Guns N' Roses/Axl Watch

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: Video Lessons Available

A six-page interview/lesson with GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal appears in the April 2008 issue of Guitar Player magazine. The accompanying video lessons have now been posted online.

Go to www.GuitarPlayerTV.com, click on "GP Lessons Apr. 08", then "Masterclass".

There are four videos available:

The Thimble, Thimble Octaves, Thimble Blues, Thimble Madness

[muthagoose]

Free Dr. Pepper For Everyone If AXL ROSE Releases 'Chinese Democracy' This Year

An Official Press Release from Dr. Pepper....

DR PEPPER WILL GIVE EVERYONE* IN AMERICA A FREE SODA IF AXL ROSE RELEASES NEW GUNS N’ ROSES ALBUM, CHINESE DEMOCRACY, IN 2008

*Guitarists Slash and Buckethead Will Not Be Eligible For Free Soda

Tired of a world in which Americans idolize wannabe singers and musicals about high schoolers pass as rock ‘n roll music, Dr Pepper is encouraging (ok, begging) Axl Rose to finally release his 17-year-in-the-making belabored masterpiece, Chinese Democracy, in 2008.

In an unprecedented show of solidarity with Axl, everyone in America, except estranged GNR guitarists Slash and Buckethead, will receive a free can of Dr Pepper if the album ships some time -- anytime! -- in 2008. Dr Pepper supports Axl, and fully understands that sometimes you have to make it through the jungle before you get it right.

"It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper’s special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love,” said Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. “So we completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection – for something more than the average album. We know once it's released, people will refer to it as "Dr Pepper for the ears" because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds - an instant classic.”

Show your support for Axl and get on the nightrain of encouragement at www.chinesedemocracywhen.blogspot.com/

[muthagoose]

Axl Rose Offers to share Dr. Pepper with Buckethead

Axl Rose has responded to a press release made earlier today by the good people over at Dr. Pepper.

"We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr. Pepper with our album Chinese Democracy as for us this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album I'll share my Dr. Pepper with him.

Axl Rose

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Axl Rose Signs Up with New Management Team

GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has made the following announcement:

"I am very pleased to announce that GUNS N' ROSES and I are now represented by the management team of Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. We are very excited and look forward to working with them and hope our relationship proves beneficial for everyone, especially the fans."

It should be noted that up until recently, Azoff Music also managed VELVET REVOLVER, the band featuring Axl's former GN'R bandmantes Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. Azoff is continuing to represent VR's singer, Scott Weiland.

[muthagoose]

W. Axl Rose Preparing for 'Chinese Democracy' Release?

Marc Malkin of E! Online reports that Axl Rose has recently been letting people, music industry honchos, tastemakers and so forth, listen to six new tracks from GUNS N' ROSES long-awaited new album "Chinese Democracy", according to a music executive who has heard the songs.

The exec raved about the music. "It's really good," he said. "Axl's voice sounds exactly the same, but the songs sound contemporary. You expect it to be a trainwreck, but it's not."

"Chinese Democracy" has reportedly been in the works since 1995, with Rose the only original member still in the band. According to a report published two years ago by the New York Times, Rose had allegedly burned through $13 million in the studio by that point.

[muthagoose]

'Chinese Democracy" Headed To Reality TV?

According to Allyourtv.com, A major music-oriented television channel has pitched an idea for a reality series to Axl Rose, according to sources close to the project.

The show, which would appear on a cable channel that asked not to be identified, would follow the troubled rocker as his continues his decade-long effort to release the Guns N' Roses project "Chinese Democracy."

Rose has been laboring on tracks for the project on-and-off since mid-1994, and in both 2006 and 2007 gave several interviews promising the album would be finished "within the year."

The sound of Chinese Democracy has often reported to be industrial rock music similar to Nine Inch Nails and Ministry, a style that Rose had long been a fan of. But the tracks that have surfaced online show a variety of sounds, with tinges of everything from Ministry to Queen to classic Guns N' Roses.

According to sources at Geffen (Rose's music label) a version of "Chinese Democracy" has been finished and delivered to the label. But there are still outstanding issues between the singer and the label, not the least of which is a recording cost for the project which (depending on who you believe), has reached between $11 and $15 million. Another stickler is the digital rights for the tracks, along with some proposed "bonus" tracks Geffen would like to release digitally.

This reality show project would be part of a larger effort to build buzz for an album which faces a number of promotional hurdles. Rose's recent concert appearances have been erratic at best, and many fans of the classic Guns N' Roses lineup are going to require some persuasion before embracing this new sound. Rose is also not an especially "journalist-friendly" preformer, making promotion for the project even more difficult.

The new (still untitled) reality show would follow Rose and his band as they prepare for release of the album. It would include behind-the-scenes rehearsal and studio footage, as well as interviews with a number of the participants. "There is a lot of footage to choose from," said a network source. "Some of it is incredibly personal and revealing about Axl's life."

According to the network source, the deal for the show is "close, but not signed." Part of the holdup seems to be the timing, as the particpants want to integrate the show into a timeline with the leadup to the album's release, along with the announcment of a limited number of concert dates.



AXL WATCH 2008 Rolls On... Only At Live-Metal.Net!

[muthagoose]

Guns N' Roses finish 'Chinese Democracy' album

Guns N Roses have reportedly finished work on 'Chinese Democracy', the album that Axl Rose has been working on for the past 14 years.

Therockradio.com reports that Geffen Records, the band's record label, have confirmed they have received a finished copy of the album, and are currently haggling over money and rights issues with Rose.

The album is reported to have cost in excess of $13million (£6.5million) to produce.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES' Guitarist Bumblefoot Issues Update

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal is currently recording a solo album in his home studio.

He checks in with the following update:

"Heeeey, mixing is going well - having an easier time getting sounds, compared to the Normal CD. Much better guitar tone, more in-your-face this time around. (Planning to re-work my live sound for touring as well.)"

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Del James Dismisses Reality Show Rumors

GUNS N' ROSES has dismissed as false a recent Internet report that a TV network has proposed an idea for a reality series involving the group's frontman Axl Rose.

In an official statement released via the group's web site, longtime Rose associate Del James writes, "Despite rumors floating around the Internet, GUNS N' ROSES will not be appearing on any reality TV program to promote their forthcoming album, 'Chinese Democracy', or for any other reason.

"The reality TV rumors started a little while ago and have taken on an Internet life of their own, but there is no truth to any of this."

A report at AllYourTV.com recently stated that a "major music-oriented television channel" had proposed an idea for a reality series revolving around Rose. Sources close to the project told the web site that the show would focus on the reclusive singer's efforts to complete and release the long-delayed GUNS N' ROSES album, "Chinese Democracy". The series would reportedly follow Rose and the other members of the current GUNS lineup through behind-the-scenes rehearsal and studio footage as well as interviews.

Sources at Rose's label, Geffen Records, reportedly said that a finished version of "Chinese Democracy" has been delivered to the company. Rose and the label, however, are still reportedly haggling over money and rights issues.

Rose recently announced that he and GN'R had signed with powerhouse managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, leading to speculation that the arrival of "Chinese Democracy" was imminent.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Caught 'Off Guard' By FINCK's Decision To Rejoin NINE INCH NAILS

GUNS N' ROSES has issued a statement regarding the recent announcement that the group's guitarist Robin Finck was rejoining NINE INCH NAILS for NIN's upcoming world tour.

Finck toured with NINE INCH NAILS between 1994 and 1997 in support of "The Downward Spiral" and again between 2000 and 2001 behind "The Fragile". He played with GUNS N' ROSES on both that band's 2006 tour and the still-unreleased "Chinese Democracy" album.

Commenting on Finck's current status in GN'R, Axl Rose and company have posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Robin's plans caught everyone in GUNS, as well as our fans, a bit off guard.

"Really, Del James' [longtime Axl Rose associate] private e-mail that someone took upon themselves to post publicly is the best way for us to address things at this time: 'Only Robin knows what Robin's doing.'

"Neither we nor management, etc., know any more in this regard and we prefer not to speculate or offer opinions at this time.

"Robin's Robin. We're in negotiations for the release of 'Chinese Democracy' and things are going well.

"When we begin to put tour plans together, we'll see where things are. Until then, Robin's touring with NIN and we're working with management on our game plans.

"Our thanks to those who continue to show their support."

In addition to Finck and frontman Trent Reznor, the rest of NINE INCH NAILS' touring lineup includes new bassist Rich Fownes, plus returning keyboardist Alessandro Cortini and drummer Josh Freese.

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal To Jam In Support Of Multiple Sclerosis Research

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal has issued the following update:

"Hey all, I'll be hangin' out at Chiller Theatre at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany, NJ, first weekend in May 2008 (May 2nd-4th). Will be doing a little jamming that Saturday night. Gonna have a table set up with some merch - anything ya pay over the price for each item will all be donated to Multiple Sclerosis research. Come say hello and show your support - thanks."

[muthagoose]

DUFF MCKAGAN To Guest On
IZZY STRADLIN's New Solo Album

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan has confirmed that he has recorded a guest appearance on the next album from his former GN'R bandmate Izzy Stradlin. "I got to play on Izzy's new record [on Tuesday, April 22] in Ojai [California]," Duff writes in an online posting. "Another stellar outing by that dude, I must say. Always a pleasure hanging with that guy; a true gentleman."

Izzy Stradlin's last LP, "Fire, The Acoustic Album", was released late last year. According to Izzy, the CD was recorded in California last summer and contains "very basic recordings," featuring two guitars with one playing slide. Ex-REVEREND HORTON HEAT drummer Taz Bentley and JU JU HOUND guitarist Rick Richards are featured on some of the songs, as is bassist J.T. Longoria. Longoria mixed the effort at Nomad Recording in Dallas, Texas, where the album was also mastered by Gary Long.

McKagan recently hinted on the LOADED web site that the band he formed after he left GUNS N' ROSES is planning on hitting the road later in the year. "UK, you up for a late summer/early fall tour? Spain? Italy?" he wrote on the site.

LOADED is currently working on a new, yet-to-be-titled studio album, to be released in the summer.

LOADED was formed in 1999 and has morphed several times, releasing two albums: 1999's "Live Episode" and 2001's "Dark Days". The group's current lineup includes drummer Geoff Reading (NEW AMERICAN SHAME, GREEN APPLE QUICKSTEP), bassist Jeff Rouse and guitarist Mike Squires (both formerly of ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

[muthagoose]

SCOTT WEILAND 'Would Pay' To See GUNS N' ROSES Reunion

Classic Rock magazine has published an article on VELVET REVOLVER's split with singer Scott Weiland, featuring interviews with all five members of the band conducted in March on their last-ever UK tour with Scott.

When asked if an alternative to this heated situation between him and the rest of VELVET REVOLVER would that they all cool off, do their separate projects and then regroup and see how the land lies, Weiland replied, "I think they should get GUNS N' ROSES back together, to tell you the truth. I think that would be the greatest thing that they could do. I think the world would be very happy. If they could stop talking trash about Axl [Rose, GN'R singer] in the press. It almost happened. The pens were ready to sign. With the 'Greatest Hits', there was a possibility [of a reunion], but there was too much stuff being said. But it was a close call. I would love to see that happen, as a GUNS N' ROSES fan. I'd pay to see it."

In the same article, VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan was asked about Weiland's statement that Duff, guitarist Slash and drummer Matt Sorum should reunite with Axl Rose in GUNS N' ROSES, as well as Scott's claim that "the pens were ready to sign" at one point for a GN'R reunion and that the contracts were on the table. "I know he [Weiland] was really paranoid about that and we had to allay his fears at one point, when we were writing for [VELVET REVOLVER's second album] 'Libertad'," McKagan responded. "He got wind that our manager at that point had been talking to Axl about bringing Axl over to what was our management company back then. And Scott freaked out that we were getting GN'R back together and we weren't going to make the second record. I don't know where it came from — there was no contract on the table or pens ready to sign. Maybe now he's convinced himself that's what happened."

Weiland, who was dismissed from VELVET REVOLVER on April 1, has reunited with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS for a lengthy spring and summer tour, beginning in mid-May at Columbus, Ohio's Rock on the Range festival. He is also working on his second solo album with producer Steve Albini and NO DOUBT drummer Adrian Young for a November release. Weiland's first solo effort, "12 Bar Blues", was issued in 1998.

[muthagoose]

New Interview With Del James

A new interview with Del James just went up on www.suicidegirls.com promoting the re-release of The Language Of Fear.

Read The Interview Here:
suicidegirls.com/interviews/Del+James%2C+The+Language+of+Fear+Author+/


Who is Del James?
Del James is a meat-eating, pro-choice, sober, atheist. He writes horror fiction, screenplays, and music. As a lyricist, James has co-written songs with groups such as Testament, The Almighty, The Outpatients, and Guns N’ Roses, including two songs on GNR’s Grammy-nominated Use Your Illusion album. James has directed several music videos and written live television for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is currently finishing his first novel, A Celebration of Pain. He likes to ignore his acquired wisdom and do things against his better judgment. When he’s not touring the world, James lives in Southern California.

Visit him on the web at www.languageoffear.com



What is "The Language of Fear"?

After being out of print for ten years, The Language Of Fear, a short story collection by Del James is now available once again as a Dell paperback by print on demand.

One of the top-ten most sought after horror/sci-fi titles, The Language Of Fear featuring an introduction by W. Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES), the book contains fifteen terrifying tales that run the gamut from a married man about to murder his wife on the command of a dial-a-porn hooker, to outlaw zombie bikers, to a stoned teenager locked in a savage war with his television set.

The Language Of Fear also features the short story “Without You” which was the inspiration for the Guns N’ Roses video 'November Rain'.

[muthagoose]

Bumblefoot to Assemble All-Star Band to Support ROCK AGAINST DIABETES

Guns N Roses guitarist Ron Thal (aka Bumblefoot) has committed himself to this years Rock Against Diabetes event by orchestrating an All Star Band composed of top metal/rock artists of the last two decades.

"I want to help bring attention, awareness, and hopefully get some people thinking about what they can do to prevent diabetes, or how they can lend a hand to someone living with it" explains Thal. "I have been reaching out to musicians to form a group that hasn't ever played together before, something very special just for this one night. This is an important event, and it's a privilege to be able to participate.

Participants of the All Star Band, yet to be named will be announced once they commit to the project. More information on the All Star Band, as well as current and any other lineup changes can be found at www.rockagainstdiabetes.org.

The band will perform live at www.deeprockdrive.com in Las Vegas. There are a very small amount of VIP tickets available only by auction. To bid on these limited edition VIP tickets, visit www.rockagainstdiabetes.org/auction .The rest of the world, will be able to take in the event from the comfort of their homes, in HD as a fully interactive web broadcast. Tickets are available at www.deeprockdrive.com/event/5462/rock_against_diabetes_2008 Tickets are only $9.99 and each ticket purchaser has the option to invite 5 friends to view FREE.

For more information visit www.rockagainstdiabetes.org, www.bumblefoot.com, or www.deeprockdrive.com

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Del James Interviewed on Talking Metal Podcast

The latest Talking Metal podcast features a very special interview hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy conducted with author, songwriter, and musician, Del James.

Topics include Del’s cult classic collection of short stories, The Language Of Fear, his upcoming novel, A Celebration Of Pain, songwriting with GUNS N' ROSES and TESTAMENT, RIP Magazine, ALICE COOPER, HUMBLE PIE, THE CHELSEA SMILES, and growing up in New York.

Check out all that Talking Metal has to offer at this location:
www.striglsmusicnews.com/podcasts/talkingmetal/index.htm

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Releases 'Abnormal' Title Track Available For Free Download

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal has made the title track to his upcoming solo album, "Abnormal", available for free download at www.bumblefoot.com. Three different versions of the song are downloadable in MP3 and uncompressed WAV format: album version, clean version and instrumental version. The lyric sheet is also provided.

[muthagoose]

DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED Enter The Studio Next Week

VELVET REVOLVER bassist Duff McKagan has issued the following update:

"Well, here we go. LOADED will start our new record on June 4th in Seattle. We hope to sort of blaze right through it and make a big, live rock sounding record!"

[muthagoose]

SLASH: Moving Forward With Solo Album

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash has told Spinner that he is keeping himself busy putting together a solo album. "I'm working on it pretty aggressively right now while I have the time 'cause as soon as VELVET finds its singer [to replace the recently departed Scott Weiland], then it's going to be off the races with that," he told Spinner. "I'm using this little period to be able to do as much on my solo record as possible. I'm not sure exactly when it will come out, but hopefully it will come out before the [next] VELVET record."

"It'll be my first solo record," he continued. All the other ones were just me putting other bands together and going out and just jamming. This will actually be a little bit more personal."

[muthagoose]

Has 'CHINESE DEMOCRACY' Leaked!?!!

GNRDaily.com reports:

The Real 'Chinese Democracy' May Have Leaked
from GnrDaily.com - Newswire
As the inexorable march towards Chinese Democracy stomps along, the dangling carrots of periodic leaks and hints have made the decade-plus dry spell all the more tantalizing. But today’s latest batch of tunes — which are purported to be, finally, the real thing — really may signal the end of the wait. With all the curious “free Dr. Pepper” talk a few months back reeking sweetly of a publicity stunt to come, the timing doesn’t feel all that off for tunes to really start making it through the cracks.

Today’s leak features nine tracks, and besides the six which have already made the rounds (including a stunning version of “Madagascar,” complete with a chorus of Axls singing on top of each other), a trio of thus far unheard and unnamed songs offer further suggestions as to what may be around the corner. Axl’s howl is unmistakable, and one track features a porno-guitar wah-wah, hard-edged synths, flamenco guitar and delicate piano for what’s perhaps the most unique mish-mash of sounds in a GN'R tune to date.

If it’s just another batch of demos, then they’re perhaps the most well-produced and complete demos in the history of the industry. And damn, they’re really pretty good.

[knut]

9 new leaks:
- If The World
- Rhiad and The Bedouins
- This I Love (supposedly)
- Chinese Democracy
- The Blues
- Madagascar
- There Was A Time
- IRS
- Better

Last 6 are better versions of previosly heard demoes.

This I Love (or what song it really is..) is a huge epic beautiful monster of a song!!!

[muthagoose]

I think the new tracks a very good. It will be interesting if GNR's management makes any statements regarding this leak... we shall see!

[muthagoose]

GUNS N' ROSES: Guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Sets Release Date for 'Abnormal'

Bumblefoot's ABNORMAL will be released on JULY 1, 2008 - available at all digital outlets, including iTunes! Look for the CD at Amazon & CD Baby soon!

Swing by our friend Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal's website to pre-order "Abnormal" and new kickass merch!

For more info as this develops, check out:

www.myspace.com/bumblefoot
www.bumblefoot.com
www.baldfreak.com




Album information:

Abnormal
Catalog: BF14
Release: July 1, 2008

Tracklisting:

1. Abnormal
2. Glad To Be Here
3. Objectify
4. Some Other Guy
5. Jenny B
6. Last Time
7. Simple Days
8. Conspiracy
9. Piranha
10. Guitars Still Suck
11. Green
12. Spaghetti
13. Misery
14. Redeye
15. The Day After
16. Dash

[muthagoose]

Billboard Reviews Rumored 'Chinese Democracy' Tracks...

Nine purported "mastered, finished" tracks from Guns N' Roses' 14-years-in-the-making album "Chinese Democracy" were leaked online yesterday (June 18) by the Web site Antiquiet.com, prompting a quick cease-and-desist from the band's handlers and the removal of the links.

Six of the songs have already leaked in one unfinished form or another: "Better," "The Blues," the title track, "Madagascar," "IRS" and "There Was a Time." But these versions appear to be much further along on the path toward completion, and feature new touches like organ and tambourine on "IRS" and a beefed-up chorus with multi-tracked vocals on "Madagascar."

The three previously unheard songs are "Rhiad and the Bedouins," "If the World" and a track whose title is unknown.

"Rhiad," which was played live by Guns N' Roses in 2001 and 2002, is a pounding rocker with a trademark down-and-dirty main guitar riff and a flashy solo. "If the World" is a head-spinning blend of flamenco guitar, industrial synth tones, bluesy piano licks and Rose at the top of his vocal register, while the unnamed track is an even more unusual melange of piano-led crooning, orchestral bombast and a serene instrumental outtro.

"Chinese Democracy" was last on Interscope's release schedule in March 2007. In late March of this year, the Axl Rose-led band signed a new management deal with industry heavyweights Irving Azoff and Andy Gould and began what it described as "negotiations" with Interscope to release the album.

But even if its release is drawing near, "Chinese Democracy" will likely go down as the album with the most troubled birth in rock history. Work began on it way back in 1994, and since then, Rose has burned through a reported $13 million in production costs as well as every lone original member of the group.

The endless delays reached comic levels this spring, when soft drink manufacturer Dr Pepper offered to send a free can of the drink to "everyone in America" (excluding ex-GNR members Slash and Buckethead) if "Chinese Democracy" arrives anytime during the calendar year 2008.

[muthagoose]

Sebastian Bach Talks Axl Rose...

Rolling Stone reports:

In light of the Guns n’ Roses leak last week — nine tracks that may or may not be the near-final version of Chinese Democracy — Rolling Stone dialed up Axl Rose pal and collaborator Sebastian Bach to gain some insight into where Rose now stands with the extremely delayed LP. For the full story, see the next issue (out later this week). For now, here’s Bach recalling what happened the time he suggested Rose just put out Democracy:

“There’s only a couple of times he’s ever gotten mad at me. One of them was when I let Ron Jeremy in his dressing room. He didn’t like that at all. ‘Why the fuck did you let Ron Jeremy in my dressing room?’ I was like, dude, he was begging. That wasn’t a good time for me. Axl goes from zero to 60 faster than any hemi engine, I’ll tell you that. When we were first hanging out in 2006, we were just standing around a bunch of people. I go, ‘Axl, do you think you might get the record out? It would be a great time, now that we’re on tour and everything.’ He goes, ‘Oh. Great! Everybody! Sebastian has a great idea here, man. Guess what? Sebastian, should I put out a record? Maybe it would be a good idea for me to put out a fucking record! Hey everybody, listen to this! I never thought of that! That never came to me! Oh, great idea dude.’ I felt like Fred Flintstone in Mr. Slate’s office.

“Another thing that I don’t know you’ll ever see is a Axl Rose reality show. When I see that shit, I laugh. Here’s the only other time that he got made at me. I had just finished shooting Supergroup for VH1. It was on TV in America while we were gallivanting across Europe. We had a beautiful dinner at some incredible Italian restaurant. We are sitting there and I go, ‘Dude, I just shot this reality show for VH1 and they paid me this amount of money, man. It was fucking easy. It was only like two weeks. It was hilarious. Axl, if they paid me this amount of money, they’d pay you like a million bucks for 10 days of some shit.’ He’s looking at me with this look on his face and he’s all quiet and he goes, ‘Sebastian, you don’t understand.’ I go, ‘What?’ He goes, ‘I will pay VH1 $2 million to leave me the fuck alone!‘ I would bet my life you won’t be seeing the Axl Rose reality TV show.