Credit Dr. Pepper for coming up with one of the more skillful marketing ideas in the modern era, their best since David Naughton crooned "I'm a Pepper. You're a Pepper." The non-traditional cola has offered to give everyone - except Slash and Buckethead - a free Dr. Pepper if Axl Rose will release Chinese Democracy.

Being the magnanimous guy that he is, Axl agreed to share his free soda with Buckethead. After all, he did appear on the album . . . and Dr. Pepper does go well with KFC.

Savvy move by Dr. Pepper. What's next? Free 2-liters if J.D. Salinger writes another book? Six packs for all if O.J. finds the real killers?

So c'mon Axl, wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Guns 'N Roses fans were anticipating a March 6th release of the fabled Chinese Democracy record. By now you know that Axl Rose set that target date last year after a decade of speculation. Lore has it that Axl and the various forms GNR has taken over the years began working on the project as early as 1993. Fans in Italy have protested the delay by shutting down a long running fan site at GNRonline.it. But, maybe Axl has good reasons? Maybe he's been busy with some other things?

Here's our Letterman inspired Top 5 (too lazy for a top 10!) reasons that Chinese Democracy was not delivered on March 6th:

5) Axl is still trying to decide whether to join the Alliance or the Horde;

4) Axl is hoping to time the release with cornrows coming back into style;

3) Axl is waiting for Charlie Manson to finish lyrics to his "Look At Your Game, Girl" follow-up;

2) Axl didn't want to steal the spotlight from Britney and Anna Nicole Smith;

and the number one reason for the latest delay...

1) Axl is in training for Rose-Hilfiger II.

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Original Guns 'N Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined his fellow Indiana Hoosier Axl Rose on stage last night at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Izzy, who has appeared at a quite a few shows already on this tour, reportedly played a handful of songs.

Izzy still continues to release solo records, although I wish he'd kept the Ju Ju Hounds together, and despite his penchant for ducking publicity also maintains a website for his projects. He's even got a video circulating on YouTube for the song "Hammerhead."

Given Izzy's songwriting ability, as evidenced by the GNR catalog, Axl would be wise
to continue to cultivate that relationship. Who knows maybe Izzy can help Chinese Democracy turn into an actual record?

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Axl Rose and crew reportedly canceled a show in Maine because of a dispute over the use of pyro, which of course has come under scrutiny since the Great White tragedy. However, Maine officials are now saying the band was more hung up on their "no drinking booze while playing" rule.

Apparently, Maine has had a prohibition against having alcohol on stage for years. That agitated the band that caused the cancellation, officials say, not the pyro issues the fire marshals were there to oversee. SunJournal.com reports:

"Steve McCausland said inspectors had been there to oversee pyrotechnics and ran into "a couple issues that were quickly resolved. The bigger sticking point: Representatives of Guns N' Roses shared the fact that they "wanted to drink beer, wine and Jagermeister while performing," McCausland wrote."

I understand why some fans want to blame the rule makers and enforcers for the show getting cancelled. But, if the official are correct in that it really came down to the booze issue then I have to give the band a little fault as well. They could probably have found a way, if they really needed it, to drink before hand and how long would they really play anyway? Certainly less than two hours, probably closer to one. So, they couldn't go without a beer or shot for that long to play some music for the fans that had bought tickets to the show? We'll probably never know the real story here but given Axl's diva past nothing surprised me with these guys.

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Just a reminder to Guns N' Roses folks that GNR postponed the first two shows of the U.S. fall tour. The Jacksonville date was moved from October 20th to October 31st, while the Nashville show was moved from October 22nd to a date to be announced in January.

Meanwhile, Axl is getting some "nice guy" props for giving some love to Christina Aguilera. No, not that kind of love. Axl reportedly approached Xtina after her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards to tell her she how much he admired her voice.

"Axl Rose was backstage in the greenroom at the VMAs, right near my glam squad, Aguilera reportedly told Blender Magazine. "I heard that he made everyone in the room quiet down so he could hear my performance. When I met him backstage, he shook my hand and said, 'You are one of the greatest vocalists of our time'. Isn't that sweet?"

Yes, very sweet. Axl is quite the sensitive rock hero. Maybe that's why he had his band do an instrumental of her mega hit "Beautiful" instead of trying it on his own at a show earlier this year? See he's not so dumb after all.

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Belying his reputation as the self-centered frontman of the revamped Guns N' Roses, Axl Rose concluded his band's European tour by visiting the Teenage Cancer Trust Ward at the University College Hospital in London. "Axl spent time speaking with each of the patients individually: asking about their diagnosis and treatment and what they enjoyed doing when they were not in the hospital," reported director Simon Davies. "Speaking with patients after Axl's visit, I got a real sense of just how excited they were to have met him and how much it lifted their spirits."

On the other side of the ocean, 80s icon Boy George began his one week tour of duty with New York City's Department of Sanitation as part of a court ordered community service commitment. The former Culture Club lead singer ran afoul of the law when police discovered cocaine in his apartment when they responded to his false report of a burglary. Performing his service despite the presence of numerous cameras, George became a bit testy. "This is supposed to be making me humble. Let me do this," said George. "I just want to do my job."

Labels: Axl Rose

The Guns N' Roses European tour ended without Axl Rose. Unable to finish the band's final show at London's Wembley Arena, Skid Row's Sebastian Bach filled in on "Night Train" and "Paradise City." Claiming that he was diagnosed with low blood pressure and low blood sugar on the morning of the show, Rose asserted he was advised to sit this one out altogether; but he didn't want to let the G N'R fans down. Perhaps Rose just needed a nap: the evening before the band played a late-night acoustic set which ended at around 4:00 a.m.

On the overall trip overseas, 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 UK for inspiring us and for giving us the opportunity to play for them. We are now looking forward to the US in September."

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

By: David Schultz
Photos from Shakerleg.com by Alzo Slade

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Any Catskills comedian worth his salt will immediately tell you, "practice, practice, practice." Ask that same comedian how you get to the Hammerstein Ballroom to open for the newly revamped Guns N' Roses and you'll probably get a non-sequitur response involving Henny Youngman, the neighbor's wife and a nice piece of kugel. For street performer Shakerleg, also known as Mark Nicosia, all it took to open for Guns N' Roses was being in the right place at the right time; oh yes, and having the balls to demand to be there.

New Yorkers present at the Hammerstein Ballroom for Guns N' Roses' first run of shows in years may have recognized Shakerleg from his years as a street performer in New York City. Employing a style that attracted the attention of Modern Drummer magazine and Drummerworld.com, Shakerleg plays without drum sticks, beating on a modified drum kit with his hands. With his right leg adorned with shakers – hence, the Shakerleg moniker – and his left leg also banging out the beat, the innovative drummer has made himself a fixture at the Union Square Subway Station for close to five years.

Just recently, Shakerleg experimented with playing aboveground, finding a new niche: 59th Street and Columbus Circle, right next to the Trump International Hotel& Tower. In setting up shop on the well-traversed thoroughfare, Shakerleg played to his surroundings. A bit less sycophantic than a contestant on The Apprentice, Shakerleg drew an audience while dedicating songs to the multimillionaire, loudly proclaiming, "This one's for you Trump!"

One weekend, while Shakerleg was doing his thing on the Circle, he's interrupted by a lady dressed in sweats. "I was wondering," she asked calmly. "I have a client upstairs in the Trump Building who is in town and he's got a very important function and he needs to sleep." Seeing where this conversation is leading, Shakerleg quickly cuts her off. "I'm not stopping for anyone in that fuckin' building. They can kiss my ass."

"I'd be willing to pay you," she offered. "He really needs to rest."

"You think you can just pay me off? Fuck that!" replied an incensed Shakerleg. "I gotta make a living and no way in hell are you gonna match what I make out here!"

"I'm trying to be nice," said the woman. Coming clean about her client, she reveals "It's actually Axl Rose."

"I don't give a fuck if it's Jesus," the drummer retorted. "I don't give a shit about Axl. Do I know him? Has he done anything for me?" The rant continued. "Nobody asks those dancers over there to move, so I'm not going anywhere. I could make a nice haul out here in a few hours."

"So if I went to the ATM would you leave," the woman countered.

"You're kidding, right?" he blurted back. "Yeah! If you came back with the money I'd make playing here, I'd leave. But this is the most sellout thing I could ever do. I'm the only person in the world playing like this and I got Axl Fucking Rose up there trying to get me to stop."

"Do you even see what I'm doing," Shakerleg asked.

"Yes, we've heard you for the past few days," she deadpanned.

"And no one hooks me up," Nicosia continued. "What you need to do is get my card to Mr. Axl Rose and tell him that he needs to see what I do."

The woman turned and went back into the hotel, leaving Shakerleg on the sidewalk with the group of bystanders that had gathered during the argument. When she didn't return, Shakerleg resumed playing. After ten minutes, she returned, money in hand, accompanied by a short, unassuming gentleman.

"Sorry, but it's my job to see to it that he's happy and can rest," she apologized.

Dejected, Shakerleg took the money; but he wasn't done. "See what you've done. You've taken me away from my audience that I could've entertained; people that thank me for what I'm doing. The only way to make this right is to put my ass on stage and I'll open a show for him. I mean it. You guys should put me onstage in front of his crowd to make up for this crowd here."

Calming down, Shakerleg introduced himself to the brother and sister who act as Axl's managers. He explained his frustration over the fact that no one will take a chance on what he's doing and that they should take his message to Axl. They asked for a copy of his CD. Seeing that they had already given him some cash, Shakerleg didn't think a free CD was too much to ask for. He threw in a DVD press kit as well.

Ten minutes later, the brother comes back. "Dude, you're not picking up your phone," he said.

"My bad, the phone was in my bag. What's up?"

"Well, what are you doing tomorrow," the manager asks.

Without expression or emotion, Shakerleg gave him the answer, "I'm opening for Axl Rose."

"Yes you are," he replied.

An hour later, Shakerleg received a call from Rick Fagan, Guns N' Roses tour manager.

The next day? Well, see for yourself.

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Axl Rose was infamous back in the Guns 'N Roses hey day for being late to shows or not showing up at all. Seems like some things don't change. Last night's show at London's Hammersmith Apollo was set to start at 9:30. With no explanation, the time came and went with no Axl. Rose and company finally went on around 10:45, well over a full hour late. Fans who paid good money for the show were not happy:

"Hundreds of fans abandoned the show to get public transport home. Lots of people I spoke to had come from outside London and had no choice. They got nothing for their effort."

You'd think he'd have a few bucks laying around to pick up a watch. Or, maybe Axl still just doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself?

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses

Unlike most thing Guns N Roses, Axl Rose's four New York shows failed to disappoint those looking for some proper GnR nostalgia. While Friday's opening night show started a bit later than expected, the sold-out crowd that waited exceptionally long to be let into the show got their money's worth as Axl and the world's most anticipated cover band ripped through most of Appetite For Destruction, "November Rain" as well as some new tunes from the probably never-to-be-released Chinese Democracy.

The six night, four show stand at Hammerstein Ballroom did not lack for guests. Sebastian Bach of Skid Row joined Axl for "My Michelle" on Friday and Sunday night and the finale saw Izzy Stradlin rejoin Axl for "Think About You," "Patience" and "Night Train." Kid Rock also made an appearance on Wednesday night's show, joining in on vocals on "Night Train."

Barring unannounced performances, the Hammerstein shows mark the only currently scheduled U.S. appearances of Axl Rose's reconstructed and reinvented Guns N Roses. They head overseas for a series of festival shows and opening slots for The Rolling Stones.

Labels: Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses, Kid Rock

Rock music has been kind of boring lately. Perhaps the return of Axl Rose and his new version of Guns 'N Roses will bring back some of that rock star swagger and bad boy attitude. Or, maybe some aging rock stars will squawk at each other like little girls? After Axl exchanged lawsuits with former Guns bandmate Slash, Scott Weiland is helping to stir the pot.

The Velvet Revolver frontman reportedly called Axl a "'Fat, Botox-Faced, Wig-Wearin' F*ck.' Scott's rage is apparently in response to a rumored "meeting" between Axl and Slash after which Axl supposedly tattled:

"that Slash tore into his current bandmates in VELVET REVOLVER, calling singer Weiland a "fraud," saying that he "hates" drummer Matt Sorum and describing bassist Duff McKagan as "spineless."

Scott's response is posted on Velvet-Revolver's website:

Get in the rin[g.] Go to the gym motherfucker, or if you prefer, get a new wig motherfucker. I think I'll resist the urge to "stoop" to your level. Oh shit, here it comes, you fat, botox faced, wig wearin' fuck! O.K. I feel better now. Don't think for a second we don’t know where those words came from. Your unoriginal, uncreative little mind, the same mind that had to rely on its bandmates to write melodies and lyrics. Who's the fraud now bitch? Damn, I couldn't imagine people writing for me. How many albums have you put out man and how long did it take the current configuration of this so-called "band" to make this album? How long? And without the only guys that validated the name. How dare you! Shame on you! How dare you call our bass player "spineless." We toured our album over a year and a half. How many shows have you played over the last ten years? Oh, that's right - you bailed out on your long awaited comeback tour, leaving your remaining fans feeling shall we say a trifle miffed?! I won't even list what I've accomplished because I don't need to. What we're talking about here is a frightened little man who once thought he was king, but unfortunately this king without his court is nothing but a memory of the asshole he once was.

Can a drunken Sunset Strip brawl between these two be far behind? We can only hope.

Labels: Axl Rose

The mythical status of Guns N' Roses perennially to-be-released Chinese Democracy has grown to epic proportions. Like the Nigerian prisoner who wants to share his millions if he can just briefly store it in your bank account or Bill Gates' desire to pay $1 for every e-mail you send, Axl Rose has consistently promised G&R fans a treasure they want to believe will be theirs but, deep down, know probably doesn't exist. Over the past decade, Chinese Democracy has become the biggest rock and roll urban legend since that kid from The Wonder Years grew up to be Marilyn Manson.

Speculation that 2006 will see the release of the much-awaited Guns N' Roses album peaked when Axl Rose, making an unexpected appearance at Korn's tour announcement party, told Rolling Stone, "people will hear music this year."

Yes, yes, these promises have been made before. Many many times before to be vaguely exact. However, this year's version is supported by none other than former GNR guitarist Slash. Appearing on Philadelphia radio, Slash confirmed that there will be new Guns N' Roses music in 2006. "Axl's got a record coming out . . . in March," disclosed Slash, whetting the appetite for one of the most anticipated albums in rock history.

The new album should feature Axl Rose, former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, enigmatic lead guitarist Buckethead, former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Brian Mantia. The lineup of a touring edition of Guns N' Roses remains unclear, especially in the wake of stories that Buckethead quit the group in 2004. A reunion with Slash looks unlikely as Rose claims they haven't spoken in years.

Only time will tell if 2006 will see Chinese Democracy's release or whether, once again, the album will meet with "unavoidable delays."

Labels: Axl Rose