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Re: Salon Reunion article
Guns n’ Roses reuniting, all grown up: How trading rock debauchery and drama for stability and unity will pay off
ANNIE ZALESKI
Guns n' Roses reuniting, all grown up: How trading rock debauchery and drama for stability and unity will pay off
(Credit: AP/Reuters/Arben Celi/RTNKabik/Owen Sweeney)
On Monday night, Coachella finally officially confirmed the worst-kept secret in the music industry:
Guns n’ Roses is headlining the Saturday nights of the annual two-weekend music festival, which takes place on April 15-17 and 22-24.
To sweeten the deal, it was confirmed yesterday that the band’s festival lineup will feature three-fifths of their classic configuration: frontman Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan. Who else is involved is unconfirmed, although it’s heavily rumored that the trio will team up with core players from GNR’s modern-day incarnation—including guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, and long-time keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman—and even potentially add Velvet Revolver guitarist Dave Kushner into the mix.
While this news was certainly exciting, it wasn’t unexpected. In the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Billboard first reported the Coachella news, along with the fact that Guns n’ Roses was potentially negotiating terms of a 2016 stadium tour.
This article seemed to confirm reunion rumors that had smoldered ever since guitarists DJ Ashba and Bumblefoot left the group in recent years, McKagan played with GNR in 2014, and Slash let it slip to CBS News that he and Rose—who haven’t played together since mid-1993 and split in 1996 amid creative and personality differences—were on fine terms.
“[Rose and I] haven’t really talked in a long time,” the guitarist said. “But a lot of the tension that you were talking about has dissipated. We don’t have all those issues anymore. There’s not a lot of controversy.” After simmering for much of 2015, the reunion buzz exploded anew in late December, after the band’s official website swapped in the group’s old-school logo and fans reported that a brief, mysterious video snippet featuring “Welcome To The Jungle” played before “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Still, Guns n’ Roses is a notoriously mercurial band, and even as recently as 2012—when Rose decided not to show up for the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction—relations within the old-school lineup were shaky.
In fact, until Slash and McKagan added the band-logo-in-the-Coachella-desert graphic to their respective Facebook pages on Monday night (and then had their involvement confirmed with a Tuesday press release) there was always some doubt about whether they would be rejoining Rose. After all, on January 1, the frontman facetiously tweeted, “The only thing I know ‘confirmed’ is my LOVE of Taco Bell! Mmmmm…. Taco Bell!! Happy New Years!!”
Naturally, the reunion also isn’t free from controversy. The lineup question marks have angered fans, especially since Coachella tickets are going on sale this week, while the unclear status of “Appetite For Destruction”-era members Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler (not to mention “Use Your Illusion”-era drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Gilby Clarke) has also been frustrating.
Stradlin’s potential absence has especially caused consternation, since he wrote or co-wrote some of the group’s best-known (and most-loved) songs, and has guested with the band at shows in recent years.
Adler’s rumored absence would be less surprising. Although he’s been vocal about wanting a reunion, in an early fall interview with Eddie Trunk, he wasn’t exactly charitable toward several of his former band members; among other things, he said McKagan was “judgmental and forgetful of where he came from.”
And for this Guns n’ Roses reboot to succeed, the band needs stability and unity, something which tended to elude them back in the ’80s and ’90s. That’s why the heavily rumored expanded lineup would make sense, as on paper it seems designed to have the steadiest foundation.
The trio of Kushner, McKagan and Slash formed the powerful musical center of Velvet Revolver, and already have built-in collaborative chemistry.
Fortus and Ferrer, meanwhile, are ferocious players who have been in bands together off-and-on for two decades (notably in the ’90s project Love Spit Love with Psychedelic Furs’ Richard Butler) and have been in GNR since 2006. Because of this long-term musical relationship—both with each other and with Rose, Reed and Pitman—Fortus and Ferrer are a solid, grounding presence within the band, reliable performers who keep the energy high and avoid drama.
Indeed, although the GNR musical template is considered to be a volatile amalgamation of punk, hard rock and metal, the band has transcended its youthful rebellion. Slash and McKagan especially are much more serious players now. That’s partly a function of sobriety—back in GNR’s heyday, both were notorious addicts—and partly due to experience.
Slash has toured and recorded extensively with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators in recent years and explored soundtrack and session work, while McKagan has become a respected, best-selling author in addition to his musical activities. The men bring different creative influences to GNR in 2016, which will no doubt seep into and reshape even the band’s most familiar songs.
That’s not a bad thing at all—in fact, for GNR, it’s perhaps the best possible scenario. As recent performances have shown, the band’s songs endure: Hearing the Doppler-siren opening of “Welcome To The Jungle” remains as spine-tingling as it did back in the ’80s, and there’s intangible danger built into GNR’s music that’s yet to be duplicated by any band.
But it’s not 1991 anymore, and trying to capture that era’s lightning in a bottle would be a mistake, if not a disrespectful gesture to both fans and the current lineup. Back then, GNR was a high-functioning, talented trainwreck that thrived almost in spite of itself. This dysfunction wasn’t sustainable, however; in fact, it caused the band to fracture.
And as much as many want the rebellious, irresponsible GNR to come roaring back—thanks to the mythology shrouding the debauchery, excess and bad behavior of the 1987-1993 era—that’s not feasible.
There’s undoubtedly a mind-boggling amount of money at stake on all levels of the operation, from the promoter guarantees on down to the price of concert tickets, which ensures that anything less than greatness—and on-time performances—is unacceptable.
Plus, true loyalists want this version of GNR to succeed, simply because Rose, Slash and McKagan performing together again seemed so impossible for so many years. The unadulterated excitement over seeing them perform together again—or, for many fans, for the first time—trumps cynicism or the thirst for a mess.
Still, that doesn’t mean a regrouped GNR will be sterile, boring or predictable. On the contrary, nobody’s quite sure what the band will sound like in 2016, or how the players will interact with one another (much less navigate potential tour dates).
In an era full of carefully strategized gestures, Rose is a throwback rock star who doesn’t care about massaging his public persona; in fact, he guards his privacy fiercely and surfaces on Twitter only occasionally to tweet about animal rights and world affairs, or to unleash an emoji explosion.
By extension, GNR is a refreshingly capricious wild card, a band shrouded in mystery whose moves are revealed only when the time is right.
It’s hard not to characterize Axl and Slash burying the hatchet and performing together again like a victory lap, an opportunity for GNR to have a do-over and see what they can accomplish while clear-headed and free from the burdens of label pressures, tabloid frenzies and substance abuse.
The gesture is certainly perfectly in line with Rose’s paradox-driven personality: He’s a notorious perfectionist and can be fickle—which explains the lack of new material released in the last few decades and the sudden cancellation of a “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” appearance—but he’s also extremely ambitious and willing to take risks. In fact, it would be out of character for GNR to repeat themselves.
Sorum praised these qualities in a 2001 interview: “[Axl] wanted to heighten; he wanted to cross Guns over into super group. And he was very smart about the way he did it. He used to bring artists onstage with us: Elton (John), Brian May, Lenny Kravitz, Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry. … To a certain degree, I think the band achieved super group status because of the strategic things that Axl always thought up.”
What GNR circa 2016 might accomplish is certainly a question mark, but it’s unequivocally punctuation buoyed by pure, optimistic possibility.
Re: Salon Reunion article
although it’s heavily rumored that the trio will team up with core players from GNR’s modern-day incarnation—including guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, and long-time keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman—and even potentially add Velvet Revolver guitarist Dave Kushner into the mix.
I wish they would quash this if its not true. The Kushner thing is the most absurd rumor so far.
in a 2001 interview: “[Axl] wanted to heighten; he wanted to cross Guns over into super group.
He actually pulled it off in 2001. It just didn't get off the ground properly.
Re: Salon Reunion article
Could you imagine if Axl's original vision had been released and dreadlocked-Izzy had been on rhythm guitar in 2001-02, instead of Paul/Richard? Supergroup indeed.
I agree with the Kushner rumor. I think it's nothing more than fanboyism of the Slashites/VR-fans still around and Dave decided to take the piss with it on social media. Nothing more.
However...
If Axl DOES decide to retain THREE guitarists in a reunion scenario, the ONLY way I see Slash signing off on it is if Richard goes to Lead Guitar 2 (where Axl always wanted him, also allowing Izzy's guest spots), and the trade-off is Dave Kushner on rhythm.
The only issue I have is if you're going to go through the trouble of bringing in a completely new band member like Kushner.... why not just call Gilby Clarke in that situation? I thought Gilby & Slash were boys? Why would Slash/Duff push for Kushner, when Gilby would be the obvious choice, especially being they performed with Gilby at the RNRHOF induction in 2012?
Plus, if you're going to go that far with Kushner/Clarke... why call Steven? Why not just call Matt Sorum? Just focus your efforts on a UYI reunion, which is what it already pretty much is, if Izzy/Steven aren't fully involved.
Re: Salon Reunion article
Hi Annie,
Nice press release! 
The trio of Kushner, McKagan and Slash formed the powerful musical center of Velvet Revolver, and already have built-in collaborative chemistry.
Fortus and Ferrer, meanwhile, are ferocious players who have been in bands together off-and-on for two decades (notably in the ’90s project Love Spit Love with Psychedelic Furs’ Richard Butler) and have been in GNR since 2006. Because of this long-term musical relationship—both with each other and with Rose, Reed and Pitman—Fortus and Ferrer are a solid, grounding presence within the band, reliable performers who keep the energy high and avoid drama.
The only part that worries is Rose, the singer who fell out of shape by the late 2011 touring cycle and has been struggling to reach his earlier level since. Funny you missed it, in an otherwise exhaustively researched and well-written piece.
But it’s not 1991 anymore, and trying to capture that era’s lightning in a bottle would be a mistake, if not a disrespectful gesture to both fans and the current lineup.
I agree, it would be embarrassing.
In an era full of carefully strategized gestures, Rose is a throwback rock star who doesn’t care about massaging his public persona; in fact, he guards his privacy fiercely and surfaces on Twitter only occasionally to tweet about animal rights and world affairs, or to unleash an emoji explosion.
He's the resident troll of hard rock, yes. That's a good one for his carefully strategized gestures. Be it three album-plans he revealed nigh 15 years ago or lashing out to discussion forum moderators.
But he will talk, eventually. As dexter, if none other.
In fact, it would be out of character for GNR to repeat themselves.
Awesome.
A REUNION SHOW FOLLOWED BY A NO-SHOW IN COACHELLA STARTS NOW!
Re: Salon Reunion article
The only issue I have is if you're going to go through the trouble of bringing in a completely new band member like Kushner.... why not just call Gilby Clarke in that situation? I thought Gilby & Slash were boys? Why would Slash/Duff push for Kushner, when Gilby would be the obvious choice, especially being they performed with Gilby at the RNRHOF induction in 2012?
Plus, if you're going to go that far with Kushner/Clarke... why call Steven? Why not just call Matt Sorum? Just focus your efforts on a UYI reunion, which is what it already pretty much is, if Izzy/Steven aren't fully involved.
Gilby was fired by Axl, he might not be first on the list of people coming back. Dave is then the most familiar guy for the spot. If Sorum isn't part of this either (also fired by Axl) that may be the reason.
Re: Salon Reunion article
Axlin16 wrote:The only issue I have is if you're going to go through the trouble of bringing in a completely new band member like Kushner.... why not just call Gilby Clarke in that situation? I thought Gilby & Slash were boys? Why would Slash/Duff push for Kushner, when Gilby would be the obvious choice, especially being they performed with Gilby at the RNRHOF induction in 2012?
Plus, if you're going to go that far with Kushner/Clarke... why call Steven? Why not just call Matt Sorum? Just focus your efforts on a UYI reunion, which is what it already pretty much is, if Izzy/Steven aren't fully involved.
Gilby was fired by Axl, he might not be first on the list of people coming back. Dave is then the most familiar guy for the spot. If Sorum isn't part of this either (also fired by Axl) that may be the reason.
That would be my guess as well. Axl wasn't thrilled with Gilby's writing the first time around, so he might not want to include him if that's part of the plan. At least that would be my hope. If it was all about nostalgia then I can't think of a reason for Gilby to not be involved. Last I knew, he and Axl were on decent terms. Steven and Matt could be a different story.
Re: Salon Reunion article
Kush makes sense for the same reasons that Frank and Fortus do. In a three guitar line-up, if Axl does not want Gilby, for whatever reason, then Kush becomes the obvious choice. Just because Slash is friendly with Gilby, doesn't mean he wants to play with him in Guns. It's not a slumber party where people are invited because they're friends. Plus, if they're looking for GNR to have a future, Kush is the better option.
Also, Gilby and Fortus have too much of the same look. It's better to have just one Izzy lookalike in the band.
If it was all about nostalgia then I can't think of a reason for Gilby to not be involved. Last I knew, he and Axl were on decent terms. Steven and Matt could be a different story.
Axl may not want to revisit the UYI line-up, because he felt they ganged-up on him. Though Kush is from VR, he may be considered more neutral, because he wasn't involved in those issues.
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Re: Salon Reunion article
The Coachella line up is not in stone yet I don't think. I think it will be a big alumni party. I think you the "touring band" (Slash, Duff, Axl, Frank, Richard, Dizzy, Chris) with guests from (Sorum, Adler, Izzy). If they do the third player we may get the Dave idea (lame kind of) or even Gilby possibly. I believe we get a small AFD 5 reunion at Coachella. Maybe 5 songs.
Re: Salon Reunion article
polluxlm wrote:Axlin16 wrote:The only issue I have is if you're going to go through the trouble of bringing in a completely new band member like Kushner.... why not just call Gilby Clarke in that situation? I thought Gilby & Slash were boys? Why would Slash/Duff push for Kushner, when Gilby would be the obvious choice, especially being they performed with Gilby at the RNRHOF induction in 2012?
Plus, if you're going to go that far with Kushner/Clarke... why call Steven? Why not just call Matt Sorum? Just focus your efforts on a UYI reunion, which is what it already pretty much is, if Izzy/Steven aren't fully involved.
Gilby was fired by Axl, he might not be first on the list of people coming back. Dave is then the most familiar guy for the spot. If Sorum isn't part of this either (also fired by Axl) that may be the reason.
That would be my guess as well. Axl wasn't thrilled with Gilby's writing the first time around, so he might not want to include him if that's part of the plan. At least that would be my hope. If it was all about nostalgia then I can't think of a reason for Gilby to not be involved. Last I knew, he and Axl were on decent terms. Steven and Matt could be a different story.
This is pretty much what I was getting at. We have no clue if Axl plans on future recording and actually continuing THIS Guns on past just a live reunion existence. We don't know.
If Axl's gonna push this new revamped lineup as a new GN'R rebirth, then yes, Gilby doesn't make alot of sense. But like you said if this is total nostalgia (no different than the last few tours by GN'R), then there's no reason for Gilby not to fill-in for Izzy and Steven/Matt to be sharing drumming duties, and showing Frank the door.
Kush makes sense for the same reasons that Frank and Fortus do. In a three guitar line-up, if Axl does not want Gilby, for whatever reason, then Kush becomes the obvious choice. Just because Slash is friendly with Gilby, doesn't mean he wants to play with him in Guns. It's not a slumber party where people are invited because they're friends. Plus, if they're looking for GNR to have a future, Kush is the better option.
Also, Gilby and Fortus have too much of the same look. It's better to have just one Izzy lookalike in the band.
faldor wrote:If it was all about nostalgia then I can't think of a reason for Gilby to not be involved. Last I knew, he and Axl were on decent terms. Steven and Matt could be a different story.
Axl may not want to revisit the UYI line-up, because he felt they ganged-up on him. Though Kush is from VR, he may be considered more neutral, because he wasn't involved in those issues.
Your logic makes no sense. Axl doesn't want Gilby back because he feels the UYI lineup ganged up on him, but he wants 3/5 of VR, possibly 4/5 (if Matt is there), and that's safer than a UYI reunion? Huh?
How does Dave Kushner make sense for the future of Guns? Nobody outside of VR fanboys know who the fuck Dave Kushner even is. Gilby Clarke on the other hand is practically "the 5th Beatle" from his tenure in GN'R, and is know all over the world. So much in fact, if you were to do a poll, I assure you more people would EASILY identify Gilby Clarke before they would Richard Fortus, Dave Kushner, Frank Ferrer, and/or Chris Pitman.
Oh and ummm.... Fortus looks NOTHING like Izzy either. And Gilby looks nothing like the two of them.
The only way your theory works is if Axl (who has openly spoke of his disdain of the UYI period), simply doesn't want Gilby or Matt there because he just does not want to relive or tribute the UYI period. Not because the music was bad, but Axl has publicly said he just feels everything went off the rails then and it was not a very happy time in his life. Couple that with the fact of having a band that more logically should be playing Locomotive live instead of Think About You (if Gilby/Matt are there), Axl just might not want to go there again.
To me... IF... Kush is there, it'll be out of request from Slash & Duff as a 'middle ground' agreement between them and Axl to keep Axl's three guitarists gimmick and promote Richard to Lead Guitar 2, which was supposed to be Richard's job from day one. Buckethead knocked Richard to rhythm guitar where he stayed.
The Coachella line up is not in stone yet I don't think. I think it will be a big alumni party. I think you the "touring band" (Slash, Duff, Axl, Frank, Richard, Dizzy, Chris) with guests from (Sorum, Adler, Izzy). If they do the third player we may get the Dave idea (lame kind of) or even Gilby possibly. I believe we get a small AFD 5 reunion at Coachella. Maybe 5 songs.
You know, you make a really great point. Depending on how much Axl wants to push this version of GN'R depends on how much old vs. new you will get at Coachella. It's also very tricky. If Axl has ANY intention of releasing new music with this Slash-rebuilt version of GN'R, he's probably going to want to limit how much of the original guys he pushes in the band.
However if this is a nostalgia show, he probably could let the original 5 perform half of the concert. The problem becomes if the audience DEMANDS the original 5, and they are there, what will Axl/Slash/Duff potentially make money-wise to cut Izzy & Steven in a full reunion. Something tells me they'll get their $3mil booking fee with the original 5 on the 25-date tour. Without the original guys... I still struggle to believe they're gonna get $3mil in 2016, simply because Axl & Slash are there.
Re: Salon Reunion article
The only way your theory works is if Axl (who has openly spoke of his disdain of the UYI period), simply doesn't want Gilby or Matt there because he just does not want to relive or tribute the UYI period.
umm, that is exactly my point. I made no mention of the music being bad. Axl may not want anyone from the UYI line-up, because he felt ganged-up on and doesn't want to relive that time.
How does Dave Kushner make sense for the future of Guns? Nobody outside of VR fanboys know who the fuck Dave Kushner even is.
It doesn't matter who recognises Dave. Slash preferred writing with Kush. So if GNR wants to have a future beyond nostalgia, Kush would be the better writing partner than Gilby. Especially considering Axl has already rejected Gilby's writing efforts.
It's pretty simple, though I don't expect Dave to even be there.
