Jason Merritt, Getty Images Guns N’ Roses have taken a few knocks in recent years for appearing onstage late or rolling past curfews as a result, but one of the main reasons for that occurrence is the production value that they’re bringing to audiences around the world. Guitarist DJ Ashba tells Australia’s Yahoo7 News that the production issues are a common reason for the delay in getting the band to the stage. He explains, “We have a huge rig and pyrotechnics so often it’s the case of fitting all that into the venue. Our number one priority is to make the shows safe. [The criticism from fans on social media] kills us as a band because we’re not doing any of this on purpose. Our main goal is to go and give the fans a show they will never forget and we understand how expensive tickets are. We take that into account and when we do hit the stage, it’s almost impossible to get us off.” The guitarist also addressed the sometimes negative perception of frontman Axl Rose in the media, explaining, “I think a lot of people and the press try to blow it up and say he’s an a–hole, but everyone can be an a–hole if you get them on the wrong day. One thing people don’t seem to get is that he’s genuinely funny and he’s always joking around and telling stories to make people laugh. I always say that if he wasn’t a musician, he’d be a great comedian. I wish the world could see that side of him because it’s the opposite of what people have branded in their brains.” Even though Ashba is one of the last members to join the current Guns N’ Roses lineup, he says that Rose has done nothing but treat his bandmates like gold since he started. He adds, “He lets us write our own solos and gives everybody their time to shine on stage and I think that says a lot about who he is. He has no problem sharing the spotlight, in fact he quite likes it.” Guns N’ Roses will next take the stage this March in Australia. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-offer-first-look-at-3d-concert-film-announce-tour-dates-in-australia/” title=”Next: Guns N’ Roses Offer First Look at 3D Concert Film” align=”center”]
Posts Tagged ‘jason-merritt’
Guns N’ Roses’ DJ Ashba Cites Production Issues for Band’s Concert Tardiness
January 23rd, 2013 
Metalkult 
Posted in News 
Tags: a-common-reason, australia, band, guns n' roses, jason-merritt, late-or-rolling, news, production, rock, spotlight, stage, wish-the-world 
No Comments »Perry Farrell Writes 60 Songs for Potential Inclusion on Next Jane’s Addiction Album
November 23rd, 2012 Metalkult Jason Merritt, Getty Images Being sidelined after surgery isn’t exactly a pleasant experience, but Perry Farrell has made the most of it by enjoying a creative burst that has resulted in as much as 60 potential new songs for the next Jane’s Addiction album. He tells Rolling Stone , “I haven’t written this much or been this prolific since I started when I was in my 20s. It’s been coming out fantastic. I’m super excited. Everything will really start to jell and come together probably this time next year.” Farrell says that he enjoyed working on the band’s latest album, ‘The Great Escape Artist,’ and admitted that some of the themes of that record may carry over to the new material. He explains, however, that “it’s not going to be [a continuation of] ‘The Great Escape Artist.’ I had thought that it would be a great idea. However, I just came up with this other twist to doing the next record. At this point, I want to start fresh with a fresh angle.” Farrell says that he plans to begin mapping out the band’s follow-up by as early as January. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/janes-addiction-dave-navarro-joins-sons-of-anarchy-cast/” title=”Next: Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro Cast on ‘Sons of Anarchy'” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-fresh-angle-, addiction, band, enjoyed-working, getty-images, janes addiction, jason-merritt, made-the-most, mapping-out-the, news, sidelined-after, time No Comments »Dave Grohl, James Hetfield + Axl Rose Among Richest Rock Vocalists
November 17th, 2012 Metalkult Justin Sullivan / Theo Wargo / Jason Merritt, Getty Images Being the frontman of a rock band can provide you with plenty of opportunities, including financial ones. Some rockers have benefitted more than others over the years, and Celebrity Net Worth has compiled a list of the richest rock singers, with Dave Grohl , James Hetfield , and Axl Rose among those doing well. The site compiled their list using publicly available information on salaries, real estate holdings, divorces, and endorsements as well as record sales and royalties. They then worked out a formula that subtracts taxes, manager’s fees, agents’ fees, and lifestyle to come up with their final estimate. As expected, the rockers that have been doing it the longest have amassed the biggest fortunes, with Paul McCartney leading the way at $800 million, followed by Bono at an estimated $600 million. Hard rock fans have to scroll all the way down to No. 11 on the list to find Foo Fighters singer and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, who was estimated at earning $225 million. The next highest hard rock vocalist is Metallica ‘s James Hetfield, who reportedly netted $175 million, good enough to place him at No. 17. Following closely behind is Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, who is worth $150 million, which lands him at No. 19. Other hard rock vocalists of note inside the Top 50 include: Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘ Anthony Kiedis at No. 25 with $125 million; Iron Maiden ‘s Bruce Dickinson at No. 28 with $115 million; AC/DC ‘s Brian Johnson at No. 30, tied with Black Sabbath ‘s Ozzy Osbourne with $95 million; Pearl Jam ‘s Eddie Vedder at No. 34 with $80 million; and Soundgarden ‘s Chris Cornell at No. 48 with $60 million. Aside from McCartney and Bono, the rest of the Top 10 includes Jimmy Buffett ($400 million), Elton John ($320 million), Mick Jagger ($305 million), Gene Simmons ($300 million), Sting ($290 million), Phil Collins ($250 million), Dave Matthews ($250 million), and Prince ($250 million). [button href=”http://loudwire.com/nirvana-metallica-green-day-members-land-on-30-richest-drummers-in-the-world-list/” title=”Next: See the Richest Drummers List” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-rock-band, anthony-kiedis, axl rose, brian-johnson, chris-cornell, dave grohl, eddie vedder, elton-john, james-hetfield, jason-merritt, news No Comments »Daily Reload: Ozzy Osbourne, Three Days Grace, Deuce + More
October 6th, 2012 Metalkult Jason Merritt, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – It’s a busy time for Ozzy Osbourne right now. The singer will join wife Sharon Osbourne for her 60th birthday bash next week on ‘The Talk.’ He also got some great news regarding his son Jack Osbourne . [ Loudwire ] – Three Days Grace have been all over radio with ‘ Chalk Outline .’ Now the band takes the song to the streets in their new video. [ Loudwire ] – Deuce is ready to take at least a couple of his former Hollywood Undead bandmates to court over an alleged beatdown he claims to have received earlier this year. [ Loudwire ] – Kiss are heading to the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ for an appearance and post-show concert webcast next week, but first, the new single ‘Long Way Down’ has arrived. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – There’s a new sales king for 2012. Mumford & Sons have toppled Justin Bieber’s previous mark with a stellar opening week for the ‘Babel’ album. [ Diffuser.fm ] – Like Moths to Flames have dipped back into the well to add a couple of new songs to make a deluxe edition of the ‘When We Don’t Exist’ album. [ Rock Music Report ]
Posted in News Tags: appearance-and, band, chalk-outline-, jason-merritt, Music, music-report, news-regarding, osbourne, stellar-opening, take-at-least, takes-the-song No Comments »Daily Reload: Foo Fighters, Falling in Reverse, Black Sabbath + More
October 3rd, 2012 Metalkult Jason Merritt, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Dave Grohl may not have wanted to make a “ big deal ” about it, but yes, the Foo Fighters have officially announced their hiatus. [ Loudwire ] – Falling in Reverse singer Ronnie Radke’s enthusiasm at a weekend show in New Jersey got him arrested when the microphone stands he tossed into the crowd injured audience members. [ Loudwire ] – Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward may not be with the band right now due to a contractual impasse, but that doesn’t lessen his desire to rejoin the band at some point. [ Loudwire ] – The man of many bands – noted session drummer Josh Freese – is moving on from his long time gig with A Perfect Circle . [ Loudwire ] – Scorpions ? Def Leppard ? What acts have songs that make up the perfect Oktoberfest soundtrack? Check out the Top 10 Oktoberfest Songs. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Heard that latest Smiths reunion rumor? Faster than you can say, ‘Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before,’ Johnny Marr has dashed those hopes. [ Diffuser.fm ] – Bonnaroo is branching out, offering the new “Bonnaroo 365 Tour” for emerging acts White Denim and Maps & Atlases. See where they’ll play. [ Rock Music Report ]
Posted in News Tags: a-weekend-show, around-the-web, band, daily-reload, foo fighters, into-the-crowd, jason-merritt, josh-freese, moving-on-from, rejoin-the-band, ronnie-radke No Comments »Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke Reportedly Arrested for Throwing Mic Stands Into Crowd
October 2nd, 2012 Metalkult Jason Merritt, Getty Images Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has apparently run into trouble again. The singer was reportedly arrested after the FestEVIL performance in New Jersey for throwing four mic stands into the audience and injuring a pair of audience members. The Asbury Park Press reports that two people were actually struck in the head by the stands during the Sunday (Sept. 30) performance at the Six Flags Great Adventure show. One of the victims, a 16-year-old girl, suffered a two- to three-inch cut on top of her head and bruising on her forehead. The other victim, a 24-year-old man, was being treated at the scene for his injuries. Kristin Siebeneicher, spokeswoman for the theme park, said afterward, “This was the first metal show that we’ve ever had and will be the last. We have no plans to host another metal show … This performer was completely reckless. He had complete disregard for the safety of his fans. His actions were totally unacceptable. It’s not the type of entertainment that we want to be producing.” The singer reportedly posted bail and was released after the arrest. Radke was arrested back in August on an outstanding warrant for domestic assault . That followed a prison stint relating to an altercation where an 18-year-old man died in a fatal shooting. Though Radke did not shoot the man in question, he was cited on battery charges and given probation. The probation was later revoked when he failed to report for parole and ended with him serving a two-year prison sentence. Falling in Reverse are expected to resume touring with the start of “ The Thug in Me Is You ” tour Oct. 11 in Portland, Ore. Watch Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke Throwing Mic Stands Into the Crowd [button href=”http://loudwire.com/falling-in-reverse-talk-warped-tour-workout-routine-travel-essentials-more/” title=”Next: Falling in Reverse Talk Workout Routine + Travel Essentials” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-prison-stint, bruising-on-her, falling in reverse, getty-images, jason-merritt, news, press, reverse-talk, stands-into, victim, victims, watch-falling No Comments »Axl Rose to Appear on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
October 1st, 2012 Metalkult Jason Merritt, Getty Images The incredibly elusive Axl Rose is set to be a guest on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on Oct. 24, making for a rare television appearance from the Guns N’ Roses singer. Axl Rose paid a visit to ‘ That Metal Show ‘ last year, which was aired on National Metal Day (11-11-11) and was Axl’s first television appearance in over a decade. Luring Axl Rose onto your TV show is an incredible “get” for anyone, but with Kimmel booking the singer on his talk show, the excitement lies in the fact that literally anything could happen. Likely guarded in his now-trademark hat and sunglasses, it’ll be a trip seeing how candid Axl will manage to act while on the late-night show. One of the subjects of Axl’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ manifestation with surely be Guns N’ Roses’ upcoming residency at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ‘Appetite for Destruction’ album, the band’s upcoming ‘Appetite for Democracy’ residency will consist of 12 shows in 25 days. The run begins on Halloween night and concludes Nov. 24. Be sure to check out Axl Rose’s Oct. 24. guest spot on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ but if you miss it, your friends here at Loudwire will be sure to fill you in on all the gritty details. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/axl-rose-files-cease-and-desist-letter-aimed-at-photography-exhibit/” title=”Next: Axl Rose Files Cease and Desist Letter Against Photo Exhibit” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-trip-seeing, desist-letter, excitement, friends, hotel, jason-merritt, kimmel, residency-will No Comments »
