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Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
He's consistent, I'll give him that.
He promised no reunions, ever. No hang-outs with Slash, no RRHOF. Wisely for himself, he's been mum about a new album. The hardcores bitch about stagnancy, regarding recording. The music press bitches about stagnancy, regarding reunion. The record label thinks whatever, probably. And what is Axl doing? Touring like there's no tomorrow, getting into fights with promoters (the catastrophic appearances in Reading/Leeds in 2010 and Rock in Rio in 2011), putting up a big legal hoedown with entertainment industry powerplayers like Irving Azoff and Activision.
Still, gotta hand it to him; the Hall of Fame, for one. Take a bow with Slash, per chance play a tune. All is forgiven. He takes the 'Get Out of Jail Free' card and burns it in front of our aghast faces. He simply takes his band back on the road. As if he'd still have a place to play somewhere around the globe, a city left out. One can say Team Brazil needs to get paid, and that the road's the last resort for the aging rocker, as that's where 25-year old tunes and the merit therein still mean a damn. But there's a catch to all of this, which we may easily overlook. Guns did the big business when it was doable, attained a legendary status when it was ripe. Time only adds to it.
There's a tide turning in the world. Following CD, Axl could've covered and hid like he did back in the day alternative became the fad. Only he did the exact opposite, he put a big show. He continues to attract a ruthless amount of attention for an artist who hasn't released a new album in years, let alone changed his setlist. That sheer vitality, which overcomes every naysayer and doombringer lamenting about a 'last chance' every other year, still gets to people.
CD has since began to grow on the blogosphere cynics and is now considered more fondly. With an abbreviation synonymous to compact disc, it was the last album ever to be made with such an advance, timetable and media attention. In its own way, it encompasses an entire era, regardless of its contents. It has to be noted, re-evaluated if only as an artists screw-you to a non-caring industry. It has to be noted because Axl's not giving us an option; no Slash, no new album.
While touring is the best business to be in for a band in Guns' level, people start to see Axl again as a working class hero. At least, working. Rocking for a living in abandon at 50. During an economic crisis.
We can complain, but he's not stopping. He's out-touring the UYI lineup with a (post-)CD lineup. He's burning bridges and naming names. He's paying dividents across his back catalogue. He lashes out in Twitter (abusing the platform by exceeded ranting). He's the same ol' Axl, but to a new generation of fans, he's like a breath of fresh air. Who is this old croon and why should they care? In a world of 'Look at me, I'm on the Internet', Axl's stance is the same old. 'I'm here. Deal with it or fuck off.'
At the benefit of hindsight, it's quite amazing what a barometer Axl unwittingly has become within the music industry. Eventually, he always moves into a position where people see him stand for something they want to believe in. Maybe he doesn't realize it. He's just happy to be there. Mostly.
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
Enjoyable read. I feel like forums are usually mad at Axl because they think he "deserves better" ie. more fame, to make the best music, inspire the best possible legacy, etc and they see him as squandering a last chance at something special, be it a post-UYI legacy as big as the old band, or the old band reuniting (which I don't think will ever happen but people hope I guess.)
I think it's cool Axl's doing what he's doing. It would be cool if he did a podcast every once in a while or something/was a bit more active with the fans, but what can you do about it really. I don't think there's going to be anything new for awhile so I don't follow GN'R as intensely as I used to, but when there's a new album in the works I'll be around to listen to it.
- metallex78
- Rep: 194
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
Great read, but I disagree strongly that "He's the same ol' Axl, but to a new generation of fans, he's like a breath of fresh air"
More like a breath of stale, old, recycled air these days... 
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
- Mikkamakka
- Rep: 217
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
Great read, but I disagree strongly that "He's the same ol' Axl, but to a new generation of fans, he's like a breath of fresh air"
More like a breath of stale, old, recycled air these days...
This.
Despite what remaining fans wish/want/think/dream, Axl has no relevance today. Even the GN'R sites lost at least half of their members in the past few years. Outside this little bubble, he's seen as a joke or a has-been. But people don't care enough to even think of him.
- Mikkamakka
- Rep: 217
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
Musically, his relevance is anywhere in between questionable and non-existent.
Culturally, he still carries (or, rather, has re-acquired) certain clout. People remember him, and talk about him, because of Slash.
Last time I heard any non-fan talking about him was the benefit show fiasco. Prior that the RIR disaster. 
They do remember him, but the contrast is just too big between his former self, who ruled the world, and the strange 50-year old man, who spoils his performances.
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
You're being a bit lopsided, I think.
Axl's always had two separate camps going for him, one for Mick Wall and other detractors, another for... Well, the extreme form is Axl-ites. What I'm saying is the other camp has more recently been picking up, as they're finding ways to champion him. This was more difficult pre-CD.
Slash gives Guns certain cultural relevance today, Axl supplies for that demand by doing Vegas residences, et al. People see Axl as someone from the past, but he's someone who has the ability to hold your attention.
- Mikkamakka
- Rep: 217
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
You're being a bit lopsided, I think.
Axl's always had two separate camps going for him, one for Mick Wall and other detractors, another for... Well, the extreme form is Axl-ites. What I'm saying is the other camp has more recently been picking up, as they're finding ways to champion him. This was more difficult pre-CD.
Slash gives Guns certain cultural relevance today, Axl supplies for that demand by doing Vegas residences, et al. People see Axl as someone from the past, but he's someone who has the ability to hold your attention.
I don't think so.
People used to love or love to hate Axl. It has changed. They don't even bother to hate him. Yes, there is still an Axlist tribe, but it's thinning with every day.
Years ago, many people I know (non-fans) asked me "when's the new album coming out?". They don't even care to make fun of me (or Axl) anymore. He's a broken record. Nobody sees him as some people here, that he'd be a "rebel", "anti-industry", a "personality" or an "enigma". People see him as a washed-up has-been, who hasn't done anything for 20 years. People feel nothing, but sorry for him, if anything.
On the other hand, a lot of people would go to see "Guns N' Roses" play SCOM, NR and Paradise City. Nostalgia is a drug.
Re: Feigning Relevance - Axl on a Never-Ending Tour
People see him as a washed-up has-been, who hasn't done anything for 20 years. People feel nothing, but sorry for him, if anything.
On the other hand, a lot of people would go to see "Guns N' Roses" play SCOM, NR and Paradise City. Nostalgia is a drug.
Tut, tut.
A lot of people do go to see "Guns N' Roses" play whatever. If they'd be wantonly disinterested about Axl and Guns' contemporary drawing power would rest squarely on Slash's media visibilty, Axl'd be doing empty arenas, then not. I do admit time again comes into play; Axl's in his later times as an active frontman, which boosts the nostalgia value. He wasn't as liked a decade ago, but to each his own.
Years ago, many people I know (non-fans) asked me "when's the new album coming out?".
The biggest Pre-Internet band of the world was doing a follow-up to their double album, which itself was released at the peak of their popularity? You bet there was non-fan interest, as part of having longevity is to keep up on appearances.
The Stones have continued putting out albums not too many salivates over (methinks), simply because it's good for them to offer another excuse for the music press to write about them. That keeps them in memory, allows them to tour again, and draws attention to their and most relevant best works, done decades ago. Not saying Stones' more recent efforts are altogether shoddy, but they definitely lack the gravitas the band enjoyed in the 60s/70s.
They don't even care to make fun of me (or Axl) anymore.
They do, believe me. Those latest Rock in Rio images of him in that raincoat... Even in a debased form, he is still the archtypical Rock Star, with all the wild oaks. One reason for that is that he's been insanely lucky to have had not much competition in that regard. Considering how little effort he's put to his legacy, he's far from forgotten. Of what he is currently known and in what what light he is viewed are separate of the exposure, naturally, but I find his lasting power surprising in a fast-rate information society where has-beens are the norm.
