The ULTIMATE GNR 2007

[markpeterhughes73]

OTHER THAN CD RELEASE?

Whats the best marketing and publicity the Guns can do this year to promote the return?  So far I have seen nothing other than these website articles!  In the 90s they were everywhere, what can they do to kick ass NOW?

[Lucky]

not cancel the shows?
release the album?
get brain to play live?
give a statement?
etc..etc...

[Lesty]

not cancel the shows?
release the album?
get brain to play live?
give a statement?
etc..etc...

I agree...
Releasing the CD, showing up on time for their performances, doing TV/internet promos, etc..

[freedom78]

I'd like to think the best thing they could do would be to release a fantastic album, but the state of modern music clearly illustrates that the quality of an artist's musicianship matters little when compared to image and the stupidity of teenagers (excluding, obviously, any upstanding young rock n' rollers who happen to like GNR, of course  ).

[COMAMOTIVE]

Play a free concert in Central Park and follow it up with a kick-ass un-plugged

[BillBailey]

Play a free concert in Central Park and follow it up with a kick-ass un-plugged

That would be cool. The unplugged is the better of the two ideas though considering the lack of public awareness of new GNR. Now a free concert with the original lineup and you would have 100,000 people.

[GNRreunioneventually]

I'd like to think the best thing they could do would be to release a fantastic album, but the state of modern music clearly illustrates that the quality of an artist's musicianship matters little when compared to image and the stupidity of teenagers (excluding, obviously, any upstanding young rock n' rollers who happen to like GNR, of course ).

That statment proves that G'n'R needs to get out there as much as posible because in a world of music that is crap, the cards are really stacked against G'n'R, now, more than ever.

and an MTV unplugged would be pretty sweet too

[LIGuns]

Co-Headline w/ Aerosmith!!

[GNRSANDMAN]

Co-Headline w/ Aerosmith!!

Co-Headline w/Hanson!!!

[stolat]

Do what the Sex Pistols did in The Great Rock and Roll Swindle - rewrite the songs with full classical orchestration........

[doooodickiebr]

the best thing they could do is to act like a band that gives a shit how their loyal fans feel.  they have let us down time and time again with all the empty promises on a cd release date, cancelled tour dates, etc...axl is my idol, but i really think he could care less if this album sells or not, this is obvious by his actions.  i realize he wants to do things his way, but think about all the years we've put up with his bullshit.i usually dont vent on the board, but frustration has gotten the better of me

[GNRreunioneventually]

Co-Headline w/ Aerosmith!!

Co-Headline w/Hanson!!!

how bout they both Co-open for Guns N' Roses. nuff said

[HoldenCaulfield]

Release the album. Have open interviews. Cancel as few shows as possible. Play a HUGE free show somewhere (NYC or Philly or something)...

[Regibold]

Other than the injury to Tommy............they could.........STOP DICKIN' AROUND

[von]

I'd like to think the best thing they could do would be to release a fantastic album, but the state of modern music clearly illustrates that the quality of an artist's musicianship matters little when compared to image and the stupidity of teenagers (excluding, obviously, any upstanding young rock n' rollers who happen to like GNR, of course  ).

Ah, so I'm not the only one disappointed in Year Zero's first week getting its ass handed to it by Avril Lavigne 

[Six Strings]

Make unrealistic video for Maddy or Chinese Democracy for example and putting it as a single at the same time. That would be return...

[Beefy]

They should play at one of the Live Earth concerts. With the whole world watching they could put on a kick-ass performance with a couple of classics and a new song. That way there wouldn't be many people left who didn't know that Guns were back.

[markpeterhughes73]

Do what the Sex Pistols did in The Great Rock and Roll Swindle - rewrite the songs with full classical orchestration........

God NO, that was Maclarens doing, the pistols only did Never mind the bollocks. The swindle and the other stuff like KISS THIS is nothing new. I do know cause Pistols are my No.2 second to GNR of course!

[markpeterhughes73]

They should play at one of the Live Earth concerts. With the whole world watching they could put on a kick-ass performance with a couple of classics and a new song. That way there wouldn't be many people left who didn't know that Guns were back.

I like this idea, you kinda brought back the Freddie tribute concert in the early 90s in my mind.  I think Guns should do something no other Rock band would consider. God knows what that should be but back in the early days they kicked ass, the problem now is that they need to convince the world they can still kick ass.  The media is still strung on the OLD GNR and Axl must be feeling it, not to mention the other guys feeling like they're filling in. Must be tougher for the other guys.

[odd1]

Axl getting of his ass would be the ultimate GnR 2007!

[stolat]

Yeh, doing something with Geldof would be good - the point of 'Civil War' would be very apt, considering the state of the world today.......

[judaskennedy]

play some shows with slash as a guest

play at my birthday party

[stolat]

Now that is a bloody good idea!! Had to be said.....

[downzy56]

Act like they care about their careers...

[deep pocketz]

They should do American Idol Finale.

[odd1]

Other than the injury to Tommy............they could.........STOP DICKIN' AROUND

Agreed, get off your ass Axl

[overmatik]

You now what would be perfect, on the day of Chinese Democracy release, they could perform the full CD live at MTV studios, being broadcasted to all MTV's around the world. Now, this would be huge!!!

[Jay Tea]

Ad's and Vids on Fuse.

(usa music TV channel.. seems on par with MTV2 but a little bit cooler)

[^faeryeV]

Axl should rant harder on the shows he doesn't cancel.

[Scabbie]

I'm not too demanding, an album will do just fine

[whiny]

I'm not too demanding, an album will do just fine

so you are pretty demanding

[cyllan]

I'd like to think the best thing they could do would be to release a fantastic album, but the state of modern music clearly illustrates that the quality of an artist's musicianship matters little when compared to image and the stupidity of teenagers (excluding, obviously, any upstanding young rock n' rollers who happen to like GNR, of course? ).

As someone who is on the wrong side of 45 and who views the output from many of the currently popular artists as a triumph of style over substance, and marketing skills over musicianship, I would have instinctively agreed with your comment about the apparent lack of musical taste amongst many youngsters, were it not for a conversation I had with a colleague this morning that restored a little of my faith in their judgment.? The chap in question is around my age and has a 17-year-old Goth daughter, presently studying at boarding school.? The other day he went to play AFD and found it missing, the Illusion albums too were gone.? It turns out that said daugher had returned to school after the Easter break taking his collection of GNR and Queen albums with her because, she later revealed, within the current Goth scene GNR are considered the epitome of cool (with Queen too seeing something of a resurgence).

I was surprised to say the least as I never had GNR down as being popular with Goths - they certainly weren't admired by the Goths I knew back in the 1980s - but presumably musical and style lines have blurred with time.? I can't say that I like GNR being pigeonholed, anymore than I'm sure anyone else on here does, but I do find it interesting to find that they've attracted such a following amongst this particular crowd and wonder how much of this popularity can be attributed to their very successful UK tour last year.

If this is the case, then I think it reaffirms Axl's decision of getting GNR back on the road in order to showcase the abilities of the new band members as a worthwhile one (if anyone still had any doubts!), and one which will ultimately provide Guns with a solid base of 'grass root' support from newer/younger fans from which to launch CD.? If Axl can maintain the momentum, get the album out within the year, and then tour worldwide in support of it, I believe that when 2008 draws to a close, GNR will be once again be scaling those same dizzying heights they hit back in the 1990s.

So in answer to the initial question, I'd hope for a blend of old and new-style promotion; utilising the techniques of today with the technology of tomorrow, but still staying true to the values that made GNR such an explosive force in the 1980s and 1990s.

OK, I'll get down off my soapbox now..?

[stolat]

Yes, I too have noticed that 'the kids' are really liking our music. Just as I had a thing for music of the 60s and 70s when I was a teen in the 80's.....only 5 years ago, music of the 80s was considered daggy by the younger generation........and so, the wheel turns.....

[MrBrOwNsToNeR]

Yes, I too have noticed that 'the kids' are really liking our music. Just as I had a thing for music of the 60s and 70s when I was a teen in the 80's.....only 5 years ago, music of the 80s was considered daggy by the younger generation........and so, the wheel turns.....

the GNR sound is considered "has been" by the 2007 generation.

really.

[stolat]

Little do they know that there are 7 basic guitar riffs in the world (theme and variation), 7 basic movie plots etc.

Its so important to look to past in order to understand what is happening today.........

Lots of the new music that is around today is very 1980s in its essence........

Finally, answer me this, why is "generation 07" reviving all the daggy fashions of the 80's?
Is it because the cycle is being repeated?

Stay around long enough and you begin to notice these things.......

[markpeterhughes73]

Little do they know that there are 7 basic guitar riffs in the world (theme and variation), 7 basic movie plots etc.

Its so important to look to past in order to understand what is happening today.........

Lots of the new music that is around today is very 1980s in its essence........

Finally, answer me this, why is "generation 07" reviving all the daggy fashions of the 80's?
Is it because the cycle is being repeated?

Stay around long enough and you begin to notice these things.......

You probably have a point but whether GNR are rotating styles is NOT something I can accept.  GNR influences are nothing like GNR music.  How does RS sound like GNR or Nazereth??? GNR were unique but if you liked Skid Row in the 80s 90s then I am sure you'd agree that they were similar yet miles apart.

Ask yourself WHY?

[stolat]

I'm talking generally - the big picture. Suddenly the 80s are cool again. Time is circular......
Why? A reason may be it's because the people who were 'young' in the 80s are now old enough to talk about that time with some insight.....as you just did!

[markpeterhughes73]

OK fair enough but GNR really need to update its fans on the progress of the band because they're fading again.  Axl was a recluse for so long that he really needs to push the people behind the scenes to let us know how far things are progressing.
I just get sick of the wait for more news that hits me in rumours rather than fact. Why don't GNR? directly keep us up to date with progress, they seem amature right now with their public relations.

[dungbeetle]

I think you need regular promotion for any other big band.  Press junkets, talk shows, documentary, christ a radio single will do wonders.  Its amazing how many 14-20 year olds like GnR.  A strong first single and everything will be cool.  Just remember play 70 strong shows and cancel 2 or 3 shows.  What do you think gets more media coverage.  The negative story.  The American press loves to bring people up and just as quick as that bring you down.  Ask Lindsay Lohan or Howard Dean.  However the press also loves a great triumph over struggle story too.

[MotherGooseLuvR]

GNR shouldn't (and won't) waste a penny of their resources or an ounce of their energies on publicity until the album's actually coming out.

Tours don't mean the album's coming out.  If anything, it's the opposite.  Tours mean the band's still got some work to do on the album, but need to raise some funds to do so.  The label cut the band off years ago.  When re-recording and re-mixing needs to be done, Axl's gotta pay for it himself.

How exactly does anyone expect Axl to manage the publicity and pre-release for his album when he's doing shows all night?  And even if you don't believe me, can't you just believe history?  This isn't the first time the band's toured without CD coming out.  What have we learned about that process?

[markpeterhughes73]

GNR shouldn't (and won't) waste a penny of their resources or an ounce of their energies on publicity until the album's actually coming out.

Tours don't mean the album's coming out.? If anything, it's the opposite.? Tours mean the band's still got some work to do on the album, but need to raise some funds to do so.? The label cut the band off years ago.? When re-recording and re-mixing needs to be done, Axl's gotta pay for it himself.

How exactly does anyone expect Axl to manage the publicity and pre-release for his album when he's doing shows all night?? And even if you don't believe me, can't you just believe history?? This isn't the first time the band's toured without CD coming out.? What have we learned about that process?

What we've learned about this process is that it shouldn't take this long to produce music and Axl DOESN'T do PR. I know that its not upto him personally but I feel the tour was to get funds for the release but things aren't going to plan. GNR are no longer capable of the success they once had but at the same time it comes down to the press and the final release.  Whether they become part of the big rock picture or whether they fail miserably is anyones and everyones guess but Axl has reportedly already spent FAR too much money on this comeback and with the lack of PR I personally can't see a comeback being successful. There is too much pressure on him to recoup money already spent. This is done through touring and the release won't happen until that money is returned.  WOULD YOU FRONT IT? you'd want some return on your investment and the touring is making up for this shortfall. Lets face it, if the album is released tomorrow will it really hold and recoup the debt. NO and that is why we are waiting so long but the press isn't ONSIDE Axl is an oldtimer past it in their eyes. The 90s are no longer here so Axl has a very uphill struggle to make something happen and that will undoubtedly be a struggle. In fact if this album ever makes the album charts will probably be one of rocks greatest comebacks but ask yourself is it possible right now I can't see 90s success at all but I do hope but I'm also realistic. I've been a Gunner since 86 and know that they will have an almost impossible task of getting what they had back.

[oldgunsfan]

GNR shouldn't (and won't) waste a penny of their resources or an ounce of their energies on publicity until the album's actually coming out.

Tours don't mean the album's coming out.? If anything, it's the opposite.? Tours mean the band's still got some work to do on the album, but need to raise some funds to do so.? The label cut the band off years ago.? When re-recording and re-mixing needs to be done, Axl's gotta pay for it himself.

How exactly does anyone expect Axl to manage the publicity and pre-release for his album when he's doing shows all night?? And even if you don't believe me, can't you just believe history?? This isn't the first time the band's toured without CD coming out.? What have we learned about that process?

What we've learned about this process is that it shouldn't take this long to produce music and Axl DOESN'T do PR. I know that its not upto him personally but I feel the tour was to get funds for the release but things aren't going to plan. GNR are no longer capable of the success they once had but at the same time it comes down to the press and the final release.? Whether they become part of the big rock picture or whether they fail miserably is anyones and everyones guess but Axl has reportedly already spent FAR too much money on this comeback and with the lack of PR I personally can't see a comeback being successful. There is too much pressure on him to recoup money already spent. This is done through touring and the release won't happen until that money is returned.? WOULD YOU FRONT IT? you'd want some return on your investment and the touring is making up for this shortfall. Lets face it, if the album is released tomorrow will it really hold and recoup the debt. NO and that is why we are waiting so long but the press isn't ONSIDE Axl is an oldtimer past it in their eyes. The 90s are no longer here so Axl has a very uphill struggle to make something happen and that will undoubtedly be a struggle. In fact if this album ever makes the album charts will probably be one of rocks greatest comebacks but ask yourself is it possible right now I can't see 90s success at all but I do hope but I'm also realistic. I've been a Gunner since 86 and know that they will have an almost impossible task of getting what they had back.

Axl's got to take the gag's out of his band members and let them talk about th experience o being guns, replacing legends, and the writing/recording process and all that went into them being in the band.  Everyone whose a guns fan knows how the originals got into the band but all we know about these guys is they've been working with Axl for varying periods of time.  This band lacks the authenticity of the originals and will never be seen as a band until we hear from the others about their experience. 

Also, Axl and his label and whoever else is holding up te release of CD should take their collective skirts off and release the album already.

Then as the old band did; hit the smaller clubs cross country and tear it up, not just NYC........the original band had labels fighting over them and it all started from their shows.

Maybe at the end of the tour, do the free Central Park show and go do the club scene in Europe.

[cyllan]

This band lacks the authenticity of the originals and will never be seen as a band until we hear from the others about their experience. 

Axl carefully gathered around him the musicians he thought capable of working in a collaborative fashion with him in order to produce new music worthy of the Guns N' Roses name.  After seeing this band live on many occasions during 2006, and hearing them inject a freshness and energy into old songs as well as showcase new tracks of great quality, I don't see how anyone could not consider them "a band".  Interviews with the band members would provide interesting background to the process behind the rebuilding of GNR and recording of the album, but in my opinion, would make no difference to their credibility as a band.
 

Then as the old band did; hit the smaller clubs cross country and tear it up, not just NYC........the original band had labels fighting over them and it all started from their shows.

Maybe at the end of the tour, do the free Central Park show and go do the club scene in Europe.

Why would they want to slog their way across either the US or Europe playing small clubs when they already sell out arenas without even having the album out?  They're not a new band just getting their foot on the first rung of the ladder, GNR as a whole (and the band members as individuals) are a known quantity within the industry, and outside it in some cases.  I believe that whatever the marketing strategy being planned (or already in place), it will be a good deal more complex than anything already speculated upon.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if it encompasses techniques both old and new, and possibly throws something groundbreaking and so-far untried into the mix too.

[stolat]

Thanks for that insight Cyllan.

[russtcb]

Axl's got to take the gag's out of his band members and let them talk......

I still don't know where the idea comes from that Axl is forcing these guys not to talk.

[Lord Kayoss]

Everything starts with releasing the new record.  It just doesn't make sense to me to tour without it, unless they need money to finish it.

[oldgunsfan]

Axl's got to take the gag's out of his band members and let them talk......

I still don't know where the idea comes from that Axl is forcing these guys not to talk.

Because the other members say so

[oldgunsfan]

Why would they want to slog their way across either the US or Europe playing small clubs when they already sell out arenas without even having the album out?? They're not a new band just getting their foot on the first rung of the ladder, GNR as a whole (and the band members as individuals) are a known quantity within the industry, and outside it in some cases.? I believe that whatever the marketing strategy being planned (or already in place), it will be a good deal more complex than anything already speculated upon.? I wouldn't be at all surprised if it encompasses techniques both old and new, and possibly throws something groundbreaking and so-far untried into the mix too.

I was replying to the person who doubted the GnR would rule like they did when they first came out;  sorry to say it but though the name remains the same, the entire band is a new band, and the only member who has a recognizable name is Axl