Guns N' Roses/Axl Watch

[Üncle Snake]

A representative for GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has shot down persistent rumors that former GNR members Slash, Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan are in talks with Rose about taking part in a "reunion" tour this summer. The rumors gained strength a couple of days ago when unconfirmed reports surfaced that Slash had picked up his gear from VELVET REVOLVER's rehearsal studios after allegedly announcing that he was leaving the band.

Rumors of trouble in the VELVET REVOLVER camp have been swirling around the group for the past few months, with several reports suggesting that much of the strife between Slash and the rest of the camp stems from Slash's wife Perla's alleged involvement in the band's business affairs. The situation allegedly came to a head last week after an attempt was made by attorneys to mediate in matters related to the lawsuits filed by Slash, Duff and Axl over the rights to the old GNR songs.

Slash and Duff, who left GNR in the 1990s and are joined in VELVET REVOLVER by ex-GNR drummer Matt Sorum and former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland, had filed suits in 2004 and 2005 seeking the rights to the early GNR material, accusing Rose of killing deals that would have put their songs in a half-dozen movies, including "Old School" and "Black Hawk Down". Rose filed a counterclaim last month asking a Federal Court to confirm his ownership of his "creative works" and defending his decision to choose when to license the music and to whom.

At press time, there has been no official comment from the VELVET REVOLVER camp regarding any of the rumors currently making the rounds. It is also not presently clear if VELVET REVOLVER will go ahead with their previously announced plans to enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording the follow-up to their double-platinum 2004 debut, "Contraband".

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Line Up Two New York Shows In May

MTV.com is reporting that the current incarnation of GUNS N' ROSES will be performing a pair of concerts at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom before they head to Europe for a string of festival appearances, according to a press release from concert promoter Live Nation.

Tickets for both shows — set for May 15 and 17 — will set fans back $63, and go on sale April 21 at 10 a.m. Doors open for both nights at 7:30 p.m. There's no word yet on who might be opening for GUNS N' ROSES, or whether there will be an opener at all.

GUNS N' ROSES are set to perform the first of 17 European festivals on May 27, when they take the stage during Rock in Rio in Lisbon, Portugal. The last of GN'R's overseas gigs will take place on July 8 in Oslo, Norway, at Spektrum.

Back in February, several songs said to be from the "Chinese Democracy" sessions leaked online. There's still no word on when Rose's decade-in-the-making LP will see release.

The two New York concerts will be GUNS N' ROSES first American shows in more than three years. Back in 2002, the band played a number of dates before pulling the plug on what was to be a global trek.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES To Play Louisiana Club Show In May?

According to an article in today's (April 15) edition of Louisiana's The Daily Advertiser, GUNS N' ROSES are scheduled to play at the 307 Jazz & Blues Club in Lafayette, Louisiana on May 26. Tickets for the concert are $35 and reportedly go on sale May 6, but will be sold in advance at the HONEYTRIBE show on Monday, April 17.



According to Chad Fouquier, 307 entertainment coordinator, the club booked the special performance with Axl Rose on Friday.

True GUNS N' ROSES fans out there, at this point, are probably coming down off the extreme buzz of a potential Axl Rose no-show as memories of Rose's fiascoes in Canada and other notorious mishaps come flooding back. Rose is guaranteed to perform this time, Fouquier said. The contract is strict and will be enforced.

"The way the contract is worded, it protects the show from any bad incidents," he said. "If Axl doesn't show, if he drinks, if he doesn't play for any reason, he owes us what we paid to get him here, what we paid to put on the show, plus interest."

Fouquier said Rose requested the Lafayette performance because he wants to perform in front of a small crowd (the bar holds about 250 to 300), hang out, take pictures and sign autographs.

As previously reported, GUNS N' ROSES will be performing a pair of concerts at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom before they head to Europe for a string of festival appearances, according to a press release from concert promoter Live Nation.

Tickets for both shows — set for May 15 and 17 — will set fans back $63, and go on sale April 21 at 10 a.m. Doors open for both nights at 7:30 p.m. There's no word yet on who might be opening for GUNS N' ROSES, or whether there will be an opener at all.

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE speaks out about the New GUNS N' ROSES Album

The Associated Press has issued the following report:

Rock recluse Axl Rose made a surprise radio appearance to proclaim that GUNS N' ROSES' 10-years-in-the-making "Chinese Democracy" album will finally hit store shelves this fall.

The comments Saturday on Eddie Trunk's syndicated radio show marked the first interview the painfully private Rose has given since his failed 2002 comeback tour, which was abruptly scrapped midway amid riots and canceled shows.

Rose's impromptu appearance came when former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach, who was co-hosting the show, called Rose's cell phone and patched the call through the studio.

Quizzed on when the near-mythical album would come out, Rose said, "Sometime this fall or late fall." His band could be heard rehearsing in the background. "It will be out this year."

Trunk invited Rose to drop by the studio, and about an hour later he did.

Asked about the aborted 2002 comeback tour, which ended when Rose failed to appear for a gig in Philadelphia, Rose told Trunk he felt pressured into doing it before he was ready. But he insisted he has no regrets, since the short-lived tour helped the new band members to gel. (The 2002 lineup included keyboard player Dizzy Reed from the original GNR, former NINE INCH NAILS guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Tommy Stinson from the REPLACEMENTS, guitar shredder Buckethead, drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia formerly of PRIMUS, guitarist Richard Fortus from the former PSYCHEDELIC FURS and LOVE SPIT LOVE, and keyboard player Chris Pittman.)

"Can you tell people why the tour ended at that point?" asked Trunk.

"Umm, no, not exactly," said Rose, declining to discuss it.

Plans are currently in the works for Rose to relaunch his comeback by playing four shows at New Yorks Hammerstein Ballroom over the next 10 days, then head to Europe to play several music festivals.

Rose said the band at the Hammerstein shows will be similar to the one that played the 2002 tour, except for a new lead guitarist, whom he declined to identify except to say it's not an old GNR member. Buckethead left the band in 2004.

However, later in the broadcast, Rose seemed to contradict himself when he said he's been hobnobbing with former GNR guitarist and songwriter Izzy Stradlin, and strongly hinted that Stradlin may show up for the Hammerstein shows.

Former GNR guitar maestro Slash may end up back in the band as well, but probably not before the Hammerstein shows.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES played their first show in more than three years Friday night/Saturday morning (May 12-13) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The two-hour, 15-minute set kicked off at roughly 11:00 p.m. with the opening 1-2-3 punch of "Welcome to the Jungle", "It's So Easy" and "Mr. Brownstone", and featured a guest appearance by former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach, who traded off lead vocals with Axl Rose in "My Michelle".

The much-rumored appearance by ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin never materialized, although the band did debut a replacement for guitarist Buckethead in the shape of Ron Thal of the New York City-based alternative-rap-metal project BUMBLEFOOT.

GUNS N' ROSES setlist – Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City - May 12, 2006:

01. Welcome to the Jungle
02. It's So Easy
03. Mr. Brownstone
04. Better
05. Sweet Child O' Mine
06. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
07. Madagascar
(Band Introductions)
08. You Could Be Mine
09. Dizzy Solo
10. The Blues
11. Out Ta Get Me
12. Bumblefoot Solo
13. November Rain
14. My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
15. Chinese Democracy
16. T.W.A.T. (There was a Time)
17. Patience
18. I.R.S.
19. Nightrain
20. Robin Finck Solo
21. Paradise City

GUNS N' ROSES have scheduled a total of four New York City shows, with the band's next appearance slated for Sunday, May 14. These are the only U.S. appearances scheduled so far for the group, which counts singer W. Axl Rose as its sole original member. BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE is the opening act for all NYC dates.

[muthagoose]

TOMMY HILFIGER TAKES ON AXL ROSE

the following press release from Sanctuary Management:

Tommy Hilfiger was carried away by his own security people kicking and screaming after attempting to pick a fight with GUNS N' ROSES mainman Axl Rose at The Plumm on Thursday night.

According to The Plumm owner Noel Ashman, Hilfiger who took two swings at Rose, was fortunate that he found Rose in good spirits and a forgiving mood. Ashman said "Axl was a gentleman and had the good sense not to retaliate as he would have done some serious damage to Hilfiger."

Rose, who was at the club to play a surprise acoustic set with his band GUNS N' ROSES for actress Rosario Dawson's birthday party, filled out a police report and later dedicated the song "You're Crazy" to "My good friend Tommy Hilfiger" during the band's scorching performance, which left the way-beyond-capacity crowd screaming for more and gasping for air well into the wee hours of the morning. Said birthday girl Dawson of Rose: "They've never played all acoustic. This is history in the making. How much does this fucking man rock?!"

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE, TOMMY HILFIGER Smackdown Was Personal

World Entertainment News Network is reporting that fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's physical attack on GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose last week has been linked to the rocker's current girlfriend. The singer is currently dating Diane O'Connor — the ex-wife of Hilfiger's adopted brother, Michael — and both designers are furious with Rose, according to the New York Post's PageSix.com.

The pair were at The Plumm nightclub in New York City, where Rose played a surprise acoustic show, when they got into a heated argument which ended with Hilfiger allegedly hitting Rose. The designer was promptly escorted out of the club by security guards. [Check out photos of Axl and Hilfiger being separated by club guards.

Rose told his side of the story on Friday morning during an interview with KROQ radio station in Los Angeles, explaining the fight started when he politely asked the designer to move his date's drink so it wouldn't get spilled. Hilfiger allegedly flew into rage, "smacking" the singer in the arm and cursing at him.

According to Plumm owner Noel Ashman, Hilfiger took two swings at Rose. He says, "Axl was a gentleman and had the good sense not to retaliate, as he would have done some serious damage to Hilfiger."

[muthagoose]

SLASH Shoots Down GUNS N' ROSES Reunion Rumors

Former GUNS N' ROSES/current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash has shot down endless months of rumors that he will rejoin Axl Rose in the band he helped create.

Stories had been rife that Slash, real name Saul Hudson, would play with the band at their recent New York shows.

However, the guitarist told MTV.com: "I don't know where [the rumors come] from, but I haven't dealt with GUNS N' ROSES any more than I have in the last 10 years," which is not much at all. So it's not really a thing with me. I have, in the foreseeable future, no re-involvement with that band whatsoever."

Slash is currently working with VELVET REVOLVER on their forthcoming second album, the follow-up to 2004's double-platinum "Contraband".

"We're in preproduction and it sounds amazing," Slash told MTV.com. "I'm just really excited 'cause hopefully we'll get this thing out before the year's over. The material is amazing and ... we've grown so much as a band."

While frontman Scott Weiland has called the material a concept album and bassist Duff McKagan said the band will record with a variety of producers, all Slash would reveal is that the LP is coming together naturally, and "it's not phony in any way, shape or form, and the band's whole-heartedly into it.

"I don't want to say [anything specific about] the songs, but the name for the album is 'Libertad', which is Spanish for 'liberty,' " Slash said. "It's something that we feel strongly about: liberty, freedom, you know ..."

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE Arrested In Sweden After Drunken Brawl

GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose was taken into custody by the Swedish police Tuesday morning (June 27) after getting into a fight with a hotel security guard.

Officer Tove Hägg told The Local the rock star was in a cell still drunk at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. She said he is being charged with damaging property, assaulting a security guard, and threatening police in the squad car on the way to the station.

"He was aggressive and acting out," Fredrik Nylén, one of the arresting officers, told Aftonbladet.

After GUNS N' ROSES' sold-out show at The Globe (attended by 13,100 people), the entire band — minus Axl — went to the nightclub Café Opera at approximately 1:00 a.m. for an after-party. The enigmatic vocalist joined them at 2:20 a.m. and was immediately surrounded by a throng of leather-dressed blonde females and Swedish celebrities — including members of ACE OF BASE, BACKYARD BABIES and THE POODLES.

"It was a fantastic show. The Swedish fans were wonderful," Axl Rose told Aftonbladet as he started enjoying one of the things that he demanded at the party — Jack Daniel's with a temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.

"We will party all night long," guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal told Expressen earlier in the night.

The band had previously asked to be met by Swedish blondes at the after-party — a request which was publicized in the local media.

"Yeah, I like it," Axl Rose reportedly said, as he sat down between two blonde girls and lit up a cigarette — this despite a smoking ban that currently exists in bars and restaurants in Sweden.

The party continued into the early hours of the morning at the Berns hotel where the band is staying. And there something went wrong.

At 7:52 a.m., Axl Rose was arrested (photo) by the police and brought to the police station in the Norrmalm section of Stockholm. The hotel manager, Joakim Olauson, confirmed to Aftonbladet that the rock star was involved in a brawl at the hotel.

"I can confirm that there has been an incident in which Axl Rose was involved. Since this is an ongoing police investigation, I must refer you to the police," he said.

Fredrik Nylén, one of the arresting officers, said that Axl Rose was very aggressive when the police arrived at the scene — so aggressive that the police were forced to handcuff him.



According to a witness, Axl Rose started fighting with a woman. The hotel staff then tried to intervene and that's when Axl went on the attack.

A 30-year-old security guard, who broke up the fight between the woman and Rose, was bitten in the leg and taken to a hospital for evaluation Tuesday morning.

"He was taken to the hospital this morning in order to see if there was any risk of him getting tetanus," said Antonio Saluena, the chief of the private security company employing the injured guard, according to Aftonbladet.

"[Axl] broke a mirror in the hotel reception and was very upset," a witness said. "It is somewhat unclear as to why. He was also about to get into a scuffle with another hotel guest."

According to Fredrik Nylén, Axl's actions during the arrest resulted in additional charges being filed against him. "He is now also suspected of threatening an officer of the law," he said.

"Threatening a police officer is punishable by jail time, but in this will case, it will likely result in a fine."

The Swedish TV host Gry Forssell partied with Rose until 4:30 a.m.

"Axl was in a great mood," she said. "He was dancing, drinking and he was surrounded by girls. He gave me a shot and seemed to be having a very pleasant night."

GUNS N' ROSES are supposed to perform in Oslo tomorrow but are staying in Stockholm until early Wednesday afternoon.

Catarina Oscarsson, the publicist for the Swedish concert promoter EMA Telstar, expects the band to be on stage tomorrow night as scheduled.

"Hopefully Axl Rose will be in Oslo tomorrow," she said. "We have not received any information from the police to the contrary."

According to Expressen, Axl Rose was involved in a dispute with the Swedish media prior to the concert. Rose reportedly refused to have his picture taken during the show unless the photographers signed away the copyright to the pictures to the band's management. Given this ultimatum, all Swedish photographers decided to boycott the concert.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman Faces and allegedly bites security guard in the leg!

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose was questioned by the Swedish police and arraigned Tuesday (June 27) in connection with an incident early this morning when he was arrested in Stockholm for violent conduct and damaging a hotel room, according to Expressen.

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose was arrested in Stockholm early Tuesday after allegedly biting a security guard in the leg outside his hotel, police said.

"He's a flight risk. That's why I wanted to make sure he was arraigned," District Attorney Fredrik Ingblad told Expressen.

GUNS N' ROSES, who played a concert in Stockholm on Monday night, risk missing Wednesday's scheduled performance in Oslo, Norway.

Rose was "too drunk to talk" when he was detained and was held in a cell until sober enough for questioning, a police spokeswoman told Reuters.



Rose is suspected of attacking a security guard and threatening a policeman. He also "caused minor damage to the interior of the hotel," the spokeswoman said.

It was unclear what caused the fight, but Swedish tabloids said the guard tried to intervene when Rose started arguing with a woman — allegedly his own assistant, according to Expressen — in the hotel lobby.

If he is found guilty of violent conduct he could face up to four years in prison, the police spokesman said. If Rose were convicted of a misdemeanor, he would face up to six months in prison or a fine.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman Released From Swedish Jail

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose was released from a Swedish jail at approximately 7:00 p.m. (local time) Tuesday (June 27) after paying a 50,000 Swedish kronor (approximately $6,800) fine in connection with an incident early Tuesday when he allegedly bit a security guard in the leg at his Stockholm hotel.

Axl admitted attacking and threatening the guard, as well as causing damage to the Berns Hotel where the alleged scuffle took place, according to prosecutor Fredrik Ingblad.



It was unclear what caused the fight, but Swedish tabloids said the guard tried to intervene when Rose started arguing with a woman — allegedly his own assistant, according to Expressen — in the hotel lobby.

The 30-year-old security guard, who broke up the fight between the woman and Rose, was allegedly bitten in the leg and taken to a hospital for evaluation Tuesday morning. He will reportedly receive about 10,000 Swedish kronor out of the 50,000 SEK fine paid out by Axl.

"He was taken to the hospital this morning in order to see if there was any risk of him getting tetanus," said Antonio Saluena, the chief of the private security company employing the injured guard, according to Aftonbladet.

"[Axl] broke a mirror in the hotel reception" — allegedly by throwing a vase at it — "and was very upset," a witness said. "It is somewhat unclear as to why. He was also about to get into a scuffle with another hotel guest."

GUNS N' ROSES are scheduled to perform in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday (June 28).

Stay tuned to Live-Metal.net... your source for W. Axl Rose arrest reports and concert cancellations!

[muthagoose]

Axl Rose to pay guard he allegedly bit

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Axl Rose spent most of the day in a Stockholm jail cell after allegedly biting a security guard in the leg at his hotel, police said.

The Guns N' Roses frontman was arrested early Tuesday after attacking and threatening the guard and causing damage to the Berns Hotel, where the alleged scuffle took place, police spokeswoman Towe Hagg said.

Rose was released from jail that evening, after he admitted to the charges and agreed to pay a fine of $5,500, Hagg said.

The 44-year-old rocker was also ordered to pay $1,360 in damages to the security guard, she said.[/i]

Catarina Oscarsson, a spokeswoman for concert organizer Ema Telstar, said the band wasn't traveling with a publicist and would not comment on the arrest.

Hagg told The Associated Press that Rose was drunk during the confrontation and was not questioned by police until after he had sobered up.



"He was deemed too intoxicated to be questioned right away," she said.

It was unclear what caused the fight, but Swedish tabloids said the guard tried to intervene when Rose started arguing with a woman in the hotel lobby.

Police officer Fredrik Nylen was quoted by the daily Aftonbladet Web site as saying Rose acted aggressively toward police and had to be handcuffed and restrained in the hotel.

"He kept a high profile, so to speak," Nylen, one of the police officers who helped arrest Rose, was quoted as saying.

Guns N' Roses played a concert in Stockholm's Globe Arena on Monday night, and had been partying at a well-known nightclub before the scuffle, Aftonbladet said.

The band was scheduled to perform in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday night.

In May, Rose and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger capped an evening out at a new club called The Plumm in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood with midnight fisticuffs.

The scuffle reportedly started after Rose moved the drink of Hilfiger's girlfriend. According to Rose, Hilfiger, 55, smacked him in the arm and told him to put the drink back.

Rose was at the club to play a surprise set for "Rent" actress Rosario Dawson for her 27th birthday party.

He did perform, and dedicated the song "You're Crazy" to "my good friend Tommy Hilfiger."


Stay tuned to Live-Metal.net... your source for W. Axl Rose arrest reports and concert cancellations!

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE Says He Was Just 'Talking' To His Assistant Prior To Swedish Arrest

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has released a statement regarding his early morning arrest in Stockholm, Sweden on suspicion of damaging property at a hotel, assaulting a security guard and threatening police.

According to a Swedish police spokesperson, Rose got into an altercation with a hotel security guard early Tuesday morning at an afterparty following GUNS N' ROSES' sold-out gig at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Rose was released from jail late Tuesday after confessing to the charges and agreeing to pay a fine of $5,500, according to The Associated Press. Officials also ordered Rose to pay $1,300 in damages to the security guard whom he assaulted.

Towe Hagg, a spokesperson for the Stockholm Police Department, told MTV News that Rose remained in a holding cell much of the morning sobering up before officers could speak to him about the incident. One of the arresting officers told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that Rose was "aggressive and acting out" following his arrest and was handcuffed due to his outbursts.

"We had a great gig in Stockholm and I am not going to let this incident spoil that," Rose said in a statement, according to MTV News. "My assistant Beta and I were talking in the lobby of the hotel when security started to give us a hard time. My only concern was to make sure she was OK."

Hagg said Rose got into an altercation with a woman at the hotel's bar around 8 a.m., and when a hotel security guard tried to stop the fight, Rose attacked him.

"He bit him on the leg and then the hotel staff called the police and we came and apprehended him," Hagg told MTV News. During the brawl, an enraged Rose broke one of the hotel's mirrors, but due to the ongoing investigation, Hagg could not give details on what Rose said to the arresting officers that could land him a charge of threatening a police official. That crime is punishable by jail time, but it is not likely Rose would be incarcerated in this case.



"He was drunk, and in the police station they took him to a cell to sleep for a few hours," Hagg said.

The 30-year-old security guard who broke up the fight between the woman and Rose was allegedly taken to a hospital for evaluation Tuesday morning.

"He was taken to the hospital this morning in order to see if there was any risk of him getting tetanus," said Antonio Saluena, the chief of the private security company employing the injured guard, according to Aftonbladet.

GUNS N' ROSES are scheduled to perform in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday (June 28).

[muthagoose]

LIVE-METAL.NET's "AXL WATCH 2006" Continues...
More Details Revealed About Stockholm Hotel Brawl

The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has revealed more information about Tuesday's (June 27) early morning brawl at Stockholm's Berns hotel that resulted in GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose being arrested on suspicion of damaging property at the hotel, assaulting a security guard and threatening police.

According to an Aftonbladet source, a security guard at the hotel heard someone cursing and swearing loudly in English in the hotel's lobby at approximately 7:30 a.m. It was Axl Rose, who was accompanied by his bodyguard. "Axl was not pleased with the rooms at the hotel," the source said. "He had seen several and was pissed off."

The hotel security guard asked Axl Rose to calm down and said, "Can you lower your voice?" But Axl continued screaming and suddenly attacked the security guard, according to Aftonbladet.

"[Axl] pushed [the guard] in the chest hard enough to cause him to almost lost his balance," the source said. "In response, the security guard grabbed Axl's braids and pulled them to the floor. That's when Axl bit him in his thigh."

At that point, Rose got hold of a nearby vase and threw it straight into an 18th century mirror worth approximately $2,000, according to Aftonbladet. The hotel staff called the police and the security guard desperately tried to regain control of the situation.

According to the source, the security guard told Axl's bodyguard, "Now you have to help me keep this guy in check." The pissed off Rose responded with threats. "Move away if you still wanna have a job," Axl screamed at his bodyguard, according to the Aftonbladet source.

A half hour earlier, Rose had checked into the hotel's biggest suite, according to the Swedish newspaper Expressen. Fifteen minutes later, Rose and his bodyguard came down to the reception and Rose screamed, "Where is everyone? Where's the party? I was promised a big party!"

To calm Rose down, his tour manager and assistant were woken up. The hotel security was also called and that's when Axl exploded, according to Expressen.

At 7:47 the police stormed into the Berns hotel with their batons drawn. They searched Axl and handcuffed him.

According to Expressen, Axl screamed at his bodyguard as he was being led away to the police car, "You are fired. You are so fucking fired."

Axl's tour crew, Swedish lawyers and concert promotion agency worked hard all day yesterday to get Rose released from police custody. In the end, it became clear that the only way Axl could be allowed to walk away was if he confessed to all charges.

At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Axl was tranported out of the police station by lying on the floor of a van and driven to the Bromma airport in central Stockholm. At 8:00 p.m., the private jet took off from Sweden with Axl Rose and the rest of his band and headed for Oslo, where GUNS N' ROSES are scheduled to perform tonight (June 28).

According to an Aftonbladet source, Axl was only able to bring 10 of his suitcases with him. The rest of his luggage remained in the hotel room along with an unpaid hotel bill.



A few minutes after 9:00 p.m, the plane landed in Oslo and that's when another bizarre drama started, according to Aftonbladet.

Axl refused to leave the airplane and instead started another party at the landing field. Ice cubes were delivered by car to the plane, according to Aftonbladet. After four hours, at 1:00 a.m., Axl left the plane and was taken by limo to a hotel in central Oslo.

Stay tuned to Live-Metal.net... your source for W. Axl Rose arrest reports and concert cancellations!

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist: 'I Don't Get Drunk, I Don't Do Drugs, I Don't F*ck Around On My Girl'

New GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal has refuted a report published in the Swedish newspaper Expressen quoting him as saying that the band "will party all night long" following their Stockholm concert on Monday (June 26).

As previously reported, GUNS N' ROSES fontman Axl Rose was arrested early Tuesday after allegedly biting a security guard in the leg at his Stockholm hotel. "He was drunk, and in the police station they took him to a cell to sleep for a few hours," Towe Hagg, a spokesperson for the Stockholm Police Department, told MTV News.

In a posting on his official forum, Thal said, "I can only speak for myself — this is not an official band statement, just my own personal comment...

"Partying 'all night long?' The only thing I said, if anything to anyone, was 'I'll be sleeping on the tour bus to Oslo [where the band were scheduled to perform Wednesday — Ed.] all night long' — lol — which is exactly what I (and others) did.

"As for *the band* 'asking to be met by Swedish blondes...' [as reported in the Swedish media the day of the Stockholm show — Ed.] — I knew nothing about that. We stopped by a club for a few hours and got to hang with people that went to the show, then hit the bus and woke up in Oslo. That's all. Anyone that knows me, that has hung out or worked with me, knows I don't get drunk, I don't do drugs, and I don't fuck around on my girl — just not my way. And I don't request other women. Ask around.

"Too often, people will print stories and try to make them more interesting and juicier than they really are, without considering the collateral damage of the people they're hurting indirectly by enhancing the stories. There's no one I love and respect more in this world than my wife, Jen — she's the best person I know, and my best friend. Let *that* be the one true thing you read on the Internet."

[muthagoose]

LIVE-METAL.NET'S "AXL WATCH 2006" ROLLS ON...
AXL ROSE Soeaks on his Swedish Arrest: 'They Loved Me So Much They Wanted Me To Stay'

At GUNS N' ROSES' gig in Oslo Wednesday night (June 28), frontman Axl Rose addressed the the hotel brawl that landed him in a Swedish jail earlier in the week.

"They loved me so much they wanted me to stay," he said from the stage, according to the Norwegian newspaper VG.

The song "Patience" was introduced with Rose saying, "And now something you need when rent-a-cops go bad."



According to www.side2.no, an invitation had been sent to models prior to the concert from an Oslo agency: "We're looking for models that can appear at the GUNS N' ROSES concert and the afterparty tomorrow night. You will receive VIP passes, be backstage with the band, everything free."

The models were seen being led backstage prior to the show and taken back into the audience for the concert.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Aftonbladet is reporting that GN'R's tour manager paid the Berns Hotel in Stockholm for the damage done by Axl to an antique mirror and an old vase during Tuesday's incident.

"It was handled very professionally," hotel manager Joachim Olausson tells Aftonbladet.

[muthagoose]

AXL WATCH 2006: Powerful Stuff!
'AXL ROSE Was Going To Kill Me' says Security Guard

The hotel security guard who was involved in a - June 30, 2006 brawl with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose the morning after the band's concert in Stockholm, Sweden has broken his silence on the incident.

Pascal Håkansson (photo#1, photo#2), 25, who was working his fourth day as a security guard at the Berns hotel when he was allegedly assaulted by Rose, spoke exclusively to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet about the Tuesday morning (June 27) altercation.

"Axl came alone to the hotel and went up to his room," Håkansson said. "He came back again in the company of some sort of coordinator — an older woman, who was his 'mom.'"

According to Pascal, what was about to happen turned out to be the most bizarre thing he's experienced in his five years as a security guard.

"Axl was pissed off because people had left him alone at some party," Pascal said. "He was loaded, in a bad mood and started cursing at the woman. When he started banging on the walls, I approached him and asked him to lower his voice."



When Axl ignored him, the security guard approached the assistant instead.

"Then Axl turned around and pushed me in my chest and neck," Håkansson said.

How hard?

"I totally lost balance. I wasn't prepared and I had to kneel for a moment in order to be able to remain standing. Then he jumped me and started fighting. I had to fend off a few punches, on my arms, for instance. Then I got hold of his neck and got him down on the ground. We wrestled for about a minute; he was strong."

And that's when he bit you?

"Yeah, but it wasn't until afterwards that I felt it. When you get such a rush of adrenaline, you don't feel anything. He could have had Hepatitis B or something. It was very uncomfortable. In general, it's disgusting to bite people."

When you were lying there on the ground, were you able to get both his arms in a lock?

"No, it wasn't possible. He was wild. He was totally wild. He was gonna kill me. 'I'm gonna fuck your life up,' he screamed."

At the same time as Axl Rose's bodyguard came down to the lobby, the reception called the police.

"Axl was stark-raving mad," Pascal continued. "The bodyguard tried to calm him down, but Axl threatened to fire him if he intervened. That's when he threw a vase into an antique mirror."

How did Axl look?

"He had a crazy, disturbing look."

Was he intoxicated?

"Yes, he was intoxicated, by alcohol or something."

At 7:45 a.m., four policemen with their batons drawn entered Berns hotel.

"He was still bouncing up and down screaming that he was gonna make my life a living hell," Pascal said.

What happened to you when the police detained Axl and drove away to the police station?

"I was upset. I sat down and talked to the staff at the reception. One of the girls was sad after what had happened. I wrote a report. Then the police called and wanted me to go to the hospital."

What did they check you out for at the hospital?

"If my skin had broken, but it hadn't. It was mostly a superficial wound."

Did you have time to be afraid? According to you, he seemed to be totally out of control.

"I have worked a lot as a bouncer at nightclubs and have become somewhat desensitized. I didn't have time to be afraid. But afterwards, it hit me. He was totally crazy. Anything could have happened."

Why have you been laying low until now?

"You have to reflect a bit before going public."

Axl Rose has admitted the crimes and will pay you 10,000 SEK (approximately $1,400) in damages. Have you heard anything from him since this incident?

"No one has called me. Not the police, not the District Attorney, not Axl's crew. It wold be nice to get an apology."

Will you proceed with this matter?

"I'm going to contact a lawyer to see what options are available. If this would have happened in the U.S., I probably would have been a millionaire," Pascal said with a smile.

Håkansson is now off work for a week before returning to his position as the security guard at the lobby of the Berns hotel.

"This was my fourth day at Berns and people told me that nothing ever happened there," Pascal said. "And then this is how it turns out. It's just totally crazy."

Aftonbladet has tried to reach Axl Rose through the concert booking agency Ema Telstar for a comment, but with no luck.

"I hold no grudge against him," Håkansson insisted. "I just did my job and did it well. It was nothing personal against me — it could have happened to anyone. It's just by pure luck that it wasn't one of the girls working in the reception that was harmed."

[muthagoose]

Axl Watch 2006 Reaches Critical Mass!
Axl Rose accuses police of "Holding him for ransom"

Axl Roses performs at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark this weekend
Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose was "held for ransom" and mistreated by Swedish police when he was arrested on Tuesday in Stockholm, his manager has claimed.

Merck Mercuriadis said the star was threatened with up to three weeks in prison if he did not "co-operate", jeopardising the band's tour.

He said police were fully aware there were "millions of dollars at stake".

Rose was released on Tuesday evening after admitting violent conduct and criminal damage and paying a fine.

The singer had been arrested after a fracas in the lobby of Stockholm's Berns Hotel, during which a hotel security guard accused Rose of biting him.



He had performed before 15,000 people on Monday and was scheduled to play another concert in Oslo on Wednesday.

'Threatened'

"We are in the middle of a tour," Mr Mercuriadis said.

"The Swedish authorities were very aware of this, yet continually threatened us over a 12 hour period with between five days and three weeks incarceration without bail if Axl did not 'co-operate'.

"They were fully aware that there were millions of dollars at stake, not to mention the hopes of tens of thousands of fans who had paid for tickets to see Guns N' Roses."

"The point is, the police report should not be taken at face value, and if one were to be explicit, this experience is tantamount to being held for ransom.

"If the context were any different, Axl would probably have preferred to spend the time in jail in order to ensure that all the facts were a matter of public record."

The manager said Rose had been accosted by the security guard and was "physically mistreated" during his arrest.

Rose agreed to pay a 40,000 krona (£3,000) fine and 10,000 krona (£750) damages to the security guard.

Guns N' Roses will perform at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark this weekend.

[muthagoose]

AXL ROSE's Guns N' Roasted Lamb

According to Mirror.co.uk, Axl Rose nearly sparked a riot at a reunion concert by allegedly refusing to go on stage until he had eaten a roast lamb dinner.

The 44-year-old GUNS N' ROSES singer reportedly kept fans waiting an hour and 15 minutes in sweltering heat on Wednesday (July 19) while caterers rushed to prepare his grub.

Thousands started jeering and throwing objects at the stage in Newcastle, England, but wildman Axl — who flew in by helicopter — allegedly refused to budge.

Fan Saskia Green, 25, said: "It was really hot and the crowd was booing because he was taking forever.

"A security guard said the delay was caused by Axl demanding a lamb dinner before he went on — very rock 'n' roll."

Colin Revel, manager of the Metro Arena, confirmed to Mirror.co.uk Axl refused to play until he had been fed, adding, "Only a roast dinner would do."

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: 'Cowards' In Audience Cost Newcastle Crowd Much-Deserved Encore

GUNS N' ROSES's management has issued the following press release regarding the band's abbreviated performance in Newcastle, England last Wednesday (July 19):

GUNS N' ROSES want the people of Newcastle to know that the crowd at their sold-out show Wednesday night was terrific. The band played a sweaty two hour show on the hottest night in a lifetime bolstered by the audience's incredible support. Unfortunately, the band was not able to give the crowd the encore they deserved due to the behaviour of a couple of cowards in the audience.

GUNS N' ROSES keyboard player Dizzy Reed explained: "Newcastle was one of the best gigs of the entire tour. I had puddles of sweat underneath my keyboards and loved every second of it except when some idiots decided to throw things at the stage. When Axl got hit the first time, the audience pointed out who threw the object and security tossed him out, so we came back. Then Axl got hit in the mouth with another object, so thanks to the behavior of two morons who obviously don't know how to behave at a rock concert, the show ended with no encores. I've been in this band for sixteen years and stupid shit like throwing stuff at the stage is something we won't tolerate. We're not targets, we're musicians."

Guitarist Robin Finck stated, "We had a great time Wednesday night and Axl sang his ass off but you do not wait around to get hit in the mouth for a third time."

GUNS N' ROSES vocalist Axl Rose had this to say: "Getting hit wasn't a big deal. We stopped the song and gave a warning. We came back and started the song over and completed it. We then said goodnight. The house lights went down and I got hit a second time, in the mouth, by a solid object thrown by someone in the audience. After having warned the crowd that we would leave, and having played more than two hours, we left the stage and called it a night with the full support of everyone in the band, our guests and management. Izzy was the first to immediately support the decision verbally to me personally before I had physically left the stage area. Tommy and Frank came to my dressing room to say how much they appreciated the decision to not continue under those conditions, and express their support for not tolerating anyone throwing items at the stage with a negative intent. This has been GNR's policy since playing Donington in 1988. We thank everyone for coming, we hope everyone got home safely and we hope to play Newcastle again — hopefully without those looking for enjoyment at others expense. Cheers!"

GUNS N' ROSES look forward to continuing their sold-out U.K. tour in Glasgow tonight.



Axl Rose on the set of Double Dare.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist RICHARD FORTUS says: 'Don't Believe What You Read'

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus has dismissed reports that the band's frontman, Axl Rose, nearly started a riot in England after delaying a concert so he could first eat dinner.

According to a report published in the Sunday Mirror, the 44-year-old singer refused to perform at a reunion concert at the Metro Arena in Newcastle on July 19 until he was given a roast lamb dinner, prompting fans in attendance to become very disruptive.

While the singer waited and eventually dined on his demanded meal, thousands of disgruntled fans waited an hour and 15 minutes for the performance to begin, the newspaper said.

"It was really hot and the crowd was booing because he was taking forever," GUNS N' ROSES fan Saskia Green told the Mirror. A security guard said the delay was caused by Axl demanding a lamb dinner before he went on.

Responding to published reports, Fortus has issued the following statement:

"To my knowledge, there was never a bottle thrown at the stage while we were on it. Newcastle (in my opinion), was one of (if not the), best shows of the tour. It was also the hottest! It was a steam bath! The fans were amazing, and seemed 100% with us the entire show. It was a really magical show for me, until the very end.

"During 'Night Train', someone threw a coin and it hit Axl and he stopped us and we walked off. We made an announcement that we weren't going to keep playing if anything else was thrown. Unfortunately, we came back, started the song again and the same thing happened. So we left. That's what this band has always done when people keep throwing shit. Maybe people were booing in the back. If they were, I sure as hell didn't hear it nor did I see it. Except for some asshole that ruined it for everyone, it was one of the greatest shows of my life. The Newcastle audience was amazing.

"The press reports that I've read made it sound as though we were bottled and booed off the stage, but as usual they are full of shit. That includes the story about Axl refusing to go on until he got a roast duck dinner. Complete bullshit. I know, I was with him. Blatant lies. Don't believe what you read kiddies!

"The fans have been amazing here in Europe. It's pretty overwhelming.

"I'd like to personally thank all the fans that have come to the shows. Especially the ones that didn't come as fans, but left as fans. Your emails and all the posts on the websites have really meant a lot.

"Oh yeah, one more thing. Izzy Stradlin [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist, who has been making guest appearances with the current GNR lineup on their U.S. and European dates] is one of the coolest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. It's a pleasure to play with him and to hang out with him.

"Again, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that has helped make this tour so much fun."

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman Unable To Complete London Show; SEBASTIAN BACH Steps In

Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach sang lead vocals for the last two songs ("Night Train" and "Paradise City") of GUNS N' ROSES' set at the Wembley Arena in London, England on Sunday (July 30) after singer Axl Rose was taken ill and was unable to finish the show. The band performed an abbreviated set which reportedly featured no new songs, a departure from the rest of the tour where several "Chinese Democracy" numbers were regularly aired at every performance.

In other news, GUNS N' ROSES played a special acoustic gig late Saturday/early Sunday at a small London club called Cuckoo, featuring a crowd made up in part of audience members from GUNS N' ROSES first Wembley Arena performance on Saturday (July 29) who had their names read out by Axl during the show. The acoustic gig reportedly started at 4:00 a.m. and finished at about 5:30 a.m.

The July 30 Wembley concert was the final show of GUNS N' ROSES' lengthy European tour, which kicked off May 25 in Madrid, Spain.

GUNS N' ROSES will headline KROQ's Inland Invasion 2006 on September 23 at the Hyundai Pavillion at Glen Helen in Devore, California. Additional U.S. dates are expected in the fall.

Rose has been saying that the band's long-delayed new album, "Chinese Democracy", will be out later this year.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman AXL ROSE: 'We Are Now Looking Forward To The U.S.

GUNS N' ROSES' management has issued the following press release:

GUNS N' ROSES completed their European tour Sunday night with their second consecutive sold-out show at London's Wembley Arena. The tour, which started May 25 in Madrid, Spain, played to 700,000-plus people over 32 shows in 18 countries, making it one of the biggest tours of the year on the continent and in the U.K.

The final show at Wembley almost didn't come to fruition as vocalist Axl Rose was diagnosed with low blood pressure and low blood sugar Sunday morning. He became ill after performing two concerts on Saturday night — the first was the band's scheduled sold-out show at Wembley Arena which lasted two and a half hours — and the second an unannounced surprise semi acoustic set which thrilled as many fans as could be jammed into London's Cuckoo Club at 4 a.m. on Sunday morning with hundreds left standing outside. Rose became ill a couple of hours after the 75-minute performance ended, with a doctor being called to his hotel room. The physician advised that Rose should be hospitalised and not perform Sunday evening. Rose's response — "F*** that, I have a show to do and I am not missing it." He made it through the two-hour performance to the final song of the evening — "Nighttrain" — before collapsing. The mic was handed to his friend, Sebastian Bach, who completed the performance with an encore of "Paradise City".

Axl Rose commented, "We have had an amazing tour and it has been fantastic for the band and I to experience this. I approached this last show with equal parts determination, obligation, responsibility and insanity. It was an amazing night. I want to thank everyone in Europe and the U.K. for inspiring us and for giving us the opportunity to play for them. We are now looking forward to the U.S. in September."

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES has added more dates to its U.S. itinerary. The schedule is now shaping up as follows:

Sep. 16 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Sep. 17 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Sep. 20 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Sep. 21 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Sep. 23 - Devore, CA @ Inland Invasion 2006
Sep. 30 - Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center
Oct. 02 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
Oct. 03 - San Diego, CA @ iPayOne Center

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES Frontman AXL ROSE To Present At 2006 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, POSSIBLY INCITE RIOT

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has signed on to present at the the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, which will be hosted by Jack Black and air live from New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

MTV announced today that Shakira will be shaking her hips as a performer at the event. Additionally, OK GO will be re-enacting their remarkable dances on treadmills, as they do in the video for their hit, "Here It Goes Again". Shakira and OK GO join previously announced performers BEYONCE, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, T.I., THE KILLERS, LUDACRIS with PHARRELL, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, THE RACONTEURS and JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. Other newly announced presenters include Lindsay Lohan, Kanye West, Paris Hilton, Diddy, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Pussycat Dolls, 50 Cent, "Borat" and Sarah Silverman.