Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Here there is the new topic
http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=133371

Wow, that was interesting. And looooong.
Good to hear the other side of the story finally  ... but am I the only one who thinks Axl sounds quite bitter?!

I don't think he sounds bitter--he's just standing up for himself. Read Slash's book for heaven's sake...Axl is just giving his side of the story.

Amazing read.





/jarmo

I don't think he sounds bitter at all, but if he was I think he has every right to be considering how much bullshit has been said about this topic by the former members etc for years and how everyone had made Axl out to be the villain because of it. I sure as hell would be bitter if all that shit was being slung at me day in and day out for no reason other then for them to save face and try and get history changed.

that was an amazing read. Cleared up so much and really filled a lot of spaces.

The fact he posted that is awesome and shows he does care about the fans he just wasn't legally allowed to say anything.


I liked his part where he said if what they said about him were true he would say Fuck me too. LOL!

A long and interesting read.
Thanks Axl for enlighting us. :beer:

I have no words, I'm speechless :o

how often does that happen right :hihi:

Dont get me wrong - i think he totally has the right to say whatever he feels about Slash after everything that was said and done over the years. And yes, he has totally the right to be bitter, upset, disappointed or whatever...
This post was made just a few seconds after i finished reading axl post. In between all those facts this negative vibe was it what touched me the most. It made me remmeber lots of bullshit that was said like it was yesterday. Because that is not just a 'normal' interview or article written by a third party, it is more like a personal letter. Just wanted to 'discuss' this feeling i got from this post.
Didnt mean to offend anyone.

Yeah that basically sums it up. Wow. Really is something to finally hear Axl's side of the story after all these years. Can't help but feel bad for him. All these years of Slash and co. lying to the media and whoever will listen just to save face while Axl sat in the shadows taking the blows. I'm glad he finally came out to tell us the real story.

Very cool and amazing and can't wait to read the whole thing.  Super long though! haha.

Definitely nice to hear the other side to the story.  


Let's see how long it takes people to start analyzing/dissecting EVERY word he said and compare it to interviews that are 20 years old...

Awesome ! just plain Awesome !  thank you Axl for that post.  I really believe him over Slash any day of the week.

Simply amazing. Thank you Axl for the time.

Interesting read! I must say it's good to hear the other side of the story for once, Yet we all know that truth is somewhere in the middle, Axl is telling the story so it'll make him look better and the same goes for Slash...

Axl really has responded. How many years have we wondered about his side of the story.

He didn't sell these answers in a book or a publicized magazine interview. He gave them to us for free.

Pretty inspiring.

Quote from killingvector: "He didn't sell these answers in a book or a publicized magazine interview. He gave them to us for free."

Excellent point, killingvector!

Nice to hear Axl's side of the story. I always wondered about that whole "He wouldn't go onstage unless we gave him the name" claim by Slash. It always seemed so ludicrous to me.

Obviously it took Axl a very long time to write this, he didn't have to do it, but he did!  I hope it clears up a lot of confusion.  

Thanks!!


cybercurves

I think this is probably the most important statement Axl has ever issued in regards to the state of the union.

A historic address.

He's right, Slash has always been in the media telling his side of the story, which for whatever reason, everyone bought and believes it to be true, and everything is Axls fault.  Why not just leave Axl alone.  He OWNS Guns N Roses, and will continue to TOUR and make MUSIC with GUNS N ROSES>

I think it was an amazing read. I've wanted to hear his take on so many things for almost 15 years, so it was really cool to hear from him in such a candid way. I hope Axl continues to post and maybe explain his side of things more often.

I'd love for him to let us understand some of the recording and writing process that took place for Chinese Democracy, the evolution of the project and whatnot.

To Axl: Now that I know for sure you come here some times, I'll re-write what I once sent off to LA in a letter as a troubled teenager almost 10 years ago:

Your music has been an inspiration in so many ways over the course of my life. I am only old enough to vaguely remember GNR being on top of the world, but I have enjoyed your music since I was 8 years old. There were many tough battles over the course of my formative years in regards to life at home, as well as school, etc. I have always found solace in your work and have always felt that it helped me make it through those tough times. Those memories and feelings are why I've anticipated ChiDem for so long, why I have always made sure to catch your live shows whenever you tour.

I also took an active interest in music due to GNR. The music was my inspiration to learn to play rock music and sing.

I know sometimes we can be very critical about not getting what we want, but I for one at this point just wanted to say I can't thank you enough for the music you have made. It has made more a difference than you could ever know.

The reason that always comes back to me when Im asked or just ponder on my own as to why I am a huge fan of Axl is because of how real he is. Hard to explain but the guy is the epitome of cool, without sacrificing an ounce or coming across as anything other than genuine.

Huge explanation about several things besides the name GN'R. Great read!

Thanks a lot Axl

 ;D

Remember the truth is always somewhere in the middle, It's human nature to make one look better than they actually are(this goes both ways, the whole axl vs slash thing...)

Anyway I still think it's amazing that Axl is actually doing this for the fans.

Can't describe how i fell. Thank you Axl. And fuck the haters. You've been proven wrong.

agreed, one of many reasons to be blown away by this.  Totally awesome and classy.  Wonder if the media will pick up on it.

Really enjoyed readin that. Thanks Axl, you wanna get this stuff on paper dude. I'd fuckin' buy it  : ok: In all seriousness though, it's great he's doin this for the fans, i get a sense he's gettin a kick out of this too though which is cool!

An axl autobiography would be beyond cool.

Axl:

People love sayin' that middle trip. Easy to say but not so easy to prove.

Unfortunately it's not in the middle and I can back up every last line in my bit or I wouldn't be here.

You love his work and whatever else. More power to you!

And no, I'm not bitter at least in the sense of how you used it conveys. Felt good gettin' some of that off my chest and as I said that's just the tip.

If that's your honest impression it's definitely not rose colored lenses you're wearing. And I looked up the definition of bitter once in a pocket dictionary and got "having anger at something unjust or evil". I'm not angry but when I am with this particular someone who I thought was once my friend... the definition fits.

Try to twist that around.



/jarmo

hey jarmo is Axl going to answer some more questions from this board? theres the other thread with people asking some questions...

I always knew that fucking tophat wearing fuck was a liar.

I think we all knew that Axl was the honest one all this time.

Kind of paints the others in a different light now that the truth has finally come out.

Major thanks to Axl for sharing.

Like I've said before, I don't take sides on personal issues between people I don't even know. But from a purely legal standpoint, this particular issue (deciding ownership of the name) has always interested me. I've heard Slash's account and now I've read Axl's, and Axl's seems to make more sense to me.

wow, this is gonna give slash a bad day tomorrow!


thanks Axl.


i can't believe i can actually thank Axl for something like this, i'm really diggin the New Axl  : ok:

I hope this gets public really fast and the whole world, including the douchebag called Slash, can read it.

amazing to read all that.

thanks Axl for posting up your side of the story.

Interesting stuff - the last few days have been a hell of a ride.

Completely agree with the point that this was given to us for free by someone that did not in anyway have to share.  Thanks to Axl.

I keep saying to myself that Axl was convicted in the court of Public Opinion based solely on the fact that he never spoke out.

His response seems so much more logical than anything else as well.

One wonders why Axl waited this long to explain his side, but I am glad he did.  I read Slash's book, and found it entertaining but a bit self indulgent and contary to things he had said in the past.  I would love for this all to just go away now and maybe Axl can just occupy his time dropping more music.

Thanks Axl, and I am a huge fan of F1 as well, do you follow MotoGP?

It's fascinating and clears up a lot of smoke and mirrors to have Axl candidly and precisely tell his side of events, and more importantly his current feelings on them. I'm really enjoying these discussions/essays/whatever, and we're getting a clearer picture here than we would from any magazine/TV interview. It feels like this is all part of the big pay-off for the fans who've been loyal and believed since 1994.

damn that was so long its strained my eyes reading it all.

Cool stuff, at times it gets a lil lost and confusing. But it when it made sense it was great to hear Axls side of the story.

The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle

However, Slash has already exposed himself as being full of it in numerous instances, simply by completely changing his story on a number of things.  Example:  in his autobiography he claimed that him leaving had nothing to do with musical direction.  But in 1995 he was talking about how Axl was all into Pearl Jam and wanted to do songs like that, and how he hated that music.  He says that Axl rejected his songs because he wasn't into them musically.  So which is it?

All along Axl has maintained that he was perfectly willing to do an Appetite style album, and the reason that didn't happen is because Slash refused to let him have any say or input in the songs.  He has never wavered from that, while Slash's story has changed repeatedly.

Then you have the whole 4AM incident.  Where Slash first claims he never went to Axl's house.  Then admitted he went, but only to talk about legal matters.  Then admitted he went because he wanted to clear the air and apologize to Axl.  The guy is full of it.  He changes his story like he changes clothes

Meanwhile Axl's accounts, even though they haven't been frequent, have always been consistent.  Not to mention Slash was a full fledged alcoholic and drug addict in those days, so how clear can his recollection of most events actually be?

i hope it makes it on the news, on the media , magazines, let's try and tell rollingstone.com about this, they will probably make an article about it.

I thought the part about fall to pieces was very interesting

This was a great read.

Two things-
1) I think Axl explained it perfectly. Had things gone down the way it was claimed (him forcing them to sign over) surely the guys could have gotten out of that.

2) I am going to need to know what the question was here. I've read it three times and I'm still not quite clear  :-[

The sharing thing is interesting but even with all this time the complications of the red tape and trying to get something out fall on my world to sort and not theirs. They are amazingly supportive and do their best to keep me in up spirits and focused which I had less and less of in Guns way before Sweet Child caught on. If that were to change then that may be something to look at. I hope for us to grow more together as we continue so who knows

best year for any GNR true fan EVER!!!
thanx a lot Axl for clearing up things and shits around GNR

I have to say I believe Axl's version of events is much closer to the truth than Slash's.

I'm not twisting anything around, don't know why you would say that.

I'm just saying that whenever two people fight, there are two people guilty...
(Above sentence might not really work in english since it's a dutch saying, but I hope you get my gist.)

Thanks for posting. I enjoyed the read.  :)

I tend to now see Axl's side but does that change my love or respect for the old guys? Not one bit. : ok:

very elucidative. amazing read.
now this one is gonna be all over the press. the war of the roses....

I doubt you'll even have to. This'll probably be all over the place by tomorrow morning.

I get it.

In English it means "as a Slash fan, I don't think Slash lies".  :rofl:




/jarmo

I've been waiting for this since god knows when, i want to sincerely thank you Axl for that letter :beer:

he called them nuGuns and oldGuns...hahahhaha, oh how much flack i've gotten for calling them NuGnR  :rofl:

as for Axl's version vs Slash's version...thats for the 2 of them to sort out, i could care less, at least i know where they both stand in their own minds, I'll make my own decision as to what happened based on what info is out and whatever else comes out over time. but i think its somethign we'll never ever know what exactly happened cuz none of us were there...this puts alot of things in perspective though : ok: As to Slash lying or Axl lying, it matters not, they can only tell the truth they know or think they know, working out any differences is up to them not to us, hopefully one day they figure everything out, if they dont then so be it, i willl continue to support both guys as long as they make music that i enjoy  :beer:

cheers again Axl your openness the last few days is fucking amazing, i love it  : ok:

I would love to hear Axl's take on how much the drugs etc had an effect on Slash/Duff etc's behaviors.

I would also love to hear his full account when Slash came to his house.

He did say in there that he completely understands that some people prefer  certain lineups and releases and that is perfectly fine.

/jarmo

I would love to hear that, too.

imagine that....  its ok if some people prefer the old lineup


I've only ever used nu when talking about both lineups... (well after a while i threw it in a couple times just to piss peopel off cuz it bothered them so bad :hihi: ) but for the most part i call them gnr unless i'm tryign to differentiate between 2 different era's  :peace:

Funny I was thinking of asking that question in the other thread but decided against it. Would be interesting to hear that.

Did Slash say something about the music direction in the rehearsals etc.  (still haven't read it)?

I know what he has said in public, but im interested if there was something in specific.

Yeah and then the general public will know both sides of the story instead of just one.  Slash should of known Better  :rofl:

Just finished reading myself, and , well yeah like jarmo, and others said, Im like WOW!, that ws awesome!

I'm not gonna go saying I believe everything Axl said, cause that would be naive, but I think I believe him for the most part. He just always seems more credible than Slash.

Good

now maybe we won't get so much shit on here.

I don't think Slash is a saint. his book showed he had some very questionable character. I think u put a junkie with certain people in his ear, and maybe things happen that may not have otherwise.

personally i think the break-up went a bit deeper then musical differences, slash says somethign similar to that in his book and Axl alludes to it in his post @ mygnr...

Slash says in his book that Duff and Axl had no interest in his 5 O'Clock material so he said fuck it and recorded with a new band, then axl came back later and said that he was interested in certain songs but slash said they were already done and recorded with dover, inez, matt and gilby...i dunno if the break up interests you then i recommend Slash's book definately, i really enjoyed it, but then again there are lots of peopel who will tell you its crap, but like i said i liked it

          Wow that was one hell of an interesting read. And if you remember , Slash & Duff have shown a relunctance to change their music to back up Axl's claim. Remember when Weiland wanted to do a concept album but was shot down by both ? Or how about them not wanting to do "November Rain" ? To me it fits like that. Slash is a great guitarist but became locked into a certain style and never wanted to change , while Axl was listening to Nine Inch Nails , Pearl Jam and other bands to get new influences.

Can anybody help me?

What does this mean? "Hope no one took wanting to stay on topic to personal" I don't understand  :no:

An amazing read indeed. As are the previous interviews he gave the last couple of days.

I truly hope he feels liberated telling the fans his side of the story - what a burden it must have been. I also hope the media picks up on this and gives the man his fair share.

Axl, if you read this: thanks man, for the great great music and for telling your story (your strength alone is true inspiration). What more can I say... Thank you, for being extraordinary.

Can't wait to welcome you guys back in Holland!

Bests,

N ! 3 |(
 

One thing that seems to be clear and true from both sides is that the line up was in the process of break up before and during the Illusion tour.  I would love to find out what happened to the tour documentary that was filmed called 'The Perfect Crime'.  Maybe that should be a question to Axl next time around.  That film would make fascinating viewing.

He just means that we wanted to stick to talking about one thing and thats why he didn't answer more of the questions over there this time.

That he decided to stay on one particular topic rather than answering a host of different questions and that  he hoped thatno one took offence to this.

?'m curious as to how all this will play out in the media over the next week or so...interesting times to come...and by the sounds of it Axl has only begun to lay it all out!!! :hihi: : ok:

I will be the first to admit, I am biased and have always viewed Axl as the driving force behind Guns.  Personally, I've just connected with what I viewed as his take on a wide variety of things.  From when AFD was released when I was 16, until now, I think the guy is simply nothing short of a genius.  I think it is awesome he took the time to provide his side of the story, and I believe it to be more representative of the truth then anythign we've heard to date.  All I can say is thanks for sharing..   :peace:

It's crap (http://the-screen-door.blogspot.com/2008/12/rock-reads-slash-book-review.html).







/jarmo

Thank you!  : ok:

When my Mom and I were watching that horrid VH1 Behing the music about GNR, she said, "NONE OF THOSE GUYS WOULD BE ANYWHERE WITHOUT AXL!"

thanks for the read axl!!

Mother knows best.  ;)

                 Ohh yeah has anyone seen the Un-Authorized Biography DVD of the band ? It discusses the early years and the people interviewed said the band would be lucky to stay togethor. That they were gonna self destruct fast. I don't doubt by Illusion things were heading towards a breakup.

Simply stunning. A breathtaking read. Thanks so fucking much AXL!!!!
I've wanted to hear your side of the story for over a decade, and I finally got it!! Thanks!! And for you to give this story to the fans instead of to any media that I guarantee would be interested like Rolling Stone, is something that can't be overappreciated. This will go down in music history. Thanks so much man.

I hope I get the chance to get a question answered from you before you (hopefully not) end your long stint on the internet ;D

wow!!!!
i have been waiting for ages for his version of the breakup....and now totally unexpected and out of the blue Axl just officially "released" some of this in a fan forum for free?!!!
this statement and his will to give insight in all this means so much more to me than the new album!
in fact i'm that blown away that i'll have to read and analyze that the next hours again and again, allready printed it out!!
i'll have to drop work tomorrow  :hihi:

I think in the same way like you... finally Axl clears any shit around GN'R and shut up some curly-hairy asses
and the best thing is that he was the one who wrote it, it wasn't manipulated by any magazine, journalist or shits like that
thanx u Axl for everything!!!!!!!!!! this is DA SHIT :hihi:

He even answered my question, yay!

Yowsa, what a read!  I'm gonna have to read that again in a bit, there's alot to digest there!  

Thank you so much Axl!!  This was long awaited!

Yes, this was a well deserved statement from Axl Rose, finally laying to rest some things we've had on our minds for a long time.

I like the way Axl does what's best for the fans, and not anybody else.  : ok:

Great read. Good to hear his side, though I always trusted his intentions.

I look forward to very experimental instrumental music someday along with the rest.

Thanks for taking the time these few days Axl.

This was awesome indeed.. what a way to do it too.  Thank you, we've been dying to hear this stuff for a long time!!!    :beer: :beer:

A copy of my post from MyGnRforum.com (thought it amusing to share)

That wasn't nearly informative enough.

We need dates...times...weather conditions.

Wow...I'll tell ya one rumour that was spot on. When Axl starts talkin....lol.....

I get it now Uncle Axl. You were never in hiding. Dizzy just asked you a question, and it took a few years to answer..lol..

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts for all of this. The chance for all of us to say hello, share stories, ask questions, spend time, and just in general really get to know the guy who alot of us idolize? Ya didn't have to do it, but you did anyway. Not for promotion, not for fame or money. Just cause you care about the fans. You're a class act Mr. Rose.

Now...in 5000 words or more, describe what your cat's doing right now...(betcha he can do it....lol...)

RazZ

LOL that was cute :) I registered over there and tried to post but it keeps saying I don't have permission (yes, I am logged in). I tried to PM a Mod but it says I don't have permission to do that either. Banned before I can even get a word in. Who warned them I was coming?  ;) j/k

That sums it up beautifully.

Hey, how did everyone else feel when it seemed that over a decade of "common knowledge" just flushed down the proverbial toilet? Anyone else's head spinning?

Don't have the time to read through everything thats been asked/said but did anyone ask Axl if he has plans to go on SNL or Letterman, etc...? If so, what did he say?

well, just b/c Axl said it doesn't mean it's 100% "the truth".  It's his versions of events.  Slash has his.  The truth is prob a mix of both of them... maybe not 50/50, but certainly some sort of mix.

having just read Slash's book, my favorite take away from it was him saying Axl has his version of events and they are just as viable as mine.  Or something like that.

Certainly over time both stories have taken twists and turns....

Either way, it's beyond amazing to hear Axl's side straight from the horses mouth.  Big thank you to him for getting his side out for the fans to digest.

exactly, he's giving his opinion on when people use the phrase 'nuGuns'

I've always called the band GnR, and pre-96 lineups oldGuns.   Makes sense to me.

I can honestly say I've supported Axl's vision of Guns N' Roses from day one and I am very pleased to see that I was right in doing so.   THANK YOU AXL!

Wow!  Axl is really getting into this whole q&a and posting online.  Not that I ever cared about whose version of the truth is the truth.  Their personal history never really mattered to me as much as me enjoying the music.  But it is totally cool he is telling his side to the online community/fans and not the media.

My favorite part:

"U have to realize we were on the street. It wasn?t the first band. Whoever thought of the name kept the name unless he gave it up or moved on. Everyone was always having a new version of whatever their band name was. I wouldn?t have thought of using LA Gunns or any of Slash?s band names. We all knew that we could break up the next week. You had to have that stuff somewhat sorted between each other going in. It was a deal that we made. The issue becomes the value or perceived value now and the fans attachment and or acceptance. Really weren?t things we consciously considered even during the breakup."

It's a revelation to me that this whole business with the name is still being played out on the Hollywood streets circa 1985. That despite being the biggest band in the world (past, present, future) and a mullti-million dollar corporation of a name that it all goes back to something as fundamental as this.

Merry Christmas Axl!  It started 11/23 and just keeps on giving. 

Slash has already been proven a liar, and he didn't even need anyone else to do it.  He did it himself, by completely changing his story and contradicting his own previous versions of the same events.  He was also severely messed up on drugs and booze when a lot of these events took place.  So in my opinion his version of events has little to no validity, just based on his own contradictions and admittedly drinking a half gallon of vodka and doing speedballs every day

Axl's versions of the events have always been consistent, never been rebutted, and are from the only person in the band who was actually lucid and not messed up the vast majority of the time.  That makes his accounts much more valid to me

That was an amazing read, and special that he chose to speak so openly direct to the fans.

I hope that's not the last from him.

Axl, some of us can fully relate to what you went through, because being in a band relationship with Slash and his attitude, and eventually ending your relationship with Slash as a bandmate was like a long, drawn out, excrutiatingly bad marriage, and then divorce.

And some of us lived through those type circumstances while you lived through the circumstances you went through.

Yours was on a grander, more expensive and more public scale of course. But ours was not necessarily any less painful, exhausting, and mind warping.

God bless all of us who have made it through such a journey without losing our minds.

I wanted to point out my favorite parts of what you wrote:

"Keeping the band name alive was very important. Not out of ego and I don?t know exactly why in the sense of putting into words but I think it has something to do with the global effect it has and how Guns surviving in some way is sometimes inspiring to others around the world and in that there?s a sense of obligation."

You were so right in that respect.

The other great part you wrote was:

"Such as a more positive intent and instead of as self destructive more of healing. There?s all kinds of things to help you die or be more negative. I wanted to try and make as powerful a hard rock album as we could while incorporating beauty and an openness to other forms both traditional and more recent without going religious etc."

That was great too. It's so hard to build something, be positive, etc, but so easy to tear things down and be negative.

Thanks again for sharing this with us! We love you!   
 
 

I tried connecting Axls answes to the original questions. Can't garantee it's all correct, but i gave it my best:

Q: The worst story I think I've heard regarding the ownership 'battle' was that you got some of the other members to sign off on it by refusing to get on stage to perform during a concert - and 'forced' them to sign off right then and there. Is there any truth to this story? And could you clarify the circumstances?

A: So let’s start here… the whole Axl wouldn’t go on stage yada yada… is complete and utter crap.

Never happened, all made up, fallacy and fantasy. Not one single solitary thread of truth to it. Had that been the case I would’ve have been cremated years ago legally, could’ve cleaned me out for the name and damages. It's called under duress with extenuating circumstances. In fact the time that was mentioned the attorneys were all in Europe with us dealing with Adler depositions.

Couldn't talk sooner as it could have jeopardized whatever nonsense was going on.

When Guns renegotiated our contract with Geffen I had the bit about the name added in as protection for myself as I had come up with the name and then originally started the band with it. It had more to do with management than the band as our then manager was always tryin’ to convince someone they should fire me. As I had stopped speaking with him he sensed his days were numbered and was bending any ear he could along with attempting to sell our renegotiation out for a personal payday from Geffen.

It was added to the contract and everyone signed off on it. It wasn’t hidden in fine print etc as you had to initial the section verifying you had acknowledged it.

Now at that time I didn’t know or think about brand names or corporate value etc. All I knew is that I came in with the name and from day one everyone had agreed to it being mine should we break up and now it was in writing.

I still didn’t grasp any other issues until long after I’d left and formed a new partnership which was only an effort to salvage Guns not steal it.

In my opinion the reality of the shift and the public embarrassment and ridicule by others (which included a lot of not so on the level business types he was associating with at the time) for not contesting the rights to the brand name, were more than Slash could openly face. Also we aren’t lawyers or formally business educated so it was just a matter of all of us being na?ve and doing what we thought was right at the time. Slash was imo being on the up and up in agreeing I had the rights and I wasn’t trying to be some snake in the grass pulling a fast one. The others could’ve cared less.

But when the reality of the breakup hit and the strategy to have me crawl back was put into play Slash had to save face and get business team and public support. Painting me as the one who held a crowd hostage forcing the others to sign over the name worked out pretty well in that regard. I’m the bad guy and Duff, the fans and most importantly himself were the victims. Oh and they had actually made the sacrifice for the crowd, the people, the fans at the show. But again…. IT NEVER HAPPENED.

Media and others ignorantly, wrongly and falsely harped on about it at mine and the fans expense for years and Slash has hoped to use all that to continually sue and have some sort of legal nonsense going on behind the scenes in an effort to reverse things. He wouldn’t have been able to get the support and action on the part of his various team members over the years to do so if the truth were out there especially when the statute of limitations had run out years ago.

Q:Why did you choose to keep the name rather than create a new name?

A:Why keep the name? I’m literally the last man standing. Not bragging, not proud. It’s been a fucking nightmare but I didn’t leave Guns and I didn’t drive others out. With Slash it’s been nothing more than pure strategy and saving face while manipulating the public like he used to me. I earned the right to protect my efforts and to be able to take advantage of our contract I’d worked hard for where Slash’s exact words were that he didn’t care. I get that some like a different version or lineup the same way some like a specific team line up or a particular year of a specific car but because you and I are getting played I’m supposed to throw the baby out with the bath water?


Q: What do you think about people that say CD should of been a solo album instead of using the name Guns N' Roses ( I don't agree with them of course but...)

And how much has been spent on legal battles over the name/how much do you value the name at?

A: I didn’t make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. I made a Guns record with the right people who were the only people who really wanted to help me try, were qualified and capable while enduring the public abuse for years . The songs were chosen by everyone involved. I didn’t want to do This I love in anyway shape or form and Robin and Caram insisted gaining Tommy’s and the others support. There’s been a lot of pressure to go with using my name (all external) but that never felt right to me for this band and the parameters in regard to this music have lots more to do with the mindset of Guns than something else. The instrumental I wrote for End of Days that’s more a solo effort at least presently.

As far as a new name…this is who I am not whatever else someone else thinks of. I don’t see myself as solely Guns but I do see myself as the only one from the past making the effort to take it forward whether anyone approves or not and giving beyond what many would or fight for to do so. The name helped the music more than you could ever know and I’m not talking in regards to studios or budgets I mean it as in being pushed by something and having to get the music to a place where I can find my peace regardless of what anyone says. And that wasn’t fully achieved until the last round of mastering and swapping out a version of a track at the pressing plant that had gotten inadvertently changed at the last minute.

Also the name was what the industry wanted as well and the burden of keeping it was something to endure in order to make the record. After the monies invested by old Geffen (that were decisions made that have worked out for me but I'm on record as having opposed) dropping the name became suicide.

The cost of legal battles has been astronomical but I felt the deal made with Universal was fair for where it is and most things balanced out for both sides.

Q: Did you ever consider to drop the name and go on with another one?

A: David Bowie likes Floyd with Barret, many with Waters and those without. And there are those who like all the different lineups. Imo what makes our situation a bit more unique at least in how it’s played out is the ugliness of what really took place. If I’d done what was said then I’d say fuck me too. I also realize this is just one issue in something with upteen however many more so conclusions can’t be formulated off this little bit alone by most which is more than understandable.

That said because someone leaves the shop I started in which I still legally have the rights to the name I started it with… makes up a bunch of nonsense to win public and legal support in an effort to get whatever it is they want at mine and the public’s expense… I don’t feel any reason whatsoever I should have to throw what I’ve not only worked for but fought and suffered for away because some hurt, angry, betrayed, misguided and lied to people with a lynch mob mentality, joined by others who could care less (especially in the media), enjoying the controversy and hate, choose one over the other regardless of what’s right because they want what they want. And you can still prefer then as opposed to now and no one’s arguing your right to do so.

In regard to nuGuns, I get that sometimes it helps to be able to clarify. Personally I call this Guns and the Illusions or previous lineups old Guns.

Q: Are you guys allowed to play any song from the GNR catalogue? Because in the past I heard that legal matters hinders you to play some of the UYI stuff.

A: We can play what we want as far as I’m aware.

Q: I would ask what the catalyst was to originally motivate you to seek ownership of the name?

Looking back, do you still feel it was a good course of action to have taken?

A: It wasn’t so much that it was a good course or that if looking back I could do something differently it’s that for better or worse it was the only course and had I not done this Slash would have succeeded in destroying me publicly much more than he, others or myself have so far and I would have gone bankrupt.

I don’t know where I’d be but there’s clearly no happy ending there and with everything else that had gone on in every other area of my life the devastation isn’t something I feel I would have overcome at least to any real degree publicly. Hopefully I would’ve been able to pick myself up enough to get a job or sing somewhere else but I doubt anything that significant.

The sharing thing is interesting but even with all this time the complications of the red tape and trying to get something out fall on my world to sort and not theirs. They are amazingly supportive and do their best to keep me in up spirits and focused which I had less and less of in Guns way before Sweet Child caught on. If that were to change then that may be something to look at. I hope for us to grow more together as we continue so who knows.

Q: A fun question, what name would you consider naming the band if you hadn't kept the name GN'R

A: If I hadn’t secured the rights I don’t know where I’d be and I’d probably call what would then be the current lineup “Those mother fuckers!!”

Q: Was there ever a point where you thought of releasing Chinese Democracy as a solo album, or do you see this as just as deserving of the Guns name as the old records? (I myself do by the way, just wondering how you feel)

A: The name is something I take great pride in as I feel anyone who’s been a part of it should, the same as other bands or teams etc. The burden when it is such is a nightmare but not as much or as hopeless as I’d imagine without it could have been.

On the what’s the difference… I think I get what you’re asking… I feel it depends on how and in what ways either the formers members are using the association and what the true circumstances regarding why they moved on from both the band and the name that would or could affect the decision to continue on with the name by in this case this lineup and or myself.


Q: Did you ever feel the name as a burden, or were you always sure that it's right to keep the name?

A: It helped us get here but most of that was with Universal and the positives of that wore off years ago until recently and after the initial run it’ll be about the music and us. Then it’s about touring and there’s not a question the name’s helped at most everywhere but not so much the states. With that it comes down to the strength or quality of the performance. Having the name kicks your ass every night as it’s not some side project or something u can fuck off in. You don’t deliver u get your ass handed to u. So it makes us work much harder than I feel we would outside of it and it hasn’t been too ugly yet.

Q: Did you use the GNR name to sell more records??

A: As for selling more records it’d be nice to be in a position to possibly do so at some point but that’s never been my base reasoning. I would think it fits into not feeling I shouldn’t be forced to throw away possible opportunities in a hostile attempted takeover. I believe I should fight for Guns in a patriotic sense or sense of loyalty or honor. Not just my vision or direction for Guns as those things can evolve and you can make forward moving positive compromises by what others bring to the table but I mean more as in what principles I feel were important to Guns in regard to an overall commitment to the music.

Q: Did you already have a new lineup or a lineup change in mind at that time?

A: I didn’t see lineup changes etc back then I saw it more as a crash and burn, goin’ down with the ship. On one hand I knew the band was over before we started touring Illusions but you have hope… but I saw it more like the Titanic sinking than moving on or surviving. And in reality I went the distance with each and every one in Guns to where they felt for whatever reasons they either couldn’t or wouldn’t give what Guns required.

And I’m not talking change of styles or sounds etc. A lot of people bought that crap and me having gone in other directions seems to many to have verified that. Then you have the mind twisting equally as true horseshit in Slash’s book but I have the rehearsal tapes. There’s nothing but Slash based blues rock and he stopped it to both go solo and try to completely take over Guns. I read all this if Axl would’ve put words and melodies on it could’ve… That was denied and I didn’t walk till several months after having 3 to 4 hour phone conversations nearly every day with Slash trying to reach a compromise. I was specifically told no lyrics, no melodies, no changes to anything and to sing what I was told or fuck off.

Q: To you, what is the definition of "Guns N' Roses"? ie., what (except for legal reasons) would make you change the name of the band you're playing in?

A: As to what would possibly make me change the name would be some form of evolving that I don’t feel we’ve reached yet and not in any way consciously trying to at this time. It’s really hard to say. I’d have to feel it was right for me and those involved and whatever we’re doing at that time.

Q: With regard to ownership of the name, how will this affect Guns' induction into the RRHOF? The new band can't exactly go and accept the award. Would they have to requalify in 25 years' time for Chinese?

A: Never thought about that , with the RRHOF. The whole “mature enough” bit was cute. Not to offend anyone but personally I don’t have an interest and other than inducting Elton don’t quite get what it is exactly and who decides what. It seems to mean more to some than others and more so amongst fans. It’s nice to get recognition and have some form of acceptance but in regards to joining others the price is too high and just not worth it. It’s a ways away and seems a bit presumptuous to be contemplating being inducted now.

Q: do you think you have to follow some kind of music style cause of your musical past, or you feel free to experiment some kind of innovative stuff or melting few styles wich goes "against" the musical heritage of GNR?!?!

A: About following particular styles yes I do feel there are parameters with Guns as opposed to not being or in Guns. Chinese is imo an evolution not necessarily how each from the past would but how the music and intent could and did. Guns did not have specific lifelong criteria to follow and many of the influences on Appetite were abandoned by the others long before me. In fact Slash hated a good portion of those on Appetite and wasn’t all that into the involvement or association but knew it worked at the time and realized it was the cusp of a wave that was growing. It’s a trip for me to witness as so many of the people he performs with etc he hated then, them, their bands and their music where the others or I were the fans.

Q: When you first started out on the tour in 91, did you plan to take the name of the band?

A: I like touring with these guys a lot more than the old band. The beginning was fun but it started going bad our first gig opening for the Cult in Halifax between Slash and I. That’s when the ok I put up with all Axl’s and Izzy’s crap now I’m gonna be the man trip started with him runnin’ right out front on the ego ramp for the whole show. It was pretty funny.

Q: How did the new line-up respond when initially asked to join Guns N' Roses? Did they ever suggest using a different name?

A: No one ever talked about or suggested using another name. The guys are really respectful in regard to the old band and I’m not sure if they’ve said a paragraph apiece in all the years towards or about the old band whether I’m talking about whatever or not. But from being with me for so long they know a lot of it’s shit so they get bummed at the endless interviews and nonsense. Personally I’m so proud of them I wouldn’t know how to express it. I can’t see me handing something like this as they have with so much class and maturity especially being shit on publicly to such a degree. “Hey join my band, bring an umbrella!!”

Q: Did you consider going solo and not use the name?

A: If I were to leave Guns I could consider giving, selling, shelving or opening a GNR Burger chain with the name!! Ha!! j/k. I’m not so different than the alumni in that there’s generally something going on that makes things suck and when that reaches overflow I want out too but if you didn’t when it’s ugly I think that’d be less normal.

Q: What do you think about people saying "it is not GNR anymore. It is an Axl-Rose-Solo-joint"? And did you ever think about using another name for the band?

A: If I went solo which I haven’t I wouldn’t call it Guns.

Q: Axl, Why do you feel that the others (Slash, Duff) believe that they were entitled to the name since Guns N' Roses existed before they were in the band?

A: The name does come from mine and Traci’s as the original inspiration but was something I played with not Traci and Guns was Guns before Traci joined. It was Guns Before I knocked on Izzy’s window. Earlier I had gotten Tracii to use the name Guns (as he had mentioned a girl had called him Mr. Guns sometime) so he’d stop calling his band Persian Rose. So I guess we have the girl to thank.

The other’s having a sense of entitlement to the name isn’t completely off but has more to do with how Slash dealt with things and his particular strategy and I say strategy because that’s what it’s been. But since I managed to hold out that didn’t play out so well for him in regard to the name.

Q: Do you see any truth to the suggestion that Guns N'Roses has become no more than brand name, as oppose to once being a genuine band name?

A: It’s a band name more than a brand name. As Tommy said regarding our struggles to make this happen “We’re not lettin’ what took so much blood and heart get turned to shit and dust.” And I guess you could apply that to current former or whatever.

Q: What were slash's arguments for keeping G'n'R name?

A: Slash never had ANY arguments for keeping the name until long after and again I feel that had a lot to do with seedy biz types and him feeling he had to save face.

Q: My question would be: have you ever thought one day, with all the bashing you got from the media and from some fans, to actually change the name of the band (keep the current members but choose another name)? If so, what were your ideas of a new name?

A: Keeping the band name alive was very important. Not out of ego and I don’t know exactly why in the sense of putting into words but I think it has something to do with the global effect it has and how Guns surviving in some way is sometimes inspiring to others around the world and in that there’s a sense of obligation.


Q: Do you regret keeping the name?

A: I don’t regret keeping the name though I wish more were supportive or at least not as aggressively opposed.

The details are that my attorney shit when I made the move. He was very against it fearing long litigation but even then no one talked about brand names or individual interests in a brand name. I look back and have no idea why. Not my people, not his people, no one.
No one pressured me, everyone was afraid and no one including myself wanted to break up Guns or the relationship. And Bubbles and I talk all the time!

Q: Axl,
Can you detail any of the legal battles, if any, surrounding the name Guns N' Roses following the break up of the original band?

Cheers.

A: We can “chat” about the contract and the reasoning another time

Q: I've always assumed that your main drive for wanting to own the name is that you felt more personally responsible for the overall direction of the music than the others, and that the name stood for that direction more than anything else. However, disentangling the name must've been a legal mess, with a lot of financial issues. I'm wondering whether this was something you did AS the old line-up disintegrated so as to maintain control over direction or whether that desire to protect the direction came first, and might have actually created extra tensions?

A: The battles were during the breakup. Our people and my individual legal basically forced me to go thru the motions with everything I had to make things work for over 2 years in the sense that if they felt I wasn’t making every effort 110% and with all the sincerity and all above board I wouldn’t have their support which I wanted, couldn’t afford to lose or risk losing. Which led to the trial period where Slash played the key bits of Fall to Pieces but once I showed some interest that was over.

Q: Here's my take - I could be wrong but,as far as I'm concerned - and what most ppl don't get - is that making Duff and Slash sign the name Guns N Roses over to you had very little to do with musical differences/ preferences. Anyone who reads Slash's book carefully can understand the kind of reckless lives they had been leading and that they were too fucked up and on the verge of an O.D. on daily basis to be entitled to make and kind of decision and there was no use in trying to fight against it and forcing them to clean up because you ended up being the bad guy real quick 'not allowing them to have a bit of fun'.
In other words, only drunk/drugged ppl can put up with drunk/drugged ppl and the way things were, they were going to ruin it for everbody and now that they are finally sober they feel they were ripped off even though many ppl warned them their actions would have serious consequences and they chose not to listen at the time.
Having said all that do you think they keep suing you over it time and again because as well as Steven they think you and the name GnR hold the keys to their happiness or is it just about $ ?

A: I get the part about reckless but it was more about strategy and underestimating how long I would stick with it.

As far as people knowing me, this is a statement that in light of others decisions that I chose to pursue as Guns N’ Roses and what some may feel is a different this or that may seem as if the arguments or disagreements are about the band or the style of music such as blues or influences on earlier Guns has some relevance but imo points more to deeper base elements I wanted to put forth for people in general.

Such as a more positive intent and instead of as self destructive more of healing. There’s all kinds of things to help you die or be more negative. I wanted to try and make as powerful a hard rock album as we could while incorporating beauty and an openness to other forms both traditional and more recent without going religious etc. I didn’t attempt to make a party record or dance record both elements consciously in Appetite. I wasn’t trying to purposefully appeal to the heartland or middle America in those ways (not that I was trying to avoid them or have an issue). But for example Sweet Child wasn’t in any way trying to write a “hit” mainstream song it was trying to write the best Guns N’ Roses Lynard Skynard influenced song we could as tribute and recognition in the tradition of Tuesdays Gone With the Wind or Simple Man etc and at a time when nothing could have seemed more unpopular.

One man forced me to work with others. One man forced me to work with others to survive. And I can’t say what would have happened on different terms. I say yes because it was agreed from day one. U have to realize we were on the street. It wasn’t the first band. Whoever thought of the name kept the name unless he gave it up or moved on. Everyone was always having a new version of whatever their band name was. I wouldn’t have thought of using LA Gunns or any of Slash’s band names. We all knew that we could break up the next week. You had to have that stuff somewhat sorted between each other going in. It was a deal that we made. The issue becomes the value or perceived value now and the fans attachment and or acceptance. Really weren’t things we consciously considered even during the breakup.

Q: Axl, what in your mind does Guns n' roses represent? do you feel that it is a vision?

A: I don’t exactly know what Guns N’ Roses is but I know it’s my job in the sense of an obligation and I’m good with that.

Q: Do you feel that if you hadn't have insisted on having full rights to the name would the band still be in it's original lineup today?

A: The name and rights have nothing to do with the breakup. That’s all a created fa?ade a decoy and a smoke screen. Now had what Slash said actually transpired then I’d say of course but in reality, No.

Q: Guns 'n Roses.. best name ever with a double meaning to me. What was #2 on the list when choosing the band's name?

A: Going into Guns there wasn’t a #2. At that time I was going to make it in a band that started as Guns N’ Roses and could evolve but that was the starting point and it was all the way or bust. I knew what I wanted when I knocked on Izzy’s window. I also knew I wanted Slash but we still had differences and Izzy wasn’t down with it.

Q: Were you in, any way, legally obligated to carry on with the name Guns N' Roses? To keep your (current, at the time) record concract etc.

A: I wasn’t legally obligated but we probably would have gotten dropped and I would have been driven into bankruptcy.

Q: What is the country who pronounces Guns n' roses in the funniest way ?

A: I think it varies and happy Christmas to u and everyone.

Q: Guns N' Roses--the name contains symbols of aggression/defense and selfless submission/tribute--does the name mean anything symbolically to you outside its literal, namesake derivation? Have the name's deeper synonyms, eg. the most dangerous band in the world, had any impact on your decision to keep it, or have you just retained it for its legendary status and ease of identification?

A: I don’t think about the dangerous bit or status or identification. I’ve always thought of the symbolism since thinking of the 2 words together. And in that I absolutely feel this is a Guns N’ Roses record.

Q: Do what people ( some of the fans, ex members of the band etc ) think about the ownership of the band name really matter? I think my question also is, will you please tell us why this is the most important/first question you are approaching? Is it because you think that this is what most riles the fans or this is the most pressing issue?

A:
It’s an issue that gets brought up a lot especially in the media at all levels and it gets really ugly. It’s ugly right now with dj’s across the country who feel their sticking up for something that they bought into unaware. So I wanted to start going at it a bit.

Q: Axl, some critics have argued that Chinese Democracy would have sold better and had better reviews if you had released it as a solo project. What is your take on this?

Do you think that it is right to continue a band's name despite having little-to-no connection with previous incarnations of the band, both in the music written and with the musicians in the band?

A: Most critics have higher opinions of theirs than is merited. I haven’t read much from outside sources in the media regarding my world that know much of anything let alone what would be in my best interest other than looking at events in hindsight and playing armchair music mogul. Which most times means nothing and though could seem logical is usually just as far off base as anything else they’ve said.

The heart and commitment these guys play the material with is much more than the others were prepared to give pursuing their own interests for a very long time. The music changed after Slash and I parted so the direction was where I took Guns not where I had intended or tried to go previously. It had a lot to do with not finding or knowing a more blues based player that I found inspiring and I was really knocked down and beat up. Slash, Duff and Matt’s decisions had as much to do with kicking a guy when he’s down or abandoning ship at the time as anything else. Other things were going on with music as well, we were basically dead at Geffen. I liked other things as well so I wanted to explore, be legitimate and survive. I wasn’t doing what was written so often about chasing fads etc. Jesus, I wouldn’t have agreed for Zakk to come down if any of Slash’s or the media’s nonsense were real. And that could’ve worked on some level but like Guns it would’ve been up to those two and their relationship. They talk nice but it wasn’t pretty… but it was pretty awesome!!

Q: For further releases will you stick with the name Guns N' Roses?

If this is a Guns N' Roses album, what kind of music would be on an Axl Rose solo album?

A: No plans not to be Guns for the future.

Solo efforts… Much more experimental and instrumental.

Q: Since you own the name, does it bother you at all when you see or hear things like "Slash of Guns N' Roses" and that he's still well recognized as one of the faces of the band?

A: It doesn’t bother me unless it’s being done at my expense and or to keep him associated as in Guitar Hero. Him being Guitar Hero’s fine but not when Activison in using Jungle, having Yahoo use Sweet Child unauthorized, claims no involvement with Slash, his or anyone’s image or VR or anyone or anyone’s music in either camp in promotion or commercials etc. I wasn’t broadsided. I read about it as it moved along but Activision continually denied it right up to the release. That’s some low life chicanery on all their parts.

Q: How do/did you feel about Velvet Revolver playing GN'R songs live? Did you worry about them mucking up the songs or decreasing their value by playing them. Are you glad the former members still play those songs so regularly on stage?

I seen Slashes Snakepit live in July 95 and they started playing instrumental Paradise city for the first 2 minutes before Slash stopped it by jokingly saying something like” We better stop so we don’t get sued!”

A: Yes Slash was in Guns and on Jungle (and the whole I came to him for his riff is as much crap as him saying he brought Locomotive and Coma in as complete songs) and he has rights to perform it but not to be represented in this context in association with Guns. And since they weren’t granted the license it’ll take some sorting.

(I don’t have problems with whoever doing the songs but film or video gets into sync rights and I don’t have an interest in anyone new, old or whatever trying to sell themselves as GNR under another name that way.

It’s my understanding the lawyers were scammed like the everyone else so for them to continually try and find a way to reverse things is normal and would seem appropriate but again it NEVER Happened.)


Q: Does Geffen or Universal have any rights over the name, or is it soley yours?

A: Universal has Guns under contract but I own the name.

I'm with you pal  : ok:  Especially on the part about Slash being so f'ed up on drugs.  I kept thinking that while reading his book, wondering how much of this he was truly remembering vs. how much he thought had happened.  More than half the book is about how fucked up he was on drugs.  It was actually depressing and sad to me.  

But it's like that Extreme album - Extreme III - three sides to every story.  Yours, Mine and The Truth.   :peace:

I think typing that all out for the fans to read must have been an amazing weight off Axl's chest. 

We have spent so many years assuming what he was going through/thinking/whatever-it's just so fantastic to actually read the words from the man himself.  I also think it's amazing that he went to all the major fanbases and shared.

I am very glad to have gotten to read all he has had to say over the past few days.

That was indeed a great read (it took a while, but I read every word).  If you're reading this, Axl, I appreciate you taking the time to write all of that down (hopefully it was cathartic in some way) and still cannot believe you have taken the time over the last few days to interact with the fans.  Not too many famous musicians could say they've ever done the same.

At the same time, hopefully I'm not the only one who feels that it's high time to move beyond thinking about the past and now is the time to look towards the future.  Chinese Democracy has been playing on a loop in my car since it was released and it isn't going to be replaced anytime soon.  The music you made with oldGuns was great and it's gotten me through some rough times in life, but now that I've got a taste of the new music, I can't wait to hear more!

Thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts and answers to our questions this weekend.  I hope you'll continue to do so when you have the time!

On a side note, it was bizzare to read that one of your favorite books is The Stand.  It's my favorite novel and I was constantly listening to UYI I and II when I first read it back in '91 or '92.  So, your music has been associated with that book in my mind for a long time (to this day, I can't listen to Breakdown and not think of The Stand).

And if Axl isn't reading this, it's cool - I just needed to get this off my chest!  ;D

also, much thanks to the person who added the questions on here-

makes a bit more sense now! :)

thank you xBrownstonex for that Q/A pairing.

rock on.

I believe Axl BUT I also believe that Duff and Slash have changed some since then also.


I am not gonna make excuses or try to be an expert, but the drugs and alcohol had to have a huge effect over the way those two guys acted.

U add managers and hangers on gabbing in their ear.

I remember reading in Motley Crue's "The Dirt" and they were talking about how this person or that person would get in your ear and tell u how u were the star and u should be more famous, more rich etc etc and u would go home and your wife and friends are telling u the same thing.............

U add a huge addiction into that, and I can see how that could've happened.

Doesn't mean they haven't changed though.

fuck, enough with the name "gnr" questions. Ask about the fucking record!!!!!!!

its great to hear his side of the story, axl has always been misunderstood and was always at the center of blame, after reading this it clears up alot and its awesome for axl to be this open ! hope big things are coming and hes back on the forum soon :beer:

Uh, it was Axl himself who brought the topic up.

Yeah!  I remember a couple of interviews from 2002 where Axl stated that Slash would try to keep the material "down" for personal reasons, mainly because they would be so successful and Slash didn't want that.  Now we find out "Fall To Pieces" was from this time period... interesting that it was eventually released by VR to become possibly their most successful song.

Thank you for adding in the questions! That cleared up the one part I was confused about.

He must have posted this on mygnr because that bored is overly negative about this partiuclar issue, even some of the mods.   

Hopefully he changes some fools minds.. or at least makes them second guess their $la$h bias.

And hopefully he comes back here and talks about the current lineup of GnR more and the future!   :beer:

Holy crap , was that interesting

That was very cool of him to do that

Very cool stuff.  I wish these forums could be easier to surf.  There are too many rooms, windows, subjects, etc.  I wish there could just be one official or unofficial page where the chatting took place with Axl Rose.

I love the album!  I wish I could see you on every show talking about Chinese Democracy!  Larry King, MTV with Kurt Loder, Jay Leno, David Letterman, etc.  Shit maybe even 60 Minutes or one of those tight shows.  I want all my friends to stop comparing the old lineup from the new lineup and just for the world to enojoy Chinese Democracy and future albums to come from Guns N' Roses.  I just want everyone to accept what it is and enjoy your talented work and to stop bringing pointless subjects.  I know you have the connections and love from a lot of people so hook us up with some apperances and take Britney off the charts (haha, seriously).  Bunch of bullshit out there.  It is time for you to rock the world again.  Best of luck!  Reply if you can and if not it's cool too ;)  

Raulinc (Mexico City/San Antonio Texas)

I cant express my feelings with words.

All I can say is I really, really admire and love this guy.

Axl said everything we needed to know.

This is one of the biggest moments I have experienced as a GNR fan.

I'm with you Axl. I'll always be.

I can't believe it ! The guy is not only a genius, but incredibly meticulous...

.....and has a memory like an elephant.  :hihi:

Good read...

Thanks for taking the time Axl.

If Axl comes here and does a similar thing... We'll all be part of music history, boys and girls :smoking:
Who the fuck would've thought?? :beer:

Of course he does, he is pretty much and always was the cleanest (drug wise) of the old bunch.  Memory tends to get mucky when you spent half the time strung out and out of your head.  Axl always had his vision and tried to stick to it the best he could.  Maybe that was perceived as being difficult or being a perfectionist but I certainly appreciate that more than I would someone sloppy who didn't care at all or only cared after the fact.

I just wish people would have asked better questions.  How many questions does he have to answer about the legality of the name?  Who cares anymore?  I care about the now and what the band will do in the future.  I mean, I am glad he is clearing it up but for crissakes I just wish some people would put it to bed already.

It's just too bad I am never awake when Axl is! ;D

lmao, I think you missed the whole concept of his post, Axl was the one who wanted to talk about it!
He decided the topic and invited people to ask questions about it. Hope he does something similar here! :)

He was answering questions that were posted in a pinned thread and those were the questions asked.



here is the thread.  you can read the questions.

http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=133276

Yeah but Axl decided the topic. Anyway... ::)

Like most interviews. The interviewed person chooses what he wants to talk about previously.

Nevermind. It's late and I am lacking sleep. :hihi: Either way, it's a topic I am sick of, I am much more interested in the band now.  Hopefully next time!

Sure!

That took me awhile to read and I may read it again since there is a lot of info there to take in.

That was great for him to give us his side of things.

?

I guess he really did want to get it off his chest then.  I also got from reading it that there were legal reasons for things he couldn't discuss previously.  I would imagine that to be pretty frustrating especially after all the years of lawsuits and accusations.

Say what you will but I believe what Axl has to say about it as pretty much fact in this situation.  

Axl is answering all kinds of questions about Slash, The old Band, The new One and everything in between.

That dude ain't afraid of shit! Take notes people.

Awsome!

Amazing to hear Axl begin to go to such lengths to explain what really happened, at least from his perspective anyway.  I will definitely have to re-read parts as certain meanings are difficult to understand, but this is certainly historic as others have said.  Thank you Axl, it means a lot to us that you've shared this.

To quote a very wise and educated man,

"The Truth is the Truth hurts, dont you agree?"

This moment is basically legendary.

Really cool read. Makes you wonder what those "shady business types" had put in each one of their heads that made GnR such a volatile situation. Marketing and publishing rights must have been at the fore front. I believe there was so much personal and financial gain for management that destroying the band and their friendships was inevitable. Big business blows and one can only hope that one day these guys can be friends again. It's a shame what fame and fortune does to people.

U have obviously never posted on Mygnr.com

they had a big fat 80 page reunion thread

a thread on how Contraband was better than CD

so.......... find another excuse dude, don't blame us ::)


If axl has proven anything from these chats, its that he accepts everything and is able to deal and handle it himself. He said he understood if people were a fan of a certain lineup. so if Axl is ok with it? how come u can't be?

I read mygnr.com and it's probaly the most negative outta the Big 3 Message Boards.

Great point, and there are many people on this forum who are hypocrites that will now follow this advice,  since Axl said he understands. 

I believe someone on this site brought up the sports-team analogy months ago, and was ripped apart for saying that.   ::)   

Im glad Axl talked about the past and the whole gnr name issue,
I think thats allowed him now to put out his thoughts and what happened to the public, so both him and the public can accept it
and come to terms with it, so we can all finally look forward to an eventful 2009 year of the chinese.

Sorry Jim Bob

I completely read what u said wrong somehow and thought u said something u didn't.

My Apologies!!! : ok: : ok: : ok: : ok: : ok: : ok: : ok: : ok:


The next time i feel the need to bash u, i won't to make up for this time. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Is that your excuse for bashing the band and praising the old line up?


Even a supposed geeky idiot nazi like myself understands that some of you prefer the old band. That still doesn't mean that I have to let those of you who do, ruin every other thread that has nothing to do with the old band or your beloved reunion.

So your "Axl understands that I love the old band" excuse doesn't really work here. Sorry.





/jarmo

(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n17/GarryCarlson/SLASHOWNED2.jpg)

It was cool to read how much the "nugnr" were really supportive of Axl by defending him when the whole media were portraying Axl in such a negative way, and how Axl enjoys playing with the current guns so much :D

Gonna be funny to see an of army former Axl bashers turned Axl asskissers on the web after this saying what some of us have been saying all along...

First off - I'm not an ass-kisser OR a basher. 

But do you really think the band name/legal issues are so black and white?  It still comes down to who you believe, and people will believe whatever story suits them. 

Axl's story was a great read, but really doesn't change anything.  The Axl doubters will still not believe it, and the ass-kissers will say "see, I told you so." Not sure how we'll ever find out the true side of the story.  Like anything else, it's probably somewhere in-between.

However, it WAS great to hear the other side of the story.  Gave us a lot to think about, from a perspective that was never heard before.   : ok:

Exactly!
People should think about it...

Nowadays, people always try to sell their two cents as much and as many times as possible (and the recent Madoff scandal is here to remind us that that kind of greedy speculative behavior isn't that great at all, is it?), and that's exactly what most of Axl Rose's detractors never hesitate to do. In the mean time, the person those so-called respectable gentlemen and self-proclaimed "innocent victims" like to depict as a sell-out just gives us for free what he could have made tons of money off the sale, had he chosen to go the easy way...

Anyway, I'm not here to judge anybody or to kiss some ass. I just think people, or at least the fans, should give it some thought.
As far as I am concerned, as a fan, I am just happy and proud, thanks to the quality of the music and to the consistency of the overall artistic process.

Thank you for being Axl and GNR!!

Epic read.

Like I used to say, Axl is the last true rockstar and one of the few celebrities in the world with true artistic integrity. 8)
What'd I tell ya? :P

Wow  :o :o :o

What a great end of the year it has been -  CD and now Axl's story. Great reading.

My question for Axl - WTF r u not out drilling supermodels every night like I imagined  :'( :'( :'(

next time try reading my post.

mygnr is a cesspool of negativity.    I can't believe some of the comments I'm seeing in that very thread.

How awesome is this. Axl giving us the skinny; fuck all the bullshit.

Again, it's very awesome of him to touch base with all of us like this and shed light on things, and answer so many questions. A great read, and many things that needed to be said. Thanks for taking the time and hanging with us, Axl.

Maybe you'll stick around? :peace:

8 pages is a lot to read through, so I skimmed through and picked a few quotes.

I think it's very naive to assume that just because Axl said it, it makes it all so true and makes Slash a liar.  It's simply his side of the story, from his perspective.  The other guys have a side of the story, which is their own perspective.  Obviously things, very sadly, broke down, for whatever reason - and everyone has their own version.  Axl is not the Almighty God, here, either.  

Personally, I enjoyed the whole read and am very happy to see Axl finally talking about everything, as to how he feels.  He should have done it long ago.  I think it's an awesome thing that he's posting on the forums and opening up about his whole side.  

However, I thought he did sound bitter, as someone else, much earlier here, commented as well.  Not meaning to make a whole argument out of that.  It's only a statement about what I thought.  He sounds very bitter towards Slash.  Comments made by some of the "old" Guns are much more civil towards Axl.  

Once again, though, it's one side of the story here - not the almighty, be-all, end-all truth.  Neither was Slash's book.  

I just think it's very sad that so much animosity has resulted amongst a group of guys who came together and made one of the all time greatest albums in rock n' roll history.    

Holy crap!  I've got to go to bed.  But I just got done reading that and that was certainly some of the most gripping stuff I've ever read.  It's great to finally hear Axl's side of the story.

I hear you Lynn and you're absolutely right, it's just one side of the story.  BUT, you say Axl sounds bitter?  Did Slash not sound bitter countless times in his autobiobraphy talking about Axl?  I love Slash, but he sure said a fair amount of crap about Axl in his book.  Axl's defending himself here, can you expect anything less?  It was a messy breakup and it apparently hasn't gotten any less messy over the years.  Hopefully Axl finally gettin his side of the story out there could possibly cool things off a bit.  (Though I kind of doubt that).  Either way, way to go Axl!

It's great to hear Axl's side of the story. I never fully bought Slash's, Duff's or Matt's side. But when it's 3 against none(since Axl never spoke about it) people bought into it. I'm glad he kept the name... gawd... I would hate Guns N Roses if it became the shit that Velvet Revolver is. lol... can you imagine Axl singing "fall to pieces"... it would sound better... it's still a gay ass song tho.

I didn't think Slash sounded bitter in his book - I thought he said what he had to say in a fairly civil manner.  I thought.  Maybe Axl is defending himself, here, but it took a lot of years to even start talking.  Yeah, it's great to hear his side.  It is. 

Kind of, basically, we've heard the same kind of stories from 4 or 5 other bandmembers who were involved in the "old" Guns.  And all of them eventually left.  I'm not saying Slash is the great truth-teller, here, either.  I'm just sayin', from what I've picked up, over the years, that there seems to be much more commonalities told from several others.             

I don't think he sounded bitter at all towards Slash.  No more bitter than Slash sounded towards Axl in his book.  I think there is probably a lot of truth to what Axl is saying.  I do mean a lot as far as how the ownership of the name came about and how it did not and what his motivations were for keeping the name and continuing to use it.

Ali

I'm really likin Axl's homework.  It's keeping me from doing some stuff due for my job...hahaha.  It explains a lot and I'm glad Axl/Dexter posted it.  Now bring back Buckethead/Brain and we'll be on top again!

There we go again....Miss "Slash is cool" and "The truth is probably somewhere in the middle"..... :(

It's part of Slash's strategy to appear as he does in his book....If so many "Guns fans" like yourself and younggunner were left with the impression that Slash only said nice things about Axl and/or "the truth", then his well-thought schematic tone in the book has achieved its purpose. Not to mention, he got plenty of good advice on how to sound in a "bestseller" by somebody else.

What Axl wrote was unplanned, spontaneous, and honest direct communication with the fans. Had he written this in a book, he may have chosen his words a lot more carefully and appealing (to some). But then again, maybe that's not what he wants. And if this is the truth, which I personally always believed to be, then why make it sound differently when it is what it is. Deal with it.

If you are honestly a Guns and Axl fan, ask yourself why would you doubt his statements when they are solely in response to satisfy and answer fans' questions (for which by the way we should be first and foremost grateful), and NOT to sell books or anything else of personal interest. In fact, posting like this on message boards and answering much of everything, including complicated legally subjects as this, could actually expose more venues to explore for the greedy individuals mentioned who like to use any and all opportunities to jump in legally for financial and other self interest.

I can't stop laughing at this.  good post  : ok:

OMFG  THIS IS AWESOME  HAHAHA    :rofl: :rofl:

Absolutely fascinating.

I think this answers a lot of people's questions, and should stop a lot of people's ill informed views being spouted left, right and centre.

I can't help but thinking this is GIGANTIC news that not only is Axl talking to the fans very candidly, but the things he is talking about are massively important to most rock fans.

Have any of his comments regarding the old band, the name and/or Slash been picked up by any major news/rock media outlets?

She is welcome to her opinion just like anybody else.

Cool that he talks about Slash and stuff. However, it's just his side of the story, not the absolute truth. I have no idea where the truth is but it takes two people to mess up a relationship and make it as bitter as it seems from both sides.

I wonder if Axl will do an OFFICIAL interview as well.  I want to hear more about this BETTER music video coming!!

I absolutely loved this read and really believe Axl's story is more of the truth.  With that said however, nobody knows the truth unless you were around the band at the time!  so quite giving people who say that "just because Axl said it, doesn't mean it's true", and "the truth lies somewhere in the middle" shit!!!  Do you know for sure?

Yes, I believe Axl's side more though and this is why.....


"The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle

However, Slash has already exposed himself as being full of it in numerous instances, simply by completely changing his story on a number of things.  Example:  in his autobiography he claimed that him leaving had nothing to do with musical direction.  But in 1995 he was talking about how Axl was all into Pearl Jam and wanted to do songs like that, and how he hated that music.  He says that Axl rejected his songs because he wasn't into them musically.  So which is it?

All along Axl has maintained that he was perfectly willing to do an Appetite style album, and the reason that didn't happen is because Slash refused to let him have any say or input in the songs.  He has never wavered from that, while Slash's story has changed repeatedly.

Then you have the whole 4AM incident.  Where Slash first claims he never went to Axl's house.  Then admitted he went, but only to talk about legal matters.  Then admitted he went because he wanted to clear the air and apologize to Axl.  The guy is full of it.  He changes his story like he changes clothes

Meanwhile Axl's accounts, even though they haven't been frequent, have always been consistent.  Not to mention Slash was a full fledged alcoholic and drug addict in those days, so how clear can his recollection of most events actually be?"


This is a quote from someone earlier in this thread and I agree and think this argument is dead on!!

It's also nice to finally hear Axl's side after hearing such a one sided story from Slash, Duff, and Matt so much!  This is only going to help Axl with the press, fans, critics, etc.  I can't wait till he gets out there and lets even more people know his side like he said he was going to do over the next month or so.  
 

You know... Most likely Slash tried to cover his ass with a white lie because it was a bit awkward situation as he was/is in Velvet Revolver.  ;D

Wow, fuck, amazing.

First thoughts, with the second being Fuck Slash! What a cock.

Guns N' Fucking Roses Forever!

Well he did say that there were some interviews coming at a later time, so that should be pretty interesting and something to look forward to for sure!

Actually, the truth is somewhere in the middle.  There's no one side to this, at all.  I don't think Slash lives his life with a "strategy" no more than the rest of us do, and I don't believe that everything that he wrote in his book was THE TRUTH.  It was his side of it, and I'm sure he did get plenty of advice on how to sound, there.   

I totally agree that what Axl has written is completely unplanned, spontaneous, and direct communication and that if it were written in a book, words might have been chosen more carefully and he would have gotten advice on how to sound.  He didn't and that's fine.  However, it's his side of things, however done and stated.  Bottom line.  I respect his words, as well, but just because he said it doesn't make it the absolute truth.

Why would I "doubt" his statements?  I never said I did.  It's just his version, that's all.  Whether it's to answer fan's questions or to answer some interviewer's questions, it doesn't make it anymore the truth than anything else does.  It was simply his honest answers to questions, based on his version of things.  Just like anyone else. 

I am a Guns fan, from way back, and that includes Axl.  Just because he answered things, here, doesn't make it anymore the truth.  It doesn't make anyone else greedy or self-interested. 



 

I just quickly scanned this topic after slowly reading Axl's post and I can not believe some of 'the fans' ... the truth is somewhere in the middle? ... for all those that think so, go and read again what Axl wrote, word by word... and than contemplate ... or just F.O. ...

thanks Axl for speaking ... amazing read :)

velimir

Why?  What ill-informed views?  So, he answered the questions, which it's time he should have, and I am grateful - finally - to hear his side.  That does not make the other views ill-informed.      

I did read it.  Maybe I should read it, again, slowly, word by word, and then contemplate.  But I won't fuck off. 

you slashites will never give Axl his due.   he is on these boards telling his story finally and the same people who complained that Axl never spoke are now making him out to be a liar.  unreal.

Ridiculous.

Who cares about a MTV interview or a Rolling Stone article... is that what would make a interview "official"? I think it gets pretty official when you get to hear about something almost on a daily basis now from the horses mouth. I am perfectly fine with Axl never giving those schemers a chance to make a buck. This is a way better deal all news and answers comes from the horses mouth to the fans... no bullshit middle man... media shit storm. The answers are real and they will not get blown out of proportion like if they were on a MTV or in a Rolling Stone. I like this stuff better and truly shows that Axl is not a bad guy and that some things have to play out before you can get answers. I appreciate what Slash has done for GNR but, I don't know how some people needed to be told about Slash... this helps put things in perspective but, think about it Slash always has had some sort of ego and likes paydays... he is the one with a book, always trying to sell you some crap with his commercials over the years for the likes of  Volkswagen??? really come on and Master Card and Guitar Hero... the guy always has to have his face out there and on tv for whatever reasons... I rather listen to the music of someone that people say, "sits in his mansion in recluse and pisses his life away" (which I find just hilarious) than someone that is always plugging something and living off his glory days. That to me shows who is really in it for the art... a man that needs not make a appearance or a guy that you give a payday or stroke his ego can show up in probably 20 minutes or less. Plus Slash loves to cause a media spectacle and and when is the last time you ever seen Axl on a late show stirring the pot? I just appreciate that Axl has kept in classy. Slash always has came off as a guy that plays par guitar and has a schemer attitude. I will thank him for his November Rain solo but, that is about it.

PS Slash you were a lame Guitar Hero Challenge... hah.

None of this applies to Lynn, so I think it's unfair for you to use this argument in regards to her. She isn't "making him out to be a liar" nor has she ever complained about Axl's perceived silence. She's simply saying that there are two sides to the story and then there is the truth, which is accurate.

I NEVER said Axl was a liar, Jim Bob.  Never.  He is on these boards telling his story - finally.  I'm very glad to hear it.  His version and side of things.  He's telling his story, finally, and on the forums.  That's awesome.  I welcome it.  I do give him his due.  All I'm saying is I don't like the fact that his side of the story is being touted, by some, to be the absolute truth of all.  It's no more the absolute truth than what Slash's version was.  That's all.  Don't give me that bullshit!      

Thank you! 

this posts are the ones that look bad.
 she is saying what she thinks, she is not saying that Axl is lying, nor that she belives slash has the truth. she has the 2 points of view on this matter, and thinks the truth its between those two. if you think Axl has the truth, ok, respect the others point of view.

in other thing, its great to know what Axl has to said, i think he is the greatest rockstar.

it would be nice to hear about Izzy, why he left, maybe he just got enough of all the problems between Axl,Slash and Duff, and in that part Axl felt more alone in the band. i would like to know how Axl felt.

ok, yeah.   ::)

I think Izzy gave a interview on that a bit ago... when he just released his last solo album. I am not sure where you an find it but, I do believe he talked about it for a bit and also talked about playing some shows in 06 with Guns on the Euro leg of the tour.

Just read the entire thing from A to Z.  Great stuff.  Great questions to, many thanks to the FANS for asking some killer questions.

Biggest mind blower to me was the "axl made us sign the name over or he wouldn't go on stage" story.  Man, that was cemented in my brain for years as "the truth".  This is like realizing god isn't real  :)  Your whole world is just blown away.  For the record, the non-axl version of events around this story never really bothered me that much anyways - I've always thought of Axl as the creative/driving force behind GNR.

As for the whole Axl fans vs. Slash fans bullshit - give me a f'ing break.  If you're a fan of Appetite/UYI songs then you're a fan of both of these guys.  I firmly believe that no other group of 5 guys could have made appetite other than the 5 who did.  it was rock n' roll magic. 

Anyways, it seems like both have moved on with their lives... maybe it's time for some of you to get ones of your own?  :hihi:

it was not directed towards You directly, but Your post was the last one that I read... So sorry if it sounded too personal.

do you remember what he told?

I do not know, obviously. I'm sorry if I said it in a way of it being the truth, that was not my intention. But it is fair to say that Axl feels a lot of it to be false, which nevertheless makes it remarkable that he has not given his view until now. Imagine that every time your name shows up in media it is about how you are a dictator or whatever and you keep a stiff upper lip and stay silent. Most would not manage that. Now, my point was not to say anything bad about Slash - even though, as I stated, my opinion is that I feel Axl to be credible (and yes, as a fan of Axl's I could be accused of being biased on the matter) - but rather to point out a side of Axl that I feel to be admirable. That is: wheter what Axl said now was false or not, it doesn't really change the fact that he has stuck through a lot of attacks in waiting to share his thoughts about the situation. And that is what I wanted to emphazise as something special. Do you understand where I'm coming from?   :)

In my opinion if Axl wanted to or was telling a lie why would he fabricate a giant story on a message board? To try it out? I dunno it just seems that his stuff is legit. He may be leaving things out but, I would never want to know every  detail of someones life for over a decade. I also do not think that this whole thing is a big deal... like if Axl was out to get people I think a person that could get a interview like him.... would get a interview and say all this. He has done it as respectful as he can and has not made it a media spectacle. I think he  did a great job of this when talking about everyones intentions with MY WORLD.

PS the Izzy interview

http://www.chinesedemocracy.com/forum/guns_n_roses_was_here/new_izzy_interview_translated-t39431.0.html

In that he says it was the bands drug use... well you can read why he left and the rest... it is a nice interview.

Yeh its a great if complicated read.Must have been hard for Axl to remain silent and listen to all this bullshit for years, he probably feels 10 stone lighter getting that off his chest ha

Once again, I never said he was fabricating anything.

Thanks for finding an Izzy interview.  Izzy is probably the one who is the least emotional and the most level-headed about all of the bullshit about what happened with the "old" Guns.  He is the one to listen to and really read between the lines about anything that happened. 

Or it's like realizing God IS real!!   ;)

Not a problem and everyone is entitled to their opinions on this situation and we may never know the whole deal. I  would have to agree that Izzy would be a person that does not have a particular side and is friends with all so he would be a good source for finding the truth but, I think in the end it is past and he may not remember it all and he may not want to step on anybodies feet either.

I think you could tell by reading Izzy's interview right there that he obviously didn't want to "step on anyones feet"!  Can't remember my ass!...lol

That sort of thought is part of the problem, here.  No one is GOD - not Axl, not Slash.   ::)

I was referring to lynn's statement... about reading between the lines of what happened... like if you wanted a complete log or time line of events that lead to Izzy leaving or the decisions he made... I doubt he would know... it just seems like people always want to know every little detail. That is what I was referring to by he doesn't know sir. As far as "god" i would like to think it's James Brown. I will continue to support GNR and listen to VR's Slither and hope that we can live in a perfect harmony. YEA for peace.

Unplanned? Spontaneous? He's had 12 years to figure out what he was going to say. I'd hardly call that spontaneous.

I am very glad Axl is speaking out. But I can't believe everyone here taking his word like it is the gospel. Axl has a side to the story and Slash has a side to the story and they're both going to skew it to make themselves look good. I'm sure a lot of what Axl is saying is the truth, but at the same time, if Axl is to be believed, then basically EVERYONE who has ever come in contact with him is lying. Slash, Duff, Matt, Izzy, countless producers, engineers, etc. Apparently they've all conspired together against Axl. He's laying the victim stuff on pretty thick.

I just don't believe that everyone in the media and everyone in the old band are liars and he is the only one telling the truth.

Oh come on Jarmo, I thought you could do better than that.

Axl lies, Slash lies, everybody lies, It's human nature.

Happy now?

Oh c'mon!!

Everyone has delt with an actual - You get fucked and stabbed in the back for no freakin' justifieable reason, but to screw you for the benefit to the other person's personal gain -

If you have life experience (which has not so much to do with age ,but more to whether or not you get the silver spoon or the rocky road)-
you have delt with this and should be able to understand that this happens with NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN, in this case no one other than Axl!

Not two fighting two faults in this case whatsoever,
I'm not saying Axl's flawless and a perfect human being who makes no errors!

In this particular case, YES i do belive his side and it proves to be true!

Listen to CD, that's love for music, dedication and being true in what you believe in,
 all pressed into one record!

The Osdorp Posse has a great song about that... "Honest Lying" (Eerlijk Liegen): Everyone is occasionally honest during the lies they tell (Iedereen is weleens eerlijk tijdens het liegen).

OK. Lets set it straight. Most of you have been listening to different versions of Slash or Duff or other stories for years and were accepting it as a fact. As the seasons change Slash and company would change the story just to get something  more out of it. And you accepted it again as a fact. Saying how Axl is to blame. Or complaining that he didn't comment on it. So that must mean he is to blame, right?

Now you have most objective side of the story and you still complain. Because he is lying. Because the truth is somewhere in the middle. Yeah, sure. Read again. Think. Take a deep breath. Sometimes what others make you believe is hard to accept when you finally find out the truth. Take a deep breath again.

It is OK. It is OK to accept it. It is OK to live with it. It is OK to breath again. Denial might be killing you.

The world is still turning and you are still alive. Be happy.

You're assuming that everyone took Slash's story as fact, which isn't the case.

I am not assuming anything just saying HI to all the NAYSAYERS.

a more readeable version with Q & A from blabbermouth:

AXL ROSE: Why I Am Continung To Use Name GUNS N' ROSES - Dec. 14, 2008

GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose has made a lengthy posting to the MyGNRForum.com web site where he answered a number of fan-submitted questions related to such topics as why he is continuing to use the GUNS name and the circumstances that led to the breakup of the classic GN'R lineup. His posting follows below in its entirety. (Note that the questions Axl is responding to were not included in his original post.)

"OK, then!! The questions aren't here but the answers, as it moves along, I think point pretty clearly to what was asked in pretty much order or close of the seven pages. If I didn't answer, it was either already answered, off topic or I mistakenly overlooked the question. My apologies for the inconvenience. It's not as light-hearted as some of the other sessions but that's the subject matter. Whew!!"

Q: We learnt in the press, that you asked the former members to sign a paper giving up the rights to the GUNS N' ROSES name and threatening not to go on stage unless they co-operated. Bullshit?

Axl: "So let's start here? the whole 'Axl wouldn't go on stage' yada yada? is complete and utter crap. Never happened, all made up, fallacy and fantasy. Not one single solitary thread of truth to it. Had that been the case, I would've have been cremated years ago legally, could've cleaned me out for the name and damages. It's called under duress with extenuating circumstances. In fact, the time that was mentioned, the attorneys were all in Europe with us dealing with Adler [original GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler] depositions.

"Couldn't talk sooner as it could have jeopardized whatever nonsense was going on.

"When GUNS renegotiated our contract with Geffen, I had the bit about the name added in as protection for myself as I had come up with the name and then originally started the band with it. It had more to do with management than the band, as our then-manager was always tryin' to convince someone they should fire me. As I had stopped speaking with him, he sensed his days were numbered and was bending any ear he could along with attempting to sell our renegotiation out for a personal payday from Geffen.

"It was added to the contract and everyone signed off on it. It wasn't hidden in fine print, etc., as you had to initial the section verifying you had acknowledged it.

"Now, at that time I didn't know or think about brand names or corporate value etc. All I knew is that I came in with the name and from day one everyone had agreed to it being mine should we break up and now it was in writing.

"I still didn't grasp any other issues until long after I'd left and formed a new partnership which was only an effort to salvage GUNS, not steal it."

"In my opinion, the reality of the shift and the public embarrassment and ridicule by others (which included a lot of not-so-on-the-level business types he was associating with at the time) for not contesting the rights to the brand name, were more than Slash [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] could openly face. Also, we aren't lawyers or formally business educated, so it was just a matter of all of us being na?ve and doing what we thought was right at the time. Slash was, in my opinion, being on the up and up in agreeing I had the rights, and I wasn't trying to be some snake in the grass pulling a fast one. The others could've cared less.

"But when the reality of the breakup hit and the strategy to have me crawl back was put into play, Slash had to save face and get business team and public support. Painting me as the one who held a crowd hostage forcing the others to sign over the name worked out pretty well in that regard. I'm the bad guy, and Duff [McKagan, ex-GUNS bassist], the fans and most importantly himself were the victims. Oh, and they had actually made the sacrifice for the crowd, the people, the fans at the show. But again? IT NEVER HAPPENED.

"Media and others ignorantly, wrongly and falsely harped on about it at mine and the fans' expense for years, and Slash has hoped to use all that to continually sue and have some sort of legal nonsense going on behind the scenes in an effort to reverse things. He wouldn't have been able to get the support and action on the part of his various team members over the years to do so if the truth were out there especially when the statute of limitations had run out years ago."

Q: Why did you choose to keep the GUNS N' ROSES name rather than create a new name?

Axl: "Why keep the name? I'm literally the last man standing. Not bragging, not proud. It's been a fucking nightmare but I didn't leave GUNS and I didn't drive others out. With Slash, it's been nothing more than pure strategy and saving face while manipulating the public like he used to me. I earned the right to protect my efforts and to be able to take advantage of our contract I'd worked hard for where Slash's exact words were that he didn't care. I get that some like a different version or lineup the same way some like a specific team line up or a particular year of a specific car but because you and I are getting played I'm supposed to throw the baby out with the bath water?"

Q: What do you think about people that say "Chinese Democracy" should have been a solo album instead of using the name GUNS N' ROSES?


Axl: "I didn't make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. I made a GUNS record with the right people who were the only people who really wanted to help me try, were qualified and capable while enduring the public abuse for years . The songs were chosen by everyone involved. I didn't want to do 'This I Love' in any way shape or form, and Robin [Finck, current GUNS guitarist] and Caram [Costanzo; co-producer] insisted gaining Tommy's [Stinson, bass] and the others' support. There's been a lot of pressure to go with using my name (all external) but that never felt right to me for this band and the parameters in regard to this music have lots more to do with the mindset of GUNS than something else. The instrumental I wrote for 'End of Days' that's more a solo effort, at least presently.

"As far as a new name? this is who I am, not whatever else someone else thinks of. I don't see myself as solely GUNS, but I do see myself as the only one from the past making the effort to take it forward, whether anyone approves or not, and giving beyond what many would or fight for to do so. The name helped the music more than you could ever know, and I'm not talking in regards to studios or budgets, I mean it as in being pushed by something and having to get the music to a place where I can find my peace regardless of what anyone says. And that wasn't fully achieved until the last round of mastering and swapping out a version of a track at the pressing plant that had gotten inadvertently changed at the last minute. Also, the name was what the industry wanted as well and the burden of keeping it was something to endure in order to make the record. After the monies invested by old Geffen (that were decisions made that have worked out for me but I'm on record as having opposed) dropping the name became suicide."

Q: How much has been spent on legal battles over the name/how much do you value the name at?

Axl: "The cost of legal battles has been astronomical but I felt the deal made with Universal was fair for where it is and most things balanced out for both sides."

Q: How do you feel when you read posts that say "this isn't really GUNS N' ROSES?" Surely it isn't their place to say?

Axl: "David Bowie likes Floyd with Barret, many with Waters and those without. And there are those who like all the different lineups. In my opinion, what makes our situation a bit more unique, at least in how it's played out, is the ugliness of what really took place. If I'd done what was said then, I'd say fuck me too. I also realize this is just one issue in something with upteen however many more so conclusions can't be formulated off this little bit alone by most which is more than understandable.

"That said, because someone leaves the shop I started in which I still legally have the rights to the name I started it with? makes up a bunch of nonsense to win public and legal support in an effort to get whatever it is they want at mine and the public's expense? I don't feel any reason whatsoever I should have to throw what I've not only worked for but fought and suffered for away because some hurt, angry, betrayed, misguided and lied to people with a lynch-mob mentality, joined by others who could care less (especially in the media), enjoying the controversy and hate, choose one over the other regardless of what's right because they want what they want. And you can still prefer then as opposed to now and no one's arguing your right to do so.

"In regard to nuGUNS, I get that sometimes it helps to be able to clarify. Personally I call this GUNS and the 'Illusions' or previous lineups 'old GUNS.'"

Q: Are you guys allowed to play any song from the GN'R catalogue? Because in the past I heard that legal matters hinders you to play some of the "Use Your Illusion" stuff.

Axl: "We can play what we want, as far as I'm aware."

Q: I would ask what the catalyst was to originally motivate you to seek ownership of the name? Looking back, do you still feel it was a good course of action to have taken?

Axl: "It wasn't so much that it was a good course or that, if looking back, I could do something differently; it's that, for better or worse, it was the only course, and had I not done this, Slash would have succeeded in destroying me publicly much more than he, others or myself have so far and I would have gone bankrupt."

Q: Where would you be now, had you not obtained the rights to the name? What would you have called the current line-up of GN'R?

Axl: "I don't know where I'd be, but there's clearly no happy ending there and with everything else that had gone on in every other area of my life the devastation isn't something I feel I would have overcome at least to any real degree publicly. Hopefully I would've been able to pick myself up enough to get a job or sing somewhere else but I doubt anything that significant."

Q: Would you ever consider sharing the name with the current band members?

Axl: "The sharing thing is interesting, but even with all this time, the complications of the red tape and trying to get something out fall on my world to sort and not theirs. They are amazingly supportive and do their best to keep me in up spirits and focused which I had less and less of in GUNS way before 'Sweet Child' caught on. If that were to change, then that may be something to look at. I hope for us to grow more together as we continue so who knows.

"If I hadn't secured the rights, I don't know where I'd be and I'd probably call what would then be the current lineup 'THOSE MOTHER FUCKERS!!'

"The name is something I take great pride in as I feel anyone who's been a part of it should, the same as other bands or teams etc. The burden when it is such is a nightmare but not as much or as hopeless as I'd imagine without it could have been."

Q: What is the difference between former members forwarding their careers through their association with you, and a band benefiting from touring/releasing under a name originally associated with a group of musicians who are no longer there?

Axl: "On the what's the difference? I think I get what you're asking? I feel it depends on how and in what ways either the former members are using the association and what the true circumstances regarding why they moved on from both the band and the name that would or could affect the decision to continue on with the name by in this case this lineup and or myself."

Q: Did you use the GN'R name to sell more records??

Axl: "As for selling more records, it'd be nice to be in a position to possibly do so at some point but that's never been my base reasoning. I would think it fits into not feeling I shouldn't be forced to throw away possible opportunities in a hostile attempted takeover. I believe I should fight for GUNS in a patriotic sense or sense of loyalty or honor. Not just my vision or direction for GUNS as those things can evolve and you can make forward moving positive compromises by what others bring to the table but I mean more as in what principles I feel were important to GUNS in regard to an overall commitment to the music."

Q: Obviously the name GUNS N' ROSES means a lot to you historically. Do you think it would have been easier (less criticism from being the only "original" remaining member) or harder (the name obviously carries a lot of weight) to have pursued the "Chinese Democracy" project under a different name.

Axl: "It helped us get here but most of that was with Universal and the positives of that wore off years ago until recently and after the initial run it'll be about the music and us. Then it's about touring and there's not a question the name's helped at most everywhere but not so much the states. With that it comes down to the strength or quality of the performance. Having the name kicks your ass every night as it's not some side project or something you can fuck off in. You don't deliver, you get your ass handed to you. So it makes us work much harder than I feel we would outside of it and it hasn't been too ugly yet."

Q: Did you already have a new lineup or a lineup change in mind at that time?

Axl: "I didn't see lineup changes, etc., back then ? I saw it more as a crash and burn, goin' down with the ship. On one hand, I knew the band was over before we started touring 'Illusions' but you have hope? but I saw it more like the Titanic sinking than moving on or surviving. And in reality, I went the distance with each and every one in GUNS to where they felt for whatever reasons they either couldn't or wouldn't give what GUNS required. And I'm not talking change of styles or sounds etc. A lot of people bought that crap and me having gone in other directions seems to many to have verified that. Then you have the mind twisting equally as true horseshit in Slash's book, but I have the rehearsal tapes. There's nothing but Slash-based blues rock and he stopped it to both go solo and try to completely take over GUNS. I read all this 'if Axl would've put words and melodies on it could've?' That was denied and I didn't walk 'till several months after having 3-to-4-hour phone conversations nearly every day with Slash trying to reach a compromise. I was specifically told no lyrics, no melodies, no changes to anything and to sing what I was told or fuck off."

Q: What (except for legal reasons) would make you change the name of the band you're playing in?

Axl: "As to what would possibly make me change the name, [it] would be some form of evolving that I don't feel we've reached yet and not in any way consciously trying to at this time. It's really hard to say. I'd have to feel it was right for me and those involved and whatever we're doing at that time."

Q: With regard to ownership of the name, how will this affect GUNS' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? The new band can't exactly go and accept the award. Would they have to requalify in 25 years' time for "Chinese"?

Axl: "Never thought about that, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The whole 'mature enough' bit was cute. Not to offend anyone, but personally I don't have an interest and other than inducting Elton don't quite get what it is exactly and who decides what. It seems to mean more to some than others and more so amongst fans. It's nice to get recognition and have some form of acceptance, but in regards to joining others, the price is too high and just not worth it. It's a ways away and seems a bit presumptuous to be contemplating being inducted now."

Q: Do you think you have to follow some kind of music style cause of your musical past, or you feel free to experiment some kind of innovative stuff or melting few styles wich goes "against" the musical heritage of GN'R?!?!

Axl: "About following particular styles, yes I do feel there are parameters with GUNS as opposed to not being or in GUNS. 'Chinese Democracy' is, in my opinion, an evolution not necessarily how each from the past would but how the music and intent could and did. GUNS did not have specific lifelong criteria to follow and many of the influences on 'Appetite' were abandoned by the others long before me. In fact, Slash hated a good portion of those on 'Appetite' and wasn't all that into the involvement or association but knew it worked at the time and realized it was the cusp of a wave that was growing. It's a trip for me to witness as so many of the people he performs with etc he hated then, them, their bands and their music where the others or I were the fans.

"I like touring with these guys a lot more than the old band. The beginning was fun but it started going bad our first gig opening for THE CULT in Halifax between Slash and I. That's when the 'OK I put up with all Axl's and Izzy's crap, now I'm gonna be the man' trip started with him runnin' right out front on the ego ramp for the whole show. It was pretty funny."

Q: How did the new lineup respond when initially asked to join GUNS N' ROSES? Did they ever suggest using a different name?

Axl: "No one ever talked about or suggested using another name. The guys are really respectful in regard to the old band and I'm not sure if they've said a paragraph apiece in all the years towards or about the old band whether I'm talking about whatever or not. But from being with me for so long they know a lot of it's shit so they get bummed at the endless interviews and nonsense. Personally, I'm so proud of them I wouldn't know how to express it. I can't see me handing something like this as they have with so much class and maturity especially being shit on publicly to such a degree. 'Hey join my band, bring an umbrella!!'

"If I were to leave GUNS, I could consider giving, selling, shelving or opening a GNR Burger chain with the name!! Ha!! Just kidding. I'm not so different than the alumni in that there's generally something going on that makes things suck and when that reaches overflow I want out too but if you didn't when it's ugly I think that'd be less normal.

"If I went solo ? which I haven't ? I wouldn't call it GUNS."

Q: According to some people, the name should've been changed once there was no Tracii Guns in GUNS N' ROSES. Seriously if it wasnt changed then for that reason, then why should it ever be changed for any other reason?

Axl: "The name does come from mine and Tracii's [Guns, current L.A. GUNS guitarist] as the original inspiration but was something I played with, not Tracii, and GUNS was GUNS before Tracii joined. It was GUNS before I knocked on Izzy's window. Earlier I had gotten Tracii to use the name GUNS (as he had mentioned a girl had called him Mr. Guns sometime) so he'd stop calling his band PERSIAN ROSE. So I guess we have the girl to thank."

Q: Axl, Why do you feel that the others (Slash, Duff) believe that they were entitled to the name since GUNS N' ROSES existed before they were in the band?

Axl: "The others having a sense of entitlement to the name isn't completely off but has more to do with how Slash dealt with things and his particular strategy and I say strategy because that's what it's been. But since I managed to hold out that didn't play out so well for him in regard to the name.

"It's a band name more than a brand name. As Tommy said regarding our struggles to make this happen, 'We're not lettin' what took so much blood and heart get turned to shit and dust.' And I guess you could apply that to current former or whatever."

Q: What were Slash's arguments for keeping GN'R name?

Axl: "Slash never had ANY arguments for keeping the name until long after and again I feel that had a lot to do with seedy biz types and him feeling he had to save face."

Q: Do you regret keeping the name?

Axl: "Keeping the band name alive was very important. Not out of ego and I don't know exactly why in the sense of putting into words, but I think it has something to do with the global effect it has and how GUNS surviving in some way is sometimes inspiring to others around the world and in that there's a sense of obligation.

"I don't regret keeping the name though I wish more were supportive or at least not as aggressively opposed."

Q: Can you detail any of the legal battles, if any, surrounding the name GUNS N' ROSES following the break up of the original band?

Axl: "The details are that my attorney shit when I made the move. He was very against it fearing long litigation but even then no one talked about brand names or individual interests in a brand name. I look back and have no idea why. Not my people, not his people, no one. No one pressured me, everyone was afraid and no one including myself wanted to break up GUNS or the relationship.

"We can 'chat' about the contract and the reasoning another time.

"The battles were during the breakup. Our people and my individual legal basically forced me to go through the motions with everything I had to make things work for over two years in the sense that if they felt I wasn't making every effort 110% and with all the sincerity and all above board I wouldn't have their support which I wanted, couldn't afford to lose or risk losing. Which led to the trial period where Slash played the key bits of 'Fall to Pieces' but once I showed some interest that was over."

Q: Making Duff and Slash sign the name GUNS N' ROSES over to you had very little to do with musical differences/ preferences. Anyone who reads Slash's book carefully can understand the kind of reckless lives they had been leading and that they were too fucked up and on the verge of an O.D. on daily basis to be entitled to make and kind of decision and there was no use in trying to fight against it and forcing them to clean up because you ended up being the bad guy real quick "not allowing them to have a bit of fun." In other words, only drunk/drugged people can put up with drunk/drugged people and the way things were, they were going to ruin it for everbody and now that they are finally sober they feel they were ripped off even though many people warned them their actions would have serious consequences and they chose not to listen at the time.

Axl: "I get the part about reckless but it was more about strategy and underestimating how long I would stick with it."

Q: Axl, you don't need to use that name to be recognized. You're Axl Rose! People know who you are.

Axl: "As far as people knowing me, this is a statement that in light of others decisions that I chose to pursue as GUNS N' ROSES and what some may feel is a different this or that may seem as if the arguments or disagreements are about the band or the style of music such as blues or influences on earlier GUNS has some relevance but, in my opinion, points more to deeper base elements I wanted to put forth for people in general. Such as a more positive intent and instead of as self-destructive, more of healing. There's all kinds of things to help you die or be more negative. I wanted to try and make as powerful a hard rock album as we could while incorporating beauty and an openness to other forms both traditional and more recent without going religious etc. I didn't attempt to make a party record or dance record, both elements consciously in 'Appetite'. I wasn't trying to purposefully appeal to the heartland or middle America in those ways (not that I was trying to avoid them or have an issue). But for example, 'Sweet Child' wasn't in any way trying to write a 'hit' mainstream song it was trying to write the best GUNS N' ROSES LYNYRD SKYNYRD-influenced song we could as tribute and recognition in the tradition of 'Tuesdays Gone With the Wind' or 'Simple Man', etc,, and at a time when nothing could have seemed more unpopular."

Q: You stated in several interviews in the past that you couldn't see yourself playing with other people and still see it as GUNS N' ROSES. What made you change your mind and do you think you would have kept the name if you and the former members broke up on better terms with each other?

Axl: "One man forced me to work with others. One man forced me to work with others to survive. And I can't say what would have happened on different terms. I say yes because it was agreed from day one. You have to realize we were on the street. It wasn't the first band. Whoever thought of the name kept the name unless he gave it up or moved on. Everyone was always having a new version of whatever their band name was. I wouldn't have thought of using L.A. GUNS or any of Slash's band names. We all knew that we could break up the next week. You had to have that stuff somewhat sorted between each other going in. It was a deal that we made. The issue becomes the value or perceived value now and the fans attachment and or acceptance. Really weren't things we consciously considered even during the breakup."

Q: Axl, what in your mind does GUNS N' ROSES represent? Do you feel that it is a vision?

Axl: "I don't exactly know what GUNS N' ROSES is, but I know it's my job in the sense of an obligation and I'm good with that."

Q: Do you feel that if you hadn't have insisted on having full rights to the name would the band still be in its original lineup today?

Axl: "The name and rights have nothing to do with the breakup. That's all a created fa?ade a decoy and a smoke screen. Now had what Slash said actually transpired then I'd say of course but in reality, no."

Q: GUNS 'N ROSES? best name ever with a double meaning to me. What was #2 on the list when choosing the band's name?

Axl: "Going into GUNS, there wasn't a #2. At that time I was going to make it in a band that started as GUNS N' ROSES and could evolve but that was the starting point and it was all the way or bust. I knew what I wanted when I knocked on Izzy's window. I also knew I wanted Slash but we still had differences and Izzy wasn't down with it."

Q: Were you in, any way, legally obligated to carry on with the name GUNS N' ROSES? To keep your (current, at the time) record contract etc.

Axl: "I wasn't legally obligated but we probably would have gotten dropped and I would have been driven into bankruptcy."

Q: GUNS N' ROSES ? the name contains symbols of aggression/defense and selfless submission/tribute. Does the name mean anything symbolically to you outside its literal, namesake derivation? Have the name's deeper synonyms, eg. the most dangerous band in the world, had any impact on your decision to keep it, or have you just retained it for its legendary status and ease of identification?

Axl: "I don't think about the dangerous bit or status or identification. I've always thought of the symbolism since thinking of the two words together. And in that I absolutely feel this is a GUNS N' ROSES record."

Q: Do what people (some of the fans, ex-members of the band, etc.) think about the ownership of the band name really matter? I think my question also is, will you please tell us why this is the most important/first question you are approaching? Is it because you think that this is what most riles the fans or this is the most pressing issue?

Axl: "It's an issue that gets brought up a lot, especially in the media at all levels, and it gets really ugly. It's ugly right now with DJs across the country who feel they're sticking up for something that they bought into unaware. So I wanted to start going at it a bit."

Q: Axl, some critics have argued that "Chinese Democracy" would have sold better and had better reviews if you had released it as a solo project. What is your take on this?

Axl: "Most critics have higher opinions of theirs than is merited. I haven't read much from outside sources in the media regarding my world that know much of anything let alone what would be in my best interest other than looking at events in hindsight and playing armchair music mogul. Which most times means nothing and though could seem logical is usually just as far off base as anything else they've said."

Q: Do you think that it is right to continue a band's name despite having little-to-no connection with previous incarnations of the band, both in the music written and with the musicians in the band?

Axl: "The heart and commitment these guys play the material with is much more than the others were prepared to give pursuing their own interests for a very long time. The music changed after Slash and I parted so the direction was where I took GUNS not where I had intended or tried to go previously. It had a lot to do with not finding or knowing a more blues based player that I found inspiring and I was really knocked down and beat up. Slash, Duff and Matt's [Sorum] decisions had as much to do with kicking a guy when he's down or abandoning ship at the time as anything else. Other things were going on with music as well, we were basically dead at Geffen. I liked other things as well so I wanted to explore, be legitimate and survive. I wasn't doing what was written so often about chasing fads etc. Jesus, I wouldn't have agreed for Zakk [Wylde] to come down if any of Slash's or the media's nonsense were real. And that could've worked on some level but like GUNS it would've been up to those two and their relationship. They talk nice but it wasn't pretty? but it was pretty awesome!!"

Q: For further releases will you stick with the name GUNS N' ROSES?

Axl: "No plans not to be GUNS for the future."

Q: If this is a GUNS N' ROSES album, what kind of music would be on an Axl Rose solo album?

Axl: "Solo efforts? Much more experimental and instrumental."

Q: Since you own the name, does it bother you at all when you see or hear things like "Slash of GUNS N' ROSES" and that he's still well recognized as one of the faces of the band?

Axl: "It doesn't bother me unless it's being done at my expense and or to keep him associated as in Guitar Hero. Him being [in] Guitar Hero's fine but not when Activison is using 'Jungle', having Yahoo! use 'Sweet Child' unauthorized, claims no involvement with Slash, his or anyone's image or VR or anyone or anyone's music in either camp in promotion or commercials etc. I wasn't broadsided. I read about it as it moved along but Activision continually denied it right up to the release. That's some lowlife chicanery on all their parts.

"Yes, Slash was in GUNS and on 'Jungle' (and the whole 'I came to him for his riff' is as much crap as him saying he brought 'Locomotive' and 'Coma' in as complete songs) and he has rights to perform it but not to be represented in this context in association with GUNS. And since they weren't granted the license, it'll take some sorting."

Q: Does Geffen or Universal have any rights over the name, or is it soley yours? For example they released the "Greatest Hits" under the GN'R name, so I was a bit confused over exactly how much the name belongs to the label, if at all.

Axl: "Universal has GUNS under contract but I own the name."

Q: How do/did you feel about VELVET REVOLVER playing GN'R songs live? Did you worry about them mucking up the songs or decreasing their value by playing them? Are you glad the former members still play those songs so regularly on stage? I seen SLASH'S SNAKEPIT live in July 1995 and they started playing instrumental "Paradise City" for the first two minutes before Slash stopped it by jokingly saying something like, "We better stop so we don't get sued!"

Axl: "I don't have problems with whoever doing the songs but film or video gets into sync rights and I don't have an interest in anyone new, old or whatever trying to sell themselves as GN'R under another name that way."

Q: Do you think they keep suing you over it time and again because as well as Steven they think you and the name GN'R hold the keys to their happiness or is it just about money?

Axl: "It's my understanding the lawyers were scammed like the everyone else so for them to continually try and find a way to reverse things is normal and would seem appropriate but again it NEVER happened.

"Thanks everyone. Hope to get back soon. I'll take a look at that list. As long as we don't get to personal or offensive, I'm good with things. Thanks for all the questions, my apologies for not answering specifically to each, this was just a bit easier for this subject. Hope no one took wanting to stay on topic to personal. Thanks again to everyone who participated. Thanks to everyone for the great comments and appreciation."

And there it is :   This is what a lot of people don't realize has happened , and had happened right before their eyes. Up untill this point we HAD only received one side of the story - the usual " Axl is crazy , so Axl is to blame" stuff. Even if someone were to take Axl's side with a grain of salt, how can you deny that some light has been shed and it's possible that people were kinda force fed one version and one version only.

Either way, nice post

I don't know if this was posted (from mygnr):


probably was already posted, but some need to read it again and again and again and again...

Woww, good letter from Axl, very amazing

Personally I think the truth lies with Axl.  He articulates the exact circumstances of some of these situations very clearly and his rationale to clearly to not believe otherwise.  Kind of makes you wonder what the stick was doing soo far up Slash's ass where he wouldn't let Axl work with what became It's 5 Oclock?

I'm posting this just for my own enjoyment. Sorry if it bothers someone. I'm just having a lightsaber duel fantasy  8)

-Slash: The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but the lerner. Now I'm the master
-Axl: You're just a master of evil Slash.

I think that was Axl is doing is so great.  I mean, we've been hoping for something like this, getting answers to our questions... and what a way of doing it.
It feels great to finally have Axl's version of things.  And he is the one who decided on the subject so that's even better! 

Thanks Axl!

Evita

a really amazing letter from axl. if i haven't misunderstood, he couldn't speak before cause legal stuff.

interesting the part where he says until slash was in GnR, axl would have wanted a sound "hard & gnr " (like old, i suppose). however, the words of axl seems to me convincing. i could say "now i wait the slash's answer" bla bla bla, but i don't really care.
and after that, i honestly say i don't give a shit of this "old" and boring stuff. axl says his and i'm satisfied. my interest now is only to Guns N Roses, Chinese, tour and the future. thanks a lot to axl for explaining some dark points, but as he said. he is happy to tour with the guys of now, and i'm happy to listen that. GnR isn't a solo project. Gnr is a band, i believe in his words. now i just want  chindem and hope to see the GnR in tour. and about reunion... why reunion? for what? axl doesn't want. he was the only one who fought for GnR. "last man standing", his words. he didn't left the boat. i'm proud having always been a fan of him.  he told clarly he never thought about RRHOF: it doesn't worth or something, and i'm ok with this.

axl was very clear in many ways, he said what he couldn't in many years. he has done this for fans only, logging in a forum as a member and posting his words by a computer. for me the whole thing is amazing. unexpected. and, most of all. he left the bag by himself.

thank you axl, really thanks.

and as i like to say: don't you try to stop you now  :hihi:
Marco

Sounds like a potential basis for some lyrics there... :yes:. 

Awsome article, really learnt a lot from this. THX Axl

No, I don't agree.

I think some people would rather not say a word than to lie.

Others are just trying to please everybody so they'll say whatever they think the rest wants to hear. Or be selfish and say whatever will help them get what they want.



/jarmo

Yeah but he clearly says "two people guilty" so your retort didn't really make sense. He's saying both people probably made mistakes. One of them being Slash.

more like slash lies, axl doesn't.

Umm, ok.

I don't agree with this statement:


Happy now?



/jarmo

bah

honestly from what i've heard since i joined this board, slash seems to have some cluster B personal disorder. borderline or narcissus. guess I was right.

i don't undestand, why axl couldn't speak in this years for legal stuff (i've understood that, correct me if i read bad), but the other ones did?

The only thing I can think of is Axl owns the name and most everything GNR aside from the ex members likeness.     

   So maybe they have less to lose if they keep talking than Axl does if he had said anything they could use against him. 

A lot of things to think about it. In the end there's no heroes and villains, everybody did something wrong at some time.

What we can take for granted is that a reunion is almost impossible...

nd now you know who are the true villains thanks to axl

According to him. Just like you shouldn't take Slash's story as gospel, neither should you take Axl's..

Like some have said-the middle ground is probably where the truth lies.

only to those who don't want to read:

I have to agree.  This whole nonsense about there being a middle ground is just wishful thinking.  There is plenty of evidence outside of what Axl has said that Slash lies, and it seems to be a good part of his career now.  And now Axl has shown the real depth of Slash's lies.  All logical conclusions lead to Axl being in the right, and Slash being in the wrong.  No middle ground as far as I can see....

So Axl claims. Again its his word over another. Anyway I'm not getting into this.

Him using the name doesn't bother me these days.

Well, that's a load off everyone's minds.

Nice to see you care Adz.  8)

ya, ya, ya... whatever...

    That's a pretty bold statement by Axl and I don't think he'd make it if he didn't truthfully have the means to back up what he has said.   

     I'm leaning towards Axl on this one and if there is any middle ground at all it's very very slim.

unless Axl has a way of recording what was going on in slash's brain when he said my world was perfect he can't back up every line.

i do believe 90% of it to be fact, but opinions on someone else's thoughts cannot be factual.

I was without internet the whole weekend. And now in my job I begin to read that Axl speak. I only want to share my emotion. Everything I have read today from Axl is amazing. Of course I have not worked today, I will be delay in all my projects but I don?t care. I want to say Thank you to Axl for the wonderful CD and now for telling us the truth about many things. Every day, I admire Axl more and more like an amazing musician but more important like and amazing human being.

What the fuck? That's the most pointless argument I've ever heard! Going by that logic, nothing in the whole world, ever, can be backed up! FUCK, it's not about what went on in slash's drugged down brain at the time he said it, the point is he said it and Axl is reporting that as a fact!

Think Michael Jackson vs. that kid he supposedly touched.  Did the kid have anything to lose?  Please do not read anything into my example (about touching, etc), other than what I am trying to say...Axl held all the cards - he owned the band...the rest that were attacking him couldn't lose anything by doing so - on the other hand, if they were to drag him into a public fight, a jury (if it made it that far) would probably have some pretty bad feelings for Axl - and ANY related statements he made could be dragged into a civil suit.

I feel for the guy...I hope he is 'free' finally...I would rather have him find happiness/peace than ever write another emotional/painful song again...of course I would selfishly prefer if he was able to do both.   :peace: 

So Slash has admitted saying my world was perfect so axl would take a backlash?

No he hasn't. That is Axl's opinion on what Slash was thinking, he cannot know for sure, and yet you think Axl can back up his opinion on what Slash thought?

Like I said I believe 90% of it, but something that was never said out loud? Something of which there can be no proof? yet obviously Axl knows what Slash is thinking and he must be right, he couldn't possibly be wrong with his opinion. Hell maybe Slash actually did like it?

These are Axl's own words on the subject, which he himself said he can back up every last bit of:

I wanted to try and develop it and wanted guitars of some kind but Slash felt and his words at the Record Plant in all seriousness were ?It?s perfect? and Slash and Duff were the deciding factor to have it on the album.

Sorry to disappoint you.

this is my last take on this... things are never black and white... it has been difficult for sure. Axl has chosen the path of not speaking, not speaking, not speaking and than finally speaking and telling the facts. it is like when You have fight with Your girl/boyfriend... wife... mother... daugther... and at that moment you say things you really don't mean. it is like explosion and usually you are sorry afterwards... or you see that it works good in media and you feel better about yourself and stick to the story. still you are better off to sleep over it and feel better about yourself because you didn't react.

not getting to deep in karma and live and let die shit, but Axl has wisely chosen the path of letting everyone say what they wanted, he didn't comment on the shit and didn't react 'emotinally' and 'brainless'... now he has decided to speak and wow, boy... as someone (I think Dell) once said... some will be hurt... but still Axl didn't speak out of his ass like Slash, Duff, Steven or Matt did...

wise, calm and intelligent... only shows how much further he got on the game called life.

how about use the full quote....

Personally I feel Duff legitimately liked it but I can?t say Slash did in the same way. In fact I feel he was keenly aware some would take issue with the track and against me so for him in that sense it was ?perfect?.  Imo Duff wasn?t aware or part of that and was ?used? unwittingly for support in talking me out of developing it or not including it which at the time I had no real intention of using as is.

it's easy to paraphrase and twist words to make a point isn't it? not so easy when the entire text is freely available for anyone to go and pull the full quote though...

What does that possibly change? Axl still said Slash spesifically said it's perfect.

For the record I haven't paraphrased one goddamn thing, those were Axl's exact words so it's pretty clear Slash thought the song was perfect and wanted it on the album.

Just wanna say a short thank you to Axl for doing this. It's what we've been thirsting for...forever. It clears up a lot, fills in the blanks and gives us a much better view on things. And it's still only the tip of an ice berg no one here can see the ending of. Only Axl will do and I do not require him to write all that!

I haven't bothered with any questions as the rest of these "male groupies"  :hihi: :hihi: have done more than enough asking questions. Some of them were amazing, some were bad and some downright embaressing!

Thank you to Axl Rose for coming and doing this. He did it the right way, at the right time and at the right place(s)

Alan,

this would be full quote without You twisting it and quoting from another paragraph than other poster did:


love,

velimir

lol @ Alan for deleting his post where he apologized to me for not reading the whole post

No need to twist anything.

Your hero Slash has proven himself to be very unreliable.

Stories change to whatever fits his needs.

When he's caught lying, he just laughs about it like it's no big deal.





/jarmo

he posted the first part of the response, i finished the quote off.... completing a quote is hardly twisting it is it?

@ the shackler my point is Axl is guessing at what slash thought. but people are taking it as a 100% certainty that he thought that.

-------------

@ Jarmo if you bothered reading back i said i believe 90% of what Axl said, basicly everything which could be backed up.

Whether i like someone's music or not has nothing to do with what i think of them as a person. Yeah Slash is full of shit, and I'm sure he was hell to try and work with when he was fucked up on drugs.

But tell me unless Axl is a mind reader how could he KNOW what Slash was thinking. People are treating guess work as fact. it's stupid.

my part of Axl's quote was the only relevant one for christ's sake! That's where Axl specifically stated that Slash had said it was perfect!
I know, it can't be easy when you find out your hero is a liar, I don't blame you...

 :-X

lmao, excactly...

Well consider Slash always says now that he hated it and never knew it was going to be on the album, yeah I think his intention was to get people to bash Axl for it. If he legitimately didn't like it or didn't know about it, then why tell Axl that he thought the song was perfect and that it should be on the album?

Because he likes to manipulate the media. Maybe he did like it saw the backlash and jumped on the bandwagon.

considering how many people here think he's full of shit is it that hard to believe?

Is that not what Axl is saying? Axl said Slash said that stuff to in the end make Axl out to be the bad guy. Which is what he has been doing all these years. So why the hell are you arguing about it?

Alan deleting his posts where he apologized to me and Slash denying going to Axl's house drunk in the middle of the night... Do I see a pattern of behaviour here?

i apologised because i misread someone else's post. the first part(bodycount comment) had no relevence.

however i do think at the end of the day we believe the same things

1. Slash is full of shit and is very manipulative.

2. Axl's versions of events are much much closer to reality than Slash's.


----------

the one thing we don't seem to agree on is that someone can read minds....

Stop backtracking, you said you apologized to The Shackler because of not reading the whole thing, but whatever.
The point is that Slash has been a known liar and Axl seems very interested in backing up his stories with facts and hasn't given us any reason not to believe what he says.

I wonder where Axl tried to read Slash's mind? As far as I can see, he has an excact quote from Slash.

Alan this is pointless, really...


So lets go back to mind reading... ups, I ment facts...

I think what he meant by knowing what Slash was thinking is looking back after all these years and seeing what Slash has said since then, he can tell what was going on in Slash's mind at the time. I think your taking what he said much to literally.

yes i apologised to you(any reason you refer to yourself in the 3rd person) but, i misread the post that led me to do it.

he has a quote from Slash, then he offers his opinion on what devious manipulative plan may have been going on in Slash's mind when he said it.

mind reading was just to try and make a point more obvious, you missed it.

--------

and backtracking is going back and changing what you say, i said straight away i believe the vast majority of what was said.


-----

chineseblues i see your point and appreciate it, if other people had made simple comments like that this wouldn't have gone on so long.

I have to get this out - sorry for rant...for anyone who feels the need to follow Slash and pick up all his droppings and put them in a zip-lock bag underneath their pillow, etc...if you were able to erase all the BS you have absorbed over the years, and come in with a fresh mind - watch the early Axl/Slash interviews, and read Slashs own book, it is pretty clear that he was a junkie mess, with an overblown ego (his claim that he was 'more than half of the GnR sound', or something to that effect), who cared only about himself (dead 'friends', broken rehab stints), and who happens to be a great guitar player...now FF to yesterday - everything Axl said fits nicely into that puzzle.

You are your own jury, go whichever way intelligent thought drives you...it is pretty clear to me that we lost 15 years (needlessly) to Slash/lawsuits/etc.  I hope everyone can move on now, and not waste another minute on it - unfortunately I know that won't/can't happen - and Axl will need to address this issue a hundred times over again in the media...and we will continue to beat each other up over it here I guess.  Maybe someday Slash will stop this insanity by making an honest, heartfelt PUBLIC appology, rather than showing up on someones doorstep at 5am to do it - and then being caught in lies trying to deny it...I would expect Osama Bin Laden to turn himself in and give all his assets to the 9/11 fund right before that happens.   :peace:

I meant backtracking in regards to the apology. That said, there's no attempt at mindreading anywhere. Axl backed up what he said about Slash with a specific quote, not an assumption. What was your point again?

I don't know how you can even argue about this, the full quote is available for all to see, as you put it.

i would like to say a big thankyou to Dexter for doin' all this work for the fans...............
but i can't understand why so many fans are arguing with each other about 'Axl said this' or 'Axl said that'..... or the fans that are disecting it bit by bit and trying to twist it a little to make different answers.
Axl has been quiet and kept out of the back biting and bitching for all this time and people are still not fucking happy!!!!  :rant: :rant:  WHY?

Leave me out of that category, I couldn't be happier.
Ask Alan, he was the one that tried to twist the words, I pointed to exactly what the words were.

You guys are funny.

Great to hear Axls side of the story...

I believe you man... 8)

Wow he answered my queston!    :beer:

Oh my God....it's obviously a joke!!   ::)

I want to see the rehearsal video Axl talked about. Damn, I almost hate that Axl threw that out there because we know there s a gem of a moment that we won't be seeing. And that sucks.

I have not been able to get much done at work these last few days, but what the hell it's rock history :hihi:

Finally! Hell Yes!

Axl: Your'e true inspiration :peace:

Now let's get the other members on here!

C´ommon Robin! Even if you are not on the next tour, stop by and share your experience of being involved in making this masterpiece! Even if you are on tour with NIN or so, bring out the lap top and tell us about your amazing solo on TIL, would love to hear your story.

And that goes for all of the rest of the tribe; Bucket, Bumble, Tommy, Dizzy, Chris, Richard, Brain, Frank and last but not least Paul.
You are all awsome so much great work. Come here and take a bow!

+1


I agree

I was, but I?m just to fucking slow to catch him. Now the guy is not only a meticulous genius but fast also!  :rofl:

I?ve already left my questions on the thread: future Q&A with Axl. I don?t know if it is a smart question or if someone else could be interested in it, but it?s interesting to me, and I?m not hurting anybody?s feelings with it.
I was told by a moderator (not in this forum), that my question could be a little too personal for Axl (I don?t think it?s personal at all) , and then it wouldn?t be included on the thread. I said OK! I respected it but didn?t agree.
The only stupid question is the one you don?t ask ?cause you?re afraid of the response/reaction! Of course, there are ways and ways to ask questions. Sometimes that's what make someone get upset or feel uncomfortable, not the question itself.

I do understand what you mean; I personally found a little annoying to hear people asking about the next record. After 15 years of agony, I think I could listen to Chinese Democracy for the next 5 years without complaining!  I have just begun my journey with this album.  But that just me?.Maybe as I said before. I?m too fucking slow? ;)

Jarmo,

You should let Slash sign up to Here Today Gone To Hell... then, Axl and him can have the ultimate internet flame war and settle things once and for all. :hihi:


P.S- This is great stuff, I always felt the name "Guns N Roses" stood for something, and I always viewed "Guns N Roses" as a home, that Axl and the past members built, but when the other members left.. or gave up, that doesn't mean that Axl can't go on living in the home.. and can't invite anyone new inside to help keep it up.... :peace:

No thanks.

First, I just want to say, I think it's incredibly cool to see Axl posting on the boards and interacting with the fans! ;D
As a fan who has from time to time expressed frustration with the whole long road to Chinese Democracy, it's nice to finally get his side of things. Honestly, I feel that a lot of his side of things came out on the album, but these detailed posts he's made have been incredible for us!

Now on the the next topic. Through the years, the only redeeming thing about me on these forums is my name. It's the only thing I've ever got feedback on. Anyway, it's time to explain it.

In one of Axl's posts, he talked about being the last man standing. To me, that's always the way I've seen it. Now, I love Slash's guitar work, but I've never liked the way he's whored himself out since his GNR days to about anything. And the way he's blamed Axl for things through the years. I know there are two sides to every story. Slash has always been a, ahem, guitar hero, but his public persona has been kinda bore-like when it comes to Axl. Bores are wild pigs, pork comes from pigs ... so does bacon.

So, the origin of my user name here is in reference to Slash kinda acting like a swine from time to time. Axl deserves to use the name GNR, and will always be its defining voice.  GNR got me through some really tough and lonely times as a kid, and I'm glad that someone still cares enough to keep it alive.


Anyway, thanks to Jarmo for this site as well. I know we've bumped heads, but we've always been on the same team.

lol thanks for finally clearing up your username, i always thought it was a reference to snake pit and it used to annoy me that you took that shit here ;D I like you alot better now! :hihi:

thanks for the interview


can anyone explain me the thing about My world, i dont know what happen back then, ehat happened? they got critizised by it?

Many people have gotten tremendous amounts of joy out of your username.

Why? it realy makes so sense. just seems like 3 words strung together.


That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. He was keeping himself buzy since he had no solid band to cling to. untill he formed VR.
really, what did Axl do in 15 years since GN'R? oh, tha't right Nothing. .......until now.

You make me laugh too.

Dance for me, clown.

To quote Big Joe from Reservoir Dogs, "What'd be the point?  It'd only be more bullshit"

what an ignorant thing to say.   

go listen to your snakepit albums in the ex-members section.

I guess in a way it kind of is a reference to that. An unkind reference.

It's so refreshing to hear Axl's side of things. It's nice to finally hear the truth.

According to rumours and stuff that's been said by Sebastian Bach, Brian May and many more Axl must have 40-50 songs finished, all better than anything VR ever could put out. Axl's stuff will get out they're some day, there's no hurry :beer:

That's what Axl's been doing, instead of selling out like some other oldgnr members.
If you don't call what Slash has been doing the last decade "whoring" himself out you dont know shit.

I'd rather have 3 great albums than 20 average ones. And I'm pretty damn sure we'll hear more amazing music from Guns in the future

since GNR? axls been occupied with the very gnr.  You must mean what did ex members do since gnr.

quality over quantity I always say

Axl's so cool, cant believe he takes the time to hang out with the fans likes us on the internet!

Very interesting read too, and I kinda get the feeling axl has more credibility than slash.

It's no secret Axl has been very internet aware since Rio in 2001. I am pleased that he is telling it like it is. His version of the truth certainly seems more credible to me than the stories we have been spun.. they didn't sound quite right to me.

Just giving my two cents here on a few things I've been thinking since reading Axl's replies and the feedback it has generated

About the GNR name: I totally understand Axl using the name after all other original members have left. You know, I have a band, I started it, and I would sure as hell not change the name if our lineup changed. Bands are like that usually, people come and go and the person who started the band can continue or not continue to use the name, any which way he/she feels is appropriate.

Also, usually there is a leader in the band, and it's good to have one because otherwise the music and other things going around it can get unfocused. A band, any band needs someone who has the vision, or sees the big picture. The old GNR was just like any other band internally, only on a bigger scale than usual. If you have ever been in a band I think you will get what I'm trying to say.

I think it was great that Axl did what he did with the post(s), and I'm looking forward to hearing more about his points of view.

http://web.gunsnroses.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=a1&vkey=news&fext=.jsp

AXL GETS VOCAL, ANSWERS QUESTIONS

In a rolling, voluminous, open letter to the fans, frontman Axl Rose has put together an almost encyclopaedic list of answers to all sorts of questions relating to the band (past and present), himself, the history and the business. If you have a question, chances are it is answered here, from Axl himself!

Am I the only one who wonders who's posting this fan forum stuff on GNR.com? I mean, if Axl wanted it on the Guns website, wouldn't he have posted it there himself? Seems odd.

If he didn't want it on there it would not be there.

Here in new york WPIX channel 11 has been running a commercial for their website that says to go there to see Axl Rose's message to his fans, and it flashes a pic of him.

http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=163494&feedID=1335 (http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=163494&feedID=1335)

He wanted the fans involved in the writing of the letter, it's on gunsnroses.com purely for information. Get it? I applaud the way he did it.

Does anyone know when he will come back online? :hihi:

I appreciate Axl FINALLY coming out and responding to some of our questions we have speculated or at least never heard his side. I think it was about time to clear the air and I hope he continues to do so. I think this has to be theraputic in some fashion for him to get these things off his chest. I think he will at least have more people sympathetic to his version on these forums especially since he is volunteering the information rather than being given the third degree by some journalist. THANK YOU Axl.

With that said... I believe his response indicates that he is obviously still pissed off at Slash and Duff for speaking to the media and suing for the GNR name rights. A couple of things here. If you look at things objectively. I do not favor Axl or Slash in what happened to GNR because I think they both share the blame to some extent.

It is pretty obvious Duff and Slash would try to sue for the GNR name rights. I mean put yourselves in their shoes. Who would not have done what they did considering what happened. If Slash and Duff would have gotten Axl to sign off on the name and and kicked him out, and kept the name this would have been equally as bad.

These guys are not Gilby and Matt or Bucket and Robin. Axl can say he wanted to keep the name because he was the one that came up with it, but come on... we all know the GNR name in and of itself is a multi million dollar corporation which has generated millions and will continue to do so for years to come. If that was his concern he should have also included Hollywood Rose and Rose in that clause. Obviously he didn't because those names are not worth anything.

Slash and Duff were stupid for signing over the rights to the GNR name plain and simple. Axl was pretty sharp by including that clause in the contract. The problem is... Axl is trying to say that he only wanted  to keep the GNR name because he came up with the name and because he did not want to give up on GNR unlike the former members who split and it was not about the money at all. Really? BULLSHIT!

AXL ROSE is an EXTREMLEY SMART Buisness man. Just consider some of the deals he has been able to generate throughout the last few years that we know of. First he was able to manage to get a record label to flip the bill for 13 years for him to make an album. When was the last time you heard of a label in this day and age do anything like this for any artist? NEVER! This album cost over $13 million and that is probably on the low end! For 13 years Axl Rose sat in the studio running up a tab getting paid while not generating one penny for the label for CD. I still don't know what deal he had but that must have been some contract his attorney drafted because I still amazed to this day how he pulled that one off!

Then he was able to get Slash and Duff to sign over the rights to the name probably because those guys were high and drunk most of the time during that period and did not give a shit about their live's let alone the name of their band until it was too late (Shame on Slash and Duff). Then he was able to sell the publishing rights to the GNR catalog for millions of dollars. He also managed to hire Irving Azroff and the other guy and to get an exclusive deal with Best Buy which probably paid back the record label for the past 13 years and still made some money or at least broke even where he would not have to pay the label back anything. He was able to get GNR songs on several films and even on Grand Thefy Auto and Rock Band II.

These are some of the deals we are aware of. So Axl Rose is not stupid and actually does care about MONEY! If he did not care about money why put WTTJ on a video game? Because MONEY Talks and pays for his Malibu Mansion and Ferrari's.  Therefore, how can he expect for Slash and Duff not to litigate the fact that they were part of the PRINCIPALS of the GNR corporation that generated millions and will continue to generate millions for years to come. Seriously! Slash and Duff would be even more stupid if they would have let this go.

Axl rose should know that Slash & Duff's decision to litigate is business not personal.  So I do not understand why he is surprised or shocked that they would sue. Besides Slash and Duff's argument is not that Axl Rose is not GNR, but that they are also GNR or entitled to the name GNR and that they are entitled to some of the revenue that the name generates.

In the end Axl still has the rights so why is he still pissed off about this. Slash and Duff never even mention this anymore and have been supportive and positive about Axl with the release of CD.

There also a couple of things that I still have a hard time understanding. The whole part where he says that he let Slash play whatever he wanted. Then he said that Slash told him Fuck you sing it this way or whatever. (paraphrasing). Why would Slash want to leave GNR and not work with Axl if supposedly Axl was agreeing with what Slash wanted to record? It does not make sense. I mean I can see Slash being that way if Axl was telling him that he did not want to work on Slash's material but not the other way around.

I do believe that there was a point were Axl may have tried to compromise and Slash was kind of tired with the way shit was going and tried to call Axl's Bluff thinking he could leave and come back later without repurcussions. Unfortunately, Axl was not bluffing and being that he had the rights to the name he said fuck you... you fucked up!

After all these years I understand that Axl can be pissed off about how shit went down and the he is not going to go crawling back to Slash or Duff. Nevertheless, I think they are at a point in all their lives that they can say and Axl can say... you know what? A lot of shit went down that should not have gone down but we are family. Sometimes family has nasty fights, but lets squash this shit and be civil. Axl and Slash don't have to hang out on weekends, but why continue this annimossity that serves absolutely no purpose. I think Axl will be seen as a bigger person by his fans if he lets this shit go as opposed to continue this way where it just seems childish at this point to hold this kind of grudge.

Axl if you read this I wish you the best and much love! A big fan always... I had a falling out with 3 close friends in my life over different things, but have squashed things with all of them because I know people sometimes fuck up and do shit at times that they wish they can take back, but unfortunately there is no such thing as a time machine. I am sure Slash and Duff regret what happened... its not like they go bragging about it or saying that you are a dick. Actually they are saying you sound great and that CD is great. Let it go man YOU will be the BETTER Person (no pun intended).

Sorry for the long post... its been a while since my last and so mush has happened.




 

So you START a business that turns into a success. But you think the guy who started it shouldn't have the rights to its name just because other people were involved and it became successful?

He would only be entitled to the business' name if it didn't succeed?  :hihi:




You still try to make it sound like what your namesake has told us for years is true.





No, Slash cares about MONEY.

If you think Axl cares about money, what does that make Slash?




It's not their name.

Get over it.




 :rofl:




Slash quit thinking Axl would beg him to come back. He wanted to take over the band.

None of that happened and he has his own band to fuck around with now.




/jarmo

They started a business together all having equal rights to the GNR name. GNR became an official business with value when they got signed by Geffen. Slash and Duff had a vested intrest in the GNR name hence the reason Axl had to get them to sign away their rights to the name.



Slash does care about money and so does Axl. There is nothing wrong with that. If Axl did not care about money he would be charging 5 bucks to get into a GNR concert and give away proceeds from CD to the poor. The fact that Axl cares about money is notthing negative. So who cares?  It is just a fact just like Slash and Duff care about money.



I agree Slash probably wanted Axl to beg him to come back and that did not happened. That was Slash's bad and Axl's perogative to hold a grudge. The problem is that Slash made a mistake and Axl holds a grudge after 15 years which seems immature at his stage in life.

What does any of this have to do with Slash fucking up his band? I would not talk about fucking up bands if I were you. Who just fucked up the most anticipated album release of all time by disappearing and not doing press? People do not even know who is in GNR these days. VR debut at #1 with Contraband GNR #4 on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Do you know what a founder is?

They were all partners in the GN'R corporation, but only one of them is the founder.






No, you just don't get it.

You make a claim and for comparison's sake I asked you what it makes Slash if you think Axl cares about money.

It's like saying somebody who has $1000 is rich. But so's Donald Trump....



The whole idea that Axl cares about money is something you brought up to be negative.

It's laughable considering you're probably one of those fans who's upset that Axl goes on "late".






Oh boy.

You must really know all the details..... Oh wait, no it's called selective memory!

This isn't something that happened 15 years ago.

It's been happening ever since!





Finally you show your true colors after trying to hide it in those paragraphs.

Enough said "Hudson".

 :rofl:

Go play in the VR section....





/jarmo

They didn't start a business together, they started a band together, and one of them walked out on the band while the other stayed. Then one started whoring himself out to every artist who would take him, to quote Axl "playing with everyone from Michael Jackson to Space Ghost", while the other one didn't release a record for 15 years in order to perfect his magnum opus, yeah that's caring about money, cause you make tons of money by not releasing records. Finally when his anticipated comeback is here and everyone wants to finally know his side of the story and he could have gotten every fucking magazine cover in the business and tons of money for it, he decides to give the exclusive scoop to the fans for free. Yeah, Axl is the one that cares about money... Get a grip on reality, your hero is a sell-out.

"Follow your heart and never sell out"

-W. Axl Rose

Axl finally gave his side of things, but I don't see a need to write essays overanalyzing and questioning everything.   

This is a signal to move on..   We have all sides of the story now.   

Well said!

If Axl is truly in it for the money, he's made some horrible, horrible decisions to that end...

All his behavior leads us to the opposite conclusion; that he cares about the music, and cares about the product that he delivers to us, much more than any money.  I have to say, based on the evidence before me, I am very happy Axl retained the rights to the name, and the latest Guns N' Roses album is Chinese Democracy, and not some form of Contraband or anything else.

Wow Hudson...  Seriously? :o

Nobody says Axl doesn't care about money. As a matter of fact Axl said that if he hadn't secured the rights to the name he imagines a scenario where he would have ended up publicly destroyed and bankrupt. Axl cares about money and i'm sure you do too... but that doesn't mean it was his motivation, and i don't see any reason to think he's lying about that. Axl was the biggest rock star in the world and money was coming in hand over fist when he secured the name. With it, as he clearly pointed out, does come more money, but also more responsibility and more expectations. All of that Axl took on because he thought it was right. He cared, literally, about the name, and not what the name could do for him. For those 15 years he wasn't throwing that name around and making money off it, but he was being sued because former members wanted the right to do just that.

And as for sounding childish, again, i can't believe you'd see it that way.
It's not that he's STILL talking about this after 15 years, it's that he's just now talking about it for the first time. They don't get along, that's just how it is. It's nice that Slash and Duff say nice things about CD (though how could they not), but it was a long time ago. They've been broken up way longer than they were together, and they are certainly not "family" and shouldn't pretend that they are. Axl clearly feels he was mistreated, maybe even underappreciated, and if he wants to tell his fans what happened, i think that's cool.

Axl is one of the last rock stars that have artistic integrity and don't sell out to car commercials or reality TV or radio shows or dumb down their music. If you don't know that then you need to check your head.

I agree Axl has integrity, Shackler, but maybe you don't remember the Harley thing...

or Rock Band...

or Body of Lies...

He hasn't exactly taken an oath against a little commercialism.

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

That's different, it was a way of promotion and doing what you feel like doing and movie soundtracks is a whole another thing.

I like how this is being covered by MTV....finally clearing some stuff up.

Not really different at all.  If anything it's selective though.

i been saying this for years, after watching Slash with Paulina rubio and also the velvet revolver albums. it was obvious who had the greatest vision on GNR , and thats Axl. so im happy for him and for the band.

but appart from that i dont think its cool to be talking about the personality of slash as if we know him personally, Axl has the right because he had the problem, but speculating about what motivates slash its just that "speculation".  and an honest question to Jarmo
why do you dislike slash so much? from your posts it seems you really dont like the guy.

Remember Jarmo, Roger Waters lost the same type of case in who could use the name Pink Floyd, so it would have been interesting to see how the courts would have ruled if the former members had sued right away. That said I agree that Axl should have the right in this case to use the name Guns & Roses over Slash & Duff. However, I never dreamed in a million years that so much of the orginal fanbase of GNR (especially in the United States) would be against this version of the band and that Axl would have to spend this type of time explaining himself to his fanbase on messageboards and not be able to put this time into promoting Chinese Democracy to people outside of the diehard fans. I hope I'm wrong and sales really start to pick up, but so far this is not a good sign. I have bought a number of copies to give as holiday stocking gifts and stuff, so I personally do not want to see this happen.

FWIW, I think the sales of CD will be a steady flow rather than a Feast and Famine affair.  A year from now, I can see that the overall sales will be higher than many of the ones that hit the top spot...

A bit like get laid really, CD won't be past its best after five minutes, but mearly looking to be doing the business half the night  ;)

It was about time!!!

Wether some may like it or not, it was about time Axl would said the truth.  :peace: :beer:

It almost brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Btw thanks Fernando.  ;)

can someone please post the part when axl talked about reuniting for charity??

It doesn't say anything about reuniting....



/jarmo

Quote from: Evolution on December 12, 2008, 03:55:10 AM
I think the racetrack you're referring to was the Download 2006 gig at Donnington? Could be wrong.

Glasgow was the SECC in Scotland! You have the history with kilts and having Scottish blood, right? Haha!


My bad, was it outdoors or in? I was thinking of an out door afternoon gig not Donnington though. thought it might have been a horse track with the layout. Probably what u mistakenly refer to as football!!

The sites a little bogged down so having trouble answering much of anything.
=========================================================================

Sounds like he's mixing it up with the RDS Showgrounds in Dublin in 2006

FYI, they were all founders. If you don't know the history here, then don't comment. There was no formal partnership agreement when gnr formed (meaning, an agreement on paper). And, FYI, a company, etc can and usually does have more than one founder...

to my knowledge in the line-up when the band started there wasn't slash or duff. ???

Correct.

They joined Guns N' Roses.




/jarmo

now adman2374,  follow your own advice, will you?

IMO, You're mistaking the REAL "history" with the stories we've been falsely lead to believe were the truth.

Gypsy note for full disclosure:  In Axl's homework, the second quote I listed below was posted after the other two.

Yes, true, but there were numerous comings and goings from the band "guns n roses" for a while. Even axl left for a while. But the line-up as of June 5th, 1985 was the line-up we all know about. I think jarmo was in diapers then. Why can't you admit that slash, izz, and duff were "founding members?" Tracii Guns was a founding member also, but he left. So what!@#? What the big deal? I know Jarmo wants to come off as the man here, but give me a break..

How could you found a band when you weren't there when the band started and before?

Because they weren't "Founding" members! Do you know the meaning of the word? Are you THAT dense? Christ man...you give US a break!

pssssstttt .... read what I posted right above what you just posted  :-X

True when people say like founding members they mean the members that were there and made the songs 4 Appitite and Lies

jarmo - what is your source for this? did slash state this specifically? were other people aware of this, or is this just someone's speculation on slash's motives?

thanks!

anyway, Slash quit. he should have listened to Keith Richards. people can argue that Axl shouldn't have the name or use the name. but he does have the name, legally, and he can use the name all he wants. i really don't understand why this makes people so angry.  

if someone's own view of "gnr" requires slash to be a part of it, than just move on and don't buy the album.

We're going to spend of our lives debating semantics...

It was GNR before Slash and Duff joined. It was GNR after Slash and Duff left. End of. Nobody has the right to tell Axl that he - and thus, we - have to give up a name, songs and artistic entity we love because it doesn't fit with what some people think their perceptions of reality are. There is only one reality : the one we make for ourselves, and I think Axl and his vision of GNR deserve the respect to be that entity.  I've seen it my own life : people get furious when they feel I am not doing what they want me to do. What are they or anyone else to tell people what they should do and what lifechoices they should make - as long as they are legal and are not destructive to the lives and health of others? people don't have to like it. But if Axl did what the majority wanted, he'd be shackled to Slash forever, churning out an album every few years and touring everywhere all the time. And none of those albums would be as good as "Chinese Democracy". 

There will always be people who think that as soon as guitarist x or bassist y leave a band, the band stops existing. This is nonsense. A band is an artistic entity, often authored by one individuals vision and one individuals choice of colloborators. Think of it like a democracy : every democracy has to have its Prime Minister and Axl is President of GNR, and the rest of the band are on the board. Any entity without a leader gets lost. GNR now is a band - it may not be the band it was in 1992 - but it is a band now, and as much a band as it was then, if not more, in every way. Cling to the past if you like, but don't try to deny those of us who are trying to embrace the future : we're spending the rest of our lives there.

Which is basically what Marc Canter said earlier this year:






/jarmo

ok. this is total speculation though. what axl thinks and cantor thinks do not make this "fact." therefore, i don't think we should make asusmptions.

i believe axl's story, but anytime anyone makes assumptions as to what someone else was thinking, you have to take it with a grain of salt.

for example, Axl believes Slash lied and said "my world" is perfect just to make Axl look bad. Axl believes that, but it doesn't make it true. quite frankly, i'm not sure slash was clever enough to think so far ahead.

To quote Warner Wolf ... "LET'S GO TO THE VIDEOTAPE!!!" 

the part you bolded proves that there was no change in musical direction by Axl. and although i will never hear the tapes, i believe him.

the assumption with no proof is that Slash wanted to "take over the band." all we have are people's opinions of Slash's motives.

i'm not necessarily saying it isn't true, but when i'm passing this information on to friends, i can't state that as an absolute truth. whereas i HAVE passed along the word that slash lied about being forced to sign a contract before a show.

Well it is a fact as Axl said so, and it has been confirmed by the famous mind reader Mike Cantor. Why should Axl assume anything that wasn't 100% right, we know that Axl has never read too much into anything or misinterpreted anyone's insinuations, he has always been on good terms with with everybody in through his whole life. He was just very unfortunate to meet that snake who has been conspiring and constantly plotting to undermine Axl's position in Guns N' Roses since 1988, even earlier. And when St. Axl started to hire and fire band members without the Snake's knowledge nor acceptance, the Snake acted quickly to put his grand plan into full action.

It is so obvious to everyone that it was all Slash fault, Axl was just the unfortunate pray in Slash' vicious scheme.

I do not have it confirmed yet, but I am pretty sure that it was Slash pulling the strings when Axl added Paul to the band without anyone else in the band knowing about it - just to make Axl look bad. It just seems so typical Slash, always working behind the scenes.

Why can't you get it into your head that Axl is always right and his version of the past and his perceptions of what goes on in other people's mind should not be doubted by anyone on this board.

Very funny.


It must be tough when everything you believed in for years turns out to be bullshit.





/jarmo

Hey Everyone. I just joined HTGTH but have been reading it for years! It was great to read what Axl wrote. Word is out that he posted here and MYGNR.  I just saw on my local radio station's web (www.q1043.com) a write up about Axl's visits to the boards!

I have always believed in Axl, GN'R and Chinese Democracy and I'm quite content with the outcome.

not especially :-\ :hihi:

Eveyone who has followed  GNR saga during these never ending years has already an opinion  on who is to blame for GNR  break up, so I don´t think that Axl words have uncovered nothing new to most of us , his statement   just confimed the view we all suppossed Axl had  on this issue , all the others are to blame  . Nobody really expected him to admit he has any kind of responsability on GNR disband , its quite obvious all was Slash´s  fault and he´s just a victim.

I would have appreciated  a less selfish and childish statement , even if i love Axl and enjoy Chinese I would never deny that Axl´s attittude played an important role in GNR´s disband .

Why do you feel that way though? Why do you feel that Axl's "attitude" played a role? Because the ex-members said so? Because of what the media would say about Axl?  And, how was what Axl said selfish and childish? He was simply answering questions that he was asked.

discussed some stuff on another forum, here are some quotes/thoughts from there about old Guns and their break-up (mainly by "Devo"):

About the recurring debate here: It might be that Axl is right about a few aspects while Slash is right about others. That's far more likely than the truth being in the middle. What Axl said about the handing over of rights actually makes sense. Other things are far more questionable. It's unwise to say that only one side is right, and fortunately (or unfortunately) no one here seems to think that.
In the end this has a lot to do with how we value the various issues. It might be true that Axl forced everyone to leave the band, but that doesn't mean that they didn't also leave at their own will (without being forced to). I doubt there's any one truth here. its really not that easy with the break-up. but with the "band members leaving" or "being forced to leave"......in the end they basically were gone cause of Axl, the split had to do with Axl! he agreed earlier that "he wanted power", also an Izzy interview from 2001 backs this up.
I think Axl and the others fail to realize that different explanations could be equally true and they're sticking to their one core truth. This is a debate within the historical profession anyway, and I don't know the details of it.
I'm just saying that Axl's version could be true from his point of view. And even if the others feel different, it doesn't mean Axl's story is wrong. I mean, it could be that Axl did everything he could to keep the band together. If he really attempted to do things that way, yet failed, it would be hard for him to think that he broke up the band. The other people had a choice too, you know.
but the others' feelings/stories dont need to be totally wrong neither. its difficult and every old band member has his own priorities on judging things/events on the break-up, let alone memory fading! the easy way people and many fans generally like to go, to blame mostly only 1 person for the break-up, surely doesnt work here anymore. its probably more like spiltting song writing credits on who has done more damage and how much....but even this would be nearly impossible to work out.
sadly remaining fact is one of the biggest rock bands ever couldnt survive with Slash, Duff and Axl after the illusion years and they still are so bittered and refuse to settle their differences. we can hope that somehow -suggesting they still wont talk to each other years later- on the long road at least the aging will have effect on cooling it down, like.....i mean.....how would they have to feel if someone dies and they didnt talk or made some peace before?

there are still many many issues fans dont know about, it also would be interesting to see how much the Stephanie Seymour break-up had influence on Axl's behaviour and work regrading to band issues. i mean....i could still see her all over CD.

I feel this way because i´ve been following this band for eighteen years  and like most of the  members  of  this forum  I´m  quite familiar  with   the  different  personalities  involved in this " drama " .  You can´t deny that Axl   is not the  easiest guy to work with sometimes   , he´s a nice and talented guy  but he´s  also  very stubborn person who likes  to handle things according to his desires   ....that is not bad  is part of his charm  but I´m pretty sure that his intransigence had something to do with all the problems which sorrounded the band at that time .  
Do you really belive that Axl did move an inch from his original position or accepted any suggestion from former members  in order to reach an agrement that allowed the band to go on   ?  I doubt it  I rather think  that Axl   just tried to impose his view and that is when Izzy , Slash and Duff  left the band .   For instance when Gilby was sacked  I´m pretty sure that Axl´s   position was something like  " Here is Paul Tobias he´s gonna play with us wheter you like or not "  rather than  searching somekind of understanding with Duff and Slash .
Assuming  that ,you should admit  that   Axl´s  attitude towards the other members might had some influence in the break up, and  I´m  not saying that  it was all Axl´s  fault , IMO  both Axl and Slash played a part in the disband  and that is the reason why  I think  Axl´s statement is selfish .... because he simply  does not admit any fault .

Or maybe he got tired of waiting for the others to suggest something and said "here's a guy, let's work with him"?

All this time we've heard the "Axl brought in his friend Paul..." stories. But who did Slash or Duff suggest?




/jarmo

Bingo.  They have all complained about Paul being brought in but none of them have ever claimed that they made other suggestions that were turned down

They had moved on from Gilby long before.  Axl brought Zakk Wylde into the mix and that didn't work for Slash.  Paul had already co-written a few GnR songs, with SHadow Of Your Love and Back Off Bitch.  He is someone that Axl felt was a solid enough songwriter, which he turned out to be, he co-wrote TWAT, Prostitute, IRS and Catcher. 

Slash, Duff and Sorum all have since complained about Paul.  Not once have they mentioned other artists that they suggested to bring in and work with.  But the idea that Paul was a complete hack and had no songwriting talent has been proven wrong, and Axl's claim that Paul was brought in to help with songwriting because nobody else had other recommendations has never even been denied by the others

his ego...

An interesting question.

Personally I don't think it really mattered who Slash and Duff suggested by that time (i.e. 1994-96). By all accounts now- both sides (Axl v. Slash/Duff) so distrusted each other by then that whoever they brought in was automatically going to be "Axl's guy" (which was the label placed on Paul Tobias) or "Slash's and Duff's guy". I can't imagine Axl putting himself in a situation where it would have been 4 (Slash, Duff, Matt and their selected New Guy) against 1 or 2 (Dizzy). So things truly were at a "stand still" by then. The huge miscalculation that Slash (and later Duff) made IMHO was that they thought by "leaving" they could force Axl's hand into seeing things their way and inviting them back on their terms. However, it turned out that they dramatically under-estimated the strength of Axl's convictions, the sacrifices he would be willing to make and the time and effort he would expend to make sure "Guns N' Roses" carried on properly at the artistic level- even without them if need be. In retrospect, what Axl undertook and succeeded in doing (complete rebuilding of a legendary hard rock band and the successful recording and release of an album of all new material that is also a musical progression on said legendary band's previous work receiving a very warm global reception) is truly monumental- and I am sure blindsided Slash and Duff... no mater the average US sales thus far (and even this could change in 2009).

But even if Paul has proved to be a solid songwriter ( my acknoledge to Axl for viewing the talent of this guy ),  and admiting that Slash and  Duff  did not provide any alternative ,  you are conceding that Axl  took unilateral decisions which affected the band  without consulting with anybody .
Don?t you agree that this might have caused some discontent  which leaded to further confrontations ?  Therefore it?s somehow Axl?s fault too , if he had  really wanted to keep the band united  he would have told Paul to keep a low profile  and just let him  cooperate in the songwriting process as he did in the UYI    instead of imposing him as an official member . A  rythm guitar player wasn?t really essential at that stage and   Duff was  also capable of playing guitar for the studio recording  and no tour plans were scheduled at that time  but Axl just started a "tour de force "  with this decision

Consulting with anybody?

How the hell do you know?

Besides, if you're trying to get something going and the rest show no interest in it, what are you gonna do?

"Consult"?


It seems like certain people weren't interested in anything GN'R related. Didn't wanna work on songs, didn't want to work with Paul etc etc.





/jarmo

I think Axl was just trying to make music that lived up to the GNR standard. Feelings were hurt and we may never know the exact details of it, but i don't think he was bringing people into the band to be spiteful or something, he just thought they could help.

I would love to hear what the band sounded like with Zakk and Slash, espescially since Axl seemed to think it was cool.

Certain situations, especially where everyone is being uncooperative and/or indecisive, call for one person to step in and say "this is what we're going to do"

I'm not going to sit here and say that Axl doesn't deserve ANY share of the blame.  Any time there is a conflict involving this many people, in a situation this volatile, everyone could/should have done something differently

But I think it's clear that the story we've been fed by Slash and the media for so many years is bullshit.  And it seems pretty clear that others in the band, particularly Slash, were intentionally uncooperative and indecisive in an attempt to gain the upper hand

Consulting ?  It seems quite logical when you are  working whitin a team or a group and you have some interest in keeping  the band together  , if not don´t blame blame the others afterwards  for feeling insulted .

How do i know it ? Maybe  he discussed this issue with Dizzy , Beta or the guy who parked his Ferrari , but you don´t need to be Sherlock Holmes to deduct their lack of agrement with the new recruitement from the fact they left the band subsequently  .

I could agree with your point that Duff and Slash were not interested in investing their time in GNR under "those circumstances"  ,  but what leaded to that point ? Why they did not "feel at home " anymore in GNR ?
Was all  this sudden lack of interest in creating new music with Axl  due to an UFO abduction or a  kick in the head ? I don´t think so,  maybe their state of mind at the time was somehow influenced by  Axl´s decisions

i appreciated reading that very much.

Why did you skip my question?



What are you gonna do when the others don't offer any kind of input? Keep "consulting" or take action and make sure something happens?



You can keep twisting it around all you want. Yet you haven't provided any more facts to back up your claims.

I guess this is what happens after hearing different versions over the years. You just don't want to believe what Axl said because it's not what you've been told.

And to make yourself feel better, you have to shovel blame over on Axl.






/jarmo

Ive been going back and forth from stuff from everyone involved and I have my own beliefs on this subject. I really don't feel the need to post them because I don't want them picked apart and this and that or whatever.

People are going to believe what they want to and it really doesn't matter what anyone says.


I don't think Axl is 100 percent to blame but I also don't think Slash is 100 percent to blame either. People get too caught up in the Axl vs Slash thing but how about Izzy and Duff's sides of the story?

I think if u could take the sum of all these guys, the truth would be in there somewhere.

Im leaning towards Axl version of the events. I mean, he's kept his mouth shut for so long while Slash was out there bad mouthing him in the press for over 10 years. He knew in his heart what happened and felt that he didnt need to validate any one's opinions of him or prove anything to anyone. Slash on the otherhand, needed to sell his side of the story to any buyer in the biz. It's like Slash was trying so hard to make it look like he was the good guy. Seems a little fishy to me.

Not to mention Slash has contradicted his own story a number of times, strictly due to his inability to keep his claims straight

I think that since of the others have backed up Slash's version of what happened it's hard for many to believe Axl at this point.  I think there was more than one person involved and many other people who said their two cents outside of the core.  It's like this basically, unless you could get everyone involved in one room and say their what their views or believes were at the time, everyone will take a side.  I'm at the point that it doesn't really matter.  Others are doing their thing and Axl's doing his so it's music being put out all around.  Be happy that there is a new GNR record along with the other music that has been put out.  The "original" GNR is not coming back and if they did by chance, it won't be for a very long time.  Let it go and enjoy.

I think Guns n Roses was like a marriage of Axl Rose & everyone. As Rose himself said he'd add something to songs , Slash , Izzy and Duff too would add things to the songs. They'd all take a song say Izzy came in with and add things to it. And it was a happy marriage. But by Illusions , Slash wasn't happy with the recording process (said it was the Guns n Roses White Album on VH1) and didn't like the recording of it. He was a good player but he didn't want his songs to be messed with. Rose himself didn't wanna give in either.

You have talented guys like a Beatles who had drifted apart. They didn't wanna give ground to anyone. And well...the process was always a giving ground deal to make great songs.

Very cool of Axl to take the time to post this.

Hopefully he drops by again sometime soon!

we don't know all the details. we don't know what it was like to work with Slash when he was all fucked up on drugs.

and we don't know how it feels to be part of a band that goes on late and walks off stage/cancels shows at times.

Axl may have been frustrated with Slash's drug use and lock of motivation to take the band to the next level.

Slash may have been frustrated about Axl going on late, Axl including a Manson song on the SI without the rest of the bands approval, and having Tobias play on sympathy for the devil without his consent.

"Slash is Antichrist because a tape exists where he plays bluesy hard- rock!!"

Telling " my side of the story" is an inaccurate thing to do by default, atleast  when story is as  long, complex and ugly as the one that tells the tale of crashing and burning of original GNR.

I believe everyone involved believes his version of the  story to be the correct one.

Find two world war II vets, one soldier from the red army and another one from u.s army. Don't stop searching til you find a fanatic all american war eagle yankee fubar guy from south and a blindly devoted Stalin worshipping ex commie from Soviet Union.
Ask them to give general description of what happened in the world between 1939-1945. They were allied, worked together against mutual enemy,had much common interests. Yet, different sides of the story get typed in red color and with exclamation marks. Different sides of the story get underlined or ignored.
The story comes off as 2 completely different versions.
Neither story is nowhere near what a self respecting historian without major agenda would ever per down as " widely accepted truth"
Yet, both vets  would prolly pass lie detection tests.

My super wild guess is that Axl wasn't a band destroying hostage taking sociopath monster Slash paints him out to be, and Slash wasn't orphanage burning powerhungry Antichrist that fires lazers from his eyes Axl paints him out to be. Maybe they were just two too different people with too different goals reacting to massive amounts of fortune and fame in too different ways.

I was more interested in what Axl had to say about his song writing process and the glimpses he gave us regarding future music.  The talk about Soul Monster and the part about Robin's guitar parts in the bag already for the follow-up record were my favorites.

It was nice to see that Axl is in good spirits and is confident about the Chinese Democracy material.

Other than that, I moved past the break-up of the original lineup back in the late 90's.  It was a moot pint for me come 2002- the reamergence of Guns N' Roses.  I fully embraced Velvet Revolver as well.  I can take my favvorite tracks from Contraband and Libertad and make a very listenable rock album.

On this day, December the 18th, I have in my home, in my car, and on my laptop 14 phenominal tracks that make up a record titled Chinese Democracy.  Whatever the events that led to the making and release of this record, I could care less.  Somebody could write a book which listed each problem that occurred between Axl & Slash and then report each of their personal versions of what actually happened, and it wouldn't change anything for me personally.  I'd sit here satisfied that whatever happened, it was for the better for the music that Axl and his new group of musicians created.

I can no longer pick a favorite on this record.  Each song is incredible on its own.  Each song on this record cannot be grouped with any other song in any specific category.  Some days Better is the best.  Some days Shackler......then the next it may be Street of Dreams.  It's crazy, for me anyway, but this record can tap into whatever mood I'm in and blow me away.  Some days I can hear Stinson's bass lines perfectly.  Some days it's the drums.  Different parts of this complex record jump out at me more so than other days.

To say this record is a masterpiece does no justice for it.  A new word needs to be added to the dictionary for Chinese Democracy.

For Axl to stop by and open himself up to us (we who stuck by him all these years) is beyond cool.  I think he recognizes how inspirational he is and I believe he was ready to show his appreciation.  He came here and gave his side of what has occurred.  Yes, it is his side, one side of "the truth".  I appreciate his willingness to open up to us.

The rest is history.

Im so glad Axl made his statement this way, no media involved, just his words strictly directed to us the fans, of course the 'shit throwers' will always follow him everywhere, once some have heard, read and seen for years the same bullshit it could be hard to digest the true.

I think Axl didnt want his words to be 'paraphrased' so he made sure he 'talked' drectly to us.

It would be nice that if Slash, Duff or Matt have anything to say, they would say it directly to us like Axl did not 'undercover' or playing the usual media circus.

The break-up isn't an issue for me. It shouldn't be an issue for anybody... fans, casual listeners or critics.

It's done. It's over. Move on.

What's next... just let Axl and Co. focus on the record. Promotion, tours, videos whatever they want. It's hilarious the comments posted on rollingstone.com and ultimate-guitar.com... everyone is an expert, everyone has an opinion, everyone picked a side... cuz they were obviously there when the arguments broke out, during the intimate dressing room moments.

Oh yeah... let's not forget, everyone witnessed the "Axl stole the band name" incident.

My point: People = Shit.

If you choose to not believe Axl... that's your choice.

for me, it's never been an issue or something to blame anyone for. been thankful for the vr guys for leaving the band then as I love GNR. ;D

Can anyone shed some light on this?

I guess it's the Fall to Pieces Velvet Revolver put out.

probobly sounds vary simular to me

Yeah but what if anything does that have to do with axl?

i dont know

I don't know if the original question was posed in regards to certain websites taking what Axl said and making it sound like he's claiming VR "stole" Gn'R material.  I don't know where that comes from; all Axl said was that he heard the basic pieces of what became Fall to Pieces from Slash and as soon as he showed interest, Slash pulled it away.  That's all.

I don't think there is much else to the story (that we know, anyway)

yea in time i think well find out what the hell got this happening with Slash and Axl

oh alright I never heard that, or maybe i just dont remember thats why i had no idea what he was talking about when he said that bit...thanks for the feedback

This kills me. If Slash really did this, then the dude I use to think was so great is just a bitch. I am starting to think this already in my gut. I am taking Axl's side. It (Axl's story) just seems (sounds) right to me. On the flip side, Axl played things for them like TIL and never acted like a fuckhead just wanting to hold onto the material just for himself. They heard some of the material that is on Chinese Democracy, in its early stages. They heard them and still left. This new GNR album is beyond brilliant and masterful. Nothing they have done since being in GNR is anything in the same universe as Chinese Democracy. That is a straight up fact they will never be able to live down. And any kind of debate on who is right ends with this very simple straight forward truth. I just read the Ron Thal interview and he said that he believes in Axl and Axl's vision. I have lost much respect for Duff and Slash for not. They are obviously not worthy of my respect if even half of what Axl said is true (which I am thinking is closer to the real truth in light of much evidence to support this). Really fuck Slash. I still love old GNR's music but if push comes to shove, where Chinese Democracy and this new GN'R goes. I go. I will not give Slash or Duff one more penny unless they fucking get real and dig fucking deep and produce something fucking real fucking special. Chinese Democracy and Axl fucking Rose has just raised the bar.

He's saying Slash wrote the riff to Fall To Pieces while he was still in GNR, and when Axl showed interest in it, buried it away. It eventually wound up on Contraband. What's so hard to understand?

Well... the "why?" is not that obvious.

I understood that as part of the "smoke Axl out of GNR campaign" where Slash tried to make it look like Axl had (only) some weird ass industrial vision he wanted to chase. Obviously that wasn't the case and Axl was interested in going with Slash's blues rock stuff. So bringing classic rock stuff to the table wouldn't have suited Slash as it would've proved his allegations false right off the bat.

Or, is it that Slash wasn't sure he had anything even remotely good until Axl showed interest. Slash must have had his ego smashed by the, and rightfully so, beating he took musically for his lame and failed solo projects. Axl validated something he had so he decided to get all greedy and figured he would keep it for a Axlless future. 

Regarding Axl's statement about Fall to Pieces, I think this excerpt from a past interview Axl gave (2001?), sheds a lot of light on what he meant:


"It seemed to me that anytime we got close to something that would work, it wasn?t out of opinion that Slash would go ?hey it doesn?t work?, but it was nixed simply because it did work. In other words, ?Whoa, wait a minute. That actually might be successful, we can?t do that.? People like to call me paranoid. It has nothing to do with paranoia; it was to do with reality. If the material were strong enough for me to sink my teeth in then I would still be in a certain public position in regards to Guns, we?d have possibly still held a certain popularity with the public as I have previously been fortunate enough to have had. Slash and his ex-wife Renee and his security guy and closest confidant at the time, Ronnie Stalnacker could not live with that. It?s not something Slash could live with. Slash chose not to be here over control issues. Now people can say ?Well Axl, you?re after control of the band too.? You?re damn skippy. That?s right. I am the one held responsible since day one."

Yeah, Axl has said in at least two interviews that Slash would try to keep the material "down" for personal reasons (I think Axl claimed Slash didn't want the material to be too successful for Slash to handle)...  Fall To Pieces is an example of this, which is funny because he released it a number of years later and it was a big hit.

I also thought that the earlier mentions of it were a "fear of success" thing which seemed a little strange, considering the success they had already had.   Though now it seems, Axl is saying that Slash didn't want the success with Axl/Guns.  Once any material had interest shown in it, it was withdrawn kinda-thing.

What was Oh My God then? I think the other members should be heard from. Why did Duff quit? Is he lying also? Why did Izzy quit?

I think u have to take the sum of the entire band before u immediately jump to saying This guy is right or this guy is right etc.

If you look at Slash's own statement...he may have told somewhat of a 'truth' here...he claims that he 'gave' Axl the next GnR album, and Axl only showed interest in working on a couple songs.  Now apply Axl's statement and you have a more complete picture of what actually happened.  It was a case of all or nothing with Slash, who was obviously making his power play to 'take back' Guns...even though he never had it.  Axl was legitimately trying to work things through (according to his statement to protect his interest in the band) and was interested in a couple songs...does it surprise anyone that one of the most successful songs VR put out, Axl had shown interest in years earlier?  He has always had his finger on our pulse.  If Slash could have cleaned up, and accepted that he was a very talented guitar player in the greatest band on earth - rather than the greatest guitar player on earth with a good band backing him up - we may have seen CD years earlier...with slight differences...and imagine Axl singing on Slither, FTP, etc (I bet we would have much BETTER lyrics).  Sadly it didn't work out, Slash's ego won out, and we (the band & the fans) lost years to his legal bullshit.

Axl:  : ok:
Slash:  :no:

Also, Axl's silence in the past is completely justified/explainable.  Slash left with NOTHING, he quit, had nothing to lose..Axl had GnR...as long as Slash had a prayer in court, Axl needed to keep quiet and let his legal team tend to business.  We KNOW how WE felt...imagine the pressure/pain for Axl, being in effect a hostage to GnR & Slash over the last 12 years.  Imagine having to let someone motherf--k you in public for YEARS to protect your interest in something...like a marriage...at least divorce doesn't usually go on for 12 years, and your ex can't keep coming back to the trough again, and again.

Wasn't it made clear (both from Axl and Izzy) that Izzy didn't enjoy touring with Guns?  Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I thought I read a while back.  Izzy enjoyed doing his thing and that was that.

Touring and being sober...but, Izzy was on the Slash train...whatever forces or reasons the band had for hating Axl (Axl claims it was their manager - I think it was the $$ - Axl was getting 41%, etc) Izzy was just as guilty...he had some pretty harsh things to say over the years, as did Axl, and I would be more interested in hearing how Axl and Izzy kissed and made up than rehashing the 'failure' of old guns.

Think he will be back here before new year's? Here's to hoping! :-\

I thought these were a couple of very good posts. 

That's right.  There were a lot of frustrations and blaming, by all.