Robin Finck's Place As Part of GNR

[Musicman11]

i love his work on the album and songs he helped to write are some of the best

he was one of the main forces behind 2000 intentions ( aka the industrial album )

and im happy that some of that work made it to democracy

dint really agree with his look in 2001-2002 a little too goth for my taste but hey that's his choice

loved his backing vocals and i would like to think him and bucket will remain on the next 2 disks

I agree with the look thing, I kind of thought it was neat at Rio in 2001, but in 2002 it just didn't suit my style. Also this is unrelated, but do how much exactly do we know about the 2000 Intentions album and do we have any of the music from it?

[Musicman11]

i love his work on the album and songs he helped to write are some of the best

he was one of the main forces behind 2000 intentions ( aka the industrial album )

and im happy that some of that work made it to democracy

dint really agree with his look in 2001-2002 a little too goth for my taste but hey that's his choice

loved his backing vocals and i would like to think him and bucket will remain on the next 2 disks

I agree with the look thing, I kind of thought it was neat at Rio in 2001, but in 2002 it just didn't suit my style. Also this is unrelated, but do how much exactly do we know about the 2000 Intentions album and do we have any of the music from it?

if i remember correctly and i could be wrong but 99 I.R.S demo is from the 2000 intentions days ? also t.w.a.t

again i could be totally wrong im not an expert but ive heard claims that checkmate is from the 2000 sessions

Yeah Checkmate is supposed to be from those sessions, thanks for what info you have though, I've heard there is a 4:21 version of Checkmate out there, which remains to be heard by me at least, would love to hear it if it actually does exist. But anyway I would love to hear some more Industrial stuff from GNR with Finck doing the majority of lead since Buckethead's Industrial and Finck's are really different. I loved the Industrial parts of CD and would love to hear more myself.

[Musicman11]

@luke: Thanks for the info, didn't know all of that. Now back on topic here's the solo from Rio that some of you may have forgotten about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUa5jD3I868

He plays great and vocally does really well I think. I wonder if there is a track somewhere in that mess of unreleased songs and demos with him singing Lead instead of Axl? If so I would sure love to hear it!

[Georgy Zhukov]

I was really surprised he spoke Portuguese. Most non-Portuguese people don't know what Portuguese is when they hear it.

Wasn't Axl talking about Robin doing some Stevie Ray Vaughan shit on a track? I so want to hear that!

Edited September 6, 2011 by BirdCatcher

[Damn_Smooth]

I think I'm the only person here that doesn't miss Robin at all. I would ship D.J. to the same place he disappeared to if I could. I want to have Ron, Bucket and Fortus.

[Voodoochild]

@Voodoo: As far as we know Finck is just taking a break from touring and letting Ashba fill in for the time being lets just cross our fingers and hope that the 1 in 100,000,000,000,000 actually does work out. But definitely he will be a part of the next album in some capacity given the fact he was there for 10 years, only missing out on any 99-00 recording.

I wish. Saddly, I think he just doesnt want it anymore. But yeah, I think he'll still be present on the future album, but it may be more likely that we'll end up hearing it on leaks than an actual release.

i love his work on the album and songs he helped to write are some of the best

he was one of the main forces behind 2000 intentions ( aka the industrial album )

and im happy that some of that work made it to democracy

dint really agree with his look in 2001-2002 a little too goth for my taste but hey that's his choice

loved his backing vocals and i would like to think him and bucket will remain on the next 2 disks

I agree with the look thing, I kind of thought it was neat at Rio in 2001, but in 2002 it just didn't suit my style. Also this is unrelated, but do how much exactly do we know about the 2000 Intentions album and do we have any of the music from it?

if i remember correctly and i could be wrong but 99 I.R.S demo is from the 2000 intentions days ? also t.w.a.t

again i could be totally wrong im not an expert but ive heard claims that checkmate is from the 2000 sessions

Yeah Checkmate is supposed to be from those sessions, thanks for what info you have though, I've heard there is a 4:21 version of Checkmate out there, which remains to be heard by me at least, would love to hear it if it actually does exist. But anyway I would love to hear some more Industrial stuff from GNR with Finck doing the majority of lead since Buckethead's Industrial and Finck's are really different. I loved the Industrial parts of CD and would love to hear more myself.

i have heard an alt version of OMG also known as oh my bucket ( it contains buckethead where as original didn't ) however i do not have the file it was played to me over the phone about 4 years ago

there are a few bogus versions of checkmate going around apparently the person who leaked it ( razz? ) only had that small clip and because he leaked it the hoarder he was trying to trade with got pissed off and pulled out of the deal

oh and also catcher in the rye dates back to 1994 so in theory that and this i love may of been recorded for intentions

in 1994 axl mentions he is working on a secret project and will be getting brain may involved i can only imagine he was writing catcher at this point

Catcher dates back to 1994? I dont think so. Do you have any source?

As far as I know, the songs from circa 1999 are Catcher, IRS, TWAT, This I Love, Riad (because Josh Freese is credited on the drums arrangement), Street of Dreams, Prostitute, Madagscar and Chinese. Pretty much the whole album besides Bucket songs and Better and If The World.

I was really surprised he spoke Portuguese. Most non-Portuguese people don't know what Portuguese is when they hear it.

Wasn't Axl talking about Robin doing some Stevie Ray Vaughan shit on a track? I so want to hear that!

Me too!

But Robin was just reading the teleprompter, he didnt actually learn Portuguese. I wonder who suggested Sossego, tho (maybe he already knew it, I dunno).

Edited September 6, 2011 by Voodoochild

[CheapJon]

not to bash but robin shits all over darren jay in that comparison clip. it's almost sad

[Let And Let Live]

That awkward timing Finck has with things like the SOD solo is hard for others to emulate, I've always been a fan of Finck as he does give things his own flavour, those clips of Ashba were pretty bad.

[auad]

forget robin,, ugly and bizarre person.

the place for him is in the NIN.

[moreblack]

That awkward timing Finck has with things like the SOD solo is hard for others to emulate, I've always been a fan of Finck as he does give things his own flavour, those clips of Ashba were pretty bad.

i actually really like ashba and i hope he stays because he is a good producer and a song writer and we need that right now i think the band right now is the strongest its been for a long time

Finck had no interest in replicating the solos that came before him, Ashba should extend him the same courtesy and just do his own thing.

[Roy79]

That awkward timing Finck has with things like the SOD solo is hard for others to emulate, I've always been a fan of Finck as he does give things his own flavour, those clips of Ashba were pretty bad.

i actually really like ashba and i hope he stays because he is a good producer and a song writer and we need that right now i think the band right now is the strongest its been for a long time

Finck had no interest in replicating the solos that came before him, Ashba should extend him the same courtesy and just do his own thing.

It's been a long time since I agreed with you. I agree with you.

[Rovim]

That awkward timing Finck has with things like the SOD solo is hard for others to emulate, I've always been a fan of Finck as he does give things his own flavour, those clips of Ashba were pretty bad.

i actually really like ashba and i hope he stays because he is a good producer and a song writer and we need that right now i think the band right now is the strongest its been for a long time

Finck had no interest in replicating the solos that came before him, Ashba should extend him the same courtesy and just do his own thing.

It's been a long time since I agreed with you. I agree with you.

I agree too. But I think Ashba is still putting his own spin on songs. Maybe he could do that more but yeah.

I think Rich is the one that loves to replicate the old and new stuff note to note. But that approach works for him because he's so fucking talented.

Then again if you're REALLY talented you can do what Bucket did, which was that perfect balance of playing note for note the parts you can't get away with playing too differently and choosing exactly where and knowing how to make it your own when you spot the space to do it in the song.

Personally, I loved when Robin played it the way he felt it, but I can see why people had a problem with him basically doing what he wanted 100% of the time.

Great things came out of it though, like his Patience solo and (don't shoot me) his November Rain solo to name a couple.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Rovim

[rockerman]

Since we really don't have anything new to talk about yet (At least officially), I figured I'd see what you all thought of Robin Finck's performances throughout the years. Finck would play things in his own way, interpret the music if you will and had a tendancy to play what he felt was right with the music. Now my question to you is what do you think of Finck and his many performances? Personally I love him and think that he really did a good job of taking things and making them his own. I also think that he was a very large part of the performances on CD and was a big help since he was with the band from 97-99 and 2000-2008. So what are your thoughts?

An on lguitar Mr. my career went no where for the ten years i played in GNR Fink!!!

um flat out..he sucked. Seriously...he choked too much live on the songs that counted. Sure he had his moments but he was terribly miscast as Slashes replacement. BETTER they (Axl and his *cough* "band" )-drew a line in the sand and said this is a NEW BAND a whole SOUND and were gonna do a few albums to seperate OLD from NEW GNR ..were gonna take you miles away from the Sunset Strip and make you forget 1985-1993 ever happened!! AND then released equal or BETTER songs into the world that clearly didnt ride in in on the coattails of anyone else namely Slash Duff Izzy and Adler- but by their OWN merits , Their own sweat equity, creativity and skill."BETTER he never attempted to play ANY of the old catalogue IMO. His was a thankless job to do..

(Imitating AXLS micky mouse mockery voice here) and not because fuckers like me cant get over the breakup or feel a obsessive compulsive need to defend Slashes legacy...Not because im stuck in 1987 -1993 ...simply from an outside perspective as a muscian HE commited career suicide the longer he rotted in the time warp vortex of Post SLASHDUFFIZZYADLERSORUM GNR. ...Stay in your own goddamn freakshow and leave dangerous rock to those that know how to play it live it breath it and WRITE it!!!

Sure you have Better and that song has its merits but unless he didnt want to be anything but a glorified studio gun...he and his career disappeared off the radar screen. His contribution to the experiment is noted to the few that appreciate new era gentlemans GNR..you know the overproduced bloated sounds of excess and exprimentation that CD truely and really is and NOT the second coming of the Glory days of rock and roll.

Ive said it before and its not intended to piss on anybodies wheaties but Seriously???? Really??? ... that 2002 two stage persona and playing was what became of the mighty GNR??? Sissyfied, pussiefied slick polished rock and roll with Mr. Im afraid of girls and my spokes person is a talking sock named Herbie BUCKETHEAD doing his solio act in the middle of a GNR show AND THEN what ever the fuck "cat in the hat sox and the shaved head pancake facepaint does for ya..this is what i wore in NIN FINK" was supposed to do for GNRs reintroduction back into Rock and Roll land.

Excuse me.. i went to see the most dangerous band in the world show ..not a cover band with a half baked idea on how to approach the song with precision, emotion, bravado and appeal. When he was on he was on.. when he did what he normally did..he come across as a..imitator..a replacement.. a wanna be rock icon..4 maybe 5 songs off of the mythical rumoured CD and none of them anywhere near even the weakest of GNRs catalog???

AAside from image..that can be overlooked ..Speaking as a muscian and giving Robin a bit or respect for his contributions...I would have fucken HATED not being allowed to showcase my talents or benifited my position in any and every way possible. One and 1/2 tours in what 10-11 years?? You have to be joking!!And it should be a joke for a professional to sign off on not being allowed to play..or put his stamp on history other than maybe this * scab guitarist for GNR 1995-2007. One album CD with many of his parts rerecorded by newer members. Rumour has it that he appears on CD 2 but as of 2025 that album has remained largely a rumour.

[auad]

Robin to leave was one of the best things in the last ten years, for GNR.

[RussTCB]

That awkward timing Finck has with things like the SOD solo is hard for others to emulate, I've always been a fan of Finck as he does give things his own flavour, those clips of Ashba were pretty bad.

i actually really like ashba and i hope he stays because he is a good producer and a song writer and we need that right now i think the band right now is the strongest its been for a long time

Finck had no interest in replicating the solos that came before him, Ashba should extend him the same courtesy and just do his own thing.

It's been a long time since I agreed with you. I agree with you.

I agree too. But I think Ashba is still putting his own spin on songs. Maybe he could do that more but yeah.

I think Rich is the one that loves to replicate the old and new stuff note to note. But that approach works for him because he's so fucking talented.

Then again if you're REALLY talented you can do what Bucket did, which was that perfect balance of playing note for note the parts you can't get away with playing too differently and choosing exactly where and knowing how to make it your own when you spot the space to do it in the song.

Personally, I loved when Robin played it the way he felt it, but I can see why people had a problem with him basically doing what he wanted 100% of the time.

Great things came out of it though, like his Patience solo and (don't shoot me) his November Rain solo to name a couple.

I couldn't agree more. I get killed for this but I really like his version of both of those solos better than the originals.

[Chewbacca]

Robin to leave was one of the best things in the last ten years, for GNR.

Speak for yourself.

[auad]

Robin to leave was one of the best things in the last ten years, for GNR.

Speak for yourself.

i am speaking for myself, for sure.

[Voodoochild]

I too prefer Robin's version of Patience (not only the solo, his whole guitar work for the rhythm) and November Rain. And, of course, his SCOM solo, which was way more interesting to me.

i don't no for sure that it dates back to 1994 however in an interview in 1994 axl said he was working on a new song and he was going to include brain may so im guessing he meant catcher but didn't may also work on atlas shrugged?

I think you misunderstood. Axl *wanted* to have Brian May back then, but that didn't happen. Later, in 1999, Robin left to get back with NIN and Axl invited May to replace Robin's leads in some songs - as he said himself, because he was "emotionally attached" with Finck's work and he had to get someone as good as May to not feel bad about replacing those leads.

Brian May himself said he recorded with Axl back in 1999 or 2000. Also, Catcher corrected credits on the alternative Chinese cover (and on the official guitar tab book) says pretty clear that the song was written by Axl, Paul Tobias, Stinson (who only came in in 1998), Robin and Dizzy.

forget robin,, ugly and bizarre person.

the place for him is in the NIN.

Robin to leave was one of the best things in the last ten years, for GNR.

I get it, you're trolling this thread for the sake of it.

Anyways, why the hell does people say things like "the place for him is in the NIN"? He's one of the most emotional guitar players when playing bluesy solos, which just don't happen at all on Nine Inch Nails. Even his guitar tone is a bit far from what Trent Reznor used in the records. And don't even get me started as how much of talent he has when writing ORIGINAL leads in comparison to DJ Ashba...

I'm sure Robin is always getting this shit because of the way he looked back in 2001/02. This prejudice about his visual is always used to bash him, as if his sound doesn't even matter.

[Musicman11]

@Voodoo: Ashba has some decent stuff out there, but none of it can hold a candle to anything Finck has put his stamp of approval on. Also Finck made the live show of NIN what it is, he pushed it into a much heavier style and great sound with his guitar (part of it was natural evolution of NIN though.). I wonder just how much material is from the recording sessions that actually has him as a co-writer? My top 3 songs from the album are Better, Sorry, and This I Love. 2 of which are hugely Finck playing. So any other material I assume would be great. And look??? Didn't a lot more people give shit to Axl about his look and still do since 2001??? More so than Finck ever got?

[sailaway]

Since we really don't have anything new to talk about yet (At least officially), I figured I'd see what you all thought of Robin Finck's performances throughout the years. Finck would play things in his own way, interpret the music if you will and had a tendancy to play what he felt was right with the music. Now my question to you is what do you think of Finck and his many performances? Personally I love him and think that he really did a good job of taking things and making them his own. I also think that he was a very large part of the performances on CD and was a big help since he was with the band from 97-99 and 2000-2008. So what are your thoughts?

An on lguitar Mr. my career went no where for the ten years i played in GNR Fink!!!

um flat out..he sucked. Seriously...he choked too much live on the songs that counted. Sure he had his moments but he was terribly miscast as Slashes replacement. BETTER they (Axl and his *cough* "band" )-drew a line in the sand and said this is a NEW BAND a whole SOUND and were gonna do a few albums to seperate OLD from NEW GNR ..were gonna take you miles away from the Sunset Strip and make you forget 1985-1993 ever happened!! AND then released equal or BETTER songs into the world that clearly didnt ride in in on the coattails of anyone else namely Slash Duff Izzy and Adler- but by their OWN merits , Their own sweat equity, creativity and skill."BETTER he never attempted to play ANY of the old catalogue IMO. His was a thankless job to do..

(Imitating AXLS micky mouse mockery voice here) and not because fuckers like me cant get over the breakup or feel a obsessive compulsive need to defend Slashes legacy...Not because im stuck in 1987 -1993 ...simply from an outside perspective as a muscian HE commited career suicide the longer he rotted in the time warp vortex of Post SLASHDUFFIZZYADLERSORUM GNR. ...Stay in your own goddamn freakshow and leave dangerous rock to those that know how to play it live it breath it and WRITE it!!!

Sure you have Better and that song has its merits but unless he didnt want to be anything but a glorified studio gun...he and his career disappeared off the radar screen. His contribution to the experiment is noted to the few that appreciate new era gentlemans GNR..you know the overproduced bloated sounds of excess and exprimentation that CD truely and really is and NOT the second coming of the Glory days of rock and roll.

Ive said it before and its not intended to piss on anybodies wheaties but Seriously???? Really??? ... that 2002 two stage persona and playing was what became of the mighty GNR??? Sissyfied, pussiefied slick polished rock and roll with Mr. Im afraid of girls and my spokes person is a talking sock named Herbie BUCKETHEAD doing his solio act in the middle of a GNR show AND THEN what ever the fuck "cat in the hat sox and the shaved head pancake facepaint does for ya..this is what i wore in NIN FINK" was supposed to do for GNRs reintroduction back into Rock and Roll land.

Excuse me.. i went to see the most dangerous band in the world show ..not a cover band with a half baked idea on how to approach the song with precision, emotion, bravado and appeal. When he was on he was on.. when he did what he normally did..he come across as a..imitator..a replacement.. a wanna be rock icon..4 maybe 5 songs off of the mythical rumoured CD and none of them anywhere near even the weakest of GNRs catalog???

AAside from image..that can be overlooked ..Speaking as a muscian and giving Robin a bit or respect for his contributions...I would have fucken HATED not being allowed to showcase my talents or benifited my position in any and every way possible. One and 1/2 tours in what 10-11 years?? You have to be joking!!And it should be a joke for a professional to sign off on not being allowed to play..or put his stamp on history other than maybe this * scab guitarist for GNR 1995-2007. One album CD with many of his parts rerecorded by newer members. Rumour has it that he appears on CD 2 but as of 2025 that album has remained largely a rumour.

nice rant

[Musicman11]

I think there was a time and place for Robin. Back during the early sessions, when Axl was going for a mainly industrial sound during the Oh My God and Silkworms days. But after that...I just don't see what made Axl look at this guy and say, "I want him to play lead live more than Bucket and Bumble", let alone keeping him around at all. He butchered the old solos, almost all the time, and fans want to hear the "Sweet Child o Mine" solo the way it was meant to be heard, not the "Robin Finck Remix". I think he gave off some ok ideas with Chinese Democracy, but be "creative" with your own shit, not an established rock classic.

Honestly, I think Ashba's mainly just a hungry cash cow wanting to expose himself through playing with the Guns N Roses name, but I do find he was more suited for lead guitar (especially with the classic material), than Finck EVER was.

Here's a question, if you go to see a local band that plays covers, do you want them to play the exact same as whats on the albums? (Not saying GNR is a cover band though). Of course not, in order for them to srurvive they have to make things their own. 2 brilliant covers on older songs that take awesome new takes on classic songs are Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson and Hurt by Johnny Cash. They both do new things with old classics, which is exactly what Finck does. Sure it doesn't always work, but at least hes being original and when it does work, its brilliant and at times better than the originals.

[moreblack]

Here's a question, if you go to see a local band that plays covers, do you want them to play the exact same as whats on the albums? (Not saying GNR is a cover band though).

on a case by case basis with that one. It may or may not work. If they nail the cover note for note (very few do), it's worth just as much as getting your own version that works well.

"In order to survive"? no, doing a cover is not gonna make or break an original local band. And if it is, they don't deserve to make it.

But there are full time cover bands who play to more people locally, and make way more $$ nailing the covers note for note. Those r the bands that do it, and do it well, in order to survive.

[ohnonotme]

Just sayin´...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzEU_MnZdHg

That feeel and soul...oh my!!! Love it!!! Like someone commented: "I have no voice ! Damn It's so good ! It's so loud and sick ... Wahwahwahwah! Robin Finck you are Marvelous !"

[Voodoochild]

^ This solo is brilliant. I prefer his Tokyo '07 solo spot, tho (its a shame we never had a DVD from that concert).

I think there was a time and place for Robin. Back during the early sessions, when Axl was going for a mainly industrial sound during the Oh My God and Silkworms days. But after that...I just don't see what made Axl look at this guy and say, "I want him to play lead live more than Bucket and Bumble", let alone keeping him around at all. He butchered the old solos, almost all the time, and fans want to hear the "Sweet Child o Mine" solo the way it was meant to be heard, not the "Robin Finck Remix". I think he gave off some ok ideas with Chinese Democracy, but be "creative" with your own shit, not an established rock classic.

Honestly, I think Ashba's mainly just a hungry cash cow wanting to expose himself through playing with the Guns N Roses name, but I do find he was more suited for lead guitar (especially with the classic material), than Finck EVER was.

Ok, 1st, he at least was able to play the SCOM solo, unlike Ashba. Second, I don't think he went too far on that one to the point where the solo became unrecognizeble, so casual fans wouldn't mind at all (I'm sure people getting pumped in that MSG '02 video proves it).

Again, one more saying that Robin could only do industrial songs. If this video above isn't proving how far from industrial he can be, I dunno what more. You don't like his guitar playing and style, ok. But don't come with this crap about industrial sound. His solos like the one in This I Love have NO industrial feeling at all. Its as bluesy as this one from Black Crowes (IMO, its exactly what Robin would play):

Here's a question, if you go to see a local band that plays covers, do you want them to play the exact same as whats on the albums? (Not saying GNR is a cover band though). Of course not, in order for them to srurvive they have to make things their own. 2 brilliant covers on older songs that take awesome new takes on classic songs are Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson and Hurt by Johnny Cash. They both do new things with old classics, which is exactly what Finck does. Sure it doesn't always work, but at least hes being original and when it does work, its brilliant and at times better than the originals.

I got what you're saying, but I honestly don't think Robin changed that much. He sure put his own touch, but the songs were still pretty much faithful for the regular fans. Even Kurt Loder and several other journalists said back in 2001 and 2002 how the band were spot on, saying how "if you close your eyes, it's just like the old band".

I think only the die-hard fans and haters are nitpicking about those kind of things. Hell, it goes for me too: I find outrageous how Ashba changes Robin's solos, but the casual fans just don't care.

The difference for me is that Ashba changes because he just can't play the high bends and even when taking shortcuts he still sounds off-key. I love how people talks about how Robin "butchered" the solos but just forget about how DJ goes constantly off-key in bends or just pretty much hit the wrong note. And let's be honest, his tone and guitar playing are nothing special and could be from at least a thousand other guitarists in LA right now.

Wonder how much the whole "I look cool on stage" thing with Ashba affects this perception.

[moreblack]

Marc Ford is a very different player from Robin, doubt very much that Sometimes Salvation solo is how Robin would play it.