[艾叔] 為何我仍要繼續用GNR的團名
AXL ROSE: Why I Am Continung To Use Name GUNS N' ROSES - Dec. 14, 2008
GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose has made a lengthy posting to the
MyGNRForum.com web site where he answered a number of fan-submitted questions
related to such topics as why he is continuing to use the GUNS name and the
circumstances that led to the breakup of the classic GN'R lineup. His posting
follows below in its entirety. (Note that the questions Axl is responding to
were not included in his original post.)
"OK, then!! The questions aren't here but the answers, as it moves along, I
think point pretty clearly to what was asked in pretty much order or close of
the seven pages. If I didn't answer, it was either already answered, off
topic or I mistakenly overlooked the question. My apologies for the
inconvenience. It's not as light hearted as some of the other sessions but
that's the subject matter. Whew!!
"So let's start here… the whole 'Axl wouldn't go on stage' yada yada… is
complete and utter crap. Never happened, all made up, fallacy and fantasy.
Not one single solitary thread of truth to it. Had that been the case, I
would've have been cremated years ago legally, could've cleaned me out for
the name and damages. It's called under duress with extenuating
circumstances. In fact, the time that was mentioned, the attorneys were all
in Europe with us dealing with Adler [original GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven
Adler] depositions.
"Couldn't talk sooner as it could have jeopardized whatever nonsense was
going on.
"When GUNS renegotiated our contract with Geffen, I had the bit about the
name added in as protection for myself as I had come up with the name and
then originally started the band with it. It had more to do with management
than the band, as our then-manager was always tryin' to convince someone they
should fire me. As I had stopped speaking with him, he sensed his days were
numbered and was bending any ear he could along with attempting to sell our
renegotiation out for a personal payday from Geffen.
"It was added to the contract and everyone signed off on it. It wasn't hidden
in fine print, etc., as you had to initial the section verifying you had
acknowledged it.
"Now, at that time I didn't know or think about brand names or corporate
value etc. All I knew is that I came in with the name and from day one
everyone had agreed to it being mine should we break up and now it was in
writing.
"I still didn't grasp any other issues until long after I'd left and formed a
new partnership which was only an effort to salvage GUNS, not steal it.
"In my opinion, the reality of the shift and the public embarrassment and
ridicule by others (which included a lot of not-so-on-the-level business
types he was associating with at the time) for not contesting the rights to
the brand name, were more than Slash [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] could
openly face. Also, we aren't lawyers or formally business educated, so it was
just a matter of all of us being naïve and doing what we thought was right
at the time. Slash was, in my opinion, being on the up and up in agreeing I
had the rights, and I wasn't trying to be some snake in the grass pulling a
fast one. The others could've cared less.
"But when the reality of the breakup hit and the strategy to have me crawl
back was put into play, Slash had to save face and get business team and
public support. Painting me as the one who held a crowd hostage forcing the
others to sign over the name worked out pretty well in that regard. I'm the
bad guy, and Duff [McKagan, ex-GUNS bassist], the fans and most importantly
himself were the victims. Oh, and they had actually made the sacrifice for
the crowd, the people, the fans at the show. But again…. IT NEVER HAPPENED.
"Media and others ignorantly, wrongly and falsely harped on about it at mine
and the fans' expense for years, and Slash has hoped to use all that to
continually sue and have some sort of legal nonsense going on behind the
scenes in an effort to reverse things. He wouldn't have been able to get the
support and action on the part of his various team members over the years to
do so if the truth were out there especially when the statute of limitations
had run out years ago.
"Why keep the name? I'm literally the last man standing. Not bragging, not
proud. It's been a fucking nightmare but I didn't leave GUNS and I didn't
drive others out. With Slash, it's been nothing more than pure strategy and
saving face while manipulating the public like he used to me. I earned the
right to protect my efforts and to be able to take advantage of our contract
I'd worked hard for where Slash's exact words were that he didn't care. I get
that some like a different version or lineup the same way some like a
specific team line up or a particular year of a specific car but because you
and I are getting played I'm supposed to throw the baby out with the bath
water?
"I didn't make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different
than this and probably much more instrumental. I made a GUNS record with the
right people who were the only people who really wanted to help me try, were
qualified and capable while enduring the public abuse for years . The songs
were chosen by everyone involved. I didn't want to do 'This I Love' in any
way shape or form, and Robin [Finck, current GUNS guitarist] and Caram
[Costanzo; co-producer] insisted gaining Tommy's [Stinson, bass] and the
others' support. There's been a lot of pressure to go with using my name (all
external) but that never felt right to me for this band and the parameters in
regard to this music have lots more to do with the mindset of GUNS than
something else. The instrumental I wrote for 'End of Days' that's more a solo
effort, at least presently.
"As far as a new name… this is who I am, not whatever else someone else
thinks of. I don't see myself as solely GUNS, but I do see myself as the only
one from the past making the effort to take it forward, whether anyone
approves or not, and giving beyond what many would or fight for to do so. The
name helped the music more than you could ever know, and I'm not talking in
regards to studios or budgets, I mean it as in being pushed by something and
having to get the music to a place where I can find my peace regardless of
what anyone says. And that wasn't fully achieved until the last round of
mastering and swapping out a version of a track at the pressing plant that
had gotten inadvertently changed at the last minute. Also, the name was what
the industry wanted as well and the burden of keeping it was something to
endure in order to make the record. After the monies invested by old Geffen
(that were decisions made that have worked out for me but I'm on record as
having opposed) dropping the name became suicide.
"The cost of legal battles has been astronomical but I felt the deal made
with Universal was fair for where it is and most things balanced out for both
sides.
"David Bowie likes Floyd with Barret, many with Waters and those without. And
there are those who like all the different lineups. In my opinion, what makes
our situation a bit more unique, at least in how it's played out, is the
ugliness of what really took place. If I'd done what was said then, I'd say
fuck me too. I also realize this is just one issue in something with upteen
however many more so conclusions can't be formulated off this little bit
alone by most which is more than understandable.
"That said, because someone leaves the shop I started in which I still
legally have the rights to the name I started it with… makes up a bunch of
nonsense to win public and legal support in an effort to get whatever it is
they want at mine and the public's expense… I don't feel any reason
whatsoever I should have to throw what I've not only worked for but fought
and suffered for away because some hurt, angry, betrayed, misguided and lied
to people with a lynch-mob mentality, joined by others who could care less
(especially in the media), enjoying the controversy and hate, choose one over
the other regardless of what's right because they want what they want. And
you can still prefer then as opposed to now and no one's arguing your right
to do so.
"In regard to nuGUNS, I get that sometimes it helps to be able to clarify.
Personally I call this GUNS and the 'Illusions' or previous lineups 'old
GUNS.'
"We can play what we want, as far as I'm aware.
"It wasn't so much that it was a good course or that, if looking back, I
could do something differently; it's that, for better or worse, it was the
only course, and had I not done this, Slash would have succeeded in
destroying me publicly much more than he, others or myself have so far and I
would have gone bankrupt.
"I don't know where I'd be, but there's clearly no happy ending there and
with everything else that had gone on in every other area of my life the
devastation isn't something I feel I would have overcome at least to any real
degree publicly. Hopefully I would've been able to pick myself up enough to
get a job or sing somewhere else but I doubt anything that significant.
"The sharing thing is interesting, but even with all this time, the
complications of the red tape and trying to get something out fall on my
world to sort and not theirs. They are amazingly supportive and do their best
to keep me in up spirits and focused which I had less and less of in GUNS way
before 'Sweet Child' caught on. If that were to change, then that may be
something to look at. I hope for us to grow more together as we continue so
who knows.
"If I hadn't secured the rights, I don't know where I'd be and I'd probably
call what would then be the current lineup 'THOSE MOTHER FUCKERS!!'
"The name is something I take great pride in as I feel anyone who's been a
part of it should, the same as other bands or teams etc. The burden when it
is such is a nightmare but not as much or as hopeless as I'd imagine without
it could have been.
"On the what's the difference… I think I get what you're asking… I feel it
depends on how and in what ways either the former members are using the
association and what the true circumstances regarding why they moved on from
both the band and the name that would or could affect the decision to
continue on with the name by in this case this lineup and or myself.
"As for selling more records, it'd be nice to be in a position to possibly do
so at some point but that's never been my base reasoning. I would think it
fits into not feeling I shouldn't be forced to throw away possible
opportunities in a hostile attempted takeover. I believe I should fight for
GUNS in a patriotic sense or sense of loyalty or honor. Not just my vision or
direction for GUNS as those things can evolve and you can make forward moving
positive compromises by what others bring to the table but I mean more as in
what principles I feel were important to GUNS in regard to an overall
commitment to the music.
"It helped us get here but most of that was with Universal and the positives
of that wore off years ago until recently and after the initial run it'll be
about the music and us. Then it's about touring and there's not a question
the name's helped at most everywhere but not so much the states. With that it
comes down to the strength or quality of the performance. Having the name
kicks your ass every night as it's not some side project or something u can
fuck off in. You don't deliver u get your ass handed to you. So it makes us
work much harder than I feel we would outside of it and it hasn't been too
ugly yet.
"I didn't see lineup changes, etc., back then — I saw it more as a crash and
burn, goin' down with the ship. On one hand, I knew the band was over before
we started touring 'Illusions' but you have hope… but I saw it more like the
Titanic sinking than moving on or surviving. And in reality, I went the
distance with each and every one in GUNS to where they felt for whatever
reasons they either couldn't or wouldn't give what GUNS required. And I'm not
talking change of styles or sounds etc. A lot of people bought that crap and
me having gone in other directions seems to many to have verified that. Then
you have the mind twisting equally as true horseshit in Slash's book, but I
have the rehearsal tapes. There's nothing but Slash-based blues rock and he
stopped it to both go solo and try to completely take over GUNS. I read all
this 'if Axl would've put words and melodies on it could've…' That was
denied and I didn't walk 'till several months after having 3-to-4-hour phone
conversations nearly every day with Slash trying to reach a compromise. I was
specifically told no lyrics, no melodies, no changes to anything and to sing
what I was told or fuck off.
"As to what would possibly make me change the name, [it] would be some form
of evolving that I don't feel we've reached yet and not in any way
consciously trying to at this time. It's really hard to say. I'd have to feel
it was right for me and those involved and whatever we're doing at that time.
"Never thought about that, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The whole
'mature enough' bit was cute. Not to offend anyone, but personally I don't
have an interest and other than inducting Elton don't quite get what it is
exactly and who decides what. It seems to mean more to some than others and
more so amongst fans. It's nice to get recognition and have some form of
acceptance, but in regards to joining others, the price is too high and just
not worth it. It's a ways away and seems a bit presumptuous to be
contemplating being inducted now.
"About following particular styles, yes I do feel there are parameters with
GUNS as opposed to not being or in GUNS. 'Chinese Democracy' is, in my
opinion, an evolution not necessarily how each from the past would but how
the music and intent could and did. GUNS did not have specific lifelong
criteria to follow and many of the influences on 'Appetite' were abandoned by
the others long before me. In fact, Slash hated a good portion of those on
'Appetite' and wasn't all that into the involvement or association but knew
it worked at the time and realized it was the cusp of a wave that was
growing. It's a trip for me to witness as so many of the people he performs
with etc he hated then, them, their bands and their music where the others or
I were the fans.
"I like touring with these guys a lot more than the old band. The beginning
was fun but it started going bad our first gig opening for THE CULT in
Halifax between Slash and I. That's when the 'OK I put up with all Axl's and
Izzy's crap, now I'm gonna be the man' trip started with him runnin' right
out front on the ego ramp for the whole show. It was pretty funny.
"No one ever talked about or suggested using another name. The guys are
really respectful in regard to the old band and I'm not sure if they've said
a paragraph apiece in all the years towards or about the old band whether I'm
talking about whatever or not. But from being with me for so long they know a
lot of it's shit so they get bummed at the endless interviews and nonsense.
Personally, I'm so proud of them I wouldn't know how to express it. I can't
see me handing something like this as they have with so much class and
maturity especially being shit on publicly to such a degree. 'Hey join my
band, bring an umbrella!!'
"If I were to leave GUNS, I could consider giving, selling, shelving or
opening a GNR Burger chain with the name!! Ha!! Just kidding. I'm not so
different than the alumni in that there's generally something going on that
makes things suck and when that reaches overflow I want out too but if you
didn't when it's ugly I think that'd be less normal.
"If I went solo — which I haven't — I wouldn't call it GUNS.
"The name does come from mine and Tracii's [Guns, current L.A. GUNS
guitarist] as the original inspiration but was something I played with, not
Tracii, and GUNS was GUNS before Tracii joined. It was GUNS before I knocked
on Izzy's window. Earlier I had gotten Tracii to use the name GUNS (as he had
mentioned a girl had called him Mr. Guns sometime) so he'd stop calling his
band PERSIAN ROSE. So I guess we have the girl to thank.
"The others having a sense of entitlement to the name isn't completely off
but has more to do with how Slash dealt with things and his particular
strategy and I say strategy because that's what it's been. But since I
managed to hold out that didn't play out so well for him in regard to the
name.
"It's a band name more than a brand name. As Tommy said regarding our
struggles to make this happen, 'We're not lettin' what took so much blood and
heart get turned to shit and dust.' And I guess you could apply that to
current former or whatever.
"Slash never had ANY arguments for keeping the name until long after and
again I feel that had a lot to do with seedy biz types and him feeling he had
to save face.
"Keeping the band name alive was very important. Not out of ego and I don't
know exactly why in the sense of putting into words, but I think it has
something to do with the global effect it has and how GUNS surviving in some
way is sometimes inspiring to others around the world and in that there's a
sense of obligation.
"I don't regret keeping the name though I wish more were supportive or at
least not as aggressively opposed.
"The details are that my attorney shit when I made the move. He was very
against it fearing long litigation but even then no one talked about brand
names or individual interests in a brand name. I look back and have no idea
why. Not my people, not his people, no one. No one pressured me, everyone was
afraid and no one including myself wanted to break up GUNS or the
relationship.
"We can 'chat' about the contract and the reasoning another time.
"The battles were during the breakup. Our people and my individual legal
basically forced me to go through the motions with everything I had to make
things work for over two years in the sense that if they felt I wasn't making
every effort 110% and with all the sincerity and all above board I wouldn't
have their support which I wanted, couldn't afford to lose or risk losing.
Which led to the trial period where Slash played the key bits of 'Fall to
Pieces' but once I showed some interest that was over.
"I get the part about reckless but it was more about strategy and
underestimating how long I would stick with it.
"As far as people knowing me, this is a statement that in light of others
decisions that I chose to pursue as GUNS N' ROSES and what some may feel is a
different this or that may seem as if the arguments or disagreements are
about the band or the style of music such as blues or influences on earlier
GUNS has some relevance but, in my opinion, points more to deeper base
elements I wanted to put forth for people in general. Such as a more positive
intent and instead of as self-destructive, more of healing. There's all kinds
of things to help you die or be more negative. I wanted to try and make as
powerful a hard rock album as we could while incorporating beauty and an
openness to other forms both traditional and more recent without going
religious etc. I didn't attempt to make a party record or dance record, both
elements consciously in 'Appetite'. I wasn't trying to purposefully appeal to
the heartland or middle America in those ways (not that I was trying to avoid
them or have an issue). But for example, 'Sweet Child' wasn't in any way
trying to write a 'hit' mainstream song it was trying to write the best GUNS
N' ROSES LYNYRD SKYNYRD-influenced song we could as tribute and recognition
in the tradition of 'Tuesdays Gone With the Wind' or 'Simple Man', etc,, and
at a time when nothing could have seemed more unpopular.
"One man forced me to work with others. One man forced me to work with others
to survive. And I can't say what would have happened on different terms. I
say yes because it was agreed from day one. You have to realize we were on
the street. It wasn't the first band. Whoever thought of the name kept the
name unless he gave it up or moved on. Everyone was always having a new
version of whatever their band name was. I wouldn't have thought of using
L.A. GUNS or any of Slash's band names. We all knew that we could break up
the next week. You had to have that stuff somewhat sorted between each other
going in. It was a deal that we made. The issue becomes the value or
perceived value now and the fans attachment and or acceptance. Really weren't
things we consciously considered even during the breakup.
"I don't exactly know what GUNS N' ROSES is, but I know it's my job in the
sense of an obligation and I'm good with that.
"The name and rights have nothing to do with the breakup. That's all a
created façade a decoy and a smoke screen. Now had what Slash said actually
transpired then I'd say of course but in reality, no.
"Going into GUNS, there wasn't a #2. At that time I was going to make it in a
band that started as GUNS N' ROSES and could evolve but that was the starting
point and it was all the way or bust. I knew what I wanted when I knocked on
Izzy's window. I also knew I wanted Slash but we still had differences and
Izzy wasn't down with it.
"I wasn't legally obligated but we probably would have gotten dropped and I
would have been driven into bankruptcy.
"I don't think about the dangerous bit or status or identification. I've
always thought of the symbolism since thinking of the 2 words together. And
in that I absolutely feel this is a GUNS N' ROSES record.
"It's an issue that gets brought up a lot especially in the media at all
levels and it gets really ugly. It's ugly right now with DJs across the
country who feel their sticking up for something that they bought into
unaware. So I wanted to start going at it a bit.
"Most critics have higher opinions of theirs than is merited. I haven't read
much from outside sources in the media regarding my world that know much of
anything let alone what would be in my best interest other than looking at
events in hindsight and playing armchair music mogul. Which most times means
nothing and though could seem logical is usually just as far off base as
anything else they've said.
"The heart and commitment these guys play the material with is much more than
the others were prepared to give pursuing their own interests for a very long
time. The music changed after Slash and I parted so the direction was where I
took GUNS not where I had intended or tried to go previously. It had a lot to
do with not finding or knowing a more blues based player that I found
inspiring and I was really knocked down and beat up. Slash, Duff and Matt's
[Sorum] decisions had as much to do with kicking a guy when he's down or
abandoning ship at the time as anything else. Other things were going on with
music as well, we were basically dead at Geffen. I liked other things as well
so I wanted to explore, be legitimate and survive. I wasn't doing what was
written so often about chasing fads etc. Jesus, I wouldn't have agreed for
Zakk [Wylde] to come down if any of Slash's or the media's nonsense were
real. And that could've worked on some level but like GUNS it would've been
up to those two and their relationship. They talk nice but it wasn't pretty…
but it was pretty awesome!!
"No plans not to be GUNS for the future.
"Solo efforts… Much more experimental and instrumental.
"It doesn't bother me unless it's being done at my expense and or to keep him
associated as in Guitar Hero. Him being [in] Guitar Hero's fine but not when
Activison is using 'Jungle', having Yahoo! use 'Sweet Child' unauthorized,
claims no involvement with Slash, his or anyone's image or VR or anyone or
anyone's music in either camp in promotion or commercials etc. I wasn't
broadsided. I read about it as it moved along but Activision continually
denied it right up to the release. That's some low life chicanery on all
their parts.
"Yes, Slash was in GUNS and on 'Jungle' (and the whole 'I came to him for his
riff' is as much crap as him saying he brought 'Locomotive' and 'Coma' in as
complete songs) and he has rights to perform it but not to be represented in
this context in association with GUNS. And since they weren't granted the
license it'll take some sorting.
"Universal has GUNS under contract but I own the name.
"I don't have problems with whoever doing the songs but film or video gets
into sync rights and I don't have an interest in anyone new, old or whatever
trying to sell themselves as GNR under another name that way.
"It's my understanding the lawyers were scammed like the everyone else so for
them to continually try and find a way to reverse things is normal and would
seem appropriate but again it NEVER happened.
"Thanks everyone. Hope to get back soon. I'll take a look at that list. As
long as we don't get to personal or offensive, I'm good with things. Thanks
for all the questions, my apologies for not answering specifically to each,
this was just a bit easier for this subject. Hope no one took wanting to stay
on topic to personal. Thanks again to everyone who participated. Thanks to
everyone for the great comments and appreciation."
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&news
itemID=110830
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