Guns N' Roses/Axl Watch

[muthagoose]

Guns N’ Roses Officially Announce “Chinese Democracy”: Pre-Orders Start Today

Guns n’ Roses’ management released a statement today officially confirming the arrival of Chinese Democracy on November 23rd. “The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock n’ roll,” said Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. They also added that Best Buy would be launching a “monumental campaign that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself.” Pre-orders begin today for the 14-track album co-produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo (Pearl Jam’s No Code, Rage Against the Machine’s Evil Empire). Chinese Democracy will be available on CD, digital download and vinyl (with a free digital download option) through Geffen Records and Black Frog (Rose’s publishing company). Follow the jump for the official press release.

MINNEAPOLIS, October 22, 2008 – Best Buy and Geffen Records announced that one of the most highly anticipated albums of all time, Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy, will be available beginning Nov. 23 at Best Buy and BestBuy.com on CD, vinyl, and digital downloads. The title track, the first single from the album, was released to radio today, October 22. Chinese Democracy is the first album of new material from one of rock’s most influential bands since the 1991 simultaneous releases of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

“The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock n’ roll,” said co-managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. “We’re launching with a monumental campaign developed by Gary Arnold and the Best Buy team that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N’ Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning.”

“Chinese Democracy is one of the most highly anticipated albums in music history, and Best Buy is thrilled to deliver this explosive and previously elusive release to Guns N’ Roses fans. Longtime fans will be rewarded for their patience and loyalty to this great band, while a new generation of fans will be blown away,” said Gary Arnold, Senior Entertainment Officer for Best Buy. “Axl Rose is one of the most dynamic and gifted writers and performers in modern music. Best Buy is excited to work with Axl to make the release of Chinese Democracy THE musical event of 2008!”

“Guns N’ Roses is THE premier American rock band,” commented Steve Berman, President, Sales and Marketing, Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “Partnering with Gary and everyone at Best Buy to release one of rock’s most anticipated and legendary albums is truly a moment in music history. We’re thrilled to be able to announce that Chinese Democracy is coming, it’s coming this year, and it’s coming to Best Buy.”

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, the album, which will be released on Black Frog/Geffen Records, includes 14 tracks. “Shackler’s Revenge” debuted September 14 through the Rock Band 2 videogame and “If The World” can be heard in the film Body Of Lies, which premiered on October 11.

Chinese Democracy is being released in three formats: CD, Vinyl LP (with a free digital download of the tracks), and as a digital album. Pre-orders at www.BestBuy.com/chinesedemocracy begin today.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Official Statement From Geffen Records; Official Site Updated

GnrDaily.com, the GUNS N' ROSES Newswire, reports:

"For the first time in a long time the official Guns N' Roses website, GunsNRoses.com, has been updated. No official statment or letter from Axl Rose, but a text on a black wallpaper confirming the November 23rd release date with the title track 'Chinese Democracy' pumping in the background. It's time for Round 2!"

Another post reads:

Chinese Democracy has finally arrived. One of the most highly anticipated albums in rock history, the long-awaited Chinese Democracy marks the first album of new material from Guns N’ Roses since 1991’s simultaneous release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. With a frenzied energy, Guns N’ Roses arrived on the music scene in the mid-‘80s and rock was never the same. Now the enormously influential G N’ R is ready to rock once again.

Chinese Democracy (Black Frog/Geffen Records) will be available globally on November 23rd on CD and vinyl (accompanied by a free digital download of the tracks), and as a separate digital album.

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, Chinese Democracy includes 14 tracks. The title track and first single from the album, 'Chinese Democracy', will be released to radio at 5 AM (EST) today. Two of the recordings have been recently released - 'Shackler’s Revenge' debuted September 14th in the Rock Band 2 video game and 'If The World' debuted October 11th in the film Body Of Lies.

“The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock ‘n’ roll,” said Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, Guns N’ Roses’ co-managers, “and we’re launching with a monumental campaign that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N’ Roses

"AXL ROSE: The World's Most Prolific Ginger"

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Dr. Pepper Reveals Free Soda Plan

Finally, after over a decade of false starts, we will finally get what we’ve all been waiting for: a free bottle of Dr. Pepper. With yesterday’s official confirmation that Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy is really happening, the makers of Dr. Pepper announced their plan to make good on their promise to provide everyone with free soda. “We never thought this day would come,” said Dr. Pepper vice president of marketing Tony Jacobs, “but now that it’s here all we can say is: The Dr Pepper’s on us.”

Starting November 23rd, the day Chinese Democracy hits Best Buy, you can head over to the Dr. Pepper website and register your information to receive a coupon which can be redeemed for a free 20-ounce pop. However, any dreams you fostered about drinking your free Dr. Pepper while headbanging to Democracy will have to wait four-to-six weeks, the estimated delivery time to get your coupon in the mail. Still, what’s four-to-six weeks when we’ve already waited fourteen years?

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES' 'Chinese Democracy' Single Best 'Mainstream Rock' Debut Since 'Don't Cry'

According to Billboard.biz, GUNS N' ROSES' new single, "Chinese Democracy", has made a splashy bow across a bevy of Billboard's and Radio and Records' rock airplay charts — after only five days of airplay. It debuts at No. 12 on Mainstream Rock, No. 15 on Active Rock, No. 37 on Modern Rock and No. 7 on Rock. On Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, which began in 1981, it's the band's best debut since 1991 when "Don't Cry" opened at No. 4.

GUNS N' ROSES' new album, "Chinese Democracy", will be released in the U.S. exclusively through Best Buy. The 14-song set will be available on CD, vinyl, and as a download. While singer Axl Rose has remained silent, co-managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould said in a statement, "The release of 'Chinese Democracy' marks a historic moment in rock n'roll. We're launching with a monumental campaign...that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. GUNS N' ROSES fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

[muthagoose]

Brian May's Parts For 'Catcher N' The Rye' Removed?

Queen guitarist Brian May recorded the lead guitar parts for the leaked Guns N' Roses song "Catcher N' The Rye" in 1999. The song is confirmed to appear on GN'R's long-awaited new album "Chinese Democracy", but it's unclear if May's parts will be on the song when it is officially released at the end of November. One visitor to May's official web site, BrianMay.com, who has allegedly seen the sleeve notes for "Chinese Democracy" claims that May is not credited for his contributions on the album, leading to speculation that his parts have been removed and replaced by those by one of Guns N' Roses current guitarists.

In a posting on BrianMay.com, the Queen guitarist writes: "Well, it is a shame, perhaps ... I did put quite a lot of work in, and was proud of it. But I could understand if Axl wants to have an album which reflects the work of the members of the band as it is right now. I do have mixes of the tracks with my guitar on, work tapes at the time, but they will remain private, out of respect for Axl."

[muthagoose]

GUNS N’ ROSES: Pre-Order 'Chinese Democracy' And Get Free Single

Beginning this Sunday, November 9, you can pre-order GUNS N' ROSES new album, "Chinese Democracy", at Best Buy or iTunes and receive the "Chinese Democracy" single immediately. Click here to pre-order now at Best Buy. (iTunes pre-order and Napster.com download will be available Sunday.)

GUNS N' ROSES premiered a new commercial teaser for its long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", during "Saturday Night Live" last weekend. The 30-second spot, which can be viewed below, features the recently released title track and information about the album pre-sale. The teaser aired again this past Monday night (November 3) during "Monday Night Football", which airs on ESPN.

"Chinese Democracy" will be released in the U.S. exclusively through Best Buy. The 14-song set will be available on CD, vinyl, and as a download. While singer Axl Rose has remained silent, co-managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould said in a statement, "The release of 'Chinese Democracy' marks a historic moment in rock n'roll. We're launching with a monumental campaign...that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. GUNS N' ROSES fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

[muthagoose]

IZZY STRADLIN On Chinese Democracy: "I Have Listened To Some Tracks Off The Record And I Enjoyed Them"

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist IZZY STRADLIN spoke with Punk.bz recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

What do you think about the fact that Live … Like a Suicide and especially Appetite For Destruction became so popular?
Izzy: “I didn’t have any idea that the band would become so big. Our lifestyle was very self-destructive, but at the same time we were very motivated by music. Nevertheless, I never imagined that we would ever become so famous.”

Most of the fans blame Axl Rose for the breakup of Guns N’ Roses. Is he as problematic as he seems?
Izzy: “Axl is a very complicated guy, but very talented.”

Do you believe in Chinese Democracy? And I’m not talking about if there is democracy in China.
Izzy: (Laughter) “I believe that somewhere there’s a disc with the title Chinese Democracy. (Laughter) I have listened to some tracks off the record and I enjoyed them.”

With the album delayed for so many years, have you ever considered the possibility of re-recording Chinese Democracy with the original GN’R lineup?
Izzy: "No." (Laughter)

[muthagoose]

Free 'Chinese Democracy' Listening Events Announced

The following listening events for GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", have been announced:

New York City
Nov. 17 at 7PM
All Ages
Webster Hall – The Studio
125 E 11th St.
New York, NY 10003

Dallas
Nov. 17 at 8PM
21+ Over
Whisky Bar
1930 Greenville Ave,
Dallas, TX 75206

Chicago
Nov. 17 at 8PM
21 + Over
Joe's
940 W. Weed St .
Chicago, IL 60622

Los Angeles
Nov. 18 at 9PM
All Ages
The Roxy
9009 West Sunset Blvd.,
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Minneapolis
Nov. 18 at 6:30PM
18 + Over
Fine Line
318 1st Ave
N Minneapolis, MN 55401

Atlanta
Nov. 19 at 7:30PM
All Ages
Tabernacle
152 Luckie Street
Atlanta, GA 30303

San Francisco
Nov. 20 at 7:30PM
21 + Over
Mezzanine
444 Jessie Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103

Boston
Nov. 20 at 8PM
All Ages
Cavern Club At Hard Rock Café
22-24 Clinton St.
Boston, MA 02109

Detroit
Nov. 20 at 7 PM
All Ages
St. Andrews Hall
431 E Congress St.
Detroit, MI 48226

The listening events are free and open to the public. No cell phones or recording devices are allowed.

Pre-order "Chinese Democracy" on BestBuy.com and bring your receipt for "front-of-the-line access" plus receive a FREE exclusive "Chinese Democracy" T-shirt at these events, while supplies last.

[muthagoose]

Steven Adler seeks rehab, and his old job

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler pleaded no contest on Friday to a heroin possession charge in the hopes of avoiding jail time by entering a treatment program, officials said.

Adler, 43, who was fired from the band over drug problems in 1990, also hopes to reunite with his old bandmates, said his attorney, Barry Gerald Sands.

"When he gets sober they'll accept him into the band and then they'll do a comeback album and a world tour, that's the dream of Steven Adler," Sands told Reuters, after an upbeat Adler entered his plea in Los Angeles Superior Court.

A representative from Guns N' Roses could not immediately be reached for comment.

Guns N' Roses on November 23 will release the long awaited album "Chinese Democracy," a project lead singer Axl Rose has shepherded through a revolving cast of musicians for years.

Adler is scheduled to appear in court on December 12 to determine if he is eligible for drug treatment instead of jail.

If Adler enters drug treatment, his misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance will be dismissed, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office said.

Adler was arrested in Los Angeles on July 18, after someone called police to report he was causing a disturbance.

He appeared this year on the reality television show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" during an earlier attempt to get off drugs.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: New Song 'Better' Available For Streaming

Another song off GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", "Better", received its world premier this morning (Monday, November 17) on a number of U.S. stations, including Q104.3 FM, which is currently streaming the track at this location: www.q1043.com/pages/news/gunsnroses/better.html

[muthagoose]

Chinese Democracy Reviewed By Eagles Of Death Metal's Jesse 'The Devil' Hughes

Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse "The Devil" Hughes really wanted to hate Guns N' Roses' new album, Chinese Democracy. Ever since his band was booted from GN'R's 2006 tour, after a single performance in Cleveland, you could say there's been bad blood between Hughes and Guns mainman Axl Rose. So Hughes has been waiting to get his hands on the oft-delayed, more-than-a-decade-in-the-making LP, hoping it would be an abysmal catastrophe.

But Hughes' verdict is in: "You can't say it's a bad record — you just can't do it."

Hughes, whose band was dubbed "Pigeons of Shit Metal" by Rose, joined MTV News for a brief Chinese Democracy listening session Monday at the Downtown Records offices. He shared his thoughts on one of the most anticipated albums of the last 10 years, set for release November 23.

Like much of the world, Hughes never actually believed Rose would deliver Chinese Democracy. "During that one show we were at, they'd play songs like 'Mr. Brownstone' and 'It's So Easy,' and the crowd would be going nuts," he recalled. "Then, all of a sudden, they'd play something off Chinese Democracy, and it was just crickets. And then the crickets went silent."

But now that the release is upon us, Hughes has changed his tune. "The first two tracks, right out of the gate, grabbed me, and the first time I heard the record, I was like, 'F---, it's not bad,' " Hughes said. "I had so many funny things waiting to be said about it, but the record is good."

Hughes, whose band recently released its third album, Heart On, was especially taken with the musicianship on the record, which he called "unparalleled." The LP's overall sound also impressed him.

"The production values had to be probably at the highest level of anything, and you can hear that immediately," he said. "There is not a lot of magic going on, in terms of making sh-- from nothing. These are real players, and this is the greatest karaoke band ever assembled. He pulled together some of the greatest talents from the last 16 years, so it's a lot of talent in one spot."

But Hughes does have one gripe: "To say that it's Guns N' Roses, which is the L.A. freaks who hit the streets and made you scared and your women were being hidden, and you have this ugly son of a bitch on guitar shredding — I don't think it's fair to say that this is Guns N' Roses. When you're releasing multiple albums and you're a band, you're part of a lineage. You're saying you started here, and from here comes forth this. You can't do that with the new GN'R. This is Axl Rose's solo album. There's nothing Guns N' Roses about this. It's a great album, but it's not Guns, and it's an insult to all of us to call it that."

Hughes doesn't think Chinese Democracy does anything to diminish Guns N' Roses' rock-and-roll legacy, but he feels "it helps to contrast and highlight it, because if you've even heard one track off of [1987's] Appetite for Destruction, you're immediately going to go, 'That's not Slash.' And to me, that's cool, because Slash has the rad stuff. Axl — he just has implants."

As for Axl's pipes, Hughes described the vocals as sounding "suspiciously Zapp-ish," a reference to the '70s soul-and-funk outfit that utilized a talk box on the majority of their recordings. (Jesse apparently didn't know that Zapp founders/brothers Roger and Larry Troutman both died in an apparent murder-suicide in 1999.) "The vocals don't sound real," he said. "It sounds like a MIDI sampler that's approximated to his voice.

"Axl, I think he's like the child with chocolate on his face telling you he didn't eat the candy bar," Hughes continued. "This is the reverse. It sounds like a person talking, but it's really a robot. Axl's a robot. Have you ever seen 'Terminator'? I think if we cut Axl's arm at the skin and peeled it off, a robot would emerge."

Hughes realizes that Chinese Democracy is an important record, one he's sure "will topple Communism and the great dragon itself," but after hearing it, he questions why it took so long to produce.

"Let's be serious and set aside my personal issue with the man, and let's just pretend for a second I'm not in this business," Hughes said. "Sixteen f---ing years to make an album is an outrage and an abuse of the system. Who the hell does anyone think they are that they'll take 16 years to make a record? The only thing Axl has going for him is that he's still friends with Sebastian Bach. That man's still a hunk. He's a savage animal if ever I saw one."

Ultimately, though, Hughes respects Rose's position in rockdom. He also wonders when — if ever — we'll see a follow-up to Chinese Democracy.

"It doesn't matter who Axl is or what he's done to me, he's part of one of the greatest rock-and-roll bands that's ever lived, and Appetite has carved out this massive spot for itself that can never be screwed with," he said. "I can't speak ill of the man too much, because it seems like I'm, in a disingenuous way, calling into question his rock nobility. I just can't wait for North Korean Democracy, which will be coming out in 2036. Axl will still look the same then, but he'll actually be growing corn out of his scalp."

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES To Stream Entire Chinese Democracy Album
GUN N' ROSES Newswire GNRDaily.com is reporting that the band will stream their new album, Chinese Democracy, at their MySpace page, beginning tomorrow, November 20th. The album will stream up until it's release.

Check it out here:

www.myspace.com/gunsnroses

[muthagoose]

DR PEPPER Free-Drink Offer Not Working Out As Planned

According to WalletPop.com, Dr Pepper's web site appears to be having a hard time keeping up with demand for a soda following the soft drink manufacturer's announcement earlier in the year that it would give a free drink to everyone if GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", actually dropped in 2008.

Interested fans are being asked to visit DrPepper.com today (November 23), the day "Chinese Democracy" is released in the U.S. exclusively via Best Buy. After registering online, fans will receive a coupon redeemable for a 20-oz. Dr Pepper wherever the drink is sold.

The twist: the coupon is only available for 24 hours and will expire on February 28.

Repeated attempts by WalletPop.com staff to reach DrPepper.com have resulted mainly in a longtime "loading" message on the main page. When WalletPop.com has managed to get in, the coupon location wasn't immediately clear. It's apparently behind "Promotions" and then "Free Dr Pepper" — but then that page wasn't loading for WalletPop.com either.

Then WalletPop.com tried 1-888-drpepper (1-888-377-3773), as recommended to the site by a company spokesman. WalletPop.com called midday and got an operator after a 15-minute wait.

The spokesman also said the company was working to add more servers to handle the web traffic — this also around noon, 12 hours into the 24-hour promotion.

[muthagoose]

DR PEPPER Extends Free-Drink Offer Due To 'Consumer Demand'

Due to "consumer demand," soft drink manufacturer Dr Pepper has extended its offer of a free drink to everyone if GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", actually dropped in 2008.

Interested fans have until 6:00 p.m. today (Monday, November 24) to visit DrPepper.com. After registering online, they will receive a coupon redeemable for a 20-oz. Dr Pepper wherever the drink is sold.

The twist: the coupon will expire on February 28.

According to WalletPop.com, Dr Pepper's web site had a hard time keeping up with demand for a soda yesterday, with may fans receivng a "loading" message on the main page when trying to access the site.

"We never thought this day would come," said Tony Jacobs, vice president of marketing for Dr Pepper. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE Biographer: 'Democracy' Is 'An Over-Reaching, Self-Pitying Piece Of Inspired Lunacy'

British rock journalist Mick Wall, who released a biography of GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose, "W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose", in February 2008, has posted the following message on his blog:

"Seeing as people keep asking: yeah, I think [GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album] 'Chinese Democracy' is not bad at all. It is what it is, you know, an over-reaching, self-pitying piece of inspired lunacy by someone who should really know better but is surrounded by weak-willied wankers too scared of and/or reliant on him for their paychecks to tell him the truth. 'Better' is good though. As is 'There Was A Time', 'IRS', 'Madagascar' and a couple of others. 'If The World' would have been a much better Bond movie theme than the awful shite Jack White and wassername came up with. 12 years and $13 million, though. Gimme a break. Sitting there listening to the 'finished' album in Universal last week the two things I kept thinking as it was playing were: a) Axl would shit if he knew his record company were actually playing me this, but then looking around at the kids working there most of them weren't born when 'Appetite For Destruction' came out and probably think Slash is the singer. And b) yaaawwwnnnn, is it finished yet?

"Seriously, it was such an anti-climax. Partly because I already knew nine of the tracks well from the Internet bootlegs that have been circulating for at least two years and which the 'finished' album sound exactly alike. Partly because, come on, 400 years and $50 trillion, I mean, who fucking cares anymore? And where's Slash when you need him? Ultimately, what I'd like to ask Axl Rose at this point is this: like, what's for dessert, dude?"

Mick Wall's unauthorized GN'R biography, "Guns N Roses: The Most Dangerous Band In The World", first published in Britain by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1991 (and in America, in updated form, the following year, by Hyperion) so incensed W. Axl Rose that he wrote a song about it, "Get In The Ring", from GN'R's 1991 zillion-selling "Use Your Illusion II" album.

[muthagoose]

Chinese Government Slams New GUNS N' ROSES Album

The Pulse of Radio reports that a newspaper published by China's ruling Communist Party has blasted the new GUNS N' ROSES album, "Chinese Democracy", calling it an attack on the Chinese nation. According to The Associated Press, Chinese paper The Global Times ran a story headlined "American band releases album venomously attacking China," in which unidentified Chinese Internet users described the album as part of a plot by Westerners to "grasp and control the world using democracy as a pawn." The article did not refer to any specific songs or lyrics, just the CD's name, although the title track itself takes a poke at China's authoritarian government.

Spokespersons for China's Foreign Ministry, Culture Ministry, and State Administration of Radio, Film and Television either had no response or could not be reached for comment.

"Chinese Democracy" is unlikely to see a legal commercial release in China, and it is not known whether the country's Internet censors will block access to the songs online. Music, film, books and literature are all closely monitored in the Asian nation for material deemed offensive by the government.

As for how "Democracy" is faring at home, where it was released exclusively through Best Buy on Sunday (November 23), full sales numbers will not available until the week of December 1, since Best Buy closes its weekly CD sales reports on Saturday. Industry insiders are estimating that first-week sales for the 17-years-in-the-making album will fall somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 copies.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Top Global Rock Charts

GUNS N' ROSES have topped the iTunes Rock Charts across the globe. Chinese Democracy took the lead on the charts in U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The only odd ball hold out was in Norway where GNR was No. 2 to TIM CHRISTENSEN's Superior.

GNR are currently on top of the overall iTunes album charts in Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland. In the U.S. they are No. 4 behind releases from KANYE WEST, THE KILLERS, and COLDPLAY.

[muthagoose]

Guns N’ Roses Demand Apology
From Dr. Pepper Over Soda “Fiasco”

Guns N’ Roses are threatening Dr. Pepper with legal action over what the band calls “a complete fiasco” of a publicity stunt. Dr. Pepper promised every person in America a free can of soda if Guns N’ Roses released Chinese Democracy this year; on November 23rd, the day Democracy was released, fans were told they could get a coupon for a free can at its website.

According Axl Rose’s lawyer Alan S. Gutman, things went terribly wrong: Yesterday he sent a letter to Dr. Pepper CEO Larry Young saying that the soda company’s website crashed and that “the redemption scheme your company clumsily implemented for this offer was an unmitigated disaster which defrauded consumers and, in the eyes of vocal fans, ‘ruined’ the day of Chinese Democracy’s release”. The band is seeking a public apology via ads in newspapers, plus more time for people to claim their free soda and monetary damages. In the words of the letter: “Now it’s time to clean up the mess.” The letter continues, “As we all now know, Dr. Pepper created an expansive and highly-publicized advertising campaign based solely on the exploitation of my cleints’ legendary reputation. In and of itself this campaign brazenly violated our clients’ rights in numerous respects. Unfortunately, Dr. Pepper has now magnified the damage this campaign has caused through its appalling failure to make good on a promise it made to the American public.”

Other highlights from the letter:

“Our clients are outraged at your treatment of their fans and the American public in general. After it became clear that Chinese Democracy would be released in 2008, Dr. Pepper executive Tony Jacobs proudly proclaimed that Dr. Pepper would make good on its promise to give a free soda to everyone in America. It turned out that Dr. Pepper did not define ‘everyone in America’ the same way as ‘everyone in America’ defined ‘everyone in America.’” It concludes, “Had you wished to engage in a commercial tie-in with our clients, you should have negotiated a legitimate arrangement instead of hijacking their rights without payment. Rest assured, this misappropriation will not be free.”

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Axl Rose Breaks His Silence

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 and HTGTH.

Blabbermouth 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, Jaince [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 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 BogAxl Rose Breaks His Silence! 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."

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE Takes Part In Another Online Chat, Says There Are 'No Plans' For GN'R Tour Right Now

Reclusive GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose took part in yet another online chat Friday night (December 12), this time via the GUNS N' ROSES fan community ChineseDemocracy.com.

BLABBERMOUTH.NET has compiled the most 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: If you tour the UK again, will you be going back to Newcastle? Despite the last time one prick there throwing pound coins about. I was there that night in 2006 and it would be a shame for the next tour not to stop there because of one idiot out of thousands (although I'm sure it's a lot more complicated then that and down to promoters).

Axl: That wouldn't stop us from playing there again. And the whole throwing-shit [thing] sucks and is pretty cowardly, but the leaving [threatening to walk off stage when people throw objects at you while you are performing] I got at Donington from Lemmy. When we first played Donington, I was so happy I had knocked a bottle of piss out of the air when Lemmy gave me a lecture how if another band got hurt because I allowed people to throw things at our shows I'd be responsible for other bands getting hurt. Whether real or there's an argument against that, I've never been able to have anything override that in my head, not even a riot, and I don't know why. If you're working hard and some cunt throws something so he can tell his buddies, I don't see where it's worth it.

Q: Is "Silkworms" on the next record? It's a masterpiece.

Axl: [It] has a lot of guitars, lots of different drum [patterns] and the chorus is gone.

Q: Just wondering if there truly was a rap song with Shaq [American professional basketball player, rapper and actor Shaquille O'Neal] on it that you recorded? This is one of the many rumors flying around since this album's conception and I think we all wanna know.

Axl: In my opinion, that was just cheap shots from media jerkoffs knowing that Shaq wasn't the most popular or respected rapper publicly. I've never met the man. He goofed around with Paul [Tobias, a.k.a. Paul Huge; GUNS N' ROSES guitarist 1996-2002] and Diz [GN'R keyboardist Dizzy Reed] and it went from there.

Q: I was wondering about new tour dates....

Axl: No plans. We're talking.

Q: What is Brain's [GN'R drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia] status?

Axl: I think he's doing alright. Maybe I should check.

Q: Can you bring back "Breakdown" or "Dead Horse" to the set?

Axl: Maybe. [I'm] more interested in [performing] the newer [material] now.

Q: Your music means more to me than I could ever express.

Axl: Thank you. [It] means a lot.

Q: What's your opinion on the ["Chinese Democracy"] album, GunsNRoses.com and ChineseDemocracy.com being banned in China?

Axl: China's a tough place. A lot of us have no idea how good we have it and think less of those less fortunate. The Chinese people have been kept in the dark through literally the fear of incarceration or death, which, to most, is either unimaginable or only able to be contemplated with stories or movies and such where there is an all-encompassing environment and they're growing larger everyday.

Q: How does an average GN'R rehearsal go? Like, do you jam on any covers, go over songs until they are extremely tight, etc.? Also, how frequent are GUNS N' ROSES rehearsals?

Axl: Frequency depends on the reason, say a tour or particular gig, and how we feel about where we're at with whatever the material is and not so much on the covers but lots of jams. Generally, there's a lot of fun but a lot of work and these guys take it very seriously, which is great.

Q: How do you feel about meeting your fans? What is the best way for a fan to meet you if they happen to be a dude (since the stereotype is that rockers only wanna meet hot chicks)?

Axl: I like meeting all kinds of fans, but after a show (I realize that's the only time some may feel they have an opportunity, but with the exception of close friends around...), not to be offensive, but I'm generally not looking forward to walking off stage to hang with guys, whether they're fans or not. I deal with GUNS all day every day, so coming off stage to talk about the band is just like more of the same. Unless there's pressing business, I wanna forget that 'till it's time to go at it again the next day. And people may enjoy meet-and-greets and have their reasons why it meant a lot for them, which I respect, but overall, charging fans for it, I think, [is] disgusting of bands. Now if they did it for free to winners of a contest, etc., that would be different. Charging is lame. How to meet bands? Maybe try to hang out places you might hear they do sometimes.

Q: How much does [J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel] "Catcher in the Rye" [have to do with] the [GUNS N' ROSES] song ["Catcher N' The Rye"], or is [the title] solely referring to Chapman [John Lennon's murderer Mark David Chapman was carrying a copy of the book when he shot the ex-THE BEATLES member]?

Axl: For me, the song is inspired by what's referred to sometimes as Holden Caulfield Syndrome. I feel there's a possibility that how the writing is structured with the thinking of the main character could somehow re-program, for lack of a better word, some who may be a bit more vulnerable, with a skewed way of thinking, and tried to allow myself to go what may be there or somewhat close during the verses. I'd think for most those lines are enjoyed as just venting, blowing off steam, humor or some type of entertainment where it may be how others seriously live in their minds. The bridge before the solo is an artistic interpretation of an institutionalized mind. The outro is a tribute to Lennon and an indictment of the author for writing what I feel is utter garbage and I agree wholeheartedly that it should be discontinued as required reading in schools. That's my take, I could be completely wrong. I do realize that the song and title could have the next poor soul reading the book and feeling inspired to make an unfortunate statement. So there's the catch, I guess. When I came up with the focus, I got a call from the director of "Imagine" wanting a bunch of money to make a documentary, had a guy sending me strange packages about Lennon and serial killers, etc., and the web started calling me Salinger, with no one knowing what I was writing. I figured I was on the right track, at least for a song.

Q: Axl, when are you coming down to South America? You have forgotten this place in the last years.

Axl: Haven't forgotten. Looking forward to it.

Q: Just wanted to ask this: out of all of the music you have written, what song are you most proud of?

Axl: Right now, a lot on this album "Chinese Democracy". For me, musically, it would have to be the orchestral arrangement in the bridge of "This I Love".

Q: How does it feel to see your face everywhere? Especially these very old pictures...

Axl: Fine.

Q: When GUNS played the surprise acoustic show in London, can you remember what the request was that you denied before playing "Nightrain", and if so, what was that request?

Axl: No idea.

Q: Axl, what do you think of Duff's [McKagan, ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist] comments about "Chinese Democracy"? [Duff told the Seattle radio station KISW 99.9 FM on Friday, December 12] that Axl "sounds amazing" on "Chinese Democracy", before adding, "You know, I'm glad he [Axl] put out the record he wanted to put out and I think it's gonna be successful, him going out and touring. People have been talking how the record's doing. I think it's a longevity thing; it will do fine for him. And I wish him the best of luck."]

Axl: And?

Q: Do ya Internet with a 56K modem, Axl?

Axl: Do you?

Q: "Chinese Democracy" is awesome, but it's a pretty ballady album compared to previous GN'R albums. Is this the new direction of GN'R or will some of the future GN'R albums be more focused on hard-rocking songs again?

Axl: What I know is it's the record that was able to get through the red tape and get itself out there while helping friends, loved ones and myself along the way. The whole ballad or rocker thing has never been something I've ever cared too much about. There's some meaner sections ahead, but a particular focus once there were a few of the newer guys together was to bring a bit more beauty into our efforts.

Q: Is the band still in contact with [former GN'R guitarist] Paul Huge [a.k.a. Paul Tobias]? Any more future plans with him? Guest apperance on tour maybe?

Axl: Paul helps out all the time and is on a lot more material. Paul helped get a lot of the base credits, etc., together which were extensive. He's always had a good memory on that stuff and it's generally important to him to be as ethical as he's capable, which is invaluable.

Q: If you're composing music (piano), are you using some computer software to write the notes down or are you using a sheet of paper and a pen for this?

If I want to capture it, I either use Logic or Pro Tools in the studio. I've tried recording myself otherwise for years, but for some reason, no matter what's there, it doesn't seem to be where my real focus should ultimately be.

Q: A lot of the GN'R fans always say how good the House of Blues 01/01/01 show is. Are you thinking about releasing that for the fans n DVD or download soon?

Axl: No plans for any live shows as DVDs currently.

Q: From interviews, tours, riots, and information you revealed yesterday morning, this project has obviously had its ups and downs. If you could do this whole process over again, with the making of CD, would you?

Axl: Only for the same reason I have, other than that... not in a billion years.

Q: Also, would you consider GN'R to perform for a charity cause, and if yes, what that cause would be?

Axl: All depends on the cause and if it feels right for us at the time. There could be a disaster that we felt strongly about being involved with helping in some way but often these turn into ways for bands to just promote themselves — not really caring, but looking so publicly. Or the money doesn't reach the victims or those in need while the celebrities are promoted for their efforts. Efforts at what? Not into that so much. Medical situations are always important. If you're really helping, then I'm for it. Which ones, I couldn't really say. It's not like I would draw a line or argue the importance of one over another in most cases.

Q: When did you start the recording of your voice for CD and when did it end and which was the last song recorded? Are you here to promote the album, or do you really care about your fan base?

Axl: I'll have to think about the first bit. With the second [question], I'm not sure how much this is promoting the album as it's in our own backyard, so to speak, but it is talking with fans about some of the realities of GUNS or myself which whether I've wanted to or not didn't feel right until now. So I'd say it's about us!!

Q: Has anything Disney ever inspired you musically? Like "The Little Mermaid" score or something? Are you a fan of "The Little Mermaid"? What's your favorite Disney animated film?

Axl: I don't know about musically, but I'm pro Disney. Go about once a year or so. Went with Bucket [former GN'R guitarist Buckethead] a lot. It's nice to go somewhere where people allow themselves to be more in touch with a more innocent side of themselves at least for what seems like the most part.

Q: Did you do a song with Eazy-E [late American rapper, producer, and record executive] in the early '90s. I read it somewhere. I think it would be pretty cool. Did you hang out with Eazy-E ever? What was a cool moment hanging out with N.W.A.?

Axl: He recorded with Slash and Duff. He really wanted to attack the media over attacking me for "One in a Million". There wasn't really any Easy on it. I wasn't there. He gave me the tape to consider. Sounded a bit like the other guys doing BODY COUNT. The idea was OK but the track wasn't really there and I felt it would get more heat than the track could stand up to. Only hung a couple times after a show with any of them. Was glad I got to meet Eazy.

Q: Which of your songs ever is the most meaningful for you? And why?

Axl: I probably won't answer this for a while. It's a good question, but one I'll have to think about.

Q: Which song on "Chinese Democracy" do you feel was your best work vocally?

Axl: End section of "There Was A Time", backgrounds in "Catcher N' The Rye".

Q: What do you do in your spare time for a hobby? What else do you love except music?

Axl: Cars, checking out art, F1 [Formula 1].

Q: If you don't mind, would you tell me what are your favorite 10 albums of 2008 and all-time favorites? I would like to know more about your music taste.

Axl: I'm more into film scores.

Q: "Chinese Democracy" was a brilliant album, but do you miss the old GUNS from time to time?

Axl: I miss the illusion we shared for only a few months, if that, of thinking we were in this together. It wasn't real, or if so, only ever so briefly while deeper currents of ambitions were temporarily put aside, but I didn't know that then.

Q: I love "Oh My God", but it really sounds like a demo. Why? I'm sure we all would love a new version.

Axl: Because that's all it was, only at the time having just got it together only Jimmy Iovine [music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M] knew that who wanted it to sell their soundtrack ["End of Days", released in 1999]. I saw segments of the movie which were good. As a whole later not so much, but it wasn't ready yet then. I did write an experimental piece inspired by the bits I'd seen called "Daddy Can the Devil do Mommy and Me?"

Q: I guess the only question I really have is when do you think we will see you boys on the road again? And is there ever a chance of you playing Philadelphia again?

Axl: Not sure. Looking at options. And I would love to play Philly, as I would have loved to play back in '02.

Q: Sebastian Bach mentioned you were writing an autobiography. How is that progressing?

Axl: It's not exactly an autobiography as much as legal record of every last detail of what went down with the breakup. I have about 40,000 words on it (don't know where [the previously reported number of words] 12,000 came from) but it's generally really depressing so I don't go back to it so much.

Q: Could you tell us more about [the unreleased GUNS N' ROSES song] "The General"?

Axl: You may have heard parts of it somewhere.

Q: How many other new songs are fully complete and ready to go?

Axl: Haven't checked.

Q: It's Saturday morning here in sunny old England and it's pissing it down. However, looking forward to the summer festivals. What are the chances of an appearance?

Axl: They're being considered. Was great in '06.

Q: I find the verses on "Shackler's Revenge" to remind me of "The Sopranos" theme tune in certain ways. Should they do? Furthermore, any chance of getting the complete album on Rock Band? That would be swell.

Axl: Never thought of that with "The Sopranos", but a big fan of that song. And I think that's a yes on Rock Band.

Q: Which is the most emotional song for you too sing on "Chinese Democracy"?

Axl: "This I Love".

Q: Outta the whole ["Chinese Democracy"] record, what is your favorite part of music on it? Like a breakdown at some point, strings, anything.

Axl: Bucket's blues fill at the beginning of the last verse in "Prostitute" and his "eventide" bits in the outro, the guitars in the bridge of "Better", Robin's [Finck] solo in "There Was A Time", for a few of them.

Q: On the 2006 tour when you were in the good old UK, did you use Michael Owen's helicopter? Huh? I heard rumors.

Axl: Not sure, but leaving Silverstone, and [due to] no fault of our pilots, I saw another helicopter coming towards us blades first out of the corner of my eye, yelled "watch out" and our pilot jerked us out of the way of an idiot who was unauthorized to be where he was and came out of nowhere. Without our pilot's skill and quick reflexes, it would've been over right then for real. It was also great to read how "Merck [former GUNS N' ROSES manager Merck Mercuriadis, who was fired by Axl Rose in December 2006 — Ed.] took the keys to the 'copter so Axl couldn't leave" Donington like I'm James Bond or something. I did make him drive back to London though!!

Q: Do you think "This I Love" is still the heaviest thing you've written, or has another song popped up that now holds that title?

Axl: That's still it and ultimately a great healing experience to compose something you have no real idea you're capable of such as the bridge. It's a lot more intricate than I think most realize yet as the guitar and vocals are placed as they should be so dominant. The main string melody in that section I had originally written to a hip-hop loop as well.

Q: Could you please talk at all about what inspired the lyrics to "Shackler's Revenge" and/or "Catcher N' The Rye"? Or the meaning behind "Riad N' The Bedouins"?

Axl: "Shackler's" was inspired by the insanity of senseless school shootings and also the media trying desperately to make more out of one shooter's preference for the GUNS song "Mr. Brownstone" to no avail. That said, listening for my own enjoyment or if we were to make a video or performing it, I lean more to the entertainment of a horror flick or something like "Dexter", something with an interesting menacing character as opposed to real life.

On song inspirations:

Axl: I tried sending this ages ago but apparently it never went through. It was a direct response but now fits others questions on the same subject.

The whole "who's it about?" bit with songs doesn't work for me that much as in whether a line or whatever was inspired by a particular person or situation doesn't mean that in the end that's what or who the song's about. I could be working with clay and think of someone or something and somehow that could inspire me to take the work in a different direction at the moment but in the end it could just be a nice vase. I often wonder where the people who inspired so many songs are now and why it's only important with some songs such as "Layla" as opposed to others. I'm guessin' a fair number of beautiful love songs or otherwise were inspired by some that the artists and public might consider now or in hindsight to be the opposite of how they are depicted or allegedly represented. With "Sorry", like a lot of the material is drawn from a lot of different situations. The main focus on the boards with the track seems to be either Slash or "the fans" (and the collective of "the fans" is another thing that doesn't work for me) and is much too restrictive or narrow and limits what I feel I intended. For me it's for anyone talking nonsense at mine and the public's expense and that many of those as well as the public don't know who to believe. Also where possible I'd like to give people the opportunity to get what they can from the material for a while before clouding that with my inspirations. Of course that's not always avoidable.

Q: What effect do leaks REALLY have on the band/the album? There's a lot of speculation but no clear answer.

Axl: Basically, for us it's devastating across the board. And when you have such a majority openly justifying their actions and throwing out nonsense, such as it's not actually stealing as the original is still with whomever, it's unbelievably insane. It exists because of the greed of the record industry, the greed of large-scale pirating, the ease and common nature now of the act itself and personal motivations such as popularity among certain groups, possible momentary media recognition etc. And it's too rampant and widespread. It's simply too huge a mess for the courts to deal with and in that with those numbers and the expense and manpower involved necessary at this time to curtail it... obviously there are more serious crimes for society to focus on. Besides, fuck musicians, right? If they didn't make enough already, then they probably suck anyway, right? "I ain't cryin' for no rich dude." Whatever. And who knows? What are our numbers on the torrent sites for this album? I don't know. So I don't know how or if it's affected us in terms of sales this time around. Maybe not, but with the economy and the core of our market, I'd think there's a possibility it has had a negative effect. Anyone?

Q: Axl, I'd just like to say I feel that you have captured the mood and feel of J.D Sallinger's "Catcher in the Rye" perfectly. Why did you chose this book to reference as regards to "Chinese Democracy"?

Axl: OK, I've never actually tried to put this into words this way before, and this'll probably get me in trouble with someone, but here goes...

The piano started while watching a documentary or A&E type show on Chapman and wanting to write something for Lennon and his family.

With the book, it started as fascination and curiosity with Holden Caufield Syndrome and what was or could possibly be in the book that obviously certain vulnerable people have seemed to become so passionate about and resort to outrageous public attempts or acts of violence. That and the question most have in regard to Lennon's death... Why?

Can't say I have those answers, but I feel our song pays the emotional tribute to John Lennon in the end that I'd wanted to write since the night he was killed and also since first listening to Elton and Bernie's "Empty Garden".

I read the book. I fell into a deep dark sleep. Went to the studio and sang as a joke what I refer to as the Holden parts off the top of my head and felt at the time, at least in my opinion, I had stumbled on a way of thinking that had a pattern and a flow but was broken up like a television station going out and coming back slightly off course intermittently and not making sense with its earlier portion.

Where this unease helped to justify or even demand taking action and feeling the power of taking that action against whoever your mind felt was somehow involved or the root of this unease and alienation. Accompanied by a calming surreal almost religious (but totally insane) vibe I think that if some were to experience having limited capabilities, insecurities or are mentally and emotionally challenged in some way could find a false sense of solace and take comfort in like being on some type of drugs or meds but with an added completely false sense of an imagined calling or purpose. It certainly could and very well often would feel better than some individuals real world or having to experience or live with a clearer perspective of their true reality... All of which, of course, could be imagined and hooked together by events like Lennon's murder, reading the book, wanting to write a song about someone being insane, John Lennon, Chapman, people shooting people and watching Mel Gibson's "Conspiracy"! And when I got home, not in any dramatic way, but more like cleaning off the dinner table, I threw my book away.

Don't know if any of that's really what any of that's about but that's how it hit me and just like an instant cake we got the basis for a song.

Q: What are your five favorite books?

Axl: "The Stand", "A Scanner Darkly", "The Mutant King", "The Zodiac", "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein".

Q: Will there ever be decent promo and interviews, etc. concerning this album, or is this it?

Axl: There were, in my opinion, well-thought-out plans and strategies that unfortunately were ignored once we were pressing CDs. There will be proper interviews and some are already scheduled for much later intentionally. Good idea, bad… we'll see. I'm happy the record's out; the rest… one nightmare at a time.

Q: What part of guitar work for "There Was A Time" is yours?

Axl: I wrote Robin's bit in the second verse. There's microscopic bits throughout usually woven down in the other guitars. The bits throughout the end, the basic power chord bit was originally mine. There's a ghost-like bit that formed the basis for the end vocal melody right before Robin's riff in one side in the outro before Bucket's solo and as it gets to the very end there's lots of little overdubbed bits woven in and out — very small, but structured bits.

Q: Which women influenced the writing of the new ballads.

Axl: Ha! We'll get to these a bit later as they're a bit more complicated than a simple answer of a few names, but most are composites and became much more about the song than particular individuals. Also, again, I'd like people to have a chance to develop their own relationship with the material a bit. Not dodging, as most of these answers will come out over time.

Q: Any plans on updating the website to make it more... fan-friendly? And what ever happened to the fan club thing?

Axl: I've started (again) recently to make an attempt to try and get something going there. It's been extremely frustrating. I've had ideas but former management went with theirs. Previous to what we have now, I've consistently had others attempt to pressure and railroad me into working with others that I chose not to as it was more about managerial control than a good website and not in my best interest, so the ideas get shelved and it generally just sits there. Plus, as frustrating as it was for everyone, it was not time to talk publicly. So it gets consistently shelved.

Q: What are your views on [VELVET REVOLVER's] "Contraband" and "Libertad"?

Axl: I'll save this one. These are obviously highly charged areas and I'd rather take things one step at a time.

[muthagoose]

'Sober House' Featuring STEVEN ADLER To Premiere Next Month

At the end of the first season of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew", each cast member was given the opportunity to spend three months living in a sober house as they transitioned from a rehab facility to the real world and many of them quietly took advantage of the opportunity. The cast from season two are also being given that same opportunity ... and this time it will be filmed.

"Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House" is an eight-episode, one hour series that is set to premiere on Thursday, January 15 at 10 p.m. Moving into the "Sober House" will be Rodney King, Nikki McKibbin, former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler and Amber Smith from Season 2 of "Celebrity Rehab", Seth "Shifty" Binzer and Mary Carey from Season 1 and comedian Andy Dick who will join the show a few episodes in.

Returning from "Celebrity Rehab" to help Dr. Drew in the "Sober House" is counselor Bob Forrest and program assistant, William Smith. Joining them will be resident "house mother," Jennifer Gimenez, who has battled her own drug and alcohol demons. Jennifer, an actress in her own right who has starred in such films as "Blow" and "Vanilla Sky", will live at "Sober House" to keep everyone on the clean and sober path to a healthy and successful life.

For two seasons, "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" chronicled celebrity patients as they underwent an intensive 21-day detoxification and rehab program through group and one-on-one therapies as well as non-traditional therapies like art and music.

"Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House" will chronicle the dramatic, unscripted experiences of a group of celebrity addicts as they make the transition back into the real world full of the people and things that once led them into a life of addiction. The sober living house is an interim step on the path to sobriety where addicts can live in a supervised sober environment with structure and rules, i.e. mandatory curfews, chores and meetings. It's a place where addicts, most of which have spent the better part of their life in the throes of an addiction will learn how to essentially start their lives over from the ground up. In some cases, the addicts change everything from their jobs to their friends and for some they make the very difficult decision to eliminate the people they love who are toxic to their sobriety.

Throughout the course of their stay, the "Sober House" cast members will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Drew in both one-on-one and group sessions in an effort to understand and advance their experience to its fullest potential. Although not living at the house, Dr. Drew and his staff will keep a watchful eye over all that goes on.