Today, I asked a DJ if he plays any songs from Chinese Democracy and my fucking DJ officemate said:
"I just play underground songs like that of the Slayers and the likes. I heard of Chinese Democracy and it sucks. GNR is dead without Slash, Matt and Duff!". Why do you remain an idiot fan? -the cretin DJ -
Fuck, badtrip!!!!Why do I remain a fucking fan?
Just Another Philosophical Conception of my Fanaticism! (Beat me!)This is quite a mammoth post. Sorry! 
Motivated with Amine Boucekkine's personal and philosophical conception of Axl Rose's art, which he described as an art of exorcizing, I tried to search deeper in my own conception, the mystery behind my fanatical self. For me, Axl Rose's art is more of an art of execution. His gift and passion can move someone to further execute himself of where the hell to get his life into. (Amine Boucekkine is said to be a philosopher, a musician,a poet,an aristocrat and one of the greatest Guns N’ Roses’ fan in France). Digging deeper means a flashback and a lot of association to understand and grasp the philosophy behind it.
What makes me want to see more of Axl Rose's art after watching him like a hawk for the first time?It was December 2008, there was an emerging crisis both in this world's financial situation and my emotional state . I was dealing with a rejection and was being consumed much of the depression from heading nowhere. That's the time when my officemate made me listen to rock music. The first song I listened to was "Patience". I was first caught up with the spotlight following Axl Rose as he whistles the intro. Stunned by the way he walks, moves and everything about his styles (including the underpants and the Jesus Christ shirt) I was reminded of someone I couldn't get my mind off yet I couldn't figure out who exactly is. It was like how one's heart feel for a blood relative.The whole performance in that video (Tokyo 1992) made me curious of this band (Guns N' Roses).
Every member including Matt, Duff, Slash, Gilby and of course Axl has their own distinct attitude and appeal on stage that my eyes wandered with amazement. I witnessed an ingenious gift that I consider them a complete package of musical geniuses who were called together.
Moreover, in terms of their audience appeal, they always make a cool way of distinction and originality that excites fans unto the next big thing. Their creative and glam attire plus their rabid like hairstyle contributed much to their charisma. I couldn't even imagined how my three -year-old niece became so addicted to their videos that she would always insist to watch them, and cry whenever we would shoo her off to bed. I started to wonder why even a three year old girl who barely knows about the world is more inclined in watching GNR videos than in watching cartoons.
How did I find myself being affected or say addicted as what a by heart fan of GNR is?I wasn't really into rock music. I could appreciate all kinds of music before. I used to listen to pop, classic, jazz etc. but rarely listen to rock until I learned to play the guitar and experienced an ultimate harmony with my so called bandmates. Now, I prefer rock, and most surprisingly, trash metal. That's the start of my fetish to different types of rocks starting from:
the folk rock of
Bob Dylan, and Rod Stewartand Amy Belle (epecifically I don't wanna talk about it)
to the
Rolling Stones and Beatlesto the jazz rock of
Frank Zappa to the virtouso guitarist
Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to the 1970's heavy metal of
Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Kiss, AC/DC, and Aerosmith plusto great songwriters like
Elton John and David Bowie. To the heavy metals by Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, and Van Halen,Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax in the 1980's.
To the harsh lyrics of punk rock with
Stooges, the Ramones and Sex Pistols followed by Nirvana and Pearl Jam in the 1980's and the Green Day in the 1990's.
To the psychedelic rock of
Pink Floyd to the glamrock of
Iggy Pop, Queen, Alice Cooper and LA Gunsto the alternative rock of
Sonic Youth, The Smiths and Moz aloneto the grunge music of
NIrvana, Pearl Jam and Sound Gardento the Britpop of
Oasis, Suede and Radioheadto Indie Rock of
Muse and the Cranberries to the hybrid genres of rock like
Blink 182, Foofighters, and Creed to the raprock/nu metal of
Korn, Linkin Park and Slipknot to the Emo music of
Chris Carraba (Dashboard Confessional) to the post punk revival of the
killers and the Libertines to the electronic rock of
Nine Inch Nails and ofcourse to the new line up of GNR and their new controversial album "
Chinese Democracy". All the above mentioned bands and people are the ones I prefer. After the birth of rock genre in my system, I chose one of the greatest performers in the history of rock music. Their music can give justice to any types of rock, from heavy metal to punk to glam to blues and the classic. Their songs from thier first ever album (AFD) to the latest one (Chinese Democracy) always hit a chart and sell millions of copies. (Oh I don't know yet for Chinese Democracy since there's a lack of promotion and tour). However, this band has been controversial since it was formed. (Well, it was formed right when I was born, March 1985, so it's 24 years old now. They were famous for thier rants and riots along with their overflowing uber natural aptitude for music specifically laudable ones. I haven't seen a rock band who could create songs of strong devotions to the different kinds of emotions that can hit the bull's eye of a listener. Some of my most favorite songs in their albums are the following:
1. Their breakthrough hit
Sweet Child of Mine from the Appetite for Destruction Album (which I think will last longer more than anyone elses's life on earth. It can last even a century or more, or perhaps won't die as crowd's all time favorite. I remember when I was in highschool, I attended a party and the moment this song was played, the crowd stopped and shouted at the orgasmic intro. Well, thanks to Slash's awesome lead and to Axl Rose's poetic prowess since I've heard that it was his poem for his former wife, Erin Everly)
A note from Duff about Sweet Child:
The thing about 'Sweet Child,' it was written in five minutes. It was one of those songs, only three chords. You know that guitar lick Slash does at the beginning? It was kinda like a joke because we thought, 'What is this song? It's gonna be nothin', it'll be filler on the record.' And except that vocal-wise, it's very sweet and sincere, Slash was just messing around when he first wrote that lick". Now, Slash's guitar lick and Axl Rose's poetic lyrics have become the all time favorite song that rocks the world.
2. Welcome to the Jungle - the band's second single in thier Appetite for Destruction album in 1987. Just recently (2009), it was named the greatest hard rock song of all times by VH1 (video Hit's 1, an American Television video network in New York). It has garnered many awards and has even entered the Rock N' Roll hall of fame. It has appeared in many computer and video games,movies, sports media, and even became good references in literature,film and TV. As for my own take, this song is a reflection of the facts and struggles of life. Kudo's to the writers, Axl and Slash, for, their story of Los Angeles, became the story of life which the whole humanity can relate with.
3. November Rain - The best epic rock ballad I've heard. I was convinced that the video is a winner when my brother (who rarely appreciates music videos) commented the video is indeed awesome. After finding out that it was one of the most expensive video of all times and had won the Best Cinematography on MTV Video Music Award, I put it as my number 1 in the history of rock ballads, even better than the famous Bohemian Rhapsody and Stairway to Heaven. The lyrics and video would make one conclude that this is the most "touching" epic that could make a deep cut within.
4. Don't Cry - I think this is the sweetest song they have ever made. Can you imagine a guy who would mention these words "Don't Cry". The title is well thought of. It's simple yet again, genius and sweet. I like the alternate lyrics on Use Your Illusion II than the original one on Use Your Illusion I. I've heard that there's also a third version of it. Anyway, I like it in a sense that the title is actually opposite to the underlying effect of the song.
5. Estranged - I think what most people love in this song are the killer guitar solo, piano solo, and the intensive overall emotional appeal. My God, this song is a package of emotions indeed! If one would watch the video, it would be a lot harder to breathe because the melodies, the film, and the lyrics itself have the ability to abduct someone to the emotions in the video. I cried after watching it thinking that I wanted to take away all the pain in Axl, not sinking in that it was just a video, but has appeared to be nothing much more painful in real life!
6. You Could Be Mine - being included in the tracklist of Terminator 2 (Judgement Day) made this song more popular. I like the drums and the lyrics esp the part "With your bitch slap rappin' and your cocaine tongue you get nuthin' done". This is the only song I can sing with more than a hundred percent screechy manly rockstar voice.
7. Knockin on Heaven's Door - Originally written and performed by Bob Dylan however, the song was best performed by Guns N' Roses among covers. Of course I am biased because I like the way GNR performed it in thier concerts especially the one with the reggae part in the Tokyo Concert, 1992.
8. Since I don't Have You - It was also a song covered by GNR on their album "The Spaghetti Incident?". I don't know why Axl Rose is so successful in setting emotions to the listeners. Perhaps his own emotional struggle is one of the major reasons why he can vocalized the song in a very powerful way.
9. Rocket Queen - The intro sounds like a funny rap however while it flows along, it's becoming touching and heartbreaking. I love the end part of it"Don't ever leave me, say your always be there, what I ever wanted was for you to know that I care". Oh, how lovely! Another amazing point in the song is that Axl Rose was said to bring a girl in the studio and had sex with her, and recorded it in the break of the song! Omg, I never knew they were real sex noises.
A note from Axl Rose I found on the internet:
I wrote this song for this girl who was gonna have a band and she was gonna call it Rocket Queen. She kinda kept me alive for a while. The last part of the song is my message to this person, or anybody else who can get something out of it. It's like there's hope and a friendship note at the end of the song. For that song there was also something I tried to work out with various people—a recorded sex act. It was somewhat spontaneous but premeditated; something I wanted to put on the record. —Axl Rose An Interview With The Gunners, Hit Parader - March 1988
10. There was A Time - I love the intro esp the guitar solo of Robin Finck (I hope to see him this August 5th at the NIN concert here in the Philippines). This song is successful in putting listeners to LSS (Last Song Syndrome) because the meter of the lyrics and the melody create a loop in the head.
11. This I love - The most romantic and true to heart song ever made. I love it sounding like an epic rock ballad similar to Estranged, November Rain, and Don't Cry, however, I love this best because Axl Rose sounds very sincere, melancholic and at the sametime uber in love. Who in the world would come up with this line "So if she’s somewhere near me I hope to God she hears me there’s no one else could ever make me feel I’m so alive. I hoped she’d never leave me Please God you must believe me I’ve searched the universe and found myself within’ her eyes". Whoever would say those lines would drop me dead!
12. Street of Dreams - I cried after listening to this song the first time. Why? During that time, I was asking, where the heck is Guns N' Roses, where the heck is Axl Rose. After being a recluse for like 17 years, GNR released Chinese Democracy. This is the first song I've heard from the album, and this answered my question, where did Axl go? Where had he been? What happened to him? I couldn't help but cry even if I would look idiot in the eyes of my boss and co-workers.The way this band performs is really enticing to everyone that will watch them, be it familiar or not. Perhaps that's why Axl Rose, (the man who added gravitas to the band's uniqueness) is labeled as the most charismatic front man ever.
13. Civil War - It made me think that they are artists indeed who are worthy of their brains by coming up with a moving lyrics. This song again added an unquestionable gravitas, proving that GNR members have a lot of things to say, justifying some observations.
After surprisingly finding myself an inspiration and a big turning point on deciding where the heck should I get myself into, I constantly listen to their music, watch every video they have and research a lot about their crafts. I even joined the New Guns and Roses Forum, became a regular member there and visited other GNR fan sites such as Cd.com and Mygnr. I used to think that chatting is just a waste of time however, after having intellectual, inspiring, and fun encounters with the people there of diverse cultures who have this commonness of being fanatics of the band, I found myself hooked up once again. In a way, or let me say in a big kind of way, knowing GNR made me a person full of life and direction up to this very point.
Now, what's the saddest thing about being a fanatic?After the break up of my most favorite GNR line up (Duff, Matt, Gilby,Slash, Dizzy, and Axl, though I also love Izzy Stradlin so much for being the most talented writer, guitarist and an amazingly reclusive member) and the birth of Velvet Revolver (Scott, Duff, Matt, and slash) I was like dead for a few minutes before I could absorb the sad fact that the GNR I used to love is a different thing now. Especially when Axl recruited the members of GNR today (Tommy, Dave, Robin, Brian, Josh, Buckethead, Rob, Richard, Paul, Ron, and the latest DJ Ashba,) I was like hell, "how can I make a warm welcome of these new members"? But when I had a copy of Chinese Democracy (which was labeled as the most expensive album of all times and which I think is a fucking legend) I became so addicted that I never miss to listen to it every weekend. My blackmailer sister always threaten me of burning the cd if I would not fulfill her wishes coz she knows how I value it.
Chinese Democracy is another masterpiece that should be put in the hall of fame again. Why? the songs are indeed reflections of hardwork and priceless talent, so I think it's worth the wait. The saddest thing is I learned to love all the New GNR forum members and I feel so upset whenever I read posts about frustrations on the most awaited "Better" video, chinese Democracy promotion and GNR tour. Some members are getting cynical and questioning where the heck is Guns N Roses again? I was surprised to read a post one day adressing a question to Axl Rose "Do you know where the fuck you are?..then I ask myself as a fan, "Do I know where the fuck I am"?
Do I know where the fuck I am?Yes, I am just a GNR buff! My friend told me I am a fucking idiot to ever put Axl Rose's photo as a background in my friendster and multiply account. She mentioned I need to have a lot of growing up! She said "How do you think your boyfriend would feel if he would see Axl Rose in almost all of your stuff? Well, I just answered, good thing I have no fucking boyfriend, and I don't need an insecure one! Plus, I also told her, no man in this world should ever judge a fucking fanatic like me because no man had the same pain, grief, failure, happiness or success to ever conclude that he is any better than anyone else!
Now, how do I comment on the statement that poor fanatics are cretin people who think they own their idols? Well, I guess I and the rest of my friends in GNR forums are lucky to ever feel and become the way we are. Atleast, we have one source of enthusiasm that makes a day! I don't care much about the so many psychological or subliminal reasons that science or the brightest mind can blow in my face when it comes to fanaticism. I'd rather say fuck your opinion if you think you are right, and condemn me for my wicked and fanatical being, but if you think you are more than the respect you ought to give a fanatic like me, then you are no less than the most uncivilized know-nothing brainy wannabe philosopher.
