NEW interview with Richard Fortus about the true status of the band and album now + axl, slash and the dead daisies

[IZZYISGNR]

Translation : "nugnr is over"

[tomfriend]

You could track down every Slash fan in the world and combine their efforts and they still wouldn't have less respect for the current members of Guns than Axl does. Imagine not telling your own bandmates a damn thing about the future of the group - not even informing them of whether their work was going to be scrapped, released or left to stagnate in a vault forever.

[The Black]

You could track down every Slash fan in the world and combine their efforts and they still wouldn't have less respect for the current members of Guns than Axl does. Imagine not telling your own bandmates a damn thing about the future of the group - not even informing them of whether their work was going to be scrapped, released or left to stagnate in a vault forever.

They're not bandmates, they're employees. When you as a boss are finished raking in money, you don't extend their contract.

[Intercourse]

They're not bandmates, they're employees. When you as a boss are finished raking in money, you don't extend their contract.

I'm a shameless reunionist but I have total sympathy for the guys who have been through GNR since the old band died (except for Huge).

Richard's BS about Axl being his "friend" yet the guy has no idea when his next check is coming...after 12 years of faultless guitar work live all over the world.

Doesn't sound like a the work of a friend to me. This is not even good business never mind friendship.

The guys who came in after the old band must feel like ugly boyfriends to the Miss World contestant. They are loved and valued behind closed doors but when the public is about, they hold the coats in the shadows while their beau takes the spotlight.

[tomfriend]

Exactly.

"He's my good friend*"

*Who I haven't spoke to in several months or more, won't let me know the status of my employment, won't tell me if the work I've done is being kept, released or scrapped.

[moreblack]

Of all the guitarists that have come and gone since Axl relaunched the band, he's probably the one who is the most underrated. Yet the one who knocked it the furthest out of the park.

[tomfriend]

Yeah, Fortus is the only guitarist since the new band that I've never heard any complaints about.

[Apollo]

I just hope that Axl hasn't given up.

Or, that if he has decided to retire, that he'll give his MILLIONS OF FANS who have supported him (some for up to 30 years) a good bye present and release a double album on his way out the door.

[maynard]

I just hope that Axl hasn't given up.

After Rio 4, I'd say Axl has given up already.

[The Black]

They're not bandmates, they're employees. When you as a boss are finished raking in money, you don't extend their contract.

I'm a shameless reunionist but I have total sympathy for the guys who have been through GNR since the old band died (except for Huge).

Richard's BS about Axl being his "friend" yet the guy has no idea when his next check is coming...after 12 years of faultless guitar work live all over the world.

Doesn't sound like a the work of a friend to me. This is not even good business never mind friendship.

The guys who came in after the old band must feel like ugly boyfriends to the Miss World contestant. They are loved and valued behind closed doors but when the public is about, they hold the coats in the shadows while their beau takes the spotlight.

Why would you have sympathy?

Sure, after the original band broke up, Axl promised his first round of hired musicians that they'd really create music etc.

After that door first revolved the rest knew what they were getting into. All these guys that have stuck by Axl are enablers. They cash their paychecks to enable Axl to rake in tons of money by singing to music played by employees that was written by former band members. Actual musicians that had creative input and made Guns N' Roses. Guns N' Roses was a collective creative force, now it's just way to make hamburger money for the boss and some fries for a bunch of Brazilians.

[downzy]

Guitarist Richard admits he hasn’t heard from Axl for “a while” about release plans

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus says the band’s future is “up in the air.”

Axl Rose’s men have mentioned the possibility of releasing new material and touringfor some time – but Fortus hasn’t received an update.

And the status of guitarist Bumblefoot, who said in February that he was in a “very awkward position” with reference to GnR, has still not been confirmed.

Fortus tells Rock.About.com: “The current status is pretty up in the air. The last I heard, they wanted to finish up the recordings and put them out next year and start touring.

“But it’s been a while since I’ve heard from anybody in that camp – management or Axl. So I really don’t know.”

He adds: “There’s a lot of stuff recorded. I have no idea what will be used or scrapped, or if we’ll end up redoing it. I really have no idea what’s going on with that stuff.”

But the Dead Daisies member remains enthusiastic about working with Rose. “Axl has always been cool with me, and he’s a hell of a musician," he says. "Some people are just really musical – he’s one of the cats that just lives it. I’ve never met anyone with as much musical and artistic integrity as Axl.”

Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino released a poster earlier this month advertising a GnR “resort attraction” to open in September, using the tagline “All we need is a little patience.”

http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-07-22/guns-n-roses-richard-fortus-future-up-in-air

This strikes me as Richard talking to GNR versus talking to fans. I don't want to keep repeating myself, but the fact that Richard isn't currently in the loop isn't cause to assume that nothing is happening. Stuff is happening but unfortunately there's not much in the way of communication.

In the 2008 chats someone asked Axl who was in the band. He answered by saying that it's more about who is on the album. My guess is that that is where Axl's focus is currently.

For those who have wanted new music and less touring, the fact that Richard isn't up to date on what's going on maybe a positive thing. If the plan was on more touring, Axl/management would have likely informed Richard of upcoming plans (since they would need to coordinate schedules). A new album at this point doesn't require a fully informed guitar player who seems preoccupied with his other band. This holds doubly true if Richard's contributions to the next project have been finished. Richard even mentions this aspect himself: there's a lot recorded and that he'd really only be needed if they were going to re-record something.

[Padme]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

[ZoSoRose]

At this point it'd be stupid to drop the GNR name. Its not the GNR of old, of course, but he's been using the name alone since 2001.

[Padme]

At this point it'd be stupid to drop the GNR name. Its not the GNR of old, of course, but he's been using the name alone since 2001.

No the only stupid thing is for Axl to keep shitting on the band´s legacy. The new band only made one album, (well not exactly a band just the guys who were around) If the 2001 line up would´ve made 3 or 4 albums and many tours then I could agree with you.

[DieselDaisy]

At this point it'd be stupid to drop the GNR name. Its not the GNR of old, of course, but he's been using the name alone since 2001.

...and making a right old dog's dinner of it.

[magisme]

It's GNR!!! Axsel says so!!!

[tomfriend]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

Why? Plenty of bands become 'the lead singer and whoever'.

Besides which he's not letting go of the name. He owns it, he sees whatever he's doing now as a continuation of what he was doing then. The name is a draw. "Hey, you're going on the road and singing your old Guns N' Roses songs, do you want to play arenas as Guns N' Roses or theatres as Axl & The Sorry Who Are You Agains"....duhhhhh?

[Słash]

Most prob. Dijon knows whats more going in GNR than Richard or other members.

[Padme]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

Why? Plenty of bands become 'the lead singer and whoever'.

Besides which he's not letting go of the name. He owns it, he sees whatever he's doing now as a continuation of what he was doing then. The name is a draw. "Hey, you're going on the road and singing your old Guns N' Roses songs, do you want to play arenas as Guns N' Roses or theatres as Axl & The Sorry Who Are You Agains"....duhhhhh?

The point is that we all must see by now that this new band it is not and never was GN´R. Axl owns the name and very little positive things he has done with it.

You know maybe it is better to play a theater if one of the lead guitar players sucks ass and the singer doesn´t remember lyrics, sings like Mickey Mouse and falls on stage. At least it´s limited damage than doing it on RIR and arenas around the world.

[Intercourse]

It was obvious to me a long time ago that Axl looked at Trent Reznor and his NIN model and just tried to copy him exactly - minus the huge work ethic and commitment to his fans of course,

[downzy]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

What is Guns N' Roses has always been a relative proposition. My own opinion on the matter is that if you accept GNR as it was constituted back in 2001 or 2006 or 2010, I'm not sure why you would take issue with Axl using the name now. If you view Axl as the driving creating force behind GNR, then whether Richard is informed or whether Ron's compositions were rejected is kind of a moot point.

I've always assumed that Axl continues using the GNR name for three reasons: i) his identity is tied to it; ii) it makes him a lot more money than were he to perform and record as a solo artist; iii) he feels as though the music he's making is a continuation of what he started way back in 1985.

In my opinion, GNR has always been about the music for Axl. Richard confirms this to a certain extent. So one wonders whether Axl makes a distinction between those in his band who provide him with solid music to work with and those who do not. Maybe that's why guys like Ron and Richard are left out of the loop? Maybe what Axl is focusing on is the hours and hours of recordings laid down by musicians who inspire him but are no longer in the band? Anyway, those are just my guesses.

[magisme]

but, but, but, the follow up to CD is finished. Axsel said in the interview.

[hitmanhart408]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

What is Guns N' Roses has always been a relative proposition.

No it's not. It never has been. Whether you like what is being presented or not, whether you like a particular line-up or album, or whether you think Axl should use a different name is subjective. But whether this is factually Guns N Roses or not is objective and can't be changed no matter how much one wants to try.

Edited July 23, 2015 by hitmanhart408

[magisme]

Watch how it's done. NuGNR isn't Guns N Roses.

See how easy.

[downzy]

Downzy you just made a great case against Axl using the name Guns N´ Roses. If you are right and Axl thinks that way then it is crystal clear the band should be called Axl Featuring Who Is In The Album and The Whoevers.

If what you say it is in fact Axl´s philosophy, fine by me. But in the name of decency he better drop the name GN´R once and for all.

What is Guns N' Roses has always been a relative proposition.

No it's not. It never has been. Whether you like what is being presented or not, whether you like a particular line-up or album, or whether you think Axl should use a different name is subjective. But whether this is factually Guns N Roses or not is objective and can't be changed no matter how much one wants to try.

Did Guns N' Roses stop being Guns N' Roses after Izzy left? What about when Slash left? What about when Duff left? Was the 2001-2004 band GNR? Did it stop being GNR when Buckethead left? What about when Robyn left? It's relative because for many people the answer is different. A purist might say the band stopped being the band when Adler got the boot in 1990, which means the band that recorded and performed live the Illusion albums wasn't really GNR. I think that's fair. It's why Led Zeppelin isn't touring the world over right now.