Official GNR Social Media Update / Discussion

[ludurigan]

3 minutes ago, BorderlineCrazy said:

Well, that would definitely make lots of people happy, we're all looking forward to that!

Shame on you for only suggesting Steven, though. 

i probably should demand steven, you are correct. but i am afraid i am in no position to do that, so i can only hope -- and suggest. if i was obama id give a call to axl and demand a reunion. if i was anyone close to axl id demand that. at this point after so many years of zero hope its just really disappointing to see that what could be the best reunion ever is just Guns n Aliens and it will keep on rolling for who knows how long without izzy and with all the aliens onboard and there is likely zero chance for Izzy to join these guys and for the aliens to go away so GNR can get together again and write new music 

[PsychoKiss344]

Hey everyone lets leave politics out of this, we are all here for our love of GNR!

[downzy]

Feel free to criticize Axl if you don't like him weighing into a political discussion, but name calling won't be tolerated.  Attack the point, not the person.  I get why some dislike their music heroes weighing into politics, but as I explain below, I've never felt as though GNR was an apolitical band to begin with.  

It seems as though the GNR camp is fairly anti-Trump.  This shouldn't come as a total shock considering the tacit support Axl gave Obama in 2012 and his off the hand reference to Trump at the Mexican City concert back in April ("let Donald Trump hear you").  

I've always considered GNR a more politically conscious band than perhaps most others, even going back to their street urchin days.  Many of the issues that are often discussed today (urban decay, police brutality, war on drugs) can be heard in some of the lyrics on AFD and the UYI albums.  GNR was born during a time when neo-conservativism had taken over mainstream politics in America.  It could be argued that AFD was a protest or rebuttal against Reagan's America.  For me, Axl's position on Jeff Sessions, who's own political origins traces back to the days of Reagan, is consistent with his political leanings and perspective from decades earlier.

 

[Blackstar]

I had to google the guy, because I'm not so familiar with US politics to know what each senator stands for. I see that as recently as ten years ago (or more recently), among other things he:

• supported  the use of torture by the US military.
• "was one of nine Senators who voted against a Senate amendment to a House bill that prohibited cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment of individuals in the custody or under the physical control of the United States Government."
• has strongly opposed gay marriages and the right of openly gay people to serve in the military and be appointed on the Supreme Court
• has voted for all anti-immigration bills.

I didn't find any indication that he has changed his mind on any of these issues.

Axl wrote One In A Million thirty years ago. It was racist, ignorant and stupid, but he has evolved since then and it's obvious he doesn't believe these things anymore. He also did horrible things in the past; he abused women. He can't clear himself of that, but at least he hasn't done it again since (if he had, it would have become public by now); it's something.

Most importantly, Axl and the band are just musicians, not politicians. As much influence they have with what they say or do, it's not the same as making decisions that affect people's lives.

Artists have the right to speak their mind on social and political issues as anybody else. And I think they should express their opinion and not be apolitical out of fear that a portion of their fans might be displeased. So, even if Axl's tweet was only about marijuana... go Axl!

[Martin Riggs]

1 hour ago, downzy said:

Feel free to criticize Axl if you don't like him weighing into a political discussion, but name calling won't be tolerated.  Attack the point, not the person.  I get why some dislike their music heroes weighing into politics, but as I explain below, I've never felt as though GNR was an apolitical band to begin with.  

It seems as though the GNR camp is fairly anti-Trump.  This shouldn't come as a total shock considering the tacit support Axl gave Obama in 2012 and his off the hand reference to Trump at the Mexican City concert back in April ("let Donald Trump hear you").  

I've always considered GNR a more politically conscious band than perhaps most others, even going back to their street urchin days.  Many of the issues that are often discussed today (urban decay, police brutality, war on drugs) can be heard in some of the lyrics on AFD and the UYI albums.  GNR was born during a time when neo-conservativism had taken over mainstream politics in America.  It could be argued that AFD was a protest or rebuttal against Reagan's America.  For me, Axl's position on Jeff Sessions, who's own political origins traces back to the days of Reagan, is consistent with his political leanings and perspective from decades earlier.

 

With all respect, AFD has shit all to do with Reagan or partisan politics. It was about universal things that people deal with, especially in LA, regardless of who happens to be President at a certain moment in time. I can also guarantee GN'R would never have gotten as big as they did if they were overtly political. 

[downzy]

7 minutes ago, Martin Riggs said:

With all respect, AFD has shit all to do with Reagan or partisan politics. It was about universal things that people deal with, especially in LA, regardless of who happens to be President at a certain moment in time. I can also guarantee GN'R would never have gotten as big as they did if they were overtly political. 

Never said they were overtly political, but that there's a political consciousness that underscores much of what the appetite stands for.  For me at least, AFD was a rejection of "morning in America," that Reagan's America being a shining city on a ill was no where to be found in LA (or most American cities at the time).  It was more of a political commentary in tone, not so much a commentary on any one party or partisan perspective.  

[cheesecake]

2 hours ago, DieselDaisy said:

A good person does not beat his women to a pulp.

And your statement refers to...?

Since the topic du jour is Axl vs JS, I assume you're referring to Axl. 

---What? He IS still beating women left and right? Gee....I didn't know... 

[xBrownstonex]

That diesel person just needed another excuse to bash axl. Otherwise his day wouldnt have been fullfilled and complete.

[ZoSoRose]

Regardless if I agree with the bands political views or not, I am glad they never went past Civil War in terms of blatant political music. I expect it to stay that way. The idea of an overtly political GNR album sounds disastrous 

[Padme]

8 hours ago, IncitingChaos said:

and here comes the radical right...along with the trolls. Now I'm hoping Axl lays off 

What's the point that guy is making? He is not denying any of Axl's statements. He is not denying any Sessions past statements with any kind of evidence. He is just insulting Axl for having a different opinion. This is what is wrong with America. There is no tolerance. People get insulted because of their opinions. I don't agree with many things both conservatives and liberals believe in. But I'm not out there insulting them. This shows that critical thinking and free speech in America has been seriously damaged

Edited November 19, 2016 by Padme

[Top-Hatted One]

32 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said:

Regardless if I agree with the bands political views or not, I am glad they never went past Civil War in terms of blatant political music. I expect it to stay that way. The idea of an overtly political GNR album sounds disastrous 

Indeed. I can only imagine what they'd have to say to us. I mean you know from their bubble in their million dollar Hollywood mansions. Doubt their message will make it through to Randy in rural Pennsylvania trying to make ends meet and barely supporting his family

Edited November 19, 2016 by Top-Hatted One

[WhenYou'reTalkinToYourself]

6 hours ago, DieselDaisy said:

A good person does not beat his women to a pulp.

Agree. Also, a good person is not a heroin dealer.

[illusionone]

6 hours ago, Blackstar said:

I had to google the guy, because I'm not so familiar with US politics to know what each senator stands for. I see that as recently as ten years ago (or more recently), among other things he:

• supported  the use of torture by the US military.
• "was one of nine Senators who voted against a Senate amendment to a House bill that prohibited cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment of individuals in the custody or under the physical control of the United States Government."
• has strongly opposed gay marriages and the right of openly gay people to serve in the military and be appointed on the Supreme Court
• has voted for all anti-immigration bills.

I didn't find any indication that he has changed his mind on any of these issues.

Axl wrote One In A Million thirty years ago. It was racist, ignorant and stupid, but he has evolved since then and it's obvious he doesn't believe these things anymore. He also did horrible things in the past; he abused women. He can't clear himself of that, but at least he hasn't done it again since (if he had, it would have become public by now); it's something.

Most importantly, Axl and the band are just musicians, not politicians. As much influence they have with what they say or do, it's not the same as making decisions that affect people's lives.

Artists have the right to speak their mind on social and political issues as anybody else. And I think they should express their opinion and not be apolitical out of fear that a portion of their fans might be displeased. So, even if Axl's tweet was only about marijuana... go Axl!

Just to make sure we are being fair, he was also responsible for desegregating schools in Alabama and played a major role in getting the death penalty for the head of the KKK.  These are pretty admirable accomplishments that should not be left out.  The thing with politics in the US right now is that 99.9% of the media, both written and TV are very bias towards a specific political mindset.  If anything this past election has exposed how the media has been manipulating and misleading the American people.   With that said, it requires anyone doing research to look to multiple sources and an extensive deep dive to truly get an unbiased look at someone's life work/resume.

Again, I'm neither for or against Jeff Sessions but I do think everyone, including Axl,  has the right to have their total body of work looked at rather than a slanted one sided view.  If someone were doing reasearch on Axl, I'd hope they wouldn't use Mick Wall's book as their only source as we know there is an agenda and in most cases factually inaccurate.

Anyway, as stated before, there is no hate in the above, just adding a different perspective to the conversation, especially for those outside the US.

BTW- I agree that Artists have a right to express their social or political views. I just wish they would expand on their thought so people knew what the actual view was and how it got formed.

 

 

 

 

 

[IncitingChaos]

5 hours ago, ZoSoRose said:

Regardless if I agree with the bands political views or not, I am glad they never went past Civil War in terms of blatant political music. I expect it to stay that way. The idea of an overtly political GNR album sounds disastrous 

I feel GNR were evolving directly towards being more than a rock n roll band by sending a political message through their music. I think a lot of people had hopes Chinese Democracy would be more socially relevant than it was in terms of being an album that talks about oppression. 

I think many people were hoping Axl was the next John Lennon or something. Gnr to me was never going to stay that fun partying, life on the streets band they were on AFD. 

If Axl and Slash write together again I would bet it will be very politically motivated. If they have one song as good as Civil War it would be incredible 

[RussTCB]

13 hours ago, cineater said:

I take it Axl was one of those "not good people" that voted to legalize marijuana in his state. 

 

10 hours ago, TOS--LOA said:

Jeff sessions said "Good people don't smoke Marijuana."  I think Axl is referring to that. 

What they said.

[Asia]

13 hours ago, BorderlineCrazy said:

I don't think so. He can't undo what he did but he can show he's evolved and make up for his old mistakes by standing up for good causes and against shitty people.

I'd like to see Axl use his influence to promote positive changes in people.

Can't remember one place where Axl would appologize for it or admit it was a mistake or that he was stupid to ever wirte it. He just insisted he had something else in mind but who cares, Trump or whoever else says things like that might have had something else in mind as well. The fact that Axl has evolved is only in the minds of fans who think so, Axl never said that.

Personally I think he hasn't evelved, he never was anti immigrant or racist, just wrote a stupid song to start controversy, that's it. Just like the politicians who do that to gain votes. Not much difference I see here so Axl suddenly being so politically correct isn't really credible or convincing to me.

[Blackstar]

The problem is that politicians happen to be in position to apply these "stupid things" when elected or appointed on an office.

[AxlsFavoriteRose]

On 11/15/2016 at 6:46 AM, IncitingChaos said:

Well look who found their password to Twitter 

I wonder how many times he wrote that trying to fit within the 160 character limit  

he did a pretty good job IMO fitting it all in. i like doing that on Twitter, it's a challenge

[Top-Hatted One]

7 hours ago, IncitingChaos said:

I feel GNR were evolving directly towards being more than a rock n roll band by sending a political message through their music. I think a lot of people had hopes Chinese Democracy would be more socially relevant than it was in terms of being an album that talks about oppression. 

I think many people were hoping Axl was the next John Lennon or something. Gnr to me was never going to stay that fun partying, life on the streets band they were on AFD. 

If Axl and Slash write together again I would bet it will be very politically motivated. If they have one song as good as Civil War it would be incredible 

Guess the Vegas casino act and strippers and stripper poles 2yrs ago nixed that idea

[IncitingChaos]

41 minutes ago, Top-Hatted One said:

Guess the Vegas casino act and strippers and stripper poles 2yrs ago nixed that idea

Chinese Democracy being released with more love songs than culturally relevant songs nixed that 

[cineater]

7 hours ago, RussTCB said:

 

What they said.

So if this guy takes objection to states legalizing marijuana does that mean he can file something on the federal level to revoke what the states have legalized?

Edited November 19, 2016 by cineater

[RussTCB]

2 minutes ago, cineater said:

So if this guy takes objection to states legalizing marijuana does that mean he can file something on the federal level to revoke what the states have legalized?

Good question, but I honestly don't know. Definitely something to be worried about I would guess. 

[IncitingChaos]

29 minutes ago, RussTCB said:

Good question, but I honestly don't know. Definitely something to be worried about I would guess. 

I doubt it considering Republicans pride themselves on states rights and small government, but if it fits their political ideology they have shown they are not afraid of wanting government to play a larger role in things like abortion/ planned parenthood 

[Fitha_whiskey]

Pot is already illegal on the federal level. The current administration has made no effort to enforce it and left it up to the states. The Republicans are supposedly all about State's rights, so we will see if they let those states continue to smoke it up as they fit. It's one of the GOP's most hypocritical issues. They claim to be about personal freedoms, until someone sparks up a J...

[cineater]

One thing about this election, its got us all tuned in and that's a good thing.  Got my attention now and I don't think they are going to lose it.  Going to be an interesting 4 years.  They probably should just make pot legal on the federal level and hope we partake and calm the fuck down.