This isn't directly at Melissa alone but as a non-American it shits me the way people sing your national anthem incorrectly.

I've seen them do it with other national anthems including the Australian one. But it bugs me more in the usa one for some reason.

So like they get some singer out and rather than just sing a beautiful rendition of the anthem they have to display their singerness by changing it up, adding in like 100 grace notes before the end of every phrase.

It's like I get it - you can sing - now how about putting some passion into the actual song and not make this an improvisational variations on a theme class?

I'd rather they sing the real tune passionately and accurately. It was composed the way it was for a reason - by someone who is a better composer than you no less - so how about just singing it.

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I've got some homework to do

I was referring to the time a couple of years back MSL had a USB of documents/letters (and i believe he said unheard audio leaks too). Allegedly the documents pertained pay disputes with bumble, many other band political things, and plans for that year. Anyway - at the time MSL made a video - a sort of "open letter" to GNR where he said that he had all these things - and then he threatened that GNR must make an announcement  of their updated plans or he would leak the original plan documents.

Of course the day came and went without him actually leaking it, and he subsequently seemed to retract his position and became quite positive about the band. From memory he also said he destroyed all copies of the stuff he had too. One might speculate that he made some type of peace agreement or received some legal threats from team brazil but I don't know. He sure seemed to change his attitude overnight lets put it like that.

I can't remember the era of this now as it was all too long ago. I would guess about a year before the usa up close and personal tour but i'm pulling that date out of my butt. But it was a big deal on the board here so I'm sure others can remember it too. There was a guy from here who MSL let see his documents too - supposedly they met in a cafe or some such. It turned into one of those huge dramas.

Anyway, my point was, while in certain instances I thought MSL was cool for going to trouble to hunt out leaks for fans and share stuff from hoarders, in my opinion the document-gate event was where it went too far. I thought making a video demanding the band meet your terms or you leak their personal shit was out of line for a fan.

As for not giving enough info, I wasn't critizing MSL for that but rather GNR. In my view the whole "insider" stuff is enabled by the band failing to give common sense updates to fans. Although I take the point that someone earlier made that there's always some business that should stay private. For example if there was a problem with band members being paid or whatever that's just not our business unless the band wants to speak out. But I think there's a culture of secrecy with this band that enables those who seek drama to make it.

Anyway, I don't have anything personal against MSL, i just thought the document-gate incident was where it went from fun (the previous leak hunting missions he was on were entertaining) to being sort of abusive to the band,  and, maybe just going too deep down the rabbit hole in terms of creating a circus about it all.

This isn't MSL's fault exactly either, but I've lost patience with half-stories after 25 years of this nonsense. So when he says something like "crazy last-minute demands, maybe that story will come out someday". I find it utterly infuriating. Like it's claiming to say nothing but then sort of hinting at something but then not giving proper detail. I think he should keep out of the bands affairs at this stage but if you are going to leak info then leak it please - don't give me these teasers of a leak that may or may not happen when i'm 70.

Anyway, as for my comments about Izzy. You're right that was complete speculation. My logic was that Izzy has people he trusts in the GNR fanbase already if he wants to pass on some info. I thought he was in contact with Will and others? So when he was specifically searching for MSL I assumed it was to ask MSL to stop feeding these stories to the media and/or make him stop. But I take your point that I could be wrong.

Anyway, I don't wish any ill-will on MSL, I'm sure we could have a beer in real life and talk GNR and like each other. I'm just fed up with all the secret silliness with this band, and - without wanting to seem disrespectful to MSL I feel he seems to insert himself into these situations with GNR and it almost looks like he just feeds off the theatrics of it all.

^ I sure hear that Atari but I also entirely blame the band for that.

Bottom line is we're going around looking for info because GNR won't make a proper statement about who is doing what for this reunion.

So MSL used the time to make some implications and now it seems Izzy might be going to call him on it.

But the 'power' of all these insider type clowns would be nil if only the actual band wouldn't be so secretive with us.