the money. When there ain't no soul - there is no creativity.  This band as it is, suits them all perfectly.  Otherwise Axl would be retired sitting at home watching tv, Duff playing 500 cap clubs, Slash playing 3000-5000cap clubs or afternoon festival slots, Dizzy...hard to imagine what he would do...Dead Daises with Fortus or something.

There is no logic in this band nor was there ever one.  Now there is just financial thrive, no soul and unlike the 80/90's no greater quality Slash excluded.

When I just think how many decades I repeated taht GNR 87-93 was the greatest band ever.  Collected bootlegs 86-93, posters, books basically any memorabilia with GNR moniker, now I passed every chance possible to see ths revolving door nostalgia act 2016 on, watching pro shots of 2016-2020 thinking what a sad, sad circus this has become and how itching it is to watch what Axl is doing to himself and GNR moniker with this horribly irritating Mickey Mouse voice. I can't watch more than 2 min of a song hopeing the next one will be better but it just gets worse and worse.

Sad.  This band had it all and has ruined it all for themseves, the fans, the reputation...For all but their bank accounts. If that is what makes them happy - good for them.

 

 

😳 2 questions - you only have to say yes or no.

Gilby?

Alice Cooper?

On 4/11/2020 at 11:59 AM, LunsJail said:

Another tidbit for today: There was some drama around the RNR Hall of Fame ceremony as well. Matt had been told there would be no performance and didn’t find out otherwise until he ran into Gilby at the airport on the way to the ceremony. The guys had no plans to include Matt in this performance. Steven felt bad for him and let him take the drums on Brownstone. Matt repaid the favor by taking a crack at Steven during his speech which he admits he felt like a dick about later. 

After going back and reading this section again, I did leave out a detail.

- Matt is pissed when everyone shows up at the airport ready to go perform without him. He finds out Myles is singing and has words with Slash’s manager. Matt says “So this is all promotion for the Slash solo tour? Real nice”.

3 minutes ago, soon said:

He was fleeing heroin so he took up with a heroin dealer and a few users? 

Yup, I’d say it worked out. 

4 minutes ago, soon said:

Where did I say that? 

Then what “slimy shit” are we referring to?