Ali wrote:

I think ppp was kind of saying this earlier, but I'll say it again and point to specific examples.  I can't help but look at two things:

1) In January of last year, Madison "reported" that Axl had ordered a Slash apparel ban at the Winnipeg show and she never, ever was able to prove that Axl himself actually asked for this as opposed to someone doing this on Axl's behalf, like when Doug Goldstein banned Slash from the two Joint shows in 2001.

Madison single-handedly contributed to the propagation of this rumor.  There is no doubt about that.

2)  The discussion of the MSL documents and the rumors of what it contained were damaging enough that a member of the band, Ron, felt compelled  to go to MyGNR and defend himself against these allegations.

Both of these things happened on Eric's forum, a FAN forum.

Why in the hell should these things ever happen on a FAN forum for the band in question?  At a certain point, you have to step back and say, "Is this really functioning as a fan forum now?"

To me, no fan forum should have this effect on the band they are dedicated to.  Madison wasn't acting as a fan when she did what she did, she was acting as a reporter.  MSL wasn't acting as a fan when he did what he did, he was acting like a greedy, selfish, inconsiderate fool.

Should this behavior take place and/or be discussed and rewarded on a forum dedicated to supporting a band?  No.

Like I said, I've been on fan forums for Queensryche and Iron Maiden and some others, and never, ever seen anything like this kind of crap happen there.

Ali

Not buying your line of thinking. Freedom of speech is important. If people want to talk about Axl's pubic hair, then they should be free to do so. Hell, MyGNR pretty much does that all the time.

It's true both of those things wouldn't have happened on forums of other bands.

In particular the entire MSL episode was completely bizzare - that people who profess to be fans of the band would engage in behaviours to actively damage the band's interests - both public and personal.

I've often wondered as to why this happens.

So far I have the following theories:

1. GNR music is very emotional, thought provoking and contains complex psychological themes. It's why I connect with it. But perhaps it's possible that music of this nature attracts a higher proportion of unbalanced fans than mainstream pop. This isn't to say all GNR fans are crazy, but maybe a higher percentage than say Madonna fans or whatever.

2. GNR's managment style I think breeds this kind of behaviour in fans. There seems to be a lot of secracy, and periods of silence surrounding the band - there's always an element of mystry and uncertanty - and I think that enables the unstable element of the fanbase to start up with antics. That's not to suggest its the fault of the band - or that the band should really do anything different - but for better or worse I think it does increase the chances of this stuff happening.

For example: Dave Mustaine seems to be an emotional kind of guy, or at least I think it's fair to say he's had some problems over the years (and I mean that with all respect as he's an awesome musician) - but megadeth engages their fan base constantly - runs an official forum - where dave talks to fans about what's on his mind, immediately clarrifies any rumours surrounding the band etc. And while you always get people calling for Rust in Peace line up reunions, the vibe of the place is always positive, respectful, and dramas don't seem to occur. If someone hacked his email I'm pretty sure all other fans would tell that guy to go fuck himself.

Now that's not to say Axl should, or can do what Dave does. They are different people with different personalities - and if it works for dave to engage the fanbase directly that's fine, and it doesn't mean axl has to - but I do think the relative silence and mystery of the band increases the ability of the nutjobs to fuck with the band and it's interests.

IF axl doesn't like direct interaction, my suggestion, for what that's worth, would be to engage people properly to represent the band
online. HTGTH is almost an offical forum, but then there seems to be a real combatitive vibe there - where to like the new band you seem to have to hate the old members - and vice versa. I'd like to see an official  forum that's more like bumblefoot's attitude - that it's ok to like the old and the new - and that it's not a contest between them - there's room for everyone - where fans could interact and discuss the band freely - and where crazy schemes could be shut down instantly by an admin who had direct and free access to the band - who was truely in the loop. Just my 2c.

russtcb wrote:

What Axl should've done is promoted the album at all when it was released.

Fixed it

madagas wrote:

agree....to blame the band/Axl for some idiot on the internet is going to far. An ass is an ass and one wrong doesn't make another wrong right.

Uh, I wasn't saying the trolls are right. I'm saying the band's behavior has caused people to become unhinged over the years. As Axlin08 pointed out, other bands don't have the ridiculous behavior on the Internet from their fans. There is a direct correlation between having a crazy band and a crazy fanbase. Neither are "right," both are wrong. But they exist and feed off of each other.

"I often browse other band’s websites and fan forums and truly envy how those other bands have embraced the internet, fan forums, and fans"

In all fairness, I think this goes both ways. I have never seen a fansite for another band or musician run the way MYGNR was run. I don't think I could log onto a Bon Jovi site right now and see a thread by a person claiming to have Jon's hacked emails. Nor do I think I'd find a Britney Spears site where every thread is hijacked into a fight between haters and fans.

He can complain that GNR isn't doing anything, but when they were touring last year it was the same crap. The board was poorly moderated and it got to the point that it was impossible to read, much less enjoy. Eric allowed this to happen and I'm not sure why he thinks Axl or anyone from GNR would ever give him money to support the forum.