BUMBLEFOOT Looks Back On His Time With GUNS N' ROSES: 'I Was Inexperienced At Being A Hired Gun In A Stadium Band'

[El Guapo]

2 hours ago, Sweersa said:

At this point on a future album, if anything, would we be more likely to have Bucket or Bumble parts present? (Assuming Slash doesn't re-record EVERYTHING)

I really can't understand that this is brought up again and again. Imo, there is absolutly NO way we're gonna hear any other guitar players on any new Gnr music (lol) than Slash and Fortus Longus. 

[19AT5]

7 minutes ago, El Guapo said:

I really can't understand that this is brought up again and again. Imo, there is absolutly NO way we're gonna hear any other guitar players on any new Gnr music (lol) than Slash and Fortus Longus. 

Agreed on all points. It actually baffles me why folk keep on pushing the narrative that a new GNR album will feature recordings done 20 years ago. Throw into the hat the constant talk of a double album too.  

[RussTCB]

The next GN'R album will absolutely feature some recordings that are 20 years old or older. They just won't use any guitar or bass parts from another who was in the band from 1996 to 2014 

[Coma16]

14 minutes ago, RussTCB said:

The next GN'R album will absolutely feature some recordings that are 20 years old or older. They just won't use any guitar or bass parts from another who was in the band from 1996 to 2014 

I agree with this. But what about writing credits? I wouldn't be surprised to have Pitman and/or Tobias songs on the new gnr (lol) record.

[RussTCB]

11 minutes ago, Coma16 said:

I agree with this. But what about writing credits? I wouldn't be surprised to have Pitman and/or Tobias songs on the new gnr (lol) record.

I'm sure some of the past names will appear in the credits, I just don't think any of the audio from any past guitarists or Tommy would be used. 

[Sweersa]

2 hours ago, RussTCB said:

Yep, that's a good way to describe it and I love that too. Earlier in the day, Axl tweeted about having the flu and being really sick so I was kinda worried all day that the show would get cancelled. He also tweeted about hating being hassled by eBay sellers hounding him for autographs. So he just kinda seemed sick and in a shit mood, so I wasn't expecting much.

A couple of fun facts about the show (and another reason I wish there was a bootleg for proof)-

Axl hit the stage absolutely on FIRE. After It's So Easy, he made it a point to stop and say how much he appreciated the crowd reaction. He said he wasn't sure if anyone had heard but he was really sick all day but he wanted to push through and do the show. He said that he was still sick as fuck and he'd leave the stage a lot to blow his nose or throw up but that because the crowd was so aweesome, he was going to do everything he could to give back an awesome show.

The first two songs were really energetic and the crowd was really into it but everything went up a notch after Axl gave that short speech. It really fired everyone up to hear such a sincere comment from him and that he really did seem appreciative.

The other funny/cool thing about the show and this is the thing I REALLY wish there was a bootleg so other people could hear it: the somehow kicked 10 kinds of ass on November Rain. Axl was so into the first half of the song, that he totally fogot to do the rest of the song. It's hard to describe but I'll try: you know where the second half of the song starts with piano before "don'tcha think that you need somebody"? Well during the part before that, after "...even cold November Rain", the band circled around the piano and everyone was locked into each other just jamming the fuck out of it. When it got to the last part, Axl was absolutely SLAMMING his hands on the keys to end it. Then he got up with a huge smile, high fived Tommy and walked the fuck off stage. Everyone looked confused but it was clear that they jammed so hard Axl just thought they were at the end of the song, not the middle LOL.

The whole band was laughing and kind of confused, then Ron finally stepped up and kinda looked like "Ok, that just happened" and he started his Don't Cry solo spot lol. Like I said, it's hard to describe but it was really funny in the moment and only happened because of how into the show everyone was..

There was other cool shit that happened throughtout the night that maybe @ZoSoRose can remember but those few highlights are what made it so special for me. 

DAMMIT! I WISH I HAD RECORDED THAT SHOW!

My dad and I were there. We met Bumblefoot in an alley before the show too, he autographed my ticket. 

I remember Axl saying he was sick, and he talked about the porn industry going to require condoms in a certain region soon, so he suggested Detroit become the new leader in the porn industry to not have that.

My dad and I clearly remember the November Rain incident too. My dad thinks Axl told Bumble something like: "We need to talk." when that incident occurred. It was pretty funny. My dad and I saw them months prior in Chicago, November 15, 2011. Which was my first time seeing them live. I always liked how Axl sounded in Shackler's Revenge live.

[Gordon Comstock]

3 hours ago, allwaystired said:

I think Axl has always been big on reacting to a crowd actually - far more than is perhaps talked about.

This is definitely true... there wasn't much interaction at the shows I've seen post-2012, but the shows in 2010-2011 he interacted and reacted to the crowd a lot more, especially at the "dolphin incident" show

[RussTCB]

46 minutes ago, Sweersa said:

My dad and I were there. We met Bumblefoot in an alley before the show too, he autographed my ticket. 

I remember Axl saying he was sick, and he talked about the porn industry going to require condoms in a certain region soon, so he suggested Detroit become the new leader in the porn industry to not have that.

My dad and I clearly remember the November Rain incident too. My dad thinks Axl told Bumble something like: "We need to talk." when that incident occurred. It was pretty funny. My dad and I saw them months prior in Chicago, November 15, 2011. Which was my first time seeing them live. I always liked how Axl sounded in Shackler's Revenge live.

That's funny, we were out there with Ron too. I have a picture somewhere of a big group of people out there so you're probably in it lol. 

I was at that Chicago show too and I actually recorded that one. The Detroit Fillmore show was the only one I went to on that tour that I didn't bring my recorder to :/

[19AT5]

2 hours ago, RussTCB said:

The next GN'R album will absolutely feature some recordings that are 20 years old or older. They just won't use any guitar or bass parts from another who was in the band from 1996 to 2014 

Why?! Like nobody makes albums like that. I'm not sure if you've ever been involved in audio recording before, but that's generally not how it works. ChiDem is one of a kind in that regard. And frankly... it's a fucking overloaded layered mess at points. 

[RussTCB]

15 minutes ago, 19AT5 said:

Why?! Like nobody makes albums like that. I'm not sure if you've ever been involved in audio recording before, but that's generally not how it works. ChiDem is one of a kind in that regard. And frankly... it's a fucking overloaded layered mess at points. 

Your opinion of Chinese Democracy doesn't really have anything to do with this, but noted. Having said that, there are many recordings throughout music history that feature vocals and instruments that were recorded long before their release so I can't imagine where you got the idea that "nobody" does it. 

[19AT5]

1 minute ago, RussTCB said:

Your opinion of Chinese Democracy doesn't really have anything to do with this, but noted. Having said that, there are many recordings throughout music history that feature vocals and instruments that were recorded long before their release so I can't imagine where you got the idea that "nobody" does it. 

Aye, okay there are albums that have been tarted up long after the original recordings (e.g. The Stones' Tattoo You album). But not many acts have a) taken 13 years to record a single album; b) used different drum tracks by different drummers on a single track; and c) used guitar solos by members who left years prior. Generally speaking, most bands don't apply this approach. Primarily because it produces an uneven result. 

My view on CD in previous post was specifically in relation to the audio mix and production. There are a number of songs on the album I don't mind/quite like.

[Gordon Comstock]

24 minutes ago, 19AT5 said:

Why?! Like nobody makes albums like that. I'm not sure if you've ever been involved in audio recording before, but that's generally not how it works. ChiDem is one of a kind in that regard. And frankly... it's a fucking overloaded layered mess at points. 

You're right that CD is one-of-a-kind in how it was layered and pieced together, but generally, it's not uncommon for artists to hold onto songs for a few years, and then release them with minimal or zero re-recordings. If GNR release an album in the future (lol) I'd bet at least some, if not most of the vocals will be 15-20 years old... and I would actually hope the drum tracks are that old, too

[19AT5]

16 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said:

You're right that CD is one-of-a-kind in how it was layered and pieced together, but generally, it's not uncommon for artists to hold onto songs for a few years, and then release them with minimal or zero re-recordings. If GNR release an album in the future (lol) I'd bet at least some, if not most of the vocals will be 15-20 years old... and I would actually hope the drum tracks are that old, too

Oh hell aye, many bands hold tracks back for sure. But rarely, rarely, rarely do bands utilise backing tracks by previous lineups and then add on top. I think we ar eon the same page and you'll get my point!  All that said, Whitesnake's Slide It In (US remix) is one example whereupon a new lineup added to an existing album. But in that instance, it was the same year! But the recent compilations that ol' Coverdale fired oot featured updated guitar and organ parts for songs off his Restless Heart album from 1997. This isn't common though. 

[allwaystired]

I'd be amazed if Axl was to re-record those vocals from 20 years ago to be honest. I'd wager they'd be lifted straight off and put onto re-recorded guitar from Slash etc. 

All that's assuming we ever hear anything of course, which seems less and less likely with each month that passes. 

[Gordon Comstock]

5 minutes ago, 19AT5 said:

Oh hell aye, many bands hold tracks back for sure. But rarely, rarely, rarely do bands utilise backing tracks by previous lineups and then add on top. I think we ar eon the same page and you'll get my point!  All that said, Whitesnake's Slide It In (US remix) is one example whereupon a new lineup added to an existing album. But in that instance, it was the same year! But the recent compilations that ol' Coverdale fired oot featured updated guitar and organ parts for songs off his Restless Heart album from 1997. This isn't common though. 

Yea we're on the same page. It's a rarity for bands to use recordings from previous members but not entirely unheard of. With GNR, it wouldn't surprise me at all if new material was frankensteined together using Richards guitar part from 2002, Brains drum track from 2001 with Franks overdubs from 2007. vocals from 1999-2006, etc.

Slash will play most, if not all of the lead parts, but would anyone really be surprised if Paul or Robin's rhythm tracks ended up being used? I mean the rhythm part on TWAT was pieced together from like 6 different guitar players, and I imagine some of the 'new' stuff would be similar.

[RussTCB]

1 hour ago, 19AT5 said:

Aye, okay there are albums that have been tarted up long after the original recordings (e.g. The Stones' Tattoo You album). But not many acts have a) taken 13 years to record a single album; b) used different drum tracks by different drummers on a single track; and c) used guitar solos by members who left years prior. Generally speaking, most bands don't apply this approach. Primarily because it produces an uneven result. 

My view on CD in previous post was specifically in relation to the audio mix and production. There are a number of songs on the album I don't mind/quite like.

If there's one thing to remember about GN'R, it's that what "most bands" do doesn't apply to them. 

[19AT5]

1 hour ago, RussTCB said:

If there's one thing to remember about GN'R, it's that what "most bands" do doesn't apply to them. 

Well yes this is true. Most other bands have some form of musical output which is exceeds 1 album in almost 30 years!  

[2020_Intensions]

6 hours ago, Sweersa said:

My dad and I were there. We met Bumblefoot in an alley before the show too, he autographed my ticket. 

I remember Axl saying he was sick, and he talked about the porn industry going to require condoms in a certain region soon, so he suggested Detroit become the new leader in the porn industry to not have that.

My dad and I clearly remember the November Rain incident too. My dad thinks Axl told Bumble something like: "We need to talk." when that incident occurred. It was pretty funny. My dad and I saw them months prior in Chicago, November 15, 2011. Which was my first time seeing them live. I always liked how Axl sounded in Shackler's Revenge live.

I love Shackler's live only because that crescendo Axl does during the chorus "I don't believe there's a reason ..." is so fucking epic

[2020_Intensions]

4 hours ago, allwaystired said:

I'd be amazed if Axl was to re-record those vocals from 20 years ago to be honest. I'd wager they'd be lifted straight off and put onto re-recorded guitar from Slash etc. 

All that's assuming we ever hear anything of course, which seems less and less likely with each month that passes. 

There is no way Axl records new vocals ... If Axl re-recorded the '99-'06 vocals on unreleased ChiDem tracks that would be the craziest thing to happen in GnR history

[Tom2112]

On 3/15/2021 at 12:30 AM, RussTCB said:

I saw them at the Fillmore Detroit in early 2012. That place has a capacity of 2900, so I RAN to get tickets when they went on sale. Even though I knew GN'R wasn't a big draw at all by that time, I thought they'd sell out a 2900 seater for sure. 

Imagine my surprise when they were selling tickets 2-for-1 in the week leading up to the show and it still wasn't a sellout by showtime. 

That's down to a few things but basically GNR had burnt all their goodwill everywhere besides SA. They were doing well(ish) in EU and they were solid (ish) in Asia/Australia but it was a matter of time. America on the other hand was a disaster zone, they just couldn't generate any positive momentum - 90s / the split with Slash, huge wait for the record, the record being received fairly lukewarm, the Rio disaster before they kicked off the US run... add that all together and you've got the answer to why GNR were in the rough. The wheels were even coming off in Europe with Reading/Dublin making worldwide news.

Only 1 person to blame too! ...had Axl been singing his ass off on that RIO broadcast / the benefit show I think the sales would have been healthier, but still not sell outs. Probably still a few 2 for 1 offers here and there.

Nothing new, but It's interesting when you list out the bumps in the road historically😄

 

[Tom2112]

1 hour ago, Rovim said:

if the vocals from 20 years ago are great, it would make it acceptable for me on a potential new release but it's kinda weird to do that and not ideal imo but not surprising if Axl chooses to just go with existing vocals but he seemed to care about fans not really liking his clean vocals on Chinese so maybe there's a chance he'll want to add rasp on at least some of the material?

I could see him using the vocals he recorded years ago too. But the 58? yr old Axl can't really sing that way any more so, I'd be in favour of scrapping and re-recording to his current ability. Hopefully the clean vocal is used sparingly. End of the day he knows that people want that raspy voice, and that's what the GNR sound is, so I can't see him going too far away from that... although he could go full Lou Reed on us, who knows😄

[19AT5]

2 hours ago, Tom2112 said:

That's down to a few things but basically GNR had burnt all their goodwill everywhere besides SA. They were doing well(ish) in EU and they were solid (ish) in Asia/Australia but it was a matter of time. America on the other hand was a disaster zone, they just couldn't generate any positive momentum - 90s / the split with Slash, huge wait for the record, the record being received fairly lukewarm, the Rio disaster before they kicked off the US run... add that all together and you've got the answer to why GNR were in the rough. The wheels were even coming off in Europe with Reading/Dublin making worldwide news.

Only 1 person to blame too! ...had Axl been singing his ass off on that RIO broadcast / the benefit show I think the sales would have been healthier, but still not sell outs. Probably still a few 2 for 1 offers here and there.

Nothing new, but It's interesting when you list out the bumps in the road historically😄

 

This is my recollection of that period as well. The Rio performance, that yellow fucking rain coat, and Axl seemingly just forgetting where he was during November Rain was not reported positively in the media. The Bridge School disaster saw him absolutely slated, and some of it was really pretty harsh. The Dublin gig was severely panned too. And a lot of the bad will started (in the UK and EU media at least) with the Reading balls up in 2010. GNR's legacy was in tatters at this point. 

But yet, despite all this, there are still some people who seemingly will argue that the nu-GNR period was either a) brilliant; and/or b) successful. Sure there was the odd moment of brilliance, no doubt. But all in... this was not a successful venture, comparatively to the '87-'93 era.

[Tom2112]

2 hours ago, 19AT5 said:

This is my recollection of that period as well. The Rio performance, that yellow fucking rain coat, and Axl seemingly just forgetting where he was during November Rain was not reported positively in the media. The Bridge School disaster saw him absolutely slated, and some of it was really pretty harsh. The Dublin gig was severely panned too. And a lot of the bad will started (in the UK and EU media at least) with the Reading balls up in 2010. GNR's legacy was in tatters at this point. 

But yet, despite all this, there are still some people who seemingly will argue that the nu-GNR period was either a) brilliant; and/or b) successful. Sure there was the odd moment of brilliance, no doubt. But all in... this was not a successful venture, comparatively to the '87-'93 era.

Musically speaking 2006-2010 the band was on fire, after that 2012 was ok, 2014 was a disaster. The best GNR shows I've seen were from 2006-2012 so I would be one of those people saying I liked it. I wouldn't argue that the band was greatly successful during that time though. In 2006 the show they played in Dublin had 20/30000 attendance, next time was indoors sold out about 14000, next time same building they probably sold about 7/8000 tickets - it was clearly on a slide, and the media were fairly on top of them. It was course correctable though, it wasn't game set and match. They needed to do a tour where Axl came on stage on time like NITL, they needed a shit hot PR team spreading the news and they needed to get a new album out to make some momentum... obviously they chose plan b, and called Slash and co.

Anyway, back to the topic... Bumble made the right decision!

[jamillos]

It all stood or fell on a) the novelty / return of the band after 2002, b) Axl's vocal form, c) the new songs being played in connection with the relase of CD. Therefore, 2006/07 as well as 2009/10 were great. The rest... hmm... well... 

[19AT5]

18 minutes ago, Tom2112 said:

Musically speaking 2006-2010 the band was on fire, after that 2012 was ok, 2014 was a disaster. The best GNR shows I've seen were from 2006-2012 so I would be one of those people saying I liked it. I wouldn't argue that the band was greatly successful during that time though. In 2006 the show they played in Dublin had 20/30000 attendance, next time was indoors sold out about 14000, next time same building they probably sold about 7/8000 tickets - it was clearly on a slide, and the media were fairly on top of them. It was course correctable though, it wasn't game set and match. They needed to do a tour where Axl came on stage on time like NITL, they needed a shit hot PR team spreading the news and they needed to get a new album out to make some momentum... obviously they chose plan b, and called Slash and co.

Anyway, back to the topic... Bumble made the right decision!

I've watched a few gigs from 2006 and 2010 and they were pretty good I thought. But I don't think they are comparable with the '87-'93 era, primarily because they mostly played a set comprised of the old band's material (certainly in 2006). The lack of material released really makes any comparison largely irrelevant. 

 

I never saw nu-GNR. I was supposed to see them 3 times around 2000 to 2002 in Glasgow. And each time it was cancelled. So I gave up on them then really.

 

The media were on top of the band during the nu-Guns era because Axl gave them EVERY reason to be. Cancelling tour after tour, turning up late, subpar performances, ridiculous delays to the album, a revolving door of musicians, and his general lack of engagement.