Gun N’ Roses Will Just Have to Figure Out a Way to Survive Without Dj Slashba

In a three page hand-written letter released on his website earlier today, Dj Slashba announced that he is parting ways with Guns N’ Roses. Unlike Slash or Buckethead, though, Slashba seems to be leaving the group on good terms (at least publicly), stating that “I have reached a point in my life where I feel its time to dedicate myself to my band Sixx:A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me,” before praising his now-former employer:

“I want to take a moment to thank Axl [Rose] from the bottom of my heart for not only the most incredible experience of my life, but for truly believing in me. You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful.  And even as I move on to pursue other endeavors, I will always remain one of your biggest fans.”

Although I do wonder how Axl is taking the news that he’s losing a player to Nikki Sixx, the real question, of course, is this: how will Guns N’ Roses ever survive without Slashba?!?! The band’s fifth lead guitarist, ninth overall guitarist, and nineteenth general member has been with GN’R since 2009. During that time, he neither wrote nor recorded any of their songs, not even the ones on Chinese Democracy. He became known to fans for being very Slash-esque and for hitting his instrument with a drum stick to no apparent effect during live performances of “Madagascar.”

https://youtu.be/WnfnFTu76i8?t=6m6s

This also means that Guns N’ Roses are now down to but two guitar players (possibly one if Bumblefoot has already left and it just didn’t get announced). How the fuck any band is supposed to make decent music with just two guitar players is beyond me; I mean, if The fucking Beatles were never able to figure it out, I dunno why we’d expect Axl Rose to do so.

Meanwhile, last week, remaining guitarist Richard Fortus told RockAbout.com that “The current state of GN’R is pretty up in the air,” although “The last I heard they wanted to finish up the recordings that we have and put them out next year and start touring.” Assuming that’s even remotely accurate, Rose will have to find a new Gunner sooner rather than later.