How Much Would You Pay For A Guns N Roses Reunion?

In recent conversations with Metal Eddie and Rob Rockitt I’ve discussed the potential possibilities of Guns N Roses reuniting. Everyone has heard the rumors that Slash and Axl are speaking again, which has all fans hopeful that the band will finally come back together after so many years apart. And so after debating the possibilities of a reunion and conceding that it may just happen if all the music stars aligned just right, the next question was obvious: what would you pay to see the original lineup in concert?

I believe Metal Eddie stated that he would go as high as $500. Led Zeppelin reunion prices basically. I was a little less giving with my money. I may not have stated a price during that conversation, but I don’t believe that I would pay more than $85. And I would still be worried that Axl wouldn’t take the stage until two in the morning.

The idea of Guns N Roses reuniting the original lineup and going out on a world tour is an exciting one. The last concert the original lineup played together was in 1991. The last time Slash played with the band was 1993. Yes, it has been a long time since this band performed together. So the first question that would enter into my mind is “does the band still have the magic?” Why would they want to get back together after all this time? If it is for the cash and fame, then we’d all be better off if they stayed home. That’s why, unless they put out a new album, I don’t think a Guns N Roses reunion tour would be all that spectacular.

We also need to consider who is in this reunion lineup? Is Steven Adler on the drums? Is Izzy Stradlin back in the mix? Does the band include Dizzy Reed? If this is an original lineup reunion, then the classic Appetite For Destruction era Guns N Roses has to be on that stage---and only them. That would leave Dizzy out in the cold, and would mean that Adler would have to be behind the drum kit. These are also the same guys that should record a new Guns N Roses album as well. I think I would be far more excited about a new record from the Appetite For Destruction lineup than I would be about seeing them in concert.

And would the band still have it? I’m sure they are all still very talented, especially now that they are all clean and sober. I know that they have all been keeping their skills sharp working on other projects over the last 20 years, and all the music that I have heard from the members has been terrific. Which is why the idea of a new album is more exciting to me than a reunion tour. It would require more commitment and allow the band an opportunity to really hone their craft and their chemistry. It would also produce a product that the group would (hopefully) be proud to bring on the road and perform alongside such classics as “It’s So Easy,” “Patience,” and “You Could Be Mine.”

So, if the original Guns N Roses reunited, what would you pay for a ticket to see them in concert? I believe that my threshold would be $125 and that would have to be a really good seat. And as I already mentioned, I would want to make sure that the shows were starting on, or close, to time. The wild card that is Axl Rose would make me very hesitant about purchasing a concert ticket, especially if the show was on a work night. However, with the potential demand for tickets to a concert like this, I may not have to worry --- I would probably get shut out of tickets anyway and have to wait for the DVD.

Ernie Ball Presents: Real To Reel With Slash

ERNIE BALL PRESENTS: REAL TO REEL WITH SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS SEPT 20 ON AXS TV

Documentary gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into the recording process of Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators 

New Album “WORLD ON FIRE” Out Now

Ernie Ball, one of the world's leading manufacturers of guitar strings and musical instrument accessories, is proud to present Real to Reel with Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, a documentary featuring the iconic GRAMMY-winning guitarist SLASH and his band. The hour long special documents the entire in-studio recording process of the band’s new album WORLD ON FIRE and debuts on AXS TV Saturday, Sept. 20^th at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Watch the trailer here: http://youtu.be/3SDVqOyLhpY

Ernie Ball Presents: Real To Reel With Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators is a behind-the-scenes documentary experience that takes viewers beyond the stage and into the studio as SLASH—with collaborators MYLES KENNEDY on vocals, TODD KERNS on bass and BRENT FITZ on drums—records his third solo album. The all-access pass follows the band through the entire start-to-finish process, from pre-production meetings and recording sessions at NRG Studios in Los Angeles and Studio Barbarossa in Orlando, to the final moment when the album makes its debut in front of a live audience. Slash fans will be treated to interview segments covering a range of topics including the making of the band, the writing process, favorite music gear, what the band as in store for the future and more.

Be sure to check out the documentary THIS SATURDAY.

Slash rocks!

My 10 Favorite Albums of 2010

It’s that time of year once again. The end of the year, where we pause to reflect on all that has happened over the last 12 months while pondering what the future has in store. And as I look back, it’s particularly nice to know that 2010 was another year filled with vast musical greatness. That’s what makes picking the 10 best albums of the year such a hard one.

After much thought, listening, re-listening, and deep scrutiny, I was finally able to come up with a list of my 10 favorite records. My choices are below. Feel free to leave a comment with what you felt were the best records of 2010.

10. The Movie We Are In – Pete Francis

Pete Francis was new to me this year. The singer/songwriter released a modern folk masterpiece in The Movie We Are In earlier in 2010. With a hybrid of acoustic folk and electric rock, The Movie We Are In is a fantastic and fun record. Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally talented, Pete Francis is a musician that more people should be paying attention to. His lyrics are deep, his voice is excellent, and the music he creates is simply stunning. The Movie We Are In is a fine example of his work and an album worthy of adding to any music lover’s collection.

9. Time – The Rebellion

Canadian rockers, The Rebellion, released an exceptional album in Time this year. Blending the styles of Coldplay, U2, and The Fray, The Rebellion is a modern rock act worthy of recognition. Time, which is their debut album, is a showcase of just how grand the band is. With a modern sound worthy of everyday radio, powerful vocals, catchy hooks, and riffs that you will be singing along to, Time is worth seeking out.

8. Sting In The Tail – The Scorpions

In 2010, The Scorpions recorded what is reported to be their final album. The multiple guitar attack of Rudolph Schenker and Matthias Jabs decorates Sting In The Tail with color and style. Their finger picking is at its finest and the shredding solos performed by each of them helps to vibrantly color the record. Sting In The Tail is a fine record that has the The Scorpions going out on a high note. If this truly is the final piece of their legacy, it’s a good one to leave behind.

7. Easy Wonderful – Guster


This past fall, Guster returned to bless us with a new album. I was certainly happy that they did. Filled with the delightful sounds that I’ve come to expect from this band, Easy Wonderful was a breath of fresh air into the music scene. Guster sent us a beautiful piece of art that can be enjoyed for hours on end in Easy Wonderful.

6. 13 Arcane Hymns – The Unravelling


2 guys. 1 album. Simply amazing. 13 Arcane Hymns by The Unravelling rocks hard and heavy. It’s heavy metal for the new generation. It’s hard to believe that only two guys came up with such an amazing album. If you’re a fan of heavy, dark, rock, than 13 Arcane Hymns is a record you should own. With bold and beautiful music, lyrics that make you think, and lead vocals that range the spectrum like not many can, The Unravelling’s 13 Arcane Hymns is a solid album worth listening to over and over again.

5. Slash – Slash


Branching out with his first solo record, Slash, fans weren’t sure what to expect. The album is jam packed with guest vocalists (including Fergie, Lemmy, and Ozzy) and a lot of exceptional guitar work. Slash is a solo album done right. While Slash is the obvious centerpiece of this record, the wise decision to bring in multiple guest vocalists help push this disc over the top. It was a very unexpected treat in the 2010 releases.

4. Scream – Ozzy Osbourne


Ozzy Osbourne proves that he still has it and maybe never lost it on his latest record Scream. Released this summer, I had the opportunity to review Scream for Hard Rock Hideout and man was I impressed. I wrote that “Scream is an album that renews faith in the current state of rock and roll and solidifies Ozzy’s status as a rock god.” Those words are still true months later. Scream is an incredible album.

3. Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic – Gangstagrass

It’s bluegrass. It’s hip-hop. It’s Gangstagrass. One of the most unique records to be released in 2010, Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic is a magnificent album and a trailblazer for a new musical style. More than just a passing fad, Gangstagrass have pioneered a whole new genre that’s worth listening to. Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic is a unique experience that everyone will enjoy.

2. Social Code - Rock N Roll


Debuting with their first major label record this year, Social Code showed all the other newcomers how rock was meant to be played. Best described as dirty (or gritty) rock, Rock N Roll is a powerful album. Blending the styles of Hinder, Lynch Mob, and Papa Roach, Social Code is the real deal and Rock N Roll proves it. Bar jamming, foot stomping, good time hard rock is what Rock N Roll is all about. Social Code has my vote for best new band of the year, and Rock N Roll has my vote for best hard rock album of 2010. If you like rock, you need to pick up a copy of this record.

1. The Lucky Ones – Doug Keith


I was blessed with the gift of Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones very early this year. When I reviewed this album back in February, I stated that if you purchased only one record this year, it had to be The Lucky Ones. That statement is still true in December. By far, the best album I have heard in 2010 (and I’ve heard a lot) is Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones. A fantastic modern folk record that everyone needs to own and enjoy.

Slash - Slash

Packed with a veritable smorgasbord of vocalists and layered with luscious guitar solos by one of the modern masters, Slash’s self titled solo offering is a treat for the ears. The guitar work throughout the album is bold and beautiful, the type of blues rock guitar that’s been missing from the music world for far too long. Whatever Slash had to prove by releasing a solo album, he’s proven it ten-fold. No longer under the influence of substances, and without other band members to answer to, Slash was able to go in whatever direction he chose. The end result was an album that the fans are bound to embrace.

How Slash was able to get so many top name singers to work with him shows that his connections run deeper than anyone suspected. From Ian Astbury to Dave Grohl to Fergie, Slash has a cornucopia of singers on his record. Each vocalist has his or her own style or signature sound, which sometimes help the song and sometimes harms it.

Beautiful Dangerous, which features Fergie, may seem about the oddest pairing on the disc. It also is the strongest song on the collection. Fergie shows off her rock side with fierce power. Her vocals play off Slash’s guitar exceptionally well and the raw energy she brings to the chorus make Beautiful Dangerous one of the hardest rocking songs on the album. Expect to hear this one everywhere, especially this summer.

In the case of Doctor Alibi, which features none other than Lemmy Kilmster of Motorhead on vocals, the song sounds like a Motorhead song. This is no fault of Slash’s. It’s just that Lemmy’s voice is so individually unique. With tight, fast chords, and quick dazzling solos, Doctor Alibi could easily be mistaken for the latest Motorhead release.

Promise, featuring Chris Cornell, sounds like a left over track from the Audioslave days. While the song is incredible with beautiful guitar work that compliments Cornell’s vocals perfectly, it is eerily reminiscent of Cornell’s days with one Mr. Tom Morello. Promise is a strong power ballad that shows off both Slash’s ability on guitar and Cornell’s amazing vocal power.

By The Sword has a White Stripes feel to it, and if I didn’t check the credits, I would swear that it was Jack White on vocals and not Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale. Opening with a slow acoustic riff and Stockdale sounding exactly like Jack White, By The Sword is a powerful anthem that has a very modern flair.

The two tracks sung by Myles Kennedy are very reminiscent of Slash’s Snakepit, Slash’s first post Guns N Roses project. Kennedy lends his talent to Back From Cali and Starlight. Both songs are heavily blues influenced and both could have appeared on a Snakepit record with no tailoring required. These are perhaps the two best songs on the album after Beautiful Dangerous and they are worth the price of the disc alone. Factor in all the additional gifts that Slash is presenting, and it’s painfully obvious that this album is one to add to the collection.

Layered with lavish guitar work that is perhaps the best Slash has done to date, Slash is a metal lover’s dream solo album. Featuring incredible guitar solos that inspire each singer to be themselves, vocal power from all over the globe, and fun, blues jams, Slash is a terrific solo album that should be owned by anyone who ever loved, or still loves, this master of guitar.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Ghost (w/Ian Astbury)
Crucify The Dead (w/ Ozzy Osbourne)
Beautiful Dangerous (w/ Fergie)
Back From Cali (w/ Myles Kennedy)
Promise (w. Chris Cornell)
By The Sword (w/ Andrew Stockdale)
Gotten (w/ Adam Levine)
Doctor Alibi (w/ Lemmy)
Watch This Dave (w/ Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan)
I Hold On (w/ Kid Rock)
Nothing To Say (w/ M. Shadows)
Starlight (w/ Myles Kennedy)
Saint Is A Sinner Too (w/ Rocco Deluca)
We’re All Gonna Die (w/ Iggy Pop)

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Good Friday Edition

Another Easter season is upon us. Today is Good Friday, which for me, marks the real start of spring and the end of the winter season. With baseball starting on Easter Sunday, and the weather expected to hit 80 this weekend in the northeast, it’s safe to say that spring has definitely sprung and not a moment too soon. I had way too much of this past winter.

Easter Sunday will also mark the end of the Lenten season. That’s a very welcome feeling for your cousin Ryo. This year, I gave up video games for Lent, and man, do I miss them! My plans for Easter Sunday include going to church, visiting with family, playing video games, and watching the Yankees on Sunday night baseball. Depending on what time I get up on Easter morning, I may be playing video games at a very early hour.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable Easter/Passover season. For those of you lucky enough to have the day off, enjoy the three day weekend. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for my review of Pop Evil with Charm City Devils from the concert I attended with Stone last Friday.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Springsteen Announces A Special Edition of Darkness
As he did for Born To Run, Bruce Springsteen is releasing a re-mastered box set version of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, another incredible masterpiece from the late 70s. There appears to be several different versions coming out for this special set. Pricing may be a factor, but I’ve got my eye on the version that includes four concerts from that era.

Duff McKagan Joins Jane’s Addiction
With Slash going solo and no lead singer announced, it looks like Velvet Revolver is really over. Duff joining Jane’s is pretty freaking awesome! I am so looking forward to hearing him on the upcoming album.

Hear Slash’s Solo Album Before You Buy It
Speaking of Slash, do you want to hear his new album in its entirety? Well, click on the above link to find out where the album is streaming. This comes courtesy of our friends over at Sleaze Roxx.

U2 Releasing a Live DVD in June
Just in time for cousin Ryo’s birthday, U2 is releasing a live DVD of their 360 Tour. For all of us that couldn’t afford the insanely high prices for this tour ($250 to see the show, seriously guys?), this is the next best thing. And if I’m lucky enough to have my new TV and surround sound system by June, I can turn the lights out and this will almost be like seeing the concert. Not quite, but definitely a lot cheaper.

Hope For The Unsigned Artist

I was thrilled to see the following press release last week:

GUITAR CENTER PRESENTS YOUR NEXT RECORD WITH SLASH
RECEIVES MORE THAN 8,000 UNSIGNED BAND SUBMISSIONS IN FIRST MONTH

Submissions Open Through April 30th

Westlake Village, CA, March 3, 2010 -Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com), the world's largest musical instrument retailer, today announced that Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record with Slash, a first-of-its-kind unsigned band competition, has received more than 8,000 submissions from unsigned bands across the country, in its first month alone. The competition provides emerging artists the chance to win the ultimate career-altering opportunity: record a 3-song EP with legendary producer, Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth) and have Slash write, record and perform on the winning artists' single. Through April 30th, 2010, unsigned bands across the United States are still invited to submit their music at YourNextRecord.com for a chance to win the aforementioned prize package, which also includes:

"The response so far has been tremendous and a lot of the music we've received sounds amazing but I still want to hear more," said Slash. "We're looking to find a great band with some kick ass songs and good energy, who hasn't been able to get their foot in the door otherwise, and take them to the next level."

Why did this thrill me? Because it means there are still artists out there that believe in their music and themselves. Every year, I try to visit a bar or club and check out some local talent that no one has ever heard of. Most times, the bands are really good. When you ask them why they aren’t on more of a national level, they claim that it’s because they can never get the right break.

Personally, I think a lot of motivation and ambition is lacking in artists that are unsigned, but not always. Let’s face it, most people who set out to do (whatever) in life, never get very far because they give up too soon. Take this blog for example. What if I gave up after three months because I didn’t have a large enough audience? Hell, what if I gave up now for that reason? I would always be sitting around wondering what if…? Instead, I am looking to move forward as furious as I can to continue to keep this blog growing and gaining readership. The hard work is paying off.

The same is true for those unsigned bands. The ones that actually took the time to send in their demos in the hope that they will be picked are the bands that I admire the most. To make it in today’s music industry takes a passion and dedication that not many performers have. Some acts are happy being the local talent, but others are much more ambitious. That ambition could be the difference between national success and obscurity.

To all of the bands that took the time to send in their work to Slash, wishful for a record contract, I say congratulations. Even if your band is not the one picked, you’ve already won. You’ve already done more than 85% of the other acts out there that are still sitting and hoping and wishing.

And to all those bands that ultimately end up not winning this contest, don’t give up hope. Keep promoting your work, keep playing live music whether it be at a backyard BBQ or at a packed house nightclub. The more you get your name and your music out there and the more live shows you play, the more you are going to be known and perhaps one day, break into the big time. I applaud your effort.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Win A Chance To Record With Slash

GUITAR CENTER PRESENTS
YOUR NEXT RECORD WITH SLASH:
A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR UNSIGNED ARTISTS TO WRITE, RECORD AND PERFORM WITH
ONE OF ROCK'S MOST LEGENDARY GUITARISTS




Continuing its support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com/), the world's largest musical instrument retailer, today announced Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record with Slash a first-of-its-kind, unsigned band competition that provides emerging artists the chance to win the ultimate career-altering opportunity: record a 3-song EP with legendary producer, Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth) and have Slash write, record and perform on the winning artists' single. Starting today, through April 30th, 2010 bands across the United States are invited to submit their music at YourNextRecord.com (http://www.yournextrecord.com/) for a chance to win the aforementioned prize package, which also includes:

A management development deal with "The Collective" (Linkin Park, Slash, Avenged Sevenfold) • Feature of winning artists' single on iTunes • Worldwide distribution of winning artists' music through Tunecore • $10,000 Guitar Center Shopping Spree • New gear and endorsement deals from Ernie Ball Music Man • An opening slot on Slash's Monster Energy Bash • An editorial feature on the winning band in Guitar World Magazine A Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record with Slash teaser can be viewed here.

"The formula that used to work for discovering new artists has been decimated and the opportunities for really talented bands to be heard is extremely limited," said Slash. "That's why it's so important to me and Guitar Center to provide a situation where new talent can be discovered. This is an incredibly interesting way to find and help launch a really great band that hasn't been able to get their foot in the door otherwise."

Guitar Center commissioned leading entertainment platform developer, FameCast, adopting its proprietary contest management technology, known as "Buzz Factor," to collect and present each band's submissions and rank them using a variety of metrics such as online fan voting and community engagement, ensuring that the best bands standout. In addition, all bands will be armed with digital tools to help encourage their fans to vote for their submissions as well as other great unsigned artists. After the three-month submission and voting period the top bands will be personally evaluated and selected by Slash and Mike Clink.

Guitar Center is also a primary partner of Ernie Ball's Shred with Slash promotion which offers musicians the chance to win over $50,000 in prizes, including a private master class with Slash, upon finding one of five custom, limited edition Slash guitar picks in select packs of Ernie Ball electric guitar strings sold exclusively at Guitar Center between February 1st and April 30th. Picks and corresponding prizes are as follows:

Gold Pick: (20 winners) A private 2-hour Master Class with Slash
Silver Pick: (10 winners): A custom Ernie Ball Music Man guitar or bass of winner's choice
Red Pick: (20 winners): A $500 Guitar Center shopping spree
Black Pick: (100 winners) Signed copy of Slash's new solo album
White Pick: (1,000 winners) Free pack of Ernie Ball electric guitar strings

The opportunity coincides with what will be Slash's first true solo album. Slash announced today his CD, SLASH, will release in April 2010. The album features an all-star roster of guest musicians including Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell, Rocco DeLuca, Fergie, Dave Grohl, Myles Kennedy, Kid Rock, Lemmy Kilmeister, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Duff McKagan, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother.

Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record with Slash is just one of many Guitar Center initiatives created to foster growth and success within the music community, including its annual King of the Blues, Drum-Off and On-Stage competitions, among others. Guitar Center's King of the Blues is a nationwide amateur guitar skills competition with the goal of finding the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. Drum-Off is an annual drumming competition that, now in its 21st year, has been a launching pad for many drummers, including Cora Coleman-Dunham and Tony Royster Jr, two Drum-Off winners who have gone on to become highly acclaimed professional drummers (with Prince and Jay Z respectively). Guitar Center On-Stage is a musical competition judged by Mötley Crüe. The winning band, The Last Vegas, has since gone on to open for Mötley Crüe on tour and subsequently topped iTunes critics' 2009 "Rock Singles of the Year List" with their hit single "I'm Bad."