new tommy interview!

[bumblecool]

Tommy Stinson is asking some questions about the fashionable Paleo diet since he’s hoping for some extra energy. That’s understandable since the Guns N’ Roses bassist is working around the clock. 


When the former member of the seminal 1980s alt-rockers the Replacements isn’t on the road with Guns N’ Roses, Stinson is working on solo material or touring with Soul Asylum. At the moment he is caring for his four-year old, who has walking pneumonia.


“There is so little time for everything,” Stinson tells Atlantic City Weekly while calling from his home in New York’s Hudson Valley. “I need more energy.”


The busy performer talks about Axl Rose, the future of Guns N’ Roses — which just finished off a five-night New York City run and will perform Friday, Feb. 24, at the House of Blues in Atlantic City — and why a Replacements reunion is unlikely.


How difficult is it to juggle all of your musical obligations?


It’s not easy. Guns tends to book a lot of things fairly last minute. I’ll have solo stuff booked and I’ll have to cancel it.



Is there a backup for you with Guns N’ Roses?


I’m not going to miss anything with Guns since it’s been my main gig for the last 14 years, but if I had to miss, the person I could call is [original Guns N’ Roses bassist] Duff [McKagan]. He would do it and the old fans would get a kick out of it. But I’m good with all the Guns dates.



One album in 14 years isn’t much of an output. Any chance that Guns N’ Roses will put out anything since Chinese Democracy finally was released?


I really hope so. I would like to put out more than one album in 14 years. But people don’t know how much trouble we had with Interscope [Records]. They didn’t make it easy on us. But there’s a good chance something will be out. We’re writing and Axl really likes some of the stuff [guitarist] DJ [Ashba] has come up with. Guns has a future and I think it includes an album. I’m fine with playing the old Guns songs I had nothing to do with when they were recorded. I’m all about Chinese Democracy, too, but I want new Guns N’ Roses songs.



What’s Axl Rose really like?


First of all, Axl Rose is part of a dying breed, a real rock star. There just aren’t rock stars anymore. He’s a really good guy, great to work with. If that wasn’t so I wouldn’t be working with him for the last 14 years.



When we last spoke a decade ago, you told me that there was an 80-percent chance that the Replacements would never reunite and if you did, it would be only for the money. Is that still true?


[Laughs] I think it’s less than a 20-percent chance we’ll get back together. I think there is a much better chance that there will be another Guns N’ Roses album than there will ever be a Replacements reunion.



But it’s not as if you had an ugly breakup.


Not at all. We just walked away from it.



What if Coachella offered the Replacements $5 million, which they dangled in front of the Smiths, to reunite?


We would have to consider it. I don’t know if we’d do it. But it’s not like we’re on bad terms. Every couple of years we talk about what it would take for us to come back, but we’re not doing it.



Music culture has chanced a great deal since you were with the Replacements. It appears that most fledgling artists are desperate for wealth and fame and the Replacements were the antithesis of that.


I would agree with that.


It’s all over the Mats lyrics, such as “I Don’t Know.” You could almost see Paul Westerberg sneering as he sings: “one foot in the door/ the other one in the gutter/the sweet smell that you adore/I think I’d rather smother.” If that doesn’t say I’ll pass on the brass ring, I don’t know what does.


Yeah, we didn’t go for the brass ring, but we didn’t think it was reachable anyway. 



I always thought I missed the mythic great Replacements show since the Mats were often a drunken mass, which angrily stopped midway through songs. But I realized years after you called it a day that those were the great shows since each show was different. It was happening in front of everyone.


We were genuine and Paul is like no one else. It was great to be in a band with him.





When Chinese Democracy was just some Flying Dutchman of a project, did your old pal Westerberg ever call you to see what was going on?


He called and joked and said, “Maybe I should produce the album.” He didn’t. He won’t produce the next Guns album either. I’m looking forward to the next album. It’s a good time to be in Guns N’ Roses.



You’re squeezing in a date at Philly’s MilkBoy following the Atlantic City Guns N’ Roses date. [Wednesday, Feb. 29, at MilkBoy, 1100 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. $10; 9pm.] 


Yes. I’m really looking forward to that. I’m only going to be on for about 35 minutes. It’s a Pete Donnelly [NRBQ, Figgs, Soul Asylum, Graham Parker] show and it’ll be fun. I just don’t know exactly what I’ll do yet. I’m just glad I have the chance to do it.

Source: http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts-and-entertainment/features/Interview-Whet-Your-Appetite-guns-n-roses-head-to-atlantic-city-tour-concert-house-of-blues-140029973.html

[axlslash]

Is there a backup for you with Guns N’ Roses?


I’m not going to miss anything with Guns since it’s been my main gig for the last 14 years, but if I had to miss, the person I could call is [original Guns N’ Roses bassist] Duff [McKagan]. He would do it and the old fans would get a kick out of it. But I’m good with all the G

:shocked:

[Tyler Drama]

Is there a backup for you with Guns N’ Roses?


I’m not going to miss anything with Guns since it’s been my main gig for the last 14 years, but if I had to miss, the person I could call is [original Guns N’ Roses bassist] Duff [McKagan]. He would do it and the old fans would get a kick out of it. But I’m good with all the Guns dates.


WHY did he have to say this?

[Black Sabbath]

Glad to hear Tommy wants new Guns N' Roses songs as much as we do.

[Gunner927]

I think it would be cool if Duff played with Guns for a few dates if Tommy wasn't able to be there but that is the worst possible thing he could've said.

[sofine11]

So much for what Dizzy was saying about them getting some new material together after the theater run. Lame.

[axlsalinger]

Sailaway and Soul Monster need to explain to Tommy that he should stop wanting new songs, and just accept whatever he is given.

[avahland]

Tommy Stinson is asking some questions about the fashionable Paleo diet since he’s hoping for some extra energy. That’s understandable since the Guns N’ Roses bassist is working around the clock. 





When Chinese Democracy was just some Flying Dutchman of a project, did your old pal Westerberg ever call you to see what was going on?


He called and joked and said, “Maybe I should produce the album.” He didn’t. He won’t produce the next Guns album either. I’m looking forward to the next album. It’s a good time to be in Guns N’ Roses.


Source: http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts-and-entertainment/features/Interview-Whet-Your-Appetite-guns-n-roses-head-to-atlantic-city-tour-concert-house-of-blues-140029973.html

Why not asking after this who is producing now ?

[Chloe]

he could call Duff and he would do the show?!

I don't even know what to say!

Not sure why he would say that though?

Edited February 23, 2012 by Chloe

[Voodoochild]

We’re writing and Axl really likes some of the stuff [guitarist] DJ [Ashba] has come up with. Guns has a future and I think it includes an album. I’m fine with playing the old Guns songs I had nothing to do with when they were recorded. I’m all about Chinese Democracy, too, but I want new Guns N’ Roses songs.


Thats what I was afraid of. I sure hope that when he talks about "we're writing" he means Bumblefoot too.

Why not asking after this who is producing now ?

From those interviews, I'm sure it would be Ashba, Axl and maybe Caram Constanzo. Last time they tried different producers and it didn't work that well, so they produced themselves.

[Guest gunns5]

I do not want dj anywhere near cd/bucket songs

[oxocubeingravy]

This is a pretty positive interview!

Good to hear it.

[realpoti]

Is there a backup for you with Guns N’ Roses?


I’m not going to miss anything with Guns since it’s been my main gig for the last 14 years, but if I had to miss, the person I could call is [original Guns N’ Roses bassist] Duff [McKagan]. He would do it and the old fans would get a kick out of it. But I’m good with all the G

:shocked:

WTF

[AXL_N_DIZZY]

Is there a backup for you with Guns N’ Roses?


I’m not going to miss anything with Guns since it’s been my main gig for the last 14 years, but if I had to miss, the person I could call is [original Guns N’ Roses bassist] Duff [McKagan]. He would do it and the old fans would get a kick out of it. But I’m good with all the G

:shocked:

WTF

Yeah... I'd advise Tommy to be a little more careful there. It's cool as shit that he and Duff are friendly- but I personally get the feeling that Duff would like back into Guns (just a hunch- nothing more). Duff's apparently friends with Bumble too. As much as Axl apparently values loyalty though- I guess I'm pretty confident it's Tommy's gig until he doesn't want it any more though...

Edited February 24, 2012 by AXL_N_DIZZY

[James Bond]

I think Tommy was just answering the question hypothetically. He did say he won't ever miss any Guns N' Roses dates because it's his first priority.

It was more of a "what if" than anything else. If he were to have to miss a show, he'd call up Duff. Not that he will.

I do agree that that probably wasn't the best thing to say though. There's unlimited potential for that quote to be taken out of context.

[Chewbacca]

I think Tommy was just answering the question hypothetically. He did say he won't ever miss any Guns N' Roses dates because it's his first priority.

It was more of a "what if" than anything else. If he were to have to miss a show, he'd call up Duff. Not that he will.

I do agree that that probably wasn't the best thing to say though. There's unlimited potential for that quote to be taken out of context.

You got it.

[Tyler Drama]

It would be cool to hear Duff play Better and Shackler's and all those songs too, though.

[wasted]

Tommy seems pretty secure I mean he's been there 14 years.

[tat2d1]

Quick, someone chop off Tommy's fingers and get Duff back!! ..............................................................I'M JOKING!!!!!

Edited February 24, 2012 by tat2d1

[wasted]

I don't think it matters that much.

[DrBrownstone]

Did someone say that advise Tommy to be careful..? I think he' done pretty well thus far, without any help from his online fan base. I'm sure he appreciates you thinking of him though.

On topic: I have nothing to add. These interviews never tell us anything important.

[Georgy Zhukov]

I don't know about you guys, I am more concerned about the DJ Ashba comment than the Duff comment.

Then again, Tommy is a smart ass

[SoulMonster]

Sailaway and Soul Monster need to explain to Tommy that he should stop wanting new songs, and just accept whatever he is given.

Have I ever said I don't want new songs? My feelings on the subject are identical to Tommy's: I am happy about the situation but would prefer new music.

Are you legally retarded?

Edited February 24, 2012 by SoulMonster

[vaida]

During the interviews they never bring up *music video* if and when

[axlsalinger]

Sailaway and Soul Monster need to explain to Tommy that he should stop wanting new songs, and just accept whatever he is given.

Have I ever said I don't want new songs? My feelings on the subject are identical to Tommy's: I am happy about the situation but would prefer new music.

Are you legally retarded?

I really need to add the smiley face for you, don't I?