Fans still waiting for GNr album after 12 years

[Gallagher Rose]

Fans wait for Guns N' Roses album

After 12 years, fans who haven't given up are anxiously awaiting Guns N' Roses album

By Malcolm X Abram

Beacon Journal staff writer

Details

If Guns N' Roses' current production schedule continues, aging rock fans will be able to tell their children someday stories about the band's dozen-years-and-counting-in-the-making fourth full-length album, Chinese Democracy.

The specifics of these legends will probably vary, as the only one who knows the full story is W. Axl Rose, the lone remaining member from the band's glory days as one of the biggest rock machines on the planet.

Some of those rock-loving storytellers will relay ``the legend of Axl Rose and the quest for the one album.'' Others may send their grandkids to dreamland believing that if they stand in front of a mirror holding a copy of The Spaghetti Incident and say, ``Chinese Democracy rules, Velvet Revolver sucks!'' three times, Rose's ghostly, botoxed visage will appear, wailing the title track before impaling them with his phantom mike stand, forcing them to their na-na-na-na-na-na-knees.

Good night, kids.

Just like those rock 'n' roll fairy tales, in the 12 years since the title was first printed, Chinese Democracy has become sort of a symbol of constipated creativity. It appears to be one troubled man's extended journey to make an album that only he hears but apparently can't find the right combination of musicians, producers and arrangers to re-create it on tape to his satisfaction.

Now, what was once a surefire megahit has become a long-standing curiosity among the music industry and music fans save the most dedicated GNR lovers.

It's those still-enthralled fans who will pay to watch Rose and his new band of (hired) Guns N' Roses version 3.0 as they perform a few of those now not-so-new tunes and the old stuff on Friday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, with Sebastian Bach and Papa Roach opening.

Earlier this year, Rose swore that 2006 would be the year that Chinese Democracy on the Geffen label would finally bathe in the harsh fluorescent lights of Best Buy and Wal-Mart store shelves, even setting a Nov. 21 release date. But with only five Tuesdays (the traditional record release day) remaining this year, fans may have to continue their personal vigils for an album that can't possibly meet up to 12 years of hype and speculation.

In 2004, damaged pop genius Brian Wilson finally completed Smile, wrenching it from its three-decade gestation and scratching his own creative itch, as well as the itch of many die-hard Beach Boys fans. With that magnum opus finally out of the way, Chinese Democracy has taken its place as not only the biggest yet-to-be released album but also, according to a 2005 New York Times article which quoted ``Geffen documents,'' the most expensive non-available album ever, with production costs exceeding $13 million (a figure disputed by Rose's manager, Merck Mercuriadis).

Nevertheless for Geffen to fully recoup its investment in Rose and GNR, the album would require the kind of amazing sales figures that have become increasingly difficult to achieve in our download it, dig it and discard it society, making it a commercial if not creative failure almost by default.

None of that will matter Friday night, when (or perhaps that should be ``if'') Axl and the reconfigured eight-piece lineup of Guns N' Roses players take the stage to the famous descending riff that opens Welcome to the Jungle.

The band now features a triple guitar attack of Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Richard Fortus (Psychedelic Furs) and music professor Ron ``Bumblefoot'' Thal, in addition to Chris Pitman and early '90s holdover Dizzy Reed on keyboards, bassist Tommy Stinson (the Replacements) and drummer Frank Ferrer.

GNR has been on the road for much of the year and by most accounts, the 44-year-old Rose sounds and looks healthy -- though he's still sporting those ridiculous braid extensions -- and can still hit most of the high notes and the band has coalesced into the best Guns N Roses tribute band ever.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true GNR tour without some controversy and/or canceled shows. The band's 2002 trek was aborted and this year Rose has already been arrested in Sweden for biting a guard. The North American trek has seen the cancellation of a gig at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Maine because of either the band's legal inability to imbibe alcoholic beverages on stage (according to the venue) or (according to the band) the local fire marshal's pledge to harass both the band and fans throughout the show.

Rose issued an apology on the band's Web site, stating in part, ``I agree with, and ultimately take responsibility for, the end decision not to jeopardize the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities.''

Meanwhile on other tour stops, the crowds have been smaller than expected, with some reports that arenas are less than 75 percent full, but those present are hard-core fans loyal to Rose and his mutated Davy Jones snake dance.

At this point in the saga, it's arguable that the concept of Chinese Democracy's release has surpassed the anticipation of the music it will contain. Several songs slated for the album have been leaked on the Internet and radio and have been played live by the band for several years, including a 2002 concert in Cleveland at someplace called the Gund Arena, where the group performed Madagascar, the Blues and the title track.

None of those songs was particularly impressive nor had the confident Sunset Strip bar band swagger of Appetite or the grand-scale rock bombast ambition of the two Use Your Illusion albums. But they didn't send fans streaming toward the beer and bathroom lines, either, suggesting that die-hard fans are still willing to listen to new material from a reconstructed band that hasn't put out a new record in 14 years. Perhaps the mere completion and release of Chinese Democracy will be enough for the remaining GNR fans.

Maybe just having the album in their hands or hard drive will satiate those who haven't yet given up on Rose and his artistic vision.

Source: Beacon journal - Ohio

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/16073231.htm

PS: good read,it says simply the truth

[avg_]

yeah, a real good read, nothing but the truth, thanks!

[Powerage5]

I got a lol out of the ghost story part.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Speaks the truth??? "even setting a Nov. 21 release date," yeah, that sounds right to you? I'm so sick of the fucking liars who are allowed to get away with this shit. A Nov. 21 release date was never set.

Dammit, sometimes I wish Axl would lash out at these fucking liars...or maybe they're just looking to make a name by pissing off Axl, I don't know.

Simply the truth...I think not.

[wasted]

At this point it doesnt matter if the articles are not completely correct. This is what the assorted press have in their minds. This is the situation Axl can work with to his benefit. Even if it is a dumb idea of the most expensive forever delayed over hyped album ever. That will sell and give something the journos to write about for years after in Classic Rock magazine. It's what gives Chinese D a base to build from. Like AFd was overnight success of these bad ass junkies - was that true? Or UYI was the band in tatters from getting succesful and realising the business is an illusion, fame is an illusion, and Axl's romantic break ups with his Sweet Child O mine.

[inthisriver]

Fans wait for Guns N' Roses album

After 12 years, fans who haven't given up are anxiously awaiting Guns N' Roses album

By Malcolm X Abram

Beacon Journal staff writer

Details

If Guns N' Roses' current production schedule continues, aging rock fans will be able to tell their children someday stories about the band's dozen-years-and-counting-in-the-making fourth full-length album, Chinese Democracy.

The specifics of these legends will probably vary, as the only one who knows the full story is W. Axl Rose, the lone remaining member from the band's glory days as one of the biggest rock machines on the planet.

Some of those rock-loving storytellers will relay ``the legend of Axl Rose and the quest for the one album.'' Others may send their grandkids to dreamland believing that if they stand in front of a mirror holding a copy of The Spaghetti Incident and say, ``Chinese Democracy rules, Velvet Revolver sucks!'' three times, Rose's ghostly, botoxed visage will appear, wailing the title track before impaling them with his phantom mike stand, forcing them to their na-na-na-na-na-na-knees.

Good night, kids.

Just like those rock 'n' roll fairy tales, in the 12 years since the title was first printed, Chinese Democracy has become sort of a symbol of constipated creativity. It appears to be one troubled man's extended journey to make an album that only he hears but apparently can't find the right combination of musicians, producers and arrangers to re-create it on tape to his satisfaction.

Now, what was once a surefire megahit has become a long-standing curiosity among the music industry and music fans save the most dedicated GNR lovers.

It's those still-enthralled fans who will pay to watch Rose and his new band of (hired) Guns N' Roses version 3.0 as they perform a few of those now not-so-new tunes and the old stuff on Friday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, with Sebastian Bach and Papa Roach opening.

Earlier this year, Rose swore that 2006 would be the year that Chinese Democracy on the Geffen label would finally bathe in the harsh fluorescent lights of Best Buy and Wal-Mart store shelves, even setting a Nov. 21 release date. But with only five Tuesdays (the traditional record release day) remaining this year, fans may have to continue their personal vigils for an album that can't possibly meet up to 12 years of hype and speculation.

In 2004, damaged pop genius Brian Wilson finally completed Smile, wrenching it from its three-decade gestation and scratching his own creative itch, as well as the itch of many die-hard Beach Boys fans. With that magnum opus finally out of the way, Chinese Democracy has taken its place as not only the biggest yet-to-be released album but also, according to a 2005 New York Times article which quoted ``Geffen documents,'' the most expensive non-available album ever, with production costs exceeding $13 million (a figure disputed by Rose's manager, Merck Mercuriadis).

Nevertheless for Geffen to fully recoup its investment in Rose and GNR, the album would require the kind of amazing sales figures that have become increasingly difficult to achieve in our download it, dig it and discard it society, making it a commercial if not creative failure almost by default.

None of that will matter Friday night, when (or perhaps that should be ``if'') Axl and the reconfigured eight-piece lineup of Guns N' Roses players take the stage to the famous descending riff that opens Welcome to the Jungle.

The band now features a triple guitar attack of Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Richard Fortus (Psychedelic Furs) and music professor Ron ``Bumblefoot'' Thal, in addition to Chris Pitman and early '90s holdover Dizzy Reed on keyboards, bassist Tommy Stinson (the Replacements) and drummer Frank Ferrer.

GNR has been on the road for much of the year and by most accounts, the 44-year-old Rose sounds and looks healthy -- though he's still sporting those ridiculous braid extensions -- and can still hit most of the high notes and the band has coalesced into the best Guns N Roses tribute band ever.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true GNR tour without some controversy and/or canceled shows. The band's 2002 trek was aborted and this year Rose has already been arrested in Sweden for biting a guard. The North American trek has seen the cancellation of a gig at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Maine because of either the band's legal inability to imbibe alcoholic beverages on stage (according to the venue) or (according to the band) the local fire marshal's pledge to harass both the band and fans throughout the show.

Rose issued an apology on the band's Web site, stating in part, ``I agree with, and ultimately take responsibility for, the end decision not to jeopardize the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities.''

Meanwhile on other tour stops, the crowds have been smaller than expected, with some reports that arenas are less than 75 percent full, but those present are hard-core fans loyal to Rose and his mutated Davy Jones snake dance.

At this point in the saga, it's arguable that the concept of Chinese Democracy's release has surpassed the anticipation of the music it will contain. Several songs slated for the album have been leaked on the Internet and radio and have been played live by the band for several years, including a 2002 concert in Cleveland at someplace called the Gund Arena, where the group performed Madagascar, the Blues and the title track.

None of those songs was particularly impressive nor had the confident Sunset Strip bar band swagger of Appetite or the grand-scale rock bombast ambition of the two Use Your Illusion albums. But they didn't send fans streaming toward the beer and bathroom lines, either, suggesting that die-hard fans are still willing to listen to new material from a reconstructed band that hasn't put out a new record in 14 years. Perhaps the mere completion and release of Chinese Democracy will be enough for the remaining GNR fans.

Maybe just having the album in their hands or hard drive will satiate those who haven't yet given up on Rose and his artistic vision.

Source: Beacon journal - Ohio

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/16073231.htm

PS: good read,it says simply the truth

Excellent post. I was about to post a link to that article myself. I'm glad I didn't.