Some of you are so narrow-minded, unaware that The Replacements are arguably the most influential alt. rock band on the planet, and that Tommy Stinson, is more respected and recognized in a certain groups of rock fans than anyone from GNR.  BTW, the Mats have been steadily selling large volumes of records for twenty years.  Moreover, their recent reissues have been doing very well.  Most rock/music fans, ones who follow music and buy music, know who Tommy Stinson is--for that reason alone, he is a rock star. He may not be a celebrity like Slash or Axl, but he is a famous, recognizable, rock star.  If you are a member of The Replacements, GN'R, and founder of Bash and Pop and Perfect, you are a god damned rock star.   

Saying Tommy Stinson is not a rock star, is like saying that Frank Black is a nobody.  Wake the fuck up people, crawl out of the GNR cave, and check out some other caves (no pun intended Plato).

BTW, the question now isn't if a reunion is happening, it's when are we going to find out and if they have an album ready or in the pipeline.  Some info came to light, from certain "Name Brands" (LOL) which indicated something is happening, or everyone with Axl's best interests in mind are trying like hell to save his ass.  Slash and Duff work with Azoff (he's their manager)--it is no coincidence they are defending Axl.  They love the guy, and want to reach out to him.  They realize they shouldn't have left, and feel guilt that they let him slip into a hole at his house surrounded by sycophants , and did not stick around to pull him out of it and keep him grounded.  Axl is a vulnerable, fairly innocent guy, who just happens to be very talented and extremely insecure.  Old school friends, workers, and mentors are trying to get this guy back--and help him succeed and be happy.  That is all I am going to say, as I am now inferring things, based on small tidbits of info.  I would deduce, though, this is some of what is  happening.

Big Gun wrote:

hey man, i like infinity on high.:haha:

the killers are releasing their new album on the 25th of nov and a new single next week. if gnr were going to release CD in nov i believe the promo would have started. i'm still waiting till early october before i write off this year.

i have a feeling that if this album is not released this year i dont see it being released at all. i mean how long can negotiations go? the 'golden manager' hired at the begining of the year would have done something by now.

Universal most likely has given their final offer, and any additional negotiations are being done in vain.  The list at the beginning of the thread maybe a tentative schedule, as nothing is set in stone.  I would be shocked at this point if this comes out, or is scheduled prior to a reunion.

war wrote:

shackler's revenge wasn't released as a single for a reason. my guess is it was never meant to be on cd until recently when new management presented axl with the oppurtunity to release a new song in the game. since it was most likely  the best song he had for a video game, they seized the oppurtunity.

Ummm.... no I doubt it. In my opinion it was released ala Oh My God to test the waters. Releaseing a  song on Rock Band is just as effective as releaseing it as a single. It wasn't because it fit a video game best, it's casue they wanted to gage the response. Better would be much cooler for Rock Band but that's been heard and the fanbase needed to be fed another distarction. Shackler's is also a "tide me over" simply another smokescreen to distract people for the fact the album yet again will not be out by year's end.  Man I hate to say it again cause I know people hate it but............reunion first, Slash and Duff contribute to CD and then it comes out(if it comes out) then they tour. that or the entire thing is scrapped and the trio + whoever else record a new album and tour that, or simple tour and then record like Motley Crue is doing now. Either way I truely, hoestly belive the version of Gn'R we know now is totally dead in the water