Plus its all in how you edit the footage together. That's how u can really change the apperance of things!

I'm not hateful - but I call things as I see them - and i see it as wierd that he was unable for whatever reason to give a straight answer about a simple thing like why he and robin chose to play a song. Like i said - i can see why he avoided the CD release question and who is in the band, but the dodge of the other question was a surprise.

You don't have to love everything to be a fan. Axl rose is by FAR my favourite front man and singer of all time. No one else comes close. So i'm a fan. But does that mean I have to agree 100% with everything he has ever done in his entire life? Can't I like his music but think maybe he makes the odd mistake in other areas. I mean the guy is only human - i'd expect no less. And in my opinion this stuff with richard stems from the mistake thats being made currently - which is the lack of a recent update about the delay /timeline for CD or if robin is still in the band. It would take seconds to make such a statement and clarrify things and avoid all this. Yet they don't and people like richard are forced to field questions they don't want to or can't answer because of it. The fact that I find that situation silly does not mean I won't love the album when it comes out, or dig Axl when I see him live. I support him as an artist. But I don't feel that extends to a blind football team mentality of agreeing with anything he does/or says/or fails to do regardless of context.

As long as Axl wishes to continue GNR can survive the loss of anyone.

It has survived the loss of the iconic and foundational members of the group who made it famous, so it can take this. If you can replace duff, you can replace tommy.

But the question is. WHY.  It makes no sence - everyone says the album is done - yet the band seems to be imploding.

OK..I just crossed live to the immaginary Richard Fortus in my head...and here is an update:

Big Pat - You and Robin played X Japan's "Endless Rain" as part of your
guitar duet during some of GN'R's Japanese shows in July 2007. Why that
song? Who picked it?

Richard Fortus - Robin and I picked it as we have limited control of our solo spots. It's a nice change as we have zero say on what GNR tune the band plays, which might be good I guess, as much of the band doesn't even know the names of the songs we never play. Anyway we picked out that tune because of the lyric "let me forget all of the hate , all of the sadness" which we felt was very appropriate to Guns N' Roses.

Big Pat - We know Robin has signed on to do NIN tour this summer. You guys
seem to have amazing chemistry on stage. Are you looking forward to
playing with him in the future? And speaking of chemistry, how
important is it?

Richard Fortus - I can't answer this. You see its possible Robin has left the band, or then again he might just be trying to fit in a NIN tour knowing that we won't be going anyplace soon. He may not know himself what he is doing. If he did make a choice, he may not have told Axl. And if he did tell Axl, why would you think I know the answer? So that's the Robin suituation. But as your question asks if I'm looking forward to playing with him - it assumes that I'm in the band as well as Robin. If I gave an answer to this question it would imply I'm in control of my situation, whereas actually, I'm a paid employee and only play in this band at the whim of Axl. If I piss him off by making assumptions about my future, I might just get myself fired. So I don't admit to looking forward to anything at all. I go to sleep at the end of each tour and hope i'll get a call next time. On to the last part of your question. Chemestry? Well you see I don't hire who is in the band, I'm an employee. If Axl puts Big Bird in as lead guitarist I'm going to dig playing with him if I want my paycheck. So it wouldn't be smart for me to start making implications about who i'd prefer in the band and how difficult it might be to keep me happy if/when the line-up changes.

Big Pat - There's a lot of buzz right now regarding GN'R and the Dr. Pepper challenge. Do you think you might be drinking a free Dr Pepper soon?

Richard Fortus - An answer to this in the positive or negative would stir up the fanbase and get me sacked.

I see the website as a way of communicating with their fans and keeping us updated on the progress, which is a positive  for the survival of the band and brand - i'd prefer it to them auditioning in secret and basicly disapearing for 12 months or more then suddenly reapearing.

I dont see it as like the reality tv thing at all. I mean realisticly - how do u go about finding people for any band - there's 2 options - networking and advetising for applications. They've already tried most of the netwrking connections they have. Makes sence to advertise.