Are you gaining or losing more respect for the band the longer they CHOOSE to stick around and live off of another band's legacy?

[SoulMonster]

Are you gaining or losing more respect for the band the longer they CHOOSE to stick around live off of another band's legacy?

Please feel free to explain your answer.

I have no problems with musicians who accept a position in a legendary band where they are bound to have to play old classic they didn't write themselves. Especially when they have actually released original music with said band. I wouldn't say that is reason to respect them, but it surely isn't a reason not to respect them.

I have respect for Axl as a founding band member who refused to quit when so many of his former band members abandoned him and "everyone" was against it. That's ballsy, as Tommy said it.

It's funny how one man's "ballsy" is another man's 'chicken shit'.

No, people are weird so I am not surprised that some would say that deciding to continue with a band despite world-wide ridicule when more comfortable alternatives were to just call it a day or start a solo career, is "chicken shit".

I guess it is fascinating how people can have such different opinions/interpredations on the same issue.

I think Axl took the easy way out, as he kept the powerhouse backing of the name Guns n Roses. Just having that name alone opened doors and assured him of large crowds at concerts. The name Guns n Roses got him 14 million dollars from the label. I highly doubt a band called Beta's Rose (fronted by Axl Rose and a bunch of other musicians who weren't in GnR) would get 14 million dollars from any label in the world.

Yes, keeping the name assured he would sell lots of records, get lots of audiences on tour, and get much backing from the label. But the premise behind all of this, and which I don't agree with, is that these things are very important to Axl. If he had started a solo career he might not have needed so much money from the label, he could have done things simpler (which he has alluded to), maybe he didn't care about selling out stadiums as a solo artist, maybe he would be okay with selling less? What is undeniable, though, is the amount of flack and ridicule he has received from continuing with GN'R and how hard it has been for him to get a band up and running and release music. Basically, it is obvious it would have been a lot more comfortable and easier to go solo, albeit not as lucrative. Axl has also said something similar himself. But when deciding that he wouldn't fold when the others did, but rather keep "Guns N' Roses" rolling with the vision he had, he chose a strenuous path that would cause him much grief.

[Chris 55]

If they are honestly so concerned with writing and recording, why don't they go and do just that... minus Axl, of course.

They do that in other projects. How ignorant are you?

Ignorant as far as what?

[Gunzen]

So if a man decides to quit his job while he is still making money and entertaining fans that somehow means we should respect him more or less? I don't get it, should you quit your job so you can be respected more or less?

Stupid ass post, and eckless thread. It is his job you dope, if anything you should repect people who work and employ others I soppose.

Axl was given 14 million dollars and as much time as he wanted to re-create Guns N' Roses. Look at what he's done with it. It's no wonder he's scared to try again.

So, what the fuck is it to you? You pissed cause you didn't t gett 14 million? I don't envy others, so I have no idea why you would be critical of what someone else does with their time and money? Has nothing to do with you. Free country.

If they are honestly so concerned with writing and recording, why don't they go and do just that... minus Axl, of course.

They do that in other projects. How ignorant are you?

Ignorant as far as what?

It is a free country, and the other members have other projects, but nobody givs a damn, which is why they work for Axl, who people do give a damn about.

[Guest charlie555]

I have a lot of respect for the band for one simple reason - despite wanting to write new music, despite wanting to do more interviews/press, despite wanting to function like a 'real' band they stick with Axl out of loyalty and for the fact that GnR touring means a lot for a lot of people. GnR's music has played a big part in a lot of people's lives and I have a lot of respect for the band continuing to bring happiness to a lot of people by touring and playing people's favorite songs (even when it may not be interesting or challenging for them).

I don't think there is an overarching feeling in the band that they are living of another band's legacy. They have all added their own touch to the music when it's played live - although one would have to actually venture out and see them play to know that, instead of constant bitching and complaining on an internet forum. It's a shame all these fuchkeads in Iowa have internet coverage...

[YOUCOULDBEMINE.]

Remember when BBA used to be a good poster? Me neither.

[SoulMonster]

If they are honestly so concerned with writing and recording, why don't they go and do just that... minus Axl, of course.

They do that in other projects. How ignorant are you?

Ignorant as far as what?

Not knowing that the band members are able to "go and do just that".

[magisme]

I haven't respected this band for quite a few years unfortunately.

[GUNNER PT]

This:

What other band's legacy?

And this:

I have no problems with musicians who accept a position in a legendary band where they are bound to have to play old classic they didn't write themselves. Especially when they have actually released original music with said band. I wouldn't say that is reason to respect them, but it surely isn't a reason not to respect them.

I have respect for Axl as a founding band member who refused to quit when so many of his former band members abandoned him and "everyone" was against it. That's ballsy, as Tommy said it.

[Teroz]

I loved the idea of new GnR, I also loved RIR3 etc. I also think CD is a great album and I still listen to it on a regural basis.

But it is the other stuff that is making be lose respect, interest and passion for this band. I really do not have the energy or time to go on this "the next album" watch thing again. But that is what the band needs to validate itself as a band. I do not think that what we got here right now is a band: they do not spend time in the studio together, there are no long term plans that all of the members know off, the member changes have made the band worse (musically) and it just keeps on repeating the same ol stuff. It is a real bummer.

I was really hoping for the so called CD2 and CD3 to come our relatively fast after the first one - that would have kept the flame going for the band and for the fans. Now it is just boring and getting back to that old sad place where everyone asks for the new albums and not one member of the band can say a goddamn solid thing about it. And the only member that really calls the shots - does not want to talk about it or anything else. I really do not care, I cared too much about the waiting for CD process - but another 10 year project of innuendo, line-up changes spiced up with the endless touring on CD. No thanks.

[DieselDaisy]

I think there has always been a problems with both the band and the fanbase in that there exists a breach of respect between the two. So long as these musicians are content to play the hits and not forge their own identity as a band there is virtually nothing to respect them for (unless you are a fan of their solo work).

[Nosaj Thing]

I never had any respect for them to begin with.

When Bumblefoot made it clear he wasn't comfortable with the state of the band regarding a new record or whatever, I applauded him. The rest are just a group of guys doing what they were hired for, cover other people's material.

[Teroz]

I never had any respect for them to begin with.

When Bumblefoot made it clear he wasn't comfortable with the state of the band regarding a new record or whatever, I applauded him. The rest are just a group of guys doing what they were hired for, cover other people's material.

Yeah - I respect Bumble for saying that. I am sure that the guys have been told pretty different visions about the direction of the band + new music when they joined.

Mark Knopfler plays live and fills out arenas - and he only has 1-3 Dire Straits songs in his set. By going forward GnR could do the same thing - cut the old stuff down to ½ or less of the set and push forward as a band. But there is no band, and the solo artist Axl Rose that calls himself Guns N Roses does not value his fans enough to tell us what the future holds. But he does have time to sit in his hotel room and talk for 20 hours in a row about random stuff, if only he could even use 20 minutes to sit down and make some contact with the fans, but again thats asking too much oh him because all that he has is precious time.

[Nosaj Thing]

I mean, the band put up a good show. They just need to be identified as Gn'R with new material, with their own input -- other than playing Slash's solos or Izzy's riffs.

[YOUCOULDBEMINE.]

As long as Axl sounds like this it's better if they don't release anything. I'm not a fan of 2011/12/13 Axl

[shades]

Have not given it much thought either way "respect" wise.

But I suppose there is a bit of disrespect coming in under an existing name given the nature of the breakup.

Replacing band members for reasons such as death and matters that the core of the existing band choose to would have been another story all together.

So it looked like he was trolling around the circuit with replacements like some disgruntled, stubborn front man that owned the keys to the store.

But it is what it is.

that being said there are some very talented musicians in the new band, so give him that.

Axl's problem musicwise was that he let too much time go by before he entered back into the business side of the industry.

there is no place for his music on the radio, but frankly I don't think he cares.

Chinese Democracy was an excellent collection of songs, the closest thing to old school rock that has come out in 20 years.

And there is absolutly no reason why "Sorry", "Madagascar" and "Street of Dreams" to name 3, shouldnt have been mainstream radio songs. And in the 70's or 80's they would have been.

He simply missed the boat.

But he has enough fans out here that will still fill Arenas and afford him a comfortable living doing what he does.

Traveling with a first rate road show and carousing with loose women that look like they crawled back stage.

I will say by the looks of the latest pictures of him he better start taking care of himself, shame to see him turn into Val Kilmer with jewlery

[llll]

First, you never can blame session musicians to want to provide their own family with a good life by selling themselves like this for a bag of money. Everyone wants the best life they can get, including you and me.

However, musicians who do this for a long time without having any kind of creative/musical release, have no musical/artistic integrity whatsoever. It just is not possible. No one in this band has musical/artistic integrity, including Axl (although he thinks he has).

They have a lot of money though.

[SoulMonster]

I think there has always been a problems with both the band and the fanbase in that there exists a breach of respect between the two. So long as these musicians are content to play the hits and not forge their own identity as a band there is virtually nothing to respect them for (unless you are a fan of their solo work).

But luckily these musicians are all eager to forge their own identity, so we have no reason not to respect them.

[DieselDaisy]

I think there has always been a problems with both the band and the fanbase in that there exists a breach of respect between the two. So long as these musicians are content to play the hits and not forge their own identity as a band there is virtually nothing to respect them for (unless you are a fan of their solo work).

But luckily these musicians are all eager to forge their own identity, so we have no reason not to respect them.

Am I missing something? Did they release a GN'R album after I logged off?

[jimb0]

Chinese Democracy was an excellent collection of songs, the closest thing to old school rock that has come out in 20 years.

And there is absolutly no reason why "Sorry", "Madagascar" and "Street of Dreams" to name 3, shouldnt have been mainstream radio songs. And in the 70's or 80's they would have been.

He simply missed the boat.

How is anything on CD the closest thing to old school rock that has come out in the last 20 years. Not even CLOSE. It's not even Rock. It's experimental industrial ballads with a hip hop beat. Even if you only followed former GNR members material that nullifies your argument right there.

And how could those three be mainstream radio songs in the 70's or 80's. They're slow, and boring no matter what era you put them in.

[jmapelian]

If they are honestly so concerned with writing and recording, why don't they go and do just that... minus Axl, of course.

They do that in other projects. How ignorant are you?

How ignorant are you to think gnr fans give fuck about their side projects?

[Cosmo]

Axl should have known better. The GnR name is huge but he should have dropped it. It's fucking his life up. He could have easily started a new band and built up a name for it up until now. He could have released CD back in '99, and maybe even 2 more albums since then. With the GnR name, everything takes forever. It's lawsuits, it's public rejection, it's just swimming against the current. If Axl dropped the GnR name in '96, his current relationship with the old guys would have been A LOT healthier. A reunion would've been possible in the Hall of Fame. People's opinion towards Axl's music would have been much more open minded and the music would've stayed intact. I don't care what fucking name is on the cover of Chinese Democracy. It's my favorite album ever. As long as the music sounded like that, it could have been Axl Rose, WAR, Hollywood Rose, whatever... And we'd have more music like that.

[Rustycage]

It's very lopsided.

[bacardimayne]

I'm losing respect for Axl more than anyone.

[BBA]

I don't blame or lose respect for the band members for sticking around. They all have a great deal of respect the legacy of the old band, and none of them seek to diminish it in any way.

Really? Cos I recall more than 1 current member stating that they didn't even like GNR prior to joining the band?

I think you're confusing "respecting the legacy" for respecting the paycheck that it provides.

[Zint]

At this point, they should be seriously considering where they stand as a band on their own accord.

To be still on the road, with a tour that is predominantly based on past hits and history, with a handful of new songs peppered in (that seem to be getting scaled back) is just about beyond damage control.

If they show up in an arena in Toronto or Hamilton, I'm just not interested in going.

I might hit up a small venue gig, but I have no interest in seeing 2+ hours of a new(er) line up doing mostly 20 - 25 year old songs.

I've seen that movie.

Step up and prove you have your own legacy to hang the band's name on.