You are not logged in. Please register or login.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
#8321 Re: Guns N' Roses » Gene Simmons lashes out at Axl Rose » 911 weeks ago
Come on let's call it for what it is. He goes on late because he is a primadonna. The whole nonsense about him needing to be in the right frame of mind to give us the best show is horseshit. There is no reason why he couldn't put on a great show on time. It's just primadonna bullshit.
I actually really disagree on that 
I'm not just trying to suck up to Axl - if I thought he was an asshole or whatever i'd gladly say it.
But I see the situation like this: We havn't met him - so we don't know what he is like. But we know second hand from the media and other's who have spent a lot of time around him that he is a sensitive and artistic kind of guy. Then you factor in things we have to make a judgment - his history of being involved in abuse and violence one way or another, the arrests, and the emotional nature of his lyrics that often portray both anger and pain and hurt, and I wouldn't at all find it a stretch to imagine that this is a person who at times feels capiable of rocking the balls off 20,000 people and that he is made of steal, and the next day may not want to look at himself in the mirror much less peform in front of even 1 person.
I don't know that for a fact. But a lot of the evidence suggests that kind of personality to me.
I think that's essentially what he means when he makes the 'excuses'. Saying "I come out when I know I can deliever the best experience for fans etc" is a PR spin on the same thing....to my ears anyway - I feel like what it really means is that he is unable to do his thing certain days.
I understand what you mean. Elements of his behavour look primadonasih at first glance, but I also think, that the circumstantial evidence shows there are reasons for the way he acts and that it's not that he does it just to be a prick.
I also get why fans can get shitty. You pay to travel to a show, drive for miles, fly etc etc and then it doesn't happen. shitty. But I also think the complex feelings and emotions that give axl the power to move people the way he does, may sometimes criple him from doing so until he gets in the right frame of mind. Not everyone will be prepared to wait - but for me - when he does get to that place - the payout makes it worth the times the shows were cancelled etc. Your results may vary
#8322 Re: Guns N' Roses » Chinese Democracy UNDER 300,000 copies sold first week? » 911 weeks ago
I think the music is first rate artistically.
I think it's the overall situation that is to blame. And the way this band falls between cracks in the target audience.
Who are they targeting? There has not been much of a campaign to introduce these songs to the current younger generations. The last time the band released an album of original material was 17 years ago. This means the sales would potentially come from those with an interest in old school rock (the folks who buy the new albums of all the established 'big' rock acts of yesteryear...metallica, ac/dc, Motly Crue...these bands tap into that market). This audience is interested in hearing the new works of the old school giants. But their a huge % of their interest diminishes when they discover that the new album is from 1/5th of the original line up. Regardless of if the new music is better or worse than the old band - whatever it is - it is not that 'retro' market - because it's not by the old band other than in name and a lot of people walk with that news. That's how it goes - before they even hear a song. Meanwhile there's been no promo almost. So the 'new' kids arn't exposed to the music, and the casual listener wants to hear the old band. So you are left with sales of:
-new listeners who have stumbled across the songs despite the limited promo.
- the % of old school fans who missed the fact it's a new band.
- the % of old school fans who are strong enough Axl fans that they'll buy it anyway with a new line up.
- the diehards and GNR nerd base like us.
Then deduct from that all the people who had an interest but in tis day and age are able to satisfy that curisoty without spending a cent (downloading, or simpily giving it a free listen on myspace) - and that's what we have left as sales.
So why are we surprised. The band as it is doesn't cater to the casual 1991 music fan, and isn't attaching it's self to the average 2008 teenager either. It's a niche market that this band is now positioned to satisify and I think the sales reflect that.
As a person who is a member of that niche market, I love the new band and the new songs and purchased the album and will enjoy it for decades to come - but I can recgonise reasons why it isn't #1 on every chart and I don't think it has anything to do with the strength of the material.
#8323 Re: Guns N' Roses » Why CD was finally released now (article) » 911 weeks ago
I disagree that the band would strugle to sell out theatres....last year the band played was here in melbourne and played two shows at a venue that hold up to 16,000 people. And that was with no album - and the current line up + robin Fink and I doubt too many people were there exclusively for fink.
#8324 Guns N' Roses » A theory on Axl's silence...pure speculation. » 911 weeks ago
- monkeychow
- Replies: 14
This might be an odd or old thought to everyone else....but does anyone know what the time limit is on the Best Buy exclusive?
Is it the situation where BB gets a window where they only have it - and then the album goes public to other stores?
IF that's the case....then what about this.....the best buy presale money is used to pay back the debt to the label or record companys or whatever....
Other than GNR acknowlging the release on it's website and so on - Axl doesn't do any promotion of it to push those sales...because they are already locked in...however many that BB has purchased...and the bulk of that money is paying the debts involved.
But Axl has also put up substantial amounts of his own dollars into the project....when the window closes....Axl begins promotion of the album in the 'normal' way - gives a few interviews - maybe release a special edition or something to all other stores. Then he gets his own money paid back to maximum effect. And you get a double bang in sales - the diehards go to best buy - and people attracted from that - but he picks up all the casual sales...
I could be totally full of shit...it just came into my head as one explaniation for the whole thing playing out the way it is.
THEN AGAIN...maybe Axl is just done with the media and we need to ask ourselves why he would choose to prostitute himself...and realise he perhaps isn't and that's why he doesn't bang the drum.
Master plan or just not into promotion? Time will tell i guess!
#8325 Re: Guns N' Roses » bumblefoot checks in with gnrevolution » 911 weeks ago
I'd like to give him a ton of praise for his work on Chinese Democracy.
The final product compared to the earlier leaks really showcases how much his addition to the band pushed these songs to next level and made them complete. Obviously his solos kick ass but the little fills and touches he brings to the rhythm tracks really freshened up the songs to my ears. Great Work!
A few things I'd be interested in knowing:
* Is the catcher solo after the "La Na Na" in the middle bit him or robin? I'd guess him from the speed of some of the phrases but i'm not sure.
* What was his process for recording solos? Was he given any advice as to the type of solo to play/tone etc, was it all improvised or was he asked to replicate but add his stamp to some existing melodies etc. (Like how Brain was asked to re-do the notes freeze hit but with brain's feel etc) and generally any other suitible stories or tidbits that relate to the great work he's done on his parts.
*given so many talk of reunions and dream line ups. I'd love to ask him if he'd ever colaborate with old members such as Buckethead, Izzy, Slash and so on...either in or out of GNR. If such a colaboration could happen with Ron maintaining his position in GNR as obviously he'd be out of his mind to want to leave and we don't want him too either. On a related note: Is there any musician out there who he'd dream of doing a solo colaboration with and hasn't?
Oh and can he please meet me next time the band comes to Australia!! I need some of that guitar talent to drip off in a handshake 
#8326 Re: Guns N' Roses » Gene Simmons lashes out at Axl Rose » 911 weeks ago
I get what Simmons means in the sence that it's good to respect fan's money and the promoters etc. But he's an assclown for making refrence to childabuse and stuff.
Also...I think Axl has been late the times he has been late because he hasn't been in the right mindframe to perform or peform at a level he considers best for fans. I don't think it's any kind of intentional 'fuck you' or anything...And while that can be inconvienient....I see it as a regrettable but sometimes necessary part of his process. He makes up for it with A1 peformances and great albums.
#8327 Re: Guns N' Roses » Chinese Democracy Limited Deluxe Box Set Coming Soon » 911 weeks ago
This is avialible for order in Aust too...i'br been thinking of getting it for the T-Shirt!
#8328 Re: Dust N' Bones & Cyborg Slunks » Re-Visiting Contraband » 911 weeks ago
CB kicks ass. It's even better live too...the record was a little flat in terms of production guitar sound IMHO...but you see it live and Slash knocks your balls off.
I think Snakepit #1 is better though....that's got afd style riffs all over it!
#8329 Re: The Sunset Strip » Black Label Society Updates » 911 weeks ago
Oh fuck that first video is insane! What's it from? Zakk is awesome!
#8330 Re: Guns N' Roses » Musician's comment on Guns N Roses/Chinese Democracy » 911 weeks ago
These articles are one of the reasons why i was always unsure about keeping the name. There is a backlash from fans of the old band, famous and not about it, and every article becomes about that - when they should be talking more about what an excellent album it is.
