[艾叔] Axl的訪談~
as title....
Reclusive GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose broke his silence last night
(Thursday, December 11) by answering fan questions on the message boards of
two of the most popular GUNS N' ROSES fan sites on the Web — MyGNR.com and
Here Today… Gone To Hell!
BLABBERMOUTH.NET has collected some of the more interesting bits from the
question-and-answer session and is re-posting them here for your reading
enjoyment. (Note: Some of Axl's responses were slightly edited for clarity.)
Q: How come you always come on stage so late at gigs?
Axl: "I've been an after-midnight type since I was sneakin' out of my house
in junior high [school]. With [the] old GUNS [lineup], we preferred [to take
the stage at] 12:00 a.m. or so. When we moved to theaters etc., obviously
that changes but it's never changed inside me. Doesn't matter what I do, so
generally that's when I'm more myself. This isn't to mess with anyone that
has an early schedule to keep, it's just personal preference. And in regard
to the size [of] venues, I'm on record as preferring whatever venues allow
for our schedule, but management and promoters can do a lot in their own
interests behind the scenes that can rarely be avoided and their greed or
whatever leads to a lot of double talk and ugly behind nonsense that
generally eventually ruins things for everyone. Translated: once a tour is
scheduled, however, it's like parting the seas to change. As far as being
late, I've been that way my whole life. It drove Izzy [Stradlin] crazy but he
would check himself and freely admit I was generally actually doing something
that had to get done rather than watching basketball, etc."
On a video for the new GUNS N' ROSES song "Better":
Axl: "The 'Better' music video will be out in a week or so. Monumental
promotion will start very soon!"
Q: Who do you listen to for hardcore blues? I'm a blues singer and I can tell
from your work that you have at least got way into a couple of blues records.
Axl: "BESSIE SMITH, ZEP 1, ROBERT JOHNSON, TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, JANICE
[presumably referring to JANIS JOPLIN — Ed.]."
Q: Axl, do you really have two or three other albums of material?
Axl: "For now, we'll concentrate and keep our focus on this album, but I will
say I've always thought of it as a double. And no offense, but no one's
trying to talk in parables. The issues are a bit more complex than anyone
would like."
Q: Hey, Axl, is the [unreleased GUNS N' ROSES] song "Atlas Shrugged" as epic
as the book? Who is your favorite character from the book?
Axl: "Song doesn't have all that much to do with the book other than trying
to do what you believe in and a line about shoulders not being wide enough."
Q: Axl, was there ever a cover B and cover C for "Chinese Democracy"?
Axl: "Yes, there are. There are two more covers/back-cover combos and the
real booklet that is all artwork that will be out shortly in some form. It's
been an ugly battle that hasn't made any sense to anyone and whether anyone
cares about such things the booklet or artwork has always been something I've
been passionate about and to release the album with unapproved and unseen
final artwork with a first work-only error-filled draft when others more
recent were readily available still has not been explained but is finally
getting cleared up. My fave is the 'How Are You' grenade cover."
Q: Axl, how do you feel about KANYE [WEST's new album] outselling "Chinese
Democracy"? Do you like KANYE's music?
Axl: "I met Kanye at the Versace awards. He was very gracious. I love 'Gold
Digger' and told him so. I'm a big fan of his stage performance as he seems
to go for it physically which I relate more to. Before our release, I sent
him a message that any nonsense from the media had nothing to do with us and
wished him the best. I'm humbled we've done as well as we have considering."
Q: Just wanted to ask if you had any fond memories from the U.K. leg of the
tour from 2006, particularly the concert in Glasgow in July?
Axl: "Glasgow was great. I think that's where I got to do a lot of slides on
the stage. Was like a race track or something, right?"
Q: Axl, thanks for "Chinese Democracy", which I personally think is your best
work. What's your pick for album of the year? And have you heard the new
METALLICA album ["Death Magnetic"]?
Axl: "Ours, of course!! Yes, [I have heard the new METALLICA]. I like it."
Q: Axl will you tour Australia next year, and when are you looking at doing
so? If you could work with [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist] Buckethead again,
would you have him just in studio, or also would you welcome him in the
touring lineup?
Axl: "Austrailia's great and the crowds are really alive. No plans [to tour
there] yet but I'm sure there will be.
"I have no issues with Bucket. It's hard to tell what was real or not in
things we were told by Merck [former GUNS N' ROSES manager Merck Mercuriadis,
who was fired by Axl Rose in December 2006 — Ed.]. He's more than welcome to
tour with us in some form or other provided we're both interested at the time
and come to some type of reasonable terms. Personally, I have a blast with
Bucket on tour and get a big kick out of the guy. A lot of feelings were hurt
on this side of the fence in how things went down, and unfortunately, others
used our silence and the public's not knowing for their own purposes at both
Bucket's and our expense."
Q: Now that you said that, please tell us if Robin's [Finck, GUNS N' ROSES
guitarist who is currently on the road with NINE INCH NAILS] out or not...
because, otherwise, we'll be reading several "Axl wants Bucket back and
Robin/Bumble/Richard out"-type of threads for the entire '09 year and these
threads annoy us, the new lineup fans.
Axl: "It really is what it is. No decisions have been made by either him, I
or us that I'm aware of. When we're touring or working in the studio, or
there's social things like a friend's dinner or party, whatever, we would
hang. But as people get older, they have their own lives. The STONES aren't
going bowling every Tuesday, etc.
"Robin leads one of the most different lives I know of, starting with the
trapeze in his backyard to the TV in his closet.
"Robin's work on the next is done so there's not lots for him to do here
except the elusive promo and he'd rather be on stage. It's more about seeing
where things are when GUNS decides it's right for a tour and if we're able to
make agreements we both are comfortable and can live with at that time."
Q: As a native Colombian, I must ask: In 1992, while performing "November
Rain" in Bogota (in November), it rained. Wait no....it poured. How weird was
that, eh?
Axl: "Very surreal and religious feeling. So was being chased by the military
in our plane down the runway gettin' outta Dodge there!!"
Q: Just wondering what stops you from playing more guitar live?
Axl: "Skill."
Q: Axl, I'm fixing to pack everyhting I own into my car and drive out to L.A.
from Arkansas to give a career in music a shot. Any advice? Or should I just
shit in my pants, dive in and swim?
Axl: "Follow your heart, don't sell out, and read every book on the bix
[music business] you can find."
Q: "Catcher N' The Rye" is one of the best songs on the ["Chinese Democracy"]
album. Why no Brian? [QUEEN guitarist Brian May recorded a guest appearance
on the track back in 1999, but his contributions were removed from the final
album version of the song.]
Axl: "There's a few reasons, and none of them all that big and definitely not
in spite or to slight anyone.
"First off, obviously I knew people liked the song, but the Brian
appreciation really only showed up in force publicly after we had moved on in
GUNS. In fact, not many seemed to care and most comments were aimed at why
Slash, in their opinions, should be here.
"Brian's solo itself is a personal fave of mine and I really couldn't
understand, as he's such a rock legend, why it wasn't openly appreciated more
at the time.
"In actuality, all that feel and emotion referred to now had a lot to do with
Sean [Beavan, one of the producers who worked on 'Chinese Democracy'] and I
and the parts I chose out of Brian's different runs, versions, practice runs,
etc., to make sure we had those elements in one version. It's entirely
constructed from edits based around one specific note Brian hit in a
throwaway take. And though Brian seems to have warmed a bit to it, at least
publicly, he was unfortunately none too pleased at the time with our
handiwork. I remember looking at Brian standing to my left and him staring at
the big studio speakers a bit aghast saying, 'But that's not what I played.'
"Sean Beavan and I were not in any way tring to mess with Brian, we just did
what we do and then try and do our best to stand up for our decisions."
Q: Axl, are you still thinking of suing Dr Pepper's ass?
Axl: "Sure, but the actions taken so far had nothing to do with me and I was
taken off guard as I had specifically told our team, 'Who fucking cares?!
Right now we have a record to deal with.' My feelings are after their public
response. It was cute. Maybe the guy who got it rolling originally meant
well, but it turned out sour and maybe it's just me, but he seems like maybe
he wants a bit too much attention so..."
Q: When [is] the [GUNS N' ROSES] online shop opening?
Axl: "I haven't been involved much in any of our merch and the reasons are
it's been a mess legally for years. Unbeknownst to most of you, I was
recently sued again by [former GUNS N' ROSES members] Duff [McKagan] and
Slash for some murky Merckiness that I was unaware and not involved in.
Fortunately that was resolved but it got ugly and took a while going into
arbitration. Merck shifted our merch from some of our newer styles to
incorporating more of the old with some scam that actually and surprisingly
lost sales in comparison but that's old news. What I look forward to is
incorporating the new artwork into our merch and getting some for myself. I
think you'll like a lot of it. My vote's for the 'How Are You' grenade and
the 'Sorry' automatic rifle artwork on shirts, etc."
Q: How do you feel about artists covering your songs ?
Axl: "Depends, but in general it's great."
Q: I know this is jumping the gun big time, but any tentative idea when you
would like to see the next CD come out?
Axl: "No, maybe same bat time, same bat channel next year but we'll have to
see."
Q: Is there anything in the past that you have now looked back on and
thought, "Maybe I could have handled that differently?" Also, what are your
ongoing hopes for GUNS N' ROSES in the future? I have cyclothemia and
sometimes get this feeling that I can't be around people and need my own
space and area. How do you find the bipolar affect you, if you don't mind me
asking, that is?
Axl: "Of course, but in the world of sports and litigation....
"I've not been diagnosed as being bipolar though many misconstrue statements
I made earlier as alluding to such and unfortunately there's been an
abundance of misguided or unqualified speculation of various events but I
definitely can relate to needing my own space.
"In my world, all bipolar means (and not to offend or make light of those
suffering from a genuine condition or involved with those who are) is that
someone can try to take cheap uneducated shots or try to claim I'm bipolar
thus justifying why they should get paid a financial settlement for whatever
nonsense they're up to. Fortunately that hasn't proved successful."
Q: What is your honest opinion on why the old lineup disintegrated? What is
your honest opinion on why it took so long for "Chinese Democracy" to come
out? I think that's what most people want to know but dare not ask.
Axl: "Two great but complicated questions, and I agree that people would like
to know at least my take on things. Not avoiding them here, but they deserve
more than I can give, as we've been at this a little while. But I'm
attempting to speak out on several issues, these being a major focus over the
coming weeks and months. What I can say now is you've been told a lot of
things in order for others to promote themselves that factually they cannot
back up in regard to either. They are complicated legally, financially and
have devoured a good portion of my life.
"The record 'Chinese Democracy' you may have is nothing short of a miracle in
almost each and every way that either it or I exist, in my opinion, under the
bizarre and ugly conditions of the last over 15 years."
Q: I am curious as to your relationship with Mickey Rourke. He's one of my
favourite actors, and I saw an interview with him recently where he said you
were kind enough to give him songs for "The Wrestler". My question is: how
long do you and Mickey go back, and do you have any interesting stories from
"back in the day?" You guys strike me as being pretty similar in a lot of
ways (I mean, as far as personalities and what you've been through in your
lives) and it's cool for me to see two of my pop culture "heroes," for lack
of better description, being friends, and also making similarly timed
"comebacks." (Or whatever you want to call it.)
Axl: "Mickey and I haven't really hung much but have a lot of mutual friends
over the years. He's always been massively supportive. I've always been a big
fan of his as well. It's probably better for both of us we didn't hang
directly back in the day!!"
Q: Hey, Axl, is Mickey going to pay you back for letting them use "Sweet
Child O' Mine" in "The Wrestler" by starring in a new GUNS video?
Axl: "Actually, Mickey agreed to play The Shackler if we were to make a vid
for [the song 'Shackler's Revenge']."
Q: Axl, have you been in contact with [original GUNS N' ROSES drummer] Steven
Adler at all? Not as far as playing with him or anything, just to, like, lend
him support? [Adler appeared this year on the reality television show
"Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" during an attempt to get off drugs. He was
subsequently arrested in Los Angeles on July 18, after someone called police
to report he was causing a disturbance.]
Axl: "I do wish Steven the best and in my heart hope that he finds some peace
and security. As far as direct contact, no. It, unfortunately, gets too messy
too quick. In Steven's mind, I'm the one who holds the keys and power over
his happiness, so I'm the bad guy pretty quickly."
Q: Axl, why did you change [the title of the "Chinese Democracy" track] "The
Blues" to "Street Of Dreams"?
Axl: "'The Blues' was my first working title and I was never comfortable with
it in the sense that I felt that should be used with a bluesier-based song.
And here in Hollywood, with the Walk Of Fame, etc., I had always seen that
imagery in my head when I think of it. I also like the idea of the song
having, in effect, two titles."
Q: Axl, I would like to know why you avoid the press so much. I think it's
definitely hurting album sales, I mean, you haven't even done one interview.
I know for sure you'd be able to get a few magazine covers. So why don't you?
Why be such a hermit/recluse?
Axl: "That's your opinion and it very well could be true. What I have to say
a lot of people have no desire to hear."
Q: Thanks for playing "Rocket Queen" in Melbourne. The red bike was awesome.
Axl: "I think it's in the 'Better' vid. Not sure if we cut it."
Q: I have one question for you, Axl. What is stopping the fans from seeing
you Slash, Duff and Izzy back on stage together?
Axl: "You've been lied to and misled for such a long time that sorting
through all that here is virtually impossible. A lot will come out over time,
but the truth has been out there for a long time as well but that doesn't
give you what you want, so this dance just goes on and on."
Final message for fans:
"Thanks everyone and thanks for all the support and the positive comments
both tonight and over the years. I hope to do this again soon, maybe sooner
than you'd think! And you didn't scare me off — I'm just burnt and would
rather not mispeak on issues that may mean a lot to some. Thanks again."
來自:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&
newsitemID=110709
縮網:
http://0rz.tw/425da
Axl叔叔終於打破沉默接受訪問。
官網方面有聲明對於原始陣容的GN'R重組根本沒有這樣的計劃。
Axl Rose在訪談中也有提到。
訪談中提到了Dr. Pepper的事。
還有對於Metallica今年新專輯的看法。
他也提到了Catcher In The Rye為何沒有Brain May的原因。
同時也提到了Buckethead的事情。
以及Robin Finck的事等。
他有提到The Blues改名Street Of Dreams的事。
這個訪談多少能表達出Axl Rose的心聲。:)
--
I've got to keep breathing.
Because tomorrow, the sun will rise.
Who knows what the tide could bring?
--
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