Ashba Alludes to a new album in the works - article

[Guest Gunns]

Guns N' Roses' return to Abu Dhabi also marks a return to the city for Dj Ashba and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, the band's guitarists, who toured here in 2010. Ashba is also the member of Sixx:A.M., in which he plays with the former Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx. Thal is a producer and has toured with Lita Ford.

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Aside from their musical accomplishments, both are savvy entrepreneurs. Ashba owns Ashba Media and Ashbaland Studios, and his companies produce the graphics for Virgin Megastores, rock 'n' roll swag and apparel, movie props and special effects. Ashba recently collaborated with West Coast Customs on a limited edition Dodge Challenger.

"I have a super-creative mind that won't shut off," laughs Ashba, who says his aunt and uncle were involved in the invention of the technology behind aerosol cans.

"They were also involved in the development of Pam cooking spray. They inspired me. Plus, I grew up without a TV and I was surrounded by all those cornfields [in Indiana]."

This may explain why he likens his interest in invention and creation to planting a seed and watching it grow. "I like taking an idea, and going through the process to where I can touch it."

Thal's business interests go in the gastronomic direction. "The need to create manifests itself in so many ways," says Thal. "Plus, I love to eat," he adds, explaining that his passion includes spicy foods, thanks to a hot pepper he ate when he was 12. "There's this company in Ohio called CaJohns, they let me come in and play the mad scientist."

In the end, Thal developed six sauces, all under the Bumblefoot name, but with grades such as "normal", "abnormal", "uncool" and "Bumblicious". All feature images of the guitarist on the label.

With all these side projects, both musically and otherwise, how have the band changed since their last visit to the UAE?

"I'm older now," Ashba deadpans. "Our sound is better. We're tighter, a better-oiled machine." Thal adds: "We've become like a family."

Ashba agrees: "Yes, more like a family than a band. Now it's become fun. It's no longer work."

He says that in the beginning, when you join a band like Guns N' Roses, you don't think about the fans or how to win their loyalty. Thal adds: "There is scepticism, like: 'Who just entered our family?'"

After Thursday's concert in Abu Dhabi, the band flies to Beirut for a show on Saturday night, then they take some time off before heading back out on the road.

"We need time to clear our minds and schedules and build momentum," Thal says. "When you're making music, you need to clear away the bombardment."

Ashba continues his work with Sixx:A.M. "When he's [sixx] not doing stuff with Mötley and I'm not doing stuff with Guns N' Roses, we work together."

He alludes to a new album in the works: "We're always writing. Always creating."

So, no idle hands for these guys - they're professional, mature and a bit unlike the Guns N' Roses of yesteryear. Having famously been tagged "the world's most dangerous band" for their onstage and offstage antics in the 1980s and 1990s, does the label still apply? "We're the most unpredictable," claims Ashba.

"But we don't wear danger on our sleeves in order to prove something," adds Thal. "We're naturally reckless. You never see the same show twice," says Ashba. "Really. Even we never know what is going to happen."

A different Point of View

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal was in Dubai as recently as October, where he performed at a show with the local metal band Point of View. "After the last time we were here, we met people and you keep in touch - you know, email, Twitter, Facebook - and people say 'Hey, check out my band'. Point of View was one of those bands. They were different, and we stayed in touch."

Thal was the band's guest at their album release at the Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai. "It was good to spend a week here, get to know the city, walk the neighbourhoods, taste the foods."

What made Point of View stand out? "Well, they have great writing, perform well and their heads and hearts are in a good place."

Thal says Point of View are involved with local charities, including the Dubai Autism Center and the Dubai Senior Dog Project. The band are making waves in the region and recently won two Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards, including Best Gig and Best Dubai Act. Check them out at www.pointofviewonline.net

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/guns-n-roses-even-we-never-know-whats-going-to-happen

Edited March 27, 2013 by Gunns

[The Glow Inc.]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

[Guest Gunns]

You never see the same show twice," says Ashba. "Really. Even we never know what is going to happen."

[Facekicker]

You never see the same show twice," says Ashba. "Really. Even we never know what is going to happen."

[Kapitch_77]

The comedy continues.

[Guest NGOG]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

Axl: I want to release Chinese Democracy II.

DJ: Axl wants to release Chinese Democracy II - which I have added my own parts to and offered new ideas for.

Bumblefoot: All you're going to get is old songs (Chinese Democracy II) which I added my parts to in 2006. I want to record an album with the current line-up.

[alfierose]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

Axl: I want to release Chinese Democracy II.

DJ: Axl wants to release Chinese Democracy II - which I have added my own parts to and offered new ideas for.

Bumblefoot: All you're going to get is old songs (Chinese Democracy II) which I added my parts to in 2006. I want to record an album with the current line-up.

Maybe they should attempt to outdo the UYIs and put out three albums, the remainder of CD, one written by Ashba, one written by Ron. Then after that maybe they can finally all agree enough on studio direction to fully collaborate for a fourth album.

[Rustycage]

Do they ever communicate? Each one of them all say something different. Totally disorganized.

[jimb0]

I think the different stories are a smoke screen made to keep the fans in suspense after the mess that CD 1 Was.

[username]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

BBF is hasn't been proven wrong so far...

[ashbalove]

If the current band is always writing and creating, why does BBF say the current band hasn't been writing and recording?

[drtydane]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

Axl: I want to release Chinese Democracy II.

DJ: Axl wants to release Chinese Democracy II - which I have added my own parts to and offered new ideas for.

Bumblefoot: All you're going to get is old songs (Chinese Democracy II) which I added my parts to in 2006. I want to record an album with the current line-up.

Maybe they should attempt to outdo the UYIs and put out three albums, the remainder of CD, one written by Ashba, one written by Ron. Then after that maybe they can finally all agree enough on studio direction to fully collaborate for a fourth album.

Lololol

[Guest NGOG]

If the current band is always writing and creating, why does BBF say the current band hasn't been writing and recording?

The band have not met officially in a studio under the name Guns N' Roses. Individually or in sub-groups however they are tossing ideas back and forth. And there is an album essentially ready for release anyway so official studio time isn't really necessary.

[Rustycage]

If the current band is always writing and creating, why does BBF say the current band hasn't been writing and recording?

The band have not met officially in a studio under the name Guns N' Roses. Individually or in sub-groups however they are tossing ideas back and forth. And there is an album essentially ready for release anyway so official studio time isn't really necessary.

lol really?

So because they havent sent out official invitations to a GNR meeting inside the studio, that explains the contradictions?

[jimb0]

If the current band is always writing and creating, why does BBF say the current band hasn't been writing and recording?

Because Axl hasn't involved him due to his inferior guitar abilities as compared to DJ

[ashbalove]

If the current band is always writing and creating, why does BBF say the current band hasn't been writing and recording?

Because Axl hasn't involved him due to his inferior guitar abilities as compared to DJ

so my man dj's been recording new music and BBF hasn't been recording?

[jimb0]

It is possible. Maybe Axl liked the 12 demos and started working with him. How much of CD was tracked by musicians not playing the songs with other musicians.

[DocArunas]

Whe fuck is wrong with you guys, they are writting stuff on theyr own, in they dark little corners, solo, and not as a band, BBF and DJ have both released numerous songs/albums since they are always writting - thats obviously what they mean by "always writting", forget about the GNR record, BBF stated clearly thay Axl doesnt give a quack about new music, since CD is still "new" to him.

Edited March 27, 2013 by DocArunas

[rudolf1978]

I think BBF who is an awesome guitar player, is really tired.He always say what it going wrong but he always shits his pants later.But,ill bet for BBF answer.

[cheesecake]

I'm tired of reading the same old claim. Can every one of them who has made statements regarding new / unreleased old music be more specific as to what they were talking about?

[dalsh327]

The article was about returning to Abu Dhabi and food. The interviewer alluded to something Bumblefoot's answered here more than once, and we know DJ tends to be "diplomatic" in his answers.

Ron and Tommy don't care if management chews them out, and I just think Axl hasn't talked to the record company in years because of how bad things went 5 years ago.

Ask Jimmy Iovine what's going on with GNR.

[jimb0]

If they write a new record... after Axl's tweaking it could be ready for a release in what.... 2025?

[Lies They Tell]

Axl : we might release it later this year...but it's a definite maybe.

Ashba : new album in the works, we are constantly writing ( been saying that since 2009, we have yet to hear a single note ).

BBF : I'm the only one who isn't bullshitting you : we haven't done anything.

Three guys, three very different versions.

I like Bumblefoot, but it was pretty stupid of him to call all the other people bullshitters.

I'm sure Ashba isn't lying when he says "we are constantly writing". He probably is writing all the time. Yeah, they haven't been in the studio together, but that doesn't mean they're not writing stuff. Maybe Bumblefoot isn't writing anything, but Ashba is, so what's the point in calling him a bullshitter?

And Axl isn't lying either when he says there's a small chance for a new album this year. After all they have so many old songs that they could release a new album any time they wanted.

BBF is the only one who's so passionate about writing an album from scratch.

Personally I hope they're gonna release an album with many Chinese Democracy era songs and a couple of brand new tracks written by the current bandmembers.

[alfierose]

I wonder how much they talk about this stuff? With Axl I mean, not just each other. Dizzy and Ashba are always mentioning how tight knit they are and like a family, do they include Axl in that or do they just mean the rest of the band? The varying statements they put out give the impression that the subject of future music is the elephant in the room.

It all reminds me of Fight Club sometimes. The first rule of GNR is that you do not talk about GNR.

[Blusky Grenfield]

Ashba is the drummer, right?