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Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
contrary to the quality over quantity argument...no band has 100% superb material...some songs are always better than others at least IMO
rule of thumb for me (as a kid buying albums) used to be have at least 4 good tracks to justify the purchase
- Intercourse
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- monkeychow
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Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
What I find interesting is that Duff stuck it out after Slash left and was the most level headed of the bunch, and even he takes Slash's side for the most part, as well as Sorum's.
I think it's because Duff is the most rational.
Axl is clearly very intelligent but he feels a lot of emotion and at times it seems to cloud his judgements, or maybe it doesn't, but it definately seems to influence his choices, like when he gets mad etc
Slash, well he has long term addiction problems, he's always been a type of loner who is pretty used to having to go his own way to get what he wants to happen to happen. While he always seems humble in interviews I think on some level he knows he's one of the best guitarists around, he just wants to play, and from his perspective Axl made it too hard to be fucked staying. Guitar shit needs to happen for Slash to keep him alive. And it wasn't going to happen in any time frame in GNR.
Duff on the other hand was a drunk fuck back in the day, but once he got his shit together, he's quite rational about his choices. He's got more of a level head than the others, in that his buttons arn't as easily pushed like someone like Axl, and he isn't ruled by his needs like Slash. So i think he had the time, and the luxuary of thought to be able to make a rational choice about it like "What do I loose by leaving GNR, what do I gain by staying here? WHat does it do to my family? Is this fullfilling creatively for me.". I think he came to the conculsion that there was a lot to loose (doesn't happen everyday that you get as sucessful as GNR) but eventually found that he wasn;t getting enough out of it anymore. But i think it's quite smart that he made a considered choice rather than just getting into a balls out screaming match with Axl one day.
Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
I don't think it's about Duff being rational. I think it's about him being a fence rider. I've known people like him, they don't like confrontation, so they people please, and try to be easy to get along with, because it's easier.
The irony is, for as many enemies as the other type make, the Axl's & Slash's are the real decision makers.
Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
I don't think it's about Duff being rational. I think it's about him being a fence rider. I've known people like him, they don't like confrontation, so they people please, and try to be easy to get along with, because it's easier.
That's a fair point and I can agree to it.
I think Duff is a little more intelligent than just riding fences, but the impression I have comes off in that direction too. However, this last interview clearly shows where he stands, he's just not using big words. He's being smart about it.
Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
Duff also said this recently:
"My band, Guns N' Roses, was in shambles, and suddenly the dynamic had changed. Not too long after I got out of the hospital, Axl came up to Seattle to visit me. The challenge was how we were going to make a new record and what direction we were going to go musically. We couldn't very well do anything at the time because Slash was out doing a Snakepit tour and battling his own addiction. In previous years, there had seemed to be a fail-proof alliance and understanding within our band; we knew that at the end of the day we only had each other to rely on. Now I was doing sober things with Axl, like riding mountain bikes and eating healthy food and talking on the phone about a productive musical direction. That sense of family and trust had recently been tainted by management dealings and other wedges that did everything possible to vanquish our bonds.
Looking back now, it is all so fucking clear. But then and there in the moment, I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that outside forces could be so selfish and money-grubbing. These were the hard lessons I would finally learn to live with, although never by."
http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2 … g_over.php
His relationship with Axl wasnt as fractured as people like to believe, sounds like at the end him and Axl were still quite tight. When you are trying to get clean of your addictions you need friends to help you get back into normal day to day routines away from the old temptations, and Axl was there for Duff.
I dont blame him for quitting though, all those guys relationships were burned out and they all needed long, even permenant, breaks from each other.
Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
"That sense of family and trust had recently been tainted by management dealings and other wedges that did everything possible to vanquish our bonds.
Looking back now, it is all so fucking clear. But then and there in the moment, I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that outside forces could be so selfish and money-grubbing. These were the hard lessons I would finally learn to live with, although never by."
I bet you anything Beta and her kids were whispering in Axl's ear about the rest of the band, and about how much better he was than them.
Can't say I blame Beta. I'm sure Stephanie Seymour treated her like a slave and made her be the primary caretaker of her child for very little cash.
The she met Axl, who was desperate for love and a family and who would just hand out cash like crazy to anyone who showed him any affection. Remember - he gave Robert John $160,000 to save his house? Don't know many people who would do that.
So Beta decided to play his mommy and for that she gets what, $10,000 a month? And he helped her get her kids to America, gave them all a place to live and got them into the school system in Malibu, gave them high paying jobs working for him and probably treats them all pretty well. Plus I'm sure they're all in his will.
It's really sad because he's so messed up and desperate for a loving family. He'll attack anyone that doesn't adore them, and they know that. They know he's messed up, but they enable it and use it to their own advantage.
I just hope they get caught one day, but probably it'll be when he's dead.
Re: Duff's 1999 Thoughts on the GNR breakup
Duff also said this recently:
"My band, Guns N' Roses, was in shambles, and suddenly the dynamic had changed. Not too long after I got out of the hospital, Axl came up to Seattle to visit me. The challenge was how we were going to make a new record and what direction we were going to go musically. We couldn't very well do anything at the time because Slash was out doing a Snakepit tour and battling his own addiction. In previous years, there had seemed to be a fail-proof alliance and understanding within our band; we knew that at the end of the day we only had each other to rely on. Now I was doing sober things with Axl, like riding mountain bikes and eating healthy food and talking on the phone about a productive musical direction. That sense of family and trust had recently been tainted by management dealings and other wedges that did everything possible to vanquish our bonds.
Looking back now, it is all so fucking clear. But then and there in the moment, I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that outside forces could be so selfish and money-grubbing. These were the hard lessons I would finally learn to live with, although never by."
http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/reverb/2 … g_over.php
His relationship with Axl wasnt as fractured as people like to believe, sounds like at the end him and Axl were still quite tight. When you are trying to get clean of your addictions you need friends to help you get back into normal day to day routines away from the old temptations, and Axl was there for Duff.
I dont blame him for quitting though, all those guys relationships were burned out and they all needed long, even permenant, breaks from each other.
I don't think any of us ever thought his and Duff's relationship was fractured at that time. In 2002, when Axl did that Press Release to launch the North American tour, he stated he knew Slash was a backstabbing liar, so he expected it.
It was Duff he was most hurt by, because he thought Duff felt one way (I assume Axl's way), and that when Duff sided with Axl, he felt betrayed.
These statements here back up what Axl said. Apparently Axl thought they were boys, and Duff ran off with Slash, whom Axl hated at that time, and still does apparently.
