Wednesday, October 31, 2012

"I'm not the one who created this war."

Monday, October 8, 2012

The Shocking Truth Behind GN'R's Vegas Residency


This November, GN'R will play their first-ever Las Vegas residency.

 For the 12 shows, spread-out over a 25-day period, and titled ironically enough, Appetite for Democracy, Axl Rose has promised to play a "special set-list" comprised of songs from the brand's multi-platinum debut, Appetite for Destruction, and their much-maligned, 2008 offering, Chinese Democracy.

The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has been pulling-out all the stops promoting these shows -- GN'R branded elevators, airport shuttles and poker chips -- Axl Rose is even making a (very) rare television appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show a week before his Vegas stay.

What has led Axl Rose to set-up camp in Vegas?

Is this a last-ditch attempt to get his brand back in the black after 10+ years of mis-steps, no-shows, and disappointments? Was Axl's refusal to participate in Guns N' Roses' induction to the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the behavior of a bitter has-been, or was the "last true rock star" simply keeping it real?

   

If you haven't been following Guns N' Roses closely since they ruled on MTV, here's the short version: Axl Rose is the sole-remaining member of the once-great band that included Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler.

Following the departure of his band-mates in the early to mid-1990s, Axl has toured intermittently under the Guns N' Roses banner with a rotating line-up of session musicians.

Even the (somewhat) interesting personalities -- Buckethead, Robin Finck, Paul Tobias, Josh Freese and Bryan "Brain" Mantia -- who worked on Chinese Democracy have abandoned Axl and his touring cash-grab/nostalgia/karaoke act, leaving him with a bland group of faceless mercenaries who cover 2 different decades/versions of GN'R over the course of a single, drawn-out evening.

The truth is: Axl hasn't really done anything new in over 10 years. The new show that he debuted in Vegas on 01-01-01 leaned heavily on Appetite and Chinese, just like the special set-list these residency shows promise. In fact, that's all he's really been doing since 2001. Touring Appetite and Chinese.

Is this residency finally going to be Axl's last gasp? Or will he continue to circle the drain as long as songs like "Sweet Child" and "Paradise City" put asses in seats?

GN'R's new management team (known officially as "Team Brasil"), is led by Axl's former housekeeper -- an elderly Brazilian woman named Beta Lebeis -- and her son Fernando.

Although, they occupy prominent positions on Axl's payroll, he considers them family -- his mother and his little brother respectively.

Their latest schemes for Axl include selling V.I.P. "meet-and-greet" packages (which Axl does not attend), and the auctioning-off of their old clothes dryer(!), and other used equipment. They are even charging gullible fans to visit their official website.

It all seem like a Bust-Out to me.

For years, Axl posed as the guardian of the Guns N' Roses name. The narrative was that Rose was a true artist who was protecting the band's songs from exploitation. Really, Axl was just too scared and too uninspired to release anything new. Now that his housekeeper and her son are managing the brand, crass commercialism is suddenly job #1. I expect Team Brasil to lower the franchise's value even more before they metaphorically "torch the joint and walk away."

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Slash Unveils Animated Video for "Bad Rain"

via Loudwire
Slash is once again delving into the animated world, but this time with a more sinister turn in the video for "Bad Rain."

The Riff Lord & his co-Conspirators turn up as the house band at a strip club that holds a dark secret.

In the video, an older gentleman enters the club and is immediately transfixed by the fetching redhead with the snake tattoo dancing upon the stage while Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators play in the background. The woman has seemingly every man in the place glued to her every move, but the latest arrival is the one garnering most of her attention. As she continues to mesmerize the gentleman in the front row, he starts to notice that the people around him are not what they seem. But we won’t give any more of the video away. Watch for yourself below.

This isn’t the first time Slash has been involved with animation, as Velvet Revolver‘s "Dirty Little Thing" clip had animated elements. The rocker also appeared in animated form for Disney’s Phineas and Ferb film. 

"Bad Rain" appears on Slash’s latest album, Apocalyptic Love.

In other Slash news, the guitarist and his band will perform on TBS’ Conan on October 4. The guitarist has been a longtime supporter of the late night host, famously donning a "I’m With Coco" pin while performing on Jay Leno’s late night show.

 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Slash & Conspirators are a BETTER Live Band Than NuGnR


"Slash has the best live rock band on the planet"

New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. A Tuesday night in Adelaide. After just three songs, they are neck-and-neck.

This reviewer did not set out to compare the Slash show at Thebarton Theatre last night to Guns N' Roses all-bells-and-whistles outing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which rang in my 2012.

That had probably been my personal gig of the year to date, with Axl Rose’s wailing version of AC/DC’s “Riff Raff” a spine-tingling highlight, and this was ... well ... a Tuesday night in Adelaide.

But given the pulsating, compelling, crushing delivery of “Halo,” “Nightrain” and “Ghost,” the comparison had quickly grown unavoidable. Slash’s new album may be a little too modern rock for these ears but this is already a visceral, life-affirming spectacle.

By the time “Standing In The Sun,” “Back From Cali” and “Mr Bownstone” flash by as songs four, five and six respectively, it’s official:

Tuesday night in Adelaide is actually BETTER than New Years in Las Vegas.

Myles Kennedy, replete with understated dark buttoned shirt and chain wallet, is as close to perfect as any vocalist you could hope to be. He doesn’t try to imitate Axl or any of the other singers he is “covering” tonight – but makes every single tune (aside from the two sung by vocalist Todd Kerns) his own.

Slash is like a footballer who has become a tennis player. Before, you could only glance at him occasionally – now he is the centre of attention despite uttering barely a word into the microphone all night.

And he stands up to the scrutiny. To say his is a God-like presence as he grimaces, smiles and plays classic riff after classic riff is the suggest you expected anything else – and I didn’t.

Here is what does surprise, delight and entrance:

Slash has decided to stick with a band – The Conspirators – rather than continue down the purely solo path. As I said, the recorded result of this is not quite to this writer’s taste.

But live, the punkish aesthetic of Appetite for Destruction, born out of squalid camaraderie, has been gloriously resurrected. Axl once once said an early 2000s incarnation of GnR could “play the shit” out of the early songs. Well the Conspirators can play the #!#% out of them – with all the subtlety of a rhinoceros on Viagra.

“Rocket Queen,” “Nightrain,” “Mr Brownstone”, these guitar-driven anthems from 1987 get their most anarchic, authentic renditions from this band. The current GnR, on the other hand, leans heavily in style and feel towards the over-blown but magnificent Use Your Illusion albums – into which Slash did not delve at all last night.

Pauses between songs while pianos and the like are wheeled out – and the number of slower tunes – suck the momentum away from current GnR.

It’s only the Blues Jam and “Godfather Theme” which do that to Slash’s gritty set.

Ultimately, Slash gets out of the DeLorean from scummy 1988 where this was the size of venue Guns were playing. Axl is from still from 1992, when they were in stadia. That’s the difference.

Current GnR are not cabaret – but compared to Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, they are.

Both bands, morally, could convincingly call themselves “Guns N’ Roses”. Both finish with “Paradise City”, shooting confetti into the stalls. But the Conspirators can’t afford to give away a mic every night when their singer throws it as far as he can.

When Velvet Revolver’s “Slither” ends the main set and the same band’s “Fall To Pieces” starts the short encore, something else is glaringly apparent.

The idea of reassembling VR with a new singer to replace Scott Weiland is patently ridiculous. Slash already has the best live rock band on the planet right now.

Triple MMM

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Appetite for Destruction 25th Anniversary Contest Winner Announced


#gunsnroses #AFD25

Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction

HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY TO APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION!

And the winner is ...

It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since Appetite for Destruction was released. When Guns N' Roses bust onto the scene in 1987, the musical landscape was changed forever. Finally, a band that seemed "real."

Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction spoke to kids in 1987 with it's raw honesty, and as a result, it shot straight up the charts. Selling over 30 million copies worldwide since it's release, "Appetite" contains the hit songs that still strike a chord with generations of rock fans today.

To celebrate this monumental anniversary, we're giving away a copy of Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction.

Reckless Road is not only the best book written about Guns N' Roses, it is one of the best rock books ever. Author Marc Canter had unlimited access to the band during their genesis, and the photos and information contained in this book are priceless.

''When Guns N' Roses formed, Marc became like the sixth guy in the band. He was always around and had unlimited access to the band, especially in the early days... He believed in us from the beginning and had a much broader view of what the band was about than we had from the early stages. He documented the whole thing, tirelessly.'' --Duff McKagan, on Marc Canter, Author of Reckless Road

When teenager and amateur photographer Marc Canter set out to document his best friend Saul Hudson's rise as a rock guitarist in 1982, he never imagined he was documenting the genesis of of the next great rock 'n' roll band. His friend became the legendary guitarist Slash, and Canter found himself witnessing the creation of Guns N' Roses front and center. The candid shots contained in Reckless Road, taken as the band toured in 1985-1987 and made the legendary album Appetite for Destruction, capture their raw, blood-sweat-and-tears performances as well as their intimate moments. Containing original gig memorabilia including show flyers, ticket stubs, set lists, press clippings, and handwritten lyrics as well as in-depth interviews with band members and the people closest to them, Reckless Road offers an explicit, first-person perspective readers won't find anywhere else.

http://recklessroad.com/

Monday, July 2, 2012

Appetite for Destruction 25: Win a copy of Reckless Road




Win a copy of Reckless Road

Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction

HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY TO APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION!

It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since Appetite for Destruction was released. When Guns N' Roses bust onto the scene in 1987, the musical landscape was changed forever. Finally, a band that seemed "real."

Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction spoke to kids in 1987 with it's raw honesty, and as a result, it shot straight up the charts. Selling over 30 million copies worldwide since it's release, "Appetite" contains the hit songs that still strike a chord with generations of rock fans today.

To celebrate this monumental anniversary, we're giving away a copy of Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction.

Reckless Road is not only the best book written about Guns N' Roses, it is one of the best rock books ever. Author Marc Canter had unlimited access to the band during their genesis, and the photos and information contained in this book are priceless.

To enter, simply leave a comment here telling us why you think you should win. You can enter a second time by following us on Twitter, and then Re-Tweeting this tweet: "Appetite for Destruction 25th Anniversary Contest. Re-Tweet to win a copy of Reckless Road. Details http://bit.ly/LpGtR1 ‪#gunsnroses‬ ‪#AFD25‬"
We’ll give you a third chance to grab a copy of this amazing book by "liking" us and leaving a message on our Facebook wall. Be creative. Once the contest entry period closes we’ll tally all the entries from our forum, Facebook and Twitter and pick 1 winner at random.

''When Guns N' Roses formed, Marc became like the sixth guy in the band. He was always around and had unlimited access to the band, especially in the early days... He believed in us from the beginning and had a much broader view of what the band was about than we had from the early stages. He documented the whole thing, tirelessly.'' --Duff McKagan, on Marc Canter, Author of Reckless Road

When teenager and amateur photographer Marc Canter set out to document his best friend Saul Hudson's rise as a rock guitarist in 1982, he never imagined he was documenting the genesis of of the next great rock 'n' roll band. His friend became the legendary guitarist Slash, and Canter found himself witnessing the creation of Guns N' Roses front and center. The candid shots contained in Reckless Road, taken as the band toured in 1985-1987 and made the legendary album Appetite for Destruction, capture their raw, blood-sweat-and-tears performances as well as their intimate moments. Containing original gig memorabilia including show flyers, ticket stubs, set lists, press clippings, and handwritten lyrics as well as in-depth interviews with band members and the people closest to them, Reckless Road offers an explicit, first-person perspective readers won't find anywhere else.

http://recklessroad.com/

Here’s the fine print ...

To enter the contest, leave a comment here telling us why you should win.
You can enter a second time by "liking" us and leaving a similar comment on the wall of the GunsNFNRoses Facebook Page
You can enter a third time by following @gunsnfnroses and then re-tweeting this tweet: "Appetite for Destruction 25th Anniversary Contest. Re-Tweet to win a copy of Reckless Road. Details http://bit.ly/LpGtR1 ‪#gunsnroses‬ ‪#AFD25‬"
The contest closes at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on July 17
One winner will be selected at random from all entries
GunsNFNRoses staff members are not eligible to win

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

"You're a Lie" Hits #1 on Active Rock Radio



Sunday, June 24, 2012

Todd Kerns sings "Out Ta Get Me"


June 23, 2012 "Gods of Metal" Milan, Italy

One Last Thrill
Nightrain
Ghost
Standing In The Sun
Back From Cali
Shots Fired
Rocket Queen
Doctor Alibi (Todd Kerns)
Out Ta Get Me (Todd Kerns)
Halo
Anastasia
Sweet Child O' Mine
You're A Lie
Slither
Paradise City





I just sang Out Ta Get Me by GNR w Slash and da boyz for the good people of Milan, Italy! Thank you for an amazing day at Gods Of Metal fest
Todd Kerns

Milan was a Fn' amazing crowd. But then it is always fantastic to play here. Can't wait to come back in Oct. iiii]; )'
Slash

Had a blast in Milan today. @todddammitkerns sang the GnR song "Out ta Get Me" - was killer! I love that we change up our set list daily!
Brent Fitz

I read un-confirmed rumors that Axl was at the festival yesterday and was able to witness this performance. As I said, unconfirmed.

Slash's final gig on this leg of the tour is tomorrow -- June 25 at Byblos International Festival, Byblos, Lebanon.

After that, the band returns to the States to perform a free, acoustic set on July 10 at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Two days later, they kick off the second US leg of this tour -- July 12 at Roseland Theatre in Portland, Oregon.

Discussion Thread

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Slash Does Double Duty at Hellfest - June 17




Slash will play with The Conspirators from 10:05 to 11:05 pm "MainStage 2"
Then with Ozzy & Friends from 11:05 to 1.00 am "MainStage 1"


SLASH, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators
Hellfest Open Air 2012, June 17, 2012, Clisson, France

One Last Thrill
Nightrain
Ghost
Standing in The Sun
Back From Cali
Mr Bronwstone
Halo
Anastasia
Sweet Child O' Mine
You're A Lie
Slither
Paradise City

Ozzy & Friends
Hellfest Open Air 2012, June 17, 2012, Clisson, France

Bark At The Moon
Mr Crowley
Suicide Solution
I don't Know
Killer of Giants
Shot In The Dark
Rat Salad
Iron Man*
War Pigs*
N.I.B*
Fairies Wear Boots
Into The Void
I Don't Wanna Change The World
Crazy Train
Mama I'm Coming Home
Paranoid*

*with Slash

Update Thread

Slash: Hellfest is one of my favorite festivals. It always fn' rocks no matter what. Rain, shine or otherwise. Merci beaucoup! iiii]; )'
Slash: Just met the guys from Lamb of God, fn' awesome. iiii]; )'
MylesKennedy: Hellfest was awesome! Gig went well. Icing on the cake was hearing Ozzy & his band jam with Slash, Geezer & Zakk at the end. Very cool.
franksidoris: About to go watch the boss play with Ozzy. Aaawwww shiitttttttttt!

https://twitter.com/#!/SlashFrance
http://www.facebook.com/SlashFrance

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

"Out Ta Get Me" feat. Lzzy Hale on Vocals, Live in Amsterdam



Slash, Myles Kennedy, The Conspirators and Lzzy Hale performed "Out Ta Get Me" for the first time on stage at Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Sunday night, June 10, 2012.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Izzy Stradlin joins GN'R on stage in London, sings "14 Years"


May 31



& June 1



LONDON, May 31 -- Izzy Stradlin joined GN'R on stage earlier tonight at the O2 Arena in London to perform the songs "14 Years," "You Could Be Mine," "Dead Flowers," " Knockin' on Heaven's Door," "Nightrain" and "Paradise City".

Izzy sang lead vocals on "14 Years," for the first time since August 31, 1991.

Izzy previously played with GN'R at several shows in 2006.

Both Izzy and GN'R lead singer Axl Rose skipped the band's recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Izzy Stradlin issued a statement the week before the induction, thanking his bandmates, the Hall Of Fame for "the acknowledgment of our works over the years," and the fans who "have supported Guns N' Roses from day one."

Izzy joined GN'R again the following night on June 1.

Former GN'R bassist Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose on stage for the first time in seventeen years at the band's October 14, 2010 concert in London.

Discussion: GunsNFNRoses.com

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Slash Classic Rock APOCALYPTIC LOVE Fan Pack - Winners Announced



To celebrate the landmark release of Slash, Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators' APOCALYPTIC LOVE, GunsNFNRoses.com & Classic Rock magazine are giving away three Slash Fan Packs.


And the winners are ...


Marlen Crabapple
Bards
and
Eric Michael Haber


CONGRATULATIONS to the three winners. 


Please contact GunsNFNRoses.com management to redeem your prizes.


You can purchase the APOCALYPTIC LOVE fan pack here.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Axl Rose responds to the HOF induction on Twitter

To: Cleveland, Ohio, Guns N' Roses Fans and everyone who's shown support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

I seriously didn't plan on or expect the overwhelmingly positive response and public support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. With such a generous outpouring of solidarity from fans, media outlets, writers and other artists, I'm truly humbled, blown away and unbelievably relieved! To be honest, I thought it would go the other way and was just hoping to weather the storm. As I said, I sincerely didn't want to disappoint anyone. It gets old being the outlaw even if "it's only rock and roll".

It took a lot of focus and soul searching to be sincere and informative while making a genuine effort to be somewhat diplomatic. We made, what I feel, are real efforts to learn about the Hall and the Board, spoke as I said with the president and various members, and though I inducted Elton John and Bernie Taupin in '94 saying something to the effect of "I'm learning what the Hall's about..."

I still don't exactly know or understand what the Hall is or how or why it makes money, where the money goes, who chooses the voters and why anyone or this board decides who, out of all the artists in the world that have contributed to this genre, officially "rock" enough to be in the Hall?

This isn't an attack. These are genuine issues I don't have enough verified information on to have more than rough ideas. Certainly not enough information to make any judgments about.

I would like to apologize to Cleveland, Ohio for not apologizing to them beforehand for not attending [the ceremony] in their city. I think they know how much I genuinely love performing there. Cleveland does in fact Rock!!


Now that the smoke's cleared a little, any desperate, misguided attacks have been just that, a pathetic stab at gossip, some lame vindictiveness, the usual entitlement crap, he's obsessed, crazy, volatile, a hater. I once bought a homeless woman a slice of pizza who yelled at me she wanted soup. We got her the soup. You can get your own.

Again: HUGE thanks to the fans and to everyone for the incredible public support. My congratulations to the other artists inducted. And my apologies to the city and people of Cleveland, Ohio. I hope you'll forgive me and we hope to see you again soon!

Keep Rockin',

Axl


Unlike my open letter to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern this was written for GNR's official website, Facebook account and my personal twitter account and not intended as a press release. If anyone does choose to pick this up as has been done previously I'd appreciate if you'd run in full including this paragraph so as not to give a partial picture, have things taken out of context or to imply or inadvertently give the impression this was intended for other outlets.

Thanks in advance. Peace-

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Matt Sorum’s Open Letter on why he attended the HOF


 “Dear Friends and Fans of Guns N’ Roses,

 I am releasing this statement to bring closure to the night’s events at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, and to all things Guns N’ Roses. This will alleviate numerous press statements and interviews about the subject, which I have already addressed on my Twitter.

 In these last few months since getting notice about being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, many emotions and feelings have gone through my head and heart, as well as the original five members of GN'R: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven. I was also chosen to be inducted, along with Dizzy Reed.

 It was slightly awkward for me in some ways knowing some fans have the original five in their hearts for a reunion. I chose to say to Slash and Duff, ‘Please have Steven play, and let me know what you would like me to do.’

Two days before the event. Axl made his statement known. And it was apparent he wouldn't be attending. In respect to him, that is his decision and should be honored. Also, Izzy declined. So I suggested Slash call Gilby, who was left out of the proceedings. Gilby was a member of the band and contributing to the ‘Use Your Illusions’ World Tour, which took us around the globe for three years, as well as playing guitar on ‘Spaghetti Incident’ and ‘The Live Era’ albums. It felt like the right thing to do.

 In fairness to the rest of the original line-up and myself, we decided to go ahead and attend. This is an honor that is once in a lifetime and couldn't be missed, especially for fans of the band. To us, it was honoring them as well. Regarding playing live, we agreed that we would share the stage together, joined by Myles Kennedy as guest singer, who did a fine job filling big shoes. Steven graciously offered ‘Brownstone’ and played two other ‘Appetite’ tracks, and I sang and joined him near the kit on ‘Paradise City.’

It felt perfect for all involved.

In my speech, I made references to drugs and Steven being dismissed from the band, in which I referred to, "How could someone be fired from Guns N’ Roses for doing too many drugs??" 

It was meant to be light-hearted. But knowing the struggles Steven has endured all these years. I felt I needed to clarify that Steven was onstage, healthy, and ready to rock.

It is well known that the rest of the band has endured addiction and alcoholism and at this point in our lives, we are all healthy and sober

Not to make light of drugs and alcohol…we were all full-blown addicts when the band split. What started out as a party and what we believed was part of the makeup of the band turned on all of us in the end. 

Many years of soul searching and reconnecting with our inner selves have brought glorious gifts: Velvet Revolver with millions of records sold and a Grammy, Steven with his new band, and more. We are now all playing music and making records on our own that is truly what we love, before any of the business of music came into play. The music has always been the passion, before anything else.

Stevens’s passion for GN’R is something that no one can explain but him: it’s a true love gone, but never forgotten. How many people have felt that in their lifetime?

I told Steven and the rest of the guys the night of the Induction that night was for them and what they created on the streets of Hollywood, and it can never be taken away.

The music will live on. And that's what counts. Not about who was there at the Induction. That the music will always be theirs and no can ever take that away.

Also, I have much respect for my former band, The Cult. And all the musicians I have played with over the years. They have all taught me so much.

I also need to thank my dearest and closest confidante, Ace Harper, who is my fiancée' and has made me a better man. She has walked beside in times of darkness, and has been there for me when all the stage lights and backstage parties were over.

This is where life is for all of us now survivors of a Rock & Roll era you will never see the likes of again: Married men Slash with two wonderful boys, Duff with two beautiful girls, Steven happy with a beautiful wife.

Life is good, my friends…we are alive! God Bless the fans of GN'R. 

Long Live Rock N Roll,

Matt Sorum

(GN’R: “Use Your Illusion 1 and 2,” “The Spaghetti Incident,” “The Live Era)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Rock Hall 2012 Updates








FINAL SETLIST:
Mr. Brownstone (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Sorum)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Adler)
Paradise City (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Adler, Sorum)


UPDATES HERE

Izzy Stradlin's Statement Re: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Seattle Weekly
Izzy asked me to do him a favor and sort of get this out for him. Izzy don't Tweet, etc.
Thanks.
Duff

Izzy's Statement:
I have waited up to this point to see what would become of the GNR induction into RRHOF. I would like to say THANK YOU and GRACIAS to RRHOF for the acknowledgement of our works over the years as a band. BIG THANKS to all my bandmates who helped get us to where we are today. And, of course, THANK YOU to all of the people on this planet (including, but not limited to, the entire universe and beyond, etc., etc., etc.) who have supported Guns N' Roses from day one. Adios, Amigos!

Izzy Stradlin

LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL!

Axl's letter to The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern


To: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,

When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation.

Since then we've listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall Of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N' Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists' comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts.

Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking into consideration the history of Guns N' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in "our" induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things... no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected.

For the record, I would not begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such. Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It's their show not mine.

That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of "Guns N' Roses".

This decision is personal. This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp's perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn. Though unfortunately I'm sure there will be those who take offense (God knows how long I'll have to contend with the fallout), I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision. Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, "damned if I do, damned if I don't" scenario all the way around.

In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I've publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing's changed.

The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of "for the fans" or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DJ Ashba.

Izzy came out with us a few times back in '06 and I invited him to join us at our LA Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned. Duff joined us in 2010 and again in '11 along with his band, Loaded, opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future for a song or two, that's enough.

There's a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light, there isn't room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion.

Maybe if it were you it'd be different. Maybe you'd do it for this reason or that. Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We're there for each other when the going get's rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can.

So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another's, or in this case several others', expense.

But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the "no show, grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn't care about the fans" crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let's move on. No one's taking the ball and going home. Don't get it twisted. For more than a decade and a half we've endured the double standards, the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. Not to imply anything in this particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court.

In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as ironic as it may seem, I'd like to sincerely thank the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. More importantly I'd like to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we've had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N' Roses music.

I wish the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!!

Sincerely,
Axl Rose

P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Slash and The Conspirators on Jimmy Kimmel Live!


Tonight at 12am EDT, Slash, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, will appear on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! The band will perform a mini-concert on the talk show’s large, outdoor stage that will include current single, “You’re a Lie," as well as 5 more songs from their forthcoming Apocalyptic Love LP.

The band just wrapped-up filming for the "You're a Lie" music video, with director Anthony Leonardi III, who is also directing Slasher Films' Nothing to Fear.

"You're a Lie" was shot on the original Phantom of the Opera soundstage at Universal Studios in Hollywood.





Tomorrow night (April 11), Slash & Co. will perform live on Revolver's Golden Gods Awards. You can watch the awards show here, tomorrow (April 11) live and for 24 hours after the broadcast.

Duff McKagan will also appear at The Golden Gods, to present the award for "Riff Lord."

On April 13, Duff will appear at the House of Blues - Cleveland for Duff McKagan - It's So Easy (and other lies) A Punk's Revue! - Featuring his band, Loaded as well as reading's from his book It's So Easy (and other lies), April 13 should be an interesting night, considering the next day is ...

The 2012 Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, featuring whoever from Guns N' Roses decides to show up (Slash, Duff, Matt, Steven and ... Axl? Izzy? Dizzy? ... we'll see. Watch this space for further developments as they develop.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

A Letter To GN'R From the Fans


Boston Herald
Comedian Chris Gehrt is serious about getting Guns N’ Roses back together — as he should be. Ahead of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show April 14th, he’s trying to built momentum for a fan movement pushing the band to reunite. He’s going to fail. But I’m happy to lend him a hand.

Here’s the open letter he’s circulating:
Dear Guns N' Roses,

On Saturday April 14th 2012 you will be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. This gave a great hope to every GN'R fan on the planet for a one time reunion show. Our one and only chance to see the original lineup on stage together again , if only for five minutes. Something we’ve been told for years would never happen. Rumors swirled, the band denied, and the fans prayed. It will always be okay because you never promised us anything.

With less than 2 weeks before the induction, the fans are watching as our reunion hopes start to disappear like Marty McFly’s family in a polaroid picture. Each day it seems like there is some new story about how there has been no communication, nobody knows what is required of them, nobody’s talking, and nobody really seems to care.

We care.

It would be easy for you to just show up, accept the induction, spend a few awkward minutes together at a podium and not talk again until somebody’s funeral. But this time we need more.

We are not trying to be selfish, God knows you have given us plenty of legendary songs, spectacular shows, and classic rock moments. You are sincerely the best rock band in the history of the world. All of your solo efforts and reincarnations of the group are awesome too. But I know even the current members of GN'R would love to see you guys on stage one more time.

Your music has inspired billions of people. Each one of you is still a fan inside. You loved Elton John, Aerosmith, Queen, Kiss, The Misfits, ELO and more. Please remember how great it feels to see your favorite band play.

We beg you to pick up the phone, grab your instruments, drag Izzy to Cleveland and play together.

You can make music history. Please do it. Give us one more memory. We deserve it.

We will continue to support you no matter what, but at the end of each concert Axl tells the crowd to “Not take [expletive] from anyone.” And that means ANYONE!

Sincerely,

Worldwide Guns N' Roses Fans.
God bless you Chris. It ain’t going to happen but it’s great to see you doing the lord’s work, or maybe it’s the devils work. Either way, I’m behind you.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Steven Adler Calls Current GNR Lineup 'Hacks'


The firestorm of the Guns N’ Roses ‘will they, won’t they?’ saga continues to gather fuel as former GN’R drummer Steven Adler calls the current Guns N’ Roses lineup ‘Axl and His Hacks,’ while once again declaring his advocacy of an ‘Appetite for Destruction’-era reunion at the band’s upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

We exclusively broke the news on Tuesday (March 27) that Slash “would love to” reunite at the Rock Hall induction ceremony. The next day, Adler responded to Slash’s decree by also stating that he wants the reunion to happen.

Now, in another Loudwire exclusive, we’ve got the latest update on ‘Guns-gate’ with our interview with Steven Adler, which occurred this very evening.

“If it was up to me, we would have been playing for the fans a long time ago,” says Adler. “Unfortunately, I have no say in that. I’m behind it 100 percent … 111 percent! Put it this way; if the five original GN’R guys don’t get up there and play, I’m going up there just on the drum set and playing a couple of songs from ‘Appetite for Destruction.’ It’s for the fans. To me it’s just a rock ‘n’ roll band, but it’s a rock ‘n’ roll band that I’ve gotten so much love and respect from all over the world.”

“He’s my brother. I know he’s up to it,” Adler says about Slash and the Rock Hall reunion. “He wants to do it. I want to do it. Just from what I hear, Izzy [Stradlin]‘s not gonna show up and Axl will probably want to play with his hack band — his band of hacks. ‘Axl and His Hacks’ — it shouldn’t even be Guns N’ Roses. He’s just driving that name into the freakin’ ground. ‘Axl and His Hacks.’

Adler continued, “My grandmother always said, “Time heals all wounds.” Slash and Axl are one to each other. It’s not like one of them slept with one of them’s wives or anything — and even that’s forgivable after a while. There is no reason to be upset.”

Stay tuned for our full interview with Steven Adler featuring ‘Adler’ vocalist Jacob Bunton coming very soon.

Source: Current Lineup = Hacks (Loudwire)
Related Discussion: Current Lineup = Hacks (GunsNFNRoses.com)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Cockroach Sessions


Here is the Standard Version of "The Cockroach Sessions," in its entirety:

Click to listen

'The Cockroach Sessions' is a project that started back in August 2011 as The Glow Inc. began scoring the Olympus 2207 demo.

It is a collection of songs that range from orchestral, to electro-rock, to industrial with elements of world music. Some of them were done for Olympus 2207 and were remixed and remastered for the album, others were done for the N.O.W project, while half of them were done exclusively for this album. It's mostly inspired by Nine Inch Nails, Mark Morgan, and the Fallout and Silent Hill soundtracks.

The cover was drawn by Axel Torvenius.

If you really like the album, and feel like helping the artist, you can do so by buying an extended version ( 9 more tracks ) of the album HERE


More info: www.iamtheglow.com

Monday, March 26, 2012

Former U.S President to induct GN'R into the Rock Hall?


There's been a lot of speculation as to who will induct Guns N' Roses into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on April 14.

Chuck D's going to be inducting the Beastie Boys! Chris Rock is inducting the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

But -- in typical GN'R fashion -- no presenter for GN'R has been announced yet.

However, Craig Hlavaty at HoustonPress.com has an inspired idea, "someone who was just as integral to the '90s as the band's Use Your Illusion project. A man whose own decadence almost totally undid his own legacy..." [READ MORE]

Saturday, March 24, 2012

GunsNFNRoses Release "Locomotive" Cover


GNFNR cover Locomotive

Download Link

Released: 23rd of March 2012

Mixed and produced by: evader

Vocalists:

01. Conor
02. SOB
03. GNRSkidRow1
04. Sleeping Like an Angel (High) with Black Sabbath (Deep) and AxlisOld (Mid)
05. Chorus: SLAA, Black Sabbath, Conor, SOB, GNRSkidRow1 and AxlisOld
06a. evader (with a major assist from AxlisOld)
06b. Bacardi (who would be all of part 6 if I could still click; also with some LLTJ)
07. LL_TJ1
08. JellyZero79
09. AxlisOld (High, Mid) with EstrangedTWAT (Deep, Mid)
10. Chorus: Same as 09, but I think I also have some Conor in there too
11. SLAA vs. AxlisOld
12. Chorus: SLAA, AxlisOld, EstrangedTWAT, Conor, SOB, Black Sabbath, GNRSkidRow
13. Outro: (19 tracks) JellyZero, GNRSkidRow, EstrangedTWAT, SOB, Bacardi, SLAA, AxlisOld, Conor

Well done to everyone involved especially evader who mixed and produced the masterpiece.

GNFNR - Loco Teaser from evaderGNR on Vimeo.


Stay tuned for more GNFNR covers. "Chinese Democracy" coming soon.

Discussion thread: GNFNR Covers - Locomotive
Related: Guns N' F'N Roses Finally Release "Estranged"

Slash at Phoenix Theater, Toronto 3/23


1st show of Slash & The Conspirators' 2012 tour

Ghost, Mean Bone, Sucker Train Blues, Back From Cali, Nightrain, Civil War, Rocket Queen, You're A Lie, Promise, Starlight, Nothing To Say, Dr Alibi, Speed Parade, Mr. Brownstone, Just Like Anything, Solo, Godfather Theme, Sweet Child O' Mine, Slither, By The Sword, Paradise City

Setlist, pictures and VIDEOS here: Slash at Phoenix Theater, Toronto 3/23 1st show of tour

SLASH Setlists

Friday, March 23, 2012

Crash Diet ... Coming Soon

Matt Sorum on HOF: We'll all be sitting at the same table


via Blabbermouth
Matt Sorum spoke to Billboard.com about the band's upcoming induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

The 27th annual ceremony will be held on April 14 in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum. Also scheduled to be inducted are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, The Small Faces/Faces, Donovan and Laura Nyro. Freddie King well enter the Hall Of Fame as an Early Influence, while the late producer and TV host Don Kirshner will receive the Ahmet Ertegun (nonperformer) Award and producers Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns will receive the Award For Musical Excellence.

The ceremony will be taped for broadcast by HBO, which plans to air it in early May.

"We're all sitting at the same table, so it should be cool," Sorum told Billboard.com. "After we get a little bit of food in us, hopefully someone will get up and want to play, but I don't know. I'm not the guy to ask. I just hope it works out."

Sorum, who joined the band in 1990 following the dismissal of Steven Adler, said that "there's no real plans" regarding a possible performance of the classic GN'R lineup at the induction but added that the uncertainty is "in tradition, GUNS N' ROSES style."

"I feel great about [being inducted]," he said. "I'm glad I made the cut. I don't know who that secret society is that votes you into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but I'm glad I have some friends in there, somehow. The original band got in and I got in and [keyboardist] Dizzy Reed and that's it, seven of us. It'll be a great night."

Sorum told Australia's The Vine in December he's hoping for the best but prepared for the worst when the band gets inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April. Sorum said, "It's going to be as big of a train wreck as the Sex Pistols, Blondie, or any of those other bands. That's my prediction. Or Van Halen, which I don't know if you saw, but we [Velvet Revolver] were involved in that. Train wreck; it was a complete train wreck. But maybe it won't; maybe it will be a miracle; I hope for that and put out the positive vibrations."

Although singer Axl Rose was ambivalent in a VH1 interview about reuniting with his old GUNS bandmates at the induction, Sorum added that he's wary of making predictions about the big night. He explained, "It's better if I just go, 'I don't know shit.' Which is the absolute truth. They could be in a room right now . . . and I wouldn't be invited, you know what I'm saying?"

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Slash says Guns N' Roses is "Not Playing" at Rock Hall Induction


via Blabbermouth
Slash spoke to the QMI Agency earlier today (Wednesday, March 21) about the band's upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 27th annual ceremony will be held on April 14 in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum. Also scheduled to be inducted are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, The Small Faces/Faces, Donovan and Laura Nyro. Freddie King well enter the Hall Of Fame as an Early Influence, while the late producer and TV host Don Kirshner will receive the Ahmet Ertegun (nonperformer) Award and producers Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns will receive the Award For Musical Excellence.

The ceremony will be taped for broadcast by HBO, which plans to air it in early May.

Slash told QMI Agency he had mixed emotions about the honor. "Either it hasn't hit me yet or maybe it's been so long since I had anything to do with Guns N' Roses that I just don't really get it," he said.

"And we're not playing. I would imagine that they asked us to play, but I know that we're not playing," he added.

Slash said that he expects former GN'R drummer Steven Adler to be there, too. "I could be positive Steven will be there," he said. "Steven wouldn't miss it." He was less certain of the attendance of the rest of GN'R's classic lineup, specifically the band's lead singer Axl Rose. The two have not spoken in years and Rose continues to hold a hostile stance toward his former bandmate.

"I don't know," Slash said when asked if Axl will make an appearance at the induction ceremony. "I would assume so but we haven't talked about it."

Duff McKagan told RollingStone.com that there has been "no communication" about the original members of the band performing together when the group is inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Asked if he knew what was going to happen at the ceremony, McKagan answered, "I don't. I know I'm going to go. I can't, at all, speak for anybody else. And won't. I'll be there with bells on." But he added, "There's been no communication about anyone playing. There was probably a day in the mid-1990s where I would have tried to gather the troops, but I'm just not that guy anymore. It's too frustrating to change anyone else . . . I'm not even sure I'd want to change how anyone else sees a situation."

On whether he hoped that the original lineup would perform together at the event, McKagan said, "I think it would be killer. Do I hope to? That's a tricky question. It would be awesome. You have those day dreams like, 'We'll go up and play 'Nightrain' and 'Brownstone' and throw down the microphone and drop off! That'll be killer!' But I doubt that'll happen."

McKagan, singer Axl Rose, guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin, and drummer Steven Adler will all be inducted into the Hall, along with later members, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum.