kyrie

Just met Pitman, dizzy, Tommy, rich and the foot at Townsville airport! They all looked tired as hell so I didn't want to bug them, just went up, shook hands and said hi.

Awe that's awesome man!

Not nearly as cool as it would have been to meet Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steve.

Plus, it's just 1 more shred of proof that Axl feels he is to good to travel with these guys.

Why would I want to meet a video game mascot, a newspaper columnist, a guy from Indianna riding dirtbikes who sometimes makes music, and a recovering addict over the guys in GN'R?

I'm being an ass so before this starts a flamewar - the guy was happy to meet the band. No one cares who you think it would be cooler with, this is a thread about the current tour, no who isn't on it. Nor who travels with who, since we have a group shot of the entire band on that jet (Axl included). This isn't the first band who doesn't always travel together you know. Go take a look at Dream Theatre and the crap coming out about them right now, for example (one member who just shows up gets on stage and leaves).

I think we have the tracklisting now.

We do?

Last I checked, the closest thing we have to that are confirmed song titles: The General, Soul Monster, Zodiac, Atlas Shrugged, Quick Song, Beta's Barn, Down By The Ocean, Silkworms, Oklahoma, Thyme etc. I imagine we'll see the bulk of those titles on the next album.

The General

Soul Monster (Elvis Presley and the Monster of Soul)

Zodiac

Atlas Shrugged

Down by the Ocean

Oklahoma

Thyme

Seven

Ides of March

Leave Me Alone

Axl confirmed all of those titles during the different online chats between boards. He also confirmed Silkworms and Oh My God but I doubt we'll see them on the next disc (since we've already heard them, unless as B-sides or if it's felt they've really evolved or something). Quick Song is obviously a place holder (Axl confirmed the name but he did say titles subject to change and I can't see that sticking). And he jokingly referred to Checkmate as Jackie Chan. I for one would love to see the track listing above, a couple new songs, and I'm hoping for some slightly heavier tracks. Loved the snippet of Checkmate also, it has promise. Definitely want to hear what Izzy came up with.

And now we have this title "Forgotten" - it certainly could be legit, or it may not be. It does fit/could be interesting. I mean for a large part of the 90s Axl was out of the spotlight, be it by his own choice or being tied up in the courtroom, or I could be completely off, or it could be fake.

Regardless as to whether RobinF or the other guy is legit or not, I think 2011 is going to be an interesting year for Guns. The ball is definitely in motion with them touring non-stop for the past year.

So a nobody comes here saying that Bumblefoot is this, that Axl wants to do that and all of sudden he's right. Yeah, great fans! You take a nobody's word against a band member as the truth and you obviously aren't a real fan since you tend to believe every negativity against the band. The ones that believe this are the ones that say 'Bumblefoot's lying, he can't say shit because of his signed contract' and 'Ashba's lying, he's a fucking liar'. Not worth the time spent trying to show how those members are - again - full of shit.

Dude the original source, who isn't even posting on this board, didn't say squat about bumblefoot, that was some other guy who was full of random B.S.

However, the Robin F guy I'm willing to believe - he seems to be pretty reasonable.

Will have to wait and see.

Sounds like someone is making some educated guesses based off things we already know, like Ron saying he'd love to get the band together (current lineup) and record.

Well, no shit! But he's also the one who said, things take time.

So you take that, and you mix in the fact that we know there's old material out there that the band have been working on, and you get a great rumor - but it's just a story.

Now, the original rumor in this thread, I can buy into, however, I don't believe Azoff is going to be as much of an issue as people think. One wrong move and the DOJ will be on his ass. The public loves to hate on Axl but in all honesty, Azoff will be the bigger evil in their eyes if it comes to light that he not only tried to manipulate an artist, but is using his power at Ticketmaster to block said artist from touring. Or pulling any strings at the label. One single shred of reliable evidence and Azoff will come tumbling down - there are plenty of people at the DOJ who would be happy to build their career up on that case alone.

The fact of the matter is no album is selling millions upon millions these days so while I can see the record company being weary, you still know it's going to move a few million copies world-wide. Which is not a flop by today's standards. If CD debuted today to the numbers it did in 2008 it would be a #1 album. Hell in some weeks in 2008 it would have been.

If the band can work out a U.S. tour and I think they will, coupled with more international dates, and could drop an album - even of "old" material - at the right time, I think they could really cash in on the momentum they've built up in the past 12 months. Get one solid single out, with decent promotion, a video for the YouTube generation, placement in Rock Band (who still have a good relationship with Guns). etc.

Hopefully Doc can work some of this out. Azoff may be a thorn but Doc's no chump either.

As far as I know it sold about 600 thousand in the States.

It sold about 1.4 million in Europe as far as I remember (there were lost of threads about European sales when it came out, if you want to search

back that far).

I can't see it selling more than 500 thousand in all other markets combined as they are a lot smaller than Europe and U.S.

The figure of 5-6 million was proven to be false, or at least unsubstantiated, several months ago. It came from a Wikipedia article that had no source.

Though maybe 5 million were shipped.

My best guess would be that CD sold 2.3-2.5 million worldwide. This figure is supported here by Billboard, which says it sold 2.6 million retail.

http://www.billboard.com/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml

I guess you could include download sales on top of that but I would assume that they would only be another 4-500 thousand (giving three million).

These figures are unlikely to have changed much over time. CD sold almost all of its copies in the first few months (possibly weeks) following its release.

It's one of my favourite records but it had no staying power in the charts. Greatest Hits could go back up the charts from time to time but

CD never did. Therefore there were no ongoing sales of significant numbers.

Still 2.5-3 million isn't bad.

You're shooting low and might wanna rethink the 500,000 elsewhere statement.

The CD went 3x platinum in Canada within the first few weeks, you're looking at I'm guessing 300,000 or so copies sold by now. Platinum here is 80,000 copies. It sold 70,000 the first week (source: Blabbermouth/CRIA) and the 3x platinum is 240,000, and that was by early 2009. Assuming sales dropped off past that point naturally, 300,000 is a decent figure.

And that's just one country. Add in Brazil, Australia, etc - you'll probably pick up a million copies pretty quick. 5 million is probably not far off.

Gunsguy is 100% right about 102.1 - when CD came out they had a poll up at some point, and they actually pushed Chinese Democracy (the single) pretty heavily. It was a number one album in Canada and 3x platinum here so it makes sense. Funny thing is I recall the DJ I first heard play it (forget who) say he kinda liked it but didn't like any old Guns.

After a few months they stopped playing Guns period, then in the past year or so, they've been playing the classics. First during late-night rotation (I get off work pretty late some nights and would hear it past midnight) and now you'll hear Jungle, Paradise City, maybe some other tracks at just about any time.

Given a lot of younger kids are into GN'R and bands like A7X cite them as an influence it makes sense (funny, with 102.1 being "new music" I never hear any heavier new music, just indy crap, and Metric constantly is overplayed).

It's a nice change but 97.7 remains the best rock station in the area. 104 (Cool FM) played November Rain butchered yesterday (cut out the end of the song completely, so you never even get to the heavier part), you can hear them on 107 and 108 at times. 108 still plays Street of Dreams now and then, it fared pretty well here.

Legally, Axl may be 100% in the right. This still makes him look like an asshole though. Slash is always going tom be associated with WTTJ, and Guitar Hero was smart enough to know that practically no one would be waiting in line to play as DJ Ashba. Telling them they can't offer VR tracks as downloads makes him look even worse, as if he's afraid of the competition.

Yeah, pretty much. It's the fact that he singles out the whole Slash-imagery thing that makes it seem like sour grapes more than a case of real legal concern. You can't really control pop culture - no matter how long it's been since he was in the band, that's always the band Slash is gonna be known for to most people, and it just seems silly to me to attack that.

Slash LEFT the band on his own, now he is trying to cash in on it? How is that ok? I fail to see how you think it is ok at all. In fact Slash is the first one in recent memory to NOT discuss Guns in interviews, so as long as he can use it to make money it's ok then? That is the problem, either distance yourself or embrace it by getting the rights to use the song, you can't have it both ways.

It is wrong, Slash knew it, and the makers of the game knew they did not have the rights issue figured out and decided to release it anyway. They honestly don't give a fuck is the message here.

Just because he left the band doesn't mean he doesn't still have the right to profit from his past works. Like I said, Axl may be legally in the right. That doesn't mean this is good for the way the public perceives him. Sure, Axl has the right to use the name GN'R. What he doesn't have the right to do is deny that anyone else ever made a contribution to their legacy. That is a seriously twisted revisionist view of history that few will swallow.

Slash is not the one being sued, so this should not be the issue really. He profits by way of a royalty check, and his cut of the license fees the old songs get, for example Welcome to the Jungle being used in the movie Megamind.

However, putting Slash all over the box of Guitar Hero and then playing up Welcome to the Jungle is a different story, and if Activision agreed that the use of the song not be combined with specific images or people, then they are at fault. Not Slash, per se, but Activision, yes. And one can clearly see why.

It's like, in the 90s everybody and their dog supposedly was suing GNR, now he wants to do the opposite, just sue everybody that even remotely looks at him sideways.

But if the issue is with the association the game had with Slash and the use of Slash in conjunction with the GNR track, why not sue Slash himself? Could it be because Slash has the right to profit from his own work, and if so, how valid is the case?

Somebody with lawyeration skills/experience must know...

Very simple. Slash didn't breach the contract, and Activision did. Therefore, Activision is in breach of contract, and can be sued.

Slash is free to pursue whatever business deals he likes. It's Activision who are responsible for living up to specific terms of the contracts they sign. If there's a specific clause that states the likeness of band members past or present cannot be used, and they then went out and used a likeness, even if licensed separately - if it was used in conjunction with the song, or they were marketed together, they would very likely be liable.

Basically, it sounds like Acitvision cut a deal for the song, then cut a second deal with Slash, which was in essence a breach of the first deal.

yes the rumors coming out now make sense if the band is indeed playing Rock in Rio in 2011 - might as well book some shows in other countries in the area at the same time.

I remember Axl saying something about this at some point. I could be wrong, but I swear this isn't exactly news... like it was mentioned before somewhere. GN'R should stick with Rock Band anyway.

Axl doesn't even look like a guy hitting 50. Believe me, my uncle is hitting 50 - his hair is almost totally white, what's left of it anyway, far worse shape, etc.

The secret? Well, having money and being able to afford the best helps. Everything from diet to hair treatment to doctors and so on.

This is all going to end up in everyone picking their favorite songs anyway.

For the record:

Best old: You Could Be Mine, Nightrain, Rocket Queen

Best new: Madagascar, This I Love

Worst old: Live and Let Die. It's just overdone at this point.

Worst new: I know people will say Prostitute or There was a Time - I haven't seen Prostitute live, I was in Hamilton for There was a Time and I loved it. So... can't even say. I'm not a huge If the World fan but it has grown on me.

Grohl has a knack for writing catchy, poppy rock songs, no argument there. But it's apples and oranges. Foo's first album was great, second was ok, and I haven't liked too much since other than a couple of singles. Saw them live in the early days, very energetic.

I'm one of the few people who really seem to dislike Them Crooked Vultures. Possibly because they were brutally overplayed on the radio here.

They've both had tons of lineup changes but other than that - Guns clearly has the stronger back catalog, and I'm not sure, world wide, who would be bigger at this point. I don't see Foos doing 40,000 in South America but maybe I'm wrong. I'm also not sure what it matters.

If the buses hit the U.S. ? Well, I'd say that's a pretty solid hint, given how they're linking that DJ interview, that we will see a U.S. tour very shortly. Which is all kinds of awesome, if there's anything close to the border I might even sneak down...

Keeping my fingers crossed... would love to see GN'R back at RIR.

I'd rather get a new record to be honnest but hey, I absolutely loved seeing them live so I'm happy either way...

I think they want to finish off this tour before that. In reality, 2009 - 2011 is the real Chinese Democracy World Tour. The album is out, all the songs have been played live at this point (cept Rhiad, on this tour, but it hasn't been played since 2002 I don't think), so I'm guessing they'll tour most of 2011. Maybe, maybe there's a shot at an album later in the year - but I would guess 2012.

Poland, Germany, Greece, maybe Ukraine, Latvia, and some others.

DJ let slip that the U.S. tour is in February. That could easily go through to April. Leaving GN'R free for more Euro shows in summer 2011 and probably some festival dates as well as their own.

At least, if I was organizing it, that's what I'd be looking at. Probably squeeze a Mexican leg in there after the U.S.

After that - close out the tour with a few dates in Asia (making things come full circle).

Not weird and this has little to do with GN'R - they basically have asked the band to boycott Israel, as they ask all artists to do. They're not boycotting GN'R so the headline is misleading. It's a Palestinian group who feel that Israel shouldn't get concerts until the occupation ends. I won't get into the politics behind it or who's right/wrong, but it's not going to have any real impact if GN'R want to play there.

Is it just me or is it odd that it's been nearly a year since Axl resurfaced last year, yet his hair hasn't seemed to grow an inch?

It's just you.

I'm pretty sure there are ways to maintain hair length, and I'm pretty sure I've noticed it *gasp* shorter at some points.

Wtf?? What's with all the hate?? The guy got married and wants to be closer to family. This has nothing to do with him leaving GN'R. It's not like Axl isn't in New York all the time... they've got these things called "planes" now. Plenty of bands have members living all over the country. When recording or touring, they meet up. Yeesh.

So i guess most of u die hards have heard or read the new duff interveiw. Is it just me or does it look like he

cant speak hes piece of mind. He keep it down, i guess every employes of Axl has a contract for what they can say, and whats not allowed to talk about.

Anyway was a nice read...but I was hoping for a little more info about how he felt about the current situation etc etc etc!

In what way is he an "employee of Axl" anyway?

Take the hate/conspiracy theories elsewhere. He told you how he felt. I'm guessing you didn't like it. Too bad. I think of lot of people's own baseless opinions are being shattered by Izzy, Duff, and all the opening acts basically saying nice things about Axl and this lineup.

Guys the capacity is at the top: 12,000

Can't really tell from the pics but the floor looks packed, and the first pic in the thread - is that even from the show? lights are still on anyway. No ideas but whatever, they've done other shows that size before.

About what?

Someone on HTGTH is now saying the Israeli dates are pushed back til next summer? Better wait for some confirmation. The UAE one looks a little more definite.

I don't think so. Looks like UAE show goes on sale soon (there are already prices) and they wouldn't move the stage just for one show there.

RockNRev?

They did that one standalone gig. The UAE gig would likely be huge as it ties in to the race there, so I could see them doing a one off. Still keeping my fingers crossed though.

I'm guessing an Xmas/New Year's break after that.

Someone on HTGTH is now saying the Israeli dates are pushed back til next summer? Better wait for some confirmation. The UAE one looks a little more definite.