Serious question.

[abaraxas]

Axl obviously pushed a lot of shit uphill to make a new GNR-and I personally think that the 2000-2004 lineup was the defining vision of what the new Guns was going to be, it was/still is very exciting to think what those guys cooked up during their time together.

Yes, we all know I cant stand Ashbas appearance-in saying that I never had a problem with Robins early 2000s look or Buckethead-I was well familiar with Robin from his NIN work (friends at the time were/still are huge NIN fiends) and to a lesser degree Bucket from his Primus association.
Marilyn Manson were/was big around that time,and his foil/bassist Twiggy Ramirez stole his look from Robin in the 90s(who in turn,I think owes a lot of that look to Brian Eno in his Roxy Music/early solo era) and things like Shacklers Revenge,Silkworms and Oh My God are very reminiscent of NIN/Manson of that time (hey lets not forget Sean Beavan worked on CD too) I honestly didnt give a fuck Robin Finck and the guy with the Bucket on his head were in GNR-I was pumped for what would result from this strange brew.

My beef lies in the fact that for whatever reason, the album got sat on and Bucket,Brain,Robin left...and for what? Can you honestly say after listening to the antiquiet or 2006 or even in some ways the 99 demos that some amazing additions were added to the songs we finally got? I dont. In my opinion, the album sat in the oven for five years too long and by that time most of the key ingredients had left the band.
Ron Thal is a lovely guy and an amazing guitarist-but when I listen to the studio leak of CD(the song) and then the final version I can honestly say what he "added" to that song for me just took away from it.
God knows what songs like Shacklers Revenge orSorry sounded like pre Ron but Im willing to bet that nothing was "improved"
If the line of thought was to improve the credibility of the GNR name by having the guys currently in the band appear on the album I dont get it because I for one and I think mosrt fans would have accepted them anyway.

So on to DJ-okay Axl has fought so hard,wont be told anymore etc etc and after a decade and more without Slash and trying to make GNR into a different beast he ends up getting for all intents and purposes, a Slash lite.

All of this is just my opinion, but as far as Im concerned this is scraping the barrel, its back to square one and I reckon Axl may as well just eat a fuckload of humble pie and get Slash back, because having DJ onstage with GNR just reeks of Slash wannabee and sorry, Ashba isnt the real deal. Yes, he plays nice etc-but I cant believe this poser is a member of the band Guns N Roses.

Phew! 

[DJ Axl]

This explanation was surprisingly valid and to be honest I agree for the most part.  However I disagree that Ashba's a slash wannabe for the reason that most of the things he does in GNR, he has done his entire career.  other than that I agree with that argument

[Mr Fantasy]

Axl obviously pushed a lot of shit uphill to make a new GNR-and I personally think that the 2000-2004 lineup was the defining vision of what the new Guns was going to be, it was/still is very exciting to think what those guys cooked up during their time together.

Yes, we all know I cant stand Ashbas appearance-in saying that I never had a problem with Robins early 2000s look or Buckethead-I was well familiar with Robin from his NIN work (friends at the time were/still are huge NIN fiends) and to a lesser degree Bucket from his Primus association.
Marilyn Manson were/was big around that time,and his foil/bassist Twiggy Ramirez stole his look from Robin in the 90s(who in turn,I think owes a lot of that look to Brian Eno in his Roxy Music/early solo era) and things like Shacklers Revenge,Silkworms and Oh My God are very reminiscent of NIN/Manson of that time (hey lets not forget Sean Beavan worked on CD too) I honestly didnt give a fuck Robin Finck and the guy with the Bucket on his head were in GNR-I was pumped for what would result from this strange brew.

My beef lies in the fact that for whatever reason, the album got sat on and Bucket,Brain,Robin left...and for what? Can you honestly say after listening to the antiquiet or 2006 or even in some ways the 99 demos that some amazing additions were added to the songs we finally got? I dont. In my opinion, the album sat in the oven for five years too long and by that time most of the key ingredients had left the band.
Ron Thal is a lovely guy and an amazing guitarist-but when I listen to the studio leak of CD(the song) and then the final version I can honestly say what he "added" to that song for me just took away from it.
God knows what songs like Shacklers Revenge orSorry sounded like pre Ron but Im willing to bet that nothing was "improved"
If the line of thought was to improve the credibility of the GNR name by having the guys currently in the band appear on the album I dont get it because I for one and I think mosrt fans would have accepted them anyway.

So on to DJ-okay Axl has fought so hard,wont be told anymore etc etc and after a decade and more without Slash and trying to make GNR into a different beast he ends up getting for all intents and purposes, a Slash lite.

All of this is just my opinion, but as far as Im concerned this is scraping the barrel, its back to square one and I reckon Axl may as well just eat a fuckload of humble pie and get Slash back, because having DJ onstage with GNR just reeks of Slash wannabee and sorry, Ashba isnt the real deal. Yes, he plays nice etc-but I cant believe this poser is a member of the band Guns N Roses.

Phew! 

Sums up everyhting I've ever thought

[Dont Cry Axl]

This explanation was surprisingly valid and to be honest I agree for the most part.  However I disagree that Ashba's a slash wannabe for the reason that most of the things he does in GNR, he has done his entire career.  other than that I agree with that argument

sames

[rds.06]

Axl obviously pushed a lot of shit uphill to make a new GNR-and I personally think that the 2000-2004 lineup was the defining vision of what the new Guns was going to be, it was/still is very exciting to think what those guys cooked up during their time together.

Yes, we all know I cant stand Ashbas appearance-in saying that I never had a problem with Robins early 2000s look or Buckethead-I was well familiar with Robin from his NIN work (friends at the time were/still are huge NIN fiends) and to a lesser degree Bucket from his Primus association.
Marilyn Manson were/was big around that time,and his foil/bassist Twiggy Ramirez stole his look from Robin in the 90s(who in turn,I think owes a lot of that look to Brian Eno in his Roxy Music/early solo era) and things like Shacklers Revenge,Silkworms and Oh My God are very reminiscent of NIN/Manson of that time (hey lets not forget Sean Beavan worked on CD too) I honestly didnt give a fuck Robin Finck and the guy with the Bucket on his head were in GNR-I was pumped for what would result from this strange brew.

My beef lies in the fact that for whatever reason, the album got sat on and Bucket,Brain,Robin left...and for what? Can you honestly say after listening to the antiquiet or 2006 or even in some ways the 99 demos that some amazing additions were added to the songs we finally got? I dont. In my opinion, the album sat in the oven for five years too long and by that time most of the key ingredients had left the band.
Ron Thal is a lovely guy and an amazing guitarist-but when I listen to the studio leak of CD(the song) and then the final version I can honestly say what he "added" to that song for me just took away from it.
God knows what songs like Shacklers Revenge orSorry sounded like pre Ron but Im willing to bet that nothing was "improved"
If the line of thought was to improve the credibility of the GNR name by having the guys currently in the band appear on the album I dont get it because I for one and I think mosrt fans would have accepted them anyway.

So on to DJ-okay Axl has fought so hard,wont be told anymore etc etc and after a decade and more without Slash and trying to make GNR into a different beast he ends up getting for all intents and purposes, a Slash lite.

All of this is just my opinion, but as far as Im concerned this is scraping the barrel, its back to square one and I reckon Axl may as well just eat a fuckload of humble pie and get Slash back, because having DJ onstage with GNR just reeks of Slash wannabee and sorry, Ashba isnt the real deal. Yes, he plays nice etc-but I cant believe this poser is a member of the band Guns N Roses.

Phew! 

I totally agree with this. This is how I feel about the whole newgnr thing. The original line up was soooo long ago, but the Bucket/Brain/Robin era was the newgnr for me, Axl had it, he had a great fucking band that could write fantastic stuff that would have achieved exactly what he wanted to achieve. Some how they all left and we have the current guys, who imho, don't compare to the Bucket/Brain/Robin era. I love Bumble and they current guys are good, but they are a remake of remake. We got CD and I'm sure we will hear other music wrote by the 200-ish line up but no doubt it won't be pure, it will have parts added and re-recorded etc. I would have loved to had CD exactly like it was during the Bucket/Brain/Robin era but thats the way it goes.

[DanGnR]

I remember a interview from 1999 on youtube where Axl says originally he wanted to record a appetite type album but couldnt because of Slash and noone came into his raider that would replace slash for that type of music, now seeing as DJ is more slash style than robin could we see a appetite style album coming out? just a thought.

[rds.06]

Probably not tbh. I think any releases we get from here on out have already been recorded.

[axls_sweetchild]

Probably not tbh. I think any releases we get from here on out have already been recorded.

I think you are right...they have probably been recorded...but leaked or already done prior to this point...I don't think so....Axl knows what he's doing...there is a method to his madness and he has shown us ( those who can read between the lines) the messages. Those of you who are ready to try and tear my face off for saying that... ...think twice...

[Menelaos]

Wow, I've actually managed to read the whole thread, thus it's high time I posted my own thoughts too! 

I hope they use Bucket and Robin's parts on the next album if there is one

+1. Wouldn't it be a bit weird using guitar parts written in early 00s in an album that will be released (?) in early 10s? And will DJ Ashba be capable of playing Robin's part or he plans on playing them in his own way, like he did with "This I Love"?

Yeah he does play a lot of different styles.. but I don't know, none of his solo stuff really did anything for me.

Totally seperate comment..

People saying they wish Buckethead and Robin were still in gnr is almost getting as annoying as the people stuck in the past wishing Slash was still in the band.. or the Appetite 5 were still together (Adrianne Galore ).  The way I look at things is you have to be positive about the present and future.. the past is done.. no point in crying over what didn't happen or what should've, could've happened.  That's not directed to you or anyone in particular by the way.

To the best of my recollection, she's does not want a reunion; she actually laughs at the idea of it. She was just fond of the classic lineup (like all of us) and firmly believes the current one has nothing to do with the old band (like I do as well).

It's cool how you guys base all of your opinions on superficial bullshit like stage antics and wardrobe. Seriously?

If it's about looking cool you've started with the wrong genre in the wrong decade

Buckethead and Robin were incredible during their tenure with G&R, both have strong catalogs of music and Robin's solo in my sig > God. Under the pressure of being 'the new GN'R' they were flawless in 01/02. Honestly, pressure to look and act more 'rock n' roll' turned Robin into a mess live, albeit cool looking, but that is what matters right.

(Based on a few posts, not the general consensus)

I firmly believe they shouldn't have changed the direction they were going to. Who would be against a new band with a new sound, compared to the old Guns? In my humble opinion, Axl should have changed the name too and follow a different way than AFD and UYI. And he almost did the second one, in '01/'02. Even though he did play a lot of oldies, most of the songs that emerged in that era were very good (The Blues, Oh My God, Madagascar). I was even fond of the '06 lineup, mostly because of Axl's performances. However, the current lineup makes me think it's nothing but a nostalgia act anymore. To put it in a polite way, Axl's vocals and looks are not what I think they should have been. Furthermore, this revolving door of musicians doesn't amuse me at all. Keeps getting worse every time someone is replaced by another guy.. Would I attend a NewGnR show? Of course I would, but this does not mean I'm not allowed to express my own views about the band, in a polite way of course. As far as DJ Ashba is concerned, his input in the band can only be compared to the one of... Gilby. I like his work with Sixx:AM, I like his so-called "Ballad of Death", but I can't help but wonder why he butchered the TIL solo. The bottom line is he still hasn't written material for the band. Personally, I prefer Robin, even though he made a lot of mistakes while playing live. I believe Robin's input would have lead NewGnR to another direction. And yes, his solo in your sig is perfect.

[Chaser™]

abaraxas that was a great post man, sums up a lot of peoples thoughts, mine included.

As far as DJ goes I could give a crap less if he dressed up in a pink ballerina tutu as long as he plays well. But I've only heard substandard work from him including ruining several of my favorite Finck riffs, intros and solos.

 I did like his work in Sixx A.M. but that whole album was written (guitar parts too) before he was brought in, all he did was play on the final versions, get in the music video's and tour with them. Good work on his part but again, playing somebody else's work.
 
 Although his album with Joe Leste's second band "Beautiful Creatures" was good his work was once again written by another guitarist (Alex Grossi). 
The only things he wrote that I've heard was a insanely horrible solo instrumental album and a few tracks that were "Nickelback meets Emo" mainstream radio tunes.

So do I think he's good? No.
Would I rather have Robin back? Yes.
Would I be willing to give GnR 6 months break time to replace him? Yes.

[Shackler89]

Dont hate Ashba, he's a great player and i actually think Ashba fits GnR more than Finck, although Finck also did a lot for the band. Still I would have loved to see Buckethead still. Love the guy's playing

[Exitus]

Actually I thought Dj Ashba's solo on TIL was better than the one on the album... (Just my opinion, I think this song needs a solo with more "melody", Robin Finck is a good player but his solos are more... erm, quirky?, or strange? I like most of them, but they don't fit every song...)

I general, I don't have a problem anymore with a musician trying to interpret somebody else's stuff.
If you go e.g. to a classical concert, you won't have any of the original writers and musicians being present, as most of them simply are dead.

[axls_sweetchild]

Actually I thought Dj Ashba's solo on TIL was better than the one on the album... (Just my opinion, I think this song needs a solo with more "melody", Robin Finck is a good player but his solos are more... erm, quirky?, or strange? I like most of them, but they don't fit every song...)

I general, I don't have a problem anymore with a musician trying to interpret somebody else's stuff.
If you go e.g. to a classical concert, you won't have any of the original writers and musicians being present, as most of them simply are dead.

I'm with you on that one.....yep....yep. ..yep !!!!   I think DJ is perfect for GNR...all needs to let the past stay in the past...it's gone...and let them do what GNR/Axl wants and where they decide to go with GRN.

[RoseHudson]

I'd disagree with the 'star' part of it.

If you didnt what an answer you didnt like you shouldnt have asked the question.

I disagree with the 'band' part of it

[wyldechild]

Actually I thought Dj Ashba's solo on TIL was better than the one on the album... (Just my opinion, I think this song needs a solo with more "melody", Robin Finck is a good player but his solos are more... erm, quirky?, or strange? I like most of them, but they don't fit every song...)

I general, I don't have a problem anymore with a musician trying to interpret somebody else's stuff.
If you go e.g. to a classical concert, you won't have any of the original writers and musicians being present, as most of them simply are dead.

I disagree .... Robins solo just screams and cries on that song ( in a fucking good way ) ... it totally fits the song and the lyrics. Ashbas solo is more like " oh here's a jolly good ol' solo " but it doesnt stick in your mind and it doesnt bring out any emotions ( at least that's what I think )