Kevin Cogill, the blogger who posted nine songs from Chinese Democracy on antiquiet.com long before its November 23rd release, plead guilty to one charge of copyright violation in California Federal Court this past Monday. Cogill initially seemed primed for a public showdown, which seemed imminent after his highly publicized arrest. After the Court expressed its disapproval over prosecutorial overzealousness, a plea bargain was reached in which Cogill pleads guilty in exchange for a sentencing recommendation of probation. While the Court is free to ignore the U.S. Attorney's suggestion and impose a one year jail sentence and significant fines, it seemed reluctant to make as big a Federal case over the issue as the RIAA.

For a period of time, it seemed as if Cogill had more interest in promoting Chinese Democracy than Axl Rose. That changed recently as Axl Rose has taken to the Internet to chat with fans and leave long rambling missives on GnR message boards. Anyone thinking Rose has been playing coy or unresponsive to talking about Guns N' Roses will get their fix; Axl is quite open and glib and covers a great number of topics. It's a fine, lengthy read: he quashes the hopes of those expecting a true GnR reunion anytime soon and finally gives his side of some popular Slash stories.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

It appears that Axl Rose didn't find the Dr Pepper giveaway as humorous as the rest of us. In a deft bit of one-upsmanship, Guns N' Roses are taking the soda pop company to task for bungling their offer to give everyone a free Dr Pepper if Chinese Democracy came out in 2008. With last week's release of the long-awaited GnR album putting Dr Pepper on the spot, the company offered a coupon for a free soda through their web site, which apparently couldn't handle the traffic.

Taking the offer as a cheap publicity stunt designed to piggyback on the hoopla surrounding Chinese Democracy's release, Guns N' Roses are hoisting Dr Pepper on its own sugary petard and threatening to get litigious. As Rolling Stone reports, the band is seeking a public apology and an extension of the free soda offer. In a public letter, the band, through its attorneys, states: "It turned out that Dr Pepper did not define ‘everyone in America’ the same way as ‘everyone in America’ defined ‘everyone in America.’” However, they get down to brass tacks by finally asserting, “Had you wished to engage in a commercial tie-in . . . you should have negotiated a legitimate arrangement instead of hijacking their rights without payment. Rest assured, this misappropriation will not be free.”

Coke or Pepsi wouldn't have screwed this up as badly as Dr Pepper. Hell, even RC Cola would have gotten this right.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

To celebrate the cold streak blowing through Hell, Satan's Bar & Grill changed the special from warm beer to Mai Tais, Pina Coladas and Dr. Peppers. After a 13 year wait that included the coming and going of several promised release dates, Chinese Democracy, Axl Rose's long-awaited Guns N' Roses album, finally appeared in Best Buy stores as well as iTunes.

The seemingly endless delays have made Chinese Democracy one of most anticipated releases in recent memory. Unfortunately, the resulting product wasn't worth the wait. Axl's folly has its moments but it falls far short of whetting anyone's appetite and you will have to use your illusion to think of this as a true Guns N' Roses effort.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

The original lineup of Jane's Addiction - Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins - played their first proper show together in 17 years at La Cita Bar in Los Angeles. One of the great bands from the alternative rock days where college radio was a bastion for unheard artists, the excitement over a Jane's Addiction reunion can't even be diminished by memories of The Panic Channel, Satellite Party or Navarro's whoring of himself to the Rock Star reality franchise.

Elton John may have engaged in a little bait and switch in enticing fans to plunk down as much as $2,500 to see a full concert performance of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation. Although billed as Elton John & Friends, fans expected to see more of Sir Elton than three songs or wait until the end of the show for an appearance. Despite performances by Rufus Wainwright, Ben Folds and many Broadway actors and actresses, fans reportedly voiced their disapproval during the show, shouting "Where's Elton?" and "I want my money back." throughout the benefit concert to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

The big Dr Pepper giveaway to celebrate the release of Chinese Democracy will apparently be done through a coupon that can be downloaded/printed off the Internet. It's a nice gesture that will slightly deflect people from questioning whether Axl Rose's latest release really deserves to be called a Guns N' Roses album when it contains no contributions from Slash, Izzy Stradlin and the rest.

Labels: Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Jane's Addiction

Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel paired up for an All-Star benefit at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to support Barack Obama. In addition to an appearance from the candidate himself - who told the crowd to ignore the high poll numbers, reminding them, "Don’t underestimate the power of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" - Billy & The Boss teamed up on each other's songs, trading verses on "Allentown" and "Glory Days" and dedicating "Movin' Out" to Messrs. Bush and Cheney. With all of the high-profile fundraisers for Obama, Garry Trudeau's joke about no musicians offering to perform for John McCain becomes less funny with each passing benefit.

Any humor to be found over Jim James falling off the stage in Iowa City last week has also faded. The injuries have proved serious enough that My Morning Jacket has cancelled their upcoming European tour. "Our hope was to merely postpone the tour but as our scheduling does not allow that to happen in the immediate future, we feel it is best to cancel this tour in hopes of re-scheduling at some point,” the band announced.

Staying on the subject of jokes that may no longer by funny, Axl Rose may be serious about the release of Chinese Democracy. The track listings have been released, possible cover art disclosed and there's been all sorts of confirmation that November 23rd will be the release date at Best Buy and on iTunes. Let's revisit this issue on November 24th.

Labels: Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, My Morning Jacket

Who says there isn't truth in advertising. After talking big about giving everyone (except Slash) a free Dr Pepper if Guns N' Roses released Chinese Democracy before the end of 2008, the bottler is intending to make good on their promise. With the announcement that the new GnR album will be available at Best Buy on November 23rd, Dr Pepper is putting soda on ice just in case Axl Rose actually makes good on delivering the long awaited album.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

The government has come down hard on the blogger who tried to spread a little Chinese Democracy across the globe. Kevin Skwerl, the 27-year-old who posted 9 tracks that were possibly tapped to be part of the long rumored, perpetually delayed Gun N' Roses release, was taken into custody on suspicion of violating Federal copyright laws. Skwerl removed the songs from his site, antiquiet.com, when he received a "cease and desist" but never hid the fact that he posted them when the Feds made inquiries. He's owned up to his actions, telling Rolling Stone, "I did what I did, and I’ll face the music if I have to.”

If the tracks he posted were legit, Skwerl's "pirate radio" move deserves kudos for proving to the world that Chinese Democracy may in fact really exist. Federal laws notwithstanding, helping bring about the day when everyone but Slash and Buckethead gets a free Dr. Pepper is to be commended.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

The legend of Chinese Democracy refuses to die. The fabled Guns N' Roses album has perpetually been in the about-to-be-released stage for so long, its joined the Roswell alien, the Loch Ness monster and Thomas Pynchon as things that need to be seen to be believed. Not only will Chinese Democracy not be appearing in your local record store anytime soon, it also won't be the centerpiece of a reality show.

Rumors ran rampant last week that Axl Rose was negotiating with U.S. television distributors over a reality show documenting the recording and release of Chinese Democracy. The band has nixed the rumors in a terse statement. "Despite rumours 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 statement ends with a proclamation that we've all grown tired of hearing. "We’re in negotiations for the release of Chinese Democracy and things are going well." As my grandmother was fond of saying when I kept saying silly things, "All right, E-nough."

Labels: Guns N' Roses

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

It's Wednesday so many in America are wondering if Sanjaya will survive another week on American Idol. I'm not one of them, but there is something about Sanjaya and Idol that Google likes so hey why not pander a little, eh? I did get an interesting email from the folks at S.sanajayfannetwork.com who designed the site to influence the vote and "make an otherwise dull season more interesting and perhaps see if Simon Cowell will really quit." Now, that would be interesting.

Slash spoke out on the fun of getting together with Axl and the original GNR crew: "I'm not saying never. You know, I was saying it would be a good idea to get, just for a couple of shows, to get the original STP and the original Guns N Roses just to do a couple of shows for the fun of it." I'd like to see it, but would be very gun shy about buying tickets given Axl's habit of showing up late and pulling out of shows altogether.

Devo is apparently still whipping it. The band is on tour in Europe and has added a show at the London Royal Festival Hall on Tuesday June 19th. Tickets go on sale Wednesday April 18th. For the kids, here's "Whip It" from the YouTube archives.

Speaking of Youtube, the Zimmers - the world's "oldest rock band" - yes, even older than the Rolling Stones - are burning up the tube with their take on the Who's "My Generation." The lead singer is 90 and the "band" includes 99 and 100 year olds. The song is produced by Mike Hedges (U2, Dido, Cure), the video shot by Geoff Wonfor (Band Aid, Beatles Anthology). And, yes, these "elders" even have a MySpace page. Very cool.

Mp3 Offerings:
The Mother Hips: Grizzly Bear
White Shoes & The Couples Company: Tetang Cita
The Roadside Graves: West Coast
The Shins: Australia
Thrushes: Aidan Quinn

A look around the blog world shows BuzzSugar featuring Feist as track of the day with "1,2,3,4." LiveMusicBlog takes a look at Hype Machine Radio and the whole internet radio royalty issue. Stereogum gives the low down on the Urban Outfitters tour with the Klaxons, Annuals, Tapes 'N Tapes and many more. And, Sonic Itch is rockin' out to Explosions in the Sky.

Tea Leaf Green is ready to set sail on the "Rocks Off Concert Cruise" leaving from NYC on June 3rd. The show is just one on many TLG are doing in continued support of their latest release, Rock 'n' Roll Band. Complete listing of dates here.

The Noisettes, who have been on tour with TV on the Radio, release their full length What Time Is It Mr. Wolf? in the U.S. today. The band will play on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on April 30th and is set for some June dates with Bloc Party. Meanwhile, you can check out videos for "Don't Give Up" & "Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit)."

Labels: American Idol, Guns N' Roses, Mp3s

Lily Allen took a page out of the Amy Winehouse playbook and pulled out of a show at the last minute last night. Concert goers in Brooklyn were already in the venue when they learned that Allen wouldn't perform. Luckily, the heavily hyped Klaxons were there as guest DJs and filled in the suddenly awol Brit.

Pete Doherty apparently confirmed his engagement to Kate Moss at a London gig Wednesday night. During "An Evening With Pete Doherty" show he reportedly dedicated the tune "What Katie Did Next" to "my beautiful fiancee Kate." Awww how sweet. A more interesting union to report, however, is that Doherty was joined onstage by Carl Barat and the pair ran through a dozen or so Libertines songs. I'd like to see more of that. Maybe Pete has turned a corner?

Mp3 offerings:
Elvis Perkins: While You Were Sleeping
Dr. Dog: Worst Trip
Backyard Tire Fire: Downtime
Fields: If You Fail, We All Fail
Assembly of Dust: Telling Sue

Adam Duritz is releasing an album he made back in 1989 with his former group The Himalayans. The group had recorded the record, but then Duritz's side project, the Counting Crows, took off and the record never came out - until now. It even includes the original version of "Round Here", which was such a big hit for Counting Crows.

Are Nickelback stealing from themselves? BuzzSugar is buzzing about the Canadian rockers' song similarity and managed to listen to two Nickelback songs at the same time. Check out what they heard here.

Guns 'N Roses postponed some Japanese shows due to bassist Tommy Stinson sustaining a hand injury. Stinson apparently fell down a flight of stairs. While there is a setback, the overall world tour will continue as shows set for South Africa at the end of the month are expected to go off as planned. Maybe Axl Rose can take advantage of this break in touring to do some work on Chinese Democracy?

Labels: Guns N' Roses, Lily Allen, Mp3s, Pete Doherty

Via Large Hearted Boy, I noticed that the Shins front man James Mercer made a great observation about the music industry that a lot of young bands seem to not get: you don't have to be a superstar to be a star or more importantly make a living playing music. Mercer is quoted saying: "You can have a real niche audience these days. A small percentage of the population is buying your records, but you can make a living off that. We sold out Madison Square Garden theater and the caterers don't know who the hell we are!"

The University of Nebraska has sent a bill to the RIAA seeking reimbursement for their troubles in helping the record labels track down alleged illegal downloading on campus. The RIAA tells them to go jump in a lake.

Aquarium Drunkard takes a look at Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back - 65 Tour Deluxe Edition. The DVD set includes includes the remastered classic film by D.A. Pennebaker, a brand-new, hour-long look at Dylan, and the original 168-page companion book to the film. AD says: "65 Revisited allows Pennebaker to efficiently paint a parallel universe of the tour illuminating, what, in my opinion, constitutes a more lighthearted side of Dylan than how he was ultimately portrayed in the '67 release of Don't Look Back. This makes perfect sense as dark, brooding, characters, whether it be fiction, documentaries or "reality tv," always make more compelling/interesting viewing."

Mp3 Offerings:
Fair to Midland: Vice Versa
Ruby Isle: Teenage Riot (Sonic Youth cover)
Dead Heart Bloom: Chelsea Song
U-Melt: 415
Pawnshop Roses: Fadin' Out

Black Crowes brothers Chris & Rich Robinson will be performing two "Brothers Of A Feather" shows in Atlanta: Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 at Center Stage & Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 at Variety Playhouse. For tapers, be warned that these are NO TAPING performances. The Crowes new studio record is set for an April release as well.

Blabbermouth reports that Guns 'N Roses are now in the "mixing stage" for their Chinese Democracy release. How long that will take, only Axl Rose knows. Meanwhile, the current version of Guns is scheduled to headline South Africa's My Coke Festival in Johannesburg on April 27 and Cape Town on May 1. Just think it wasn't that long ago when it wasn't cool to play in South Africa.

Labels: Bob Dylan, Guns N' Roses, The Black Crowes, The Shins

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

Fans of Eighties hard rock have had a rough week. Following the announcement that the David Lee Roth led version of Van Halen would not be hitting the road for their much ballyhooed tour, it was quietly announced that the March 6 release of Guns N' Roses fabled Chinese Democracy has been postponed - again (although there is a track called "Better" floating around that is reportedly a leaked recording from the Chinese Democracy sessions).

Del James, part of Axl's crew, posted this "encouraging" report, however, on the band's official website: "There is no official release date, as the band is currently mixing, but after some delays and scheduling difficulties, things appear to be moving along."

At this rate, the new bands like the Cold War Kids will go on to a lengthy, successful career, break up and reunite years later for a tour where Wikipedia 6.0 members get first crack at tickets before the world hears Axl Rose's magnum opus.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

Are Guns N Roses the latest band to get reunion fever? If Pink Floyd, even for one show, and The Police can do it, perhaps Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven could as well? A MySpace page that claims to be the "Official" Steven Adler page has posted a purported conversation with the original GNR drummer indicating at least some wishes for a reunion of the original lineup.

The site has the following quotes attributed to Adler:

STEVEN: I saw Axl, talked with him from, shit, what was it? 10 or 12 at night to 8 in the morning, we talked. We resolved a lot of fucking shit!

FANSITE: What was that like? That must've been weird!

STEVEN: It was wonderful! Just wonderful. I was the same happy-go-lucky person that I've always been to him, and he enjoyed it. Dude we talked 'till 8 in the morning!

FANSITE: Wow.

STEVEN: It was at The HardRock, when he played there.

FANSITE: Did you see the show?

STEVEN: Yeah…three people in his band all look like Izzy! I told him it sucked, I was kidding. I said "You know the five of us have to get back together! That's when it will really fucking take off again! Nothing will be bigger. It would be the biggest reunion ever in history".

FANSITE: What did he say?

STEVEN: You know how he is. He just grinned and giggled a little bit. Everybody in his band came up to me, "You're the greatest fucking drummer! We tell Axl, 'you gotta get the band back together'!" That's what they said to HIM! It was wonderful! Dude, let me call you back! I'm not ignoring you, dude! You're one of my top best friends, man! You've never done anything to hurt me! I'll call you right back!

FANSITE: No problem, man! But real quick, what else is goin' on?

STEVEN: Um, I've been talking with Izzy. I've been talking with Slash. 20 years, dude, since Appetite came out. Axl's record is supposed to come out, in what, a few months?

FANSITE: Yeah, hopefully.

STEVEN: Izzy wants a reunion. I know what I need to do. Before anything happens, me and Chip (Z'Nuff) have been talkin' about doing a world tour. I'm so sorry, I know it made you feel really bad that I haven't answered the phone, things have been hard on me lately. I miss ya, and I will talk to you later!

Is this just wishful thinking of a somewhat forgotten drummer hoping to regain the magic (and there was magic!) from 20 years ago? Adler's relationship with Slash goes back to childhood so it is possible that some "healing" could occur. Or, maybe not. Axl does have a special place in the ego hall of fame. I guess we'll have to wait and see - but hopefully not as long as people have been waiting for Chinese Democracy.

Labels: 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

Tonight's scheduled Guns N Roses show at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA has been cancelled. There was no explanation offered for the cancellation, but the Gun's website had this brief statement:

"Sincere apologies go out to all the fans in Fresno who bought a ticket. We hope you can make it to the band's show in Oakland, CA at the ORACLE Arena (formerly Oakland Arena) on Friday night the 15th of December, which will proceed as scheduled. Refunds for the Fresno show are available at point of purchase."

Meanwhile, anyone left waiting for the infamous Chinese Democracy record is well...still waiting. As Schultz says, believe it when you see it.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

Missy from the Suicide Girls sent out a MySpace blast letting us know that the Suicide Girls Live Burlesque Show will be in Halifax, NS "performing" with Guns n' Roses On November 20th. Now this is one concert where fans may not actually mind if Axl Rose shows up late!

The Trews and Die Mannequin are also on the bill. Tickets seem to still be available, which doesn't surprise me with their nearly $80 price tag for floor seats.

Labels: 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

Lest we forget how much "hair metal" dominated the 80s, you only need to look at the artists in the top two spots on VH1's Top Songs of the 80s list, as voted by fans. Here's the Top 10:

Rank / Artist / Song / Year

1 Bon Jovi / Livin' on a Prayer / 1986

2 Def Leppard / "Pour Some Sugar On Me" / 1987

3 Duran Duran / "Hungry Like the Wolf" / 1982

4 Michael Jackson / "Billie Jean" / 1982

5 Prince / "When Doves Cry" / 1984

6 Hall & Oates / "I Can't Go For That" / 1981

7 Guns N' Roses / Sweet Child O' Mine / 1987

8 Madonna / "Like a Virgin" / 1984

9 Run-D.M.C. / "Walk This Way" / 1986

10 AC/DC / "You Shook Me All Night Long" / 1980

Vh1 will show the entire list on back-to-back episodes of the appropriately titled "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s" on Monday, October 30 at 9 PM EST.

Labels: 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

Guns N' Roses is preparing to head back out on the road for an extended fall tour of North America. To publicize the tour, Axl Rose has fallen back on his one sure-fire headline grabbing announcement: the release of Chinese Democracy, the long awaited, heavily rumored, potentially non-existent new Guns N' Roses album.

In releasing the tour dates, the band, making reference to the traditional release date for new CDs, finished the announcement with the puzzling statement, "[T]here are thirteen Tuesdays left between now and the end of the year." In addition, Rolling Stone has reported that Chinese Democracy will see the light of day on November 21. NME reports that GNR management has not confirmed the November 21 release date.

Earlier this year, rampant speculation had Chinese Democracy being released in March. Those rumors were fueled by Axl Rose's comments to Rolling Stone and Slash's statements on Philadelphia radio. If history has taught us anything in this regard, don't believe Chinese Democracy will be released until you are holding a copy of it in your hand. Then, it might be safe to believe the hype.

Labels: Guns N' Roses

Looks like my list compilation was a bit premature. Planet Rock, a classic rock digital station in the UK, has put together a poll that puts David Gilmour's guitar solo in Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" as the top solo of all time.

Two tracks from Guns' N' Roses ("Sweet Child O' Mine" & "November Rain"), Skynyrd's "Freebird" and Van Halen's "Eruption" rounded out the top five.

Complete Top Twenty:

Top 20
1 Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
2 Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
3 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird
4 Van Halen - Eruption
5 Guns N' Roses - November Rain
6 Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
7 Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
8 Jethro Tull - Aqualung
9 The Eagles - Hotel California
10 Deep Purple - Child In Time
11 Queen - Brighton Rock
12 Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower
13 Deep Purple - Highway Star
14 Wishbone Ash - Throw Down The Sword
15 Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears
16 Cream - Crossroads
17 Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
18 Led Zeppelin - Since I've Been Loving You
19 Ten Years After - I'm Going Home (Woodstock)
20 Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Chile

Labels: Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd

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

Every new rumor that Axl Rose is ready to release Chinese Democracy, the mythical "new" Guns N' Roses album, must be taken with a grain of salt. Every GNR fan has surely uttered that they "won't get fooled again" when hearing that this year will be the year. However, the chatter amongst the white noise seems to be growing with respect to 2006 being the year for the long-awaited release.

On the heels of the Internet leak of two songs from the forthcoming album, "The Blues" and "There Was A Time," comes "confirmation" that Axl Rose will bring Guns N' Roses to headline the second day of Rock in Rio, May 27, in Lisbon, Portugal. The post break-up version of Guns N' Roses headlined the 2001 Festival, playing to over 200,000 fans.

Prudence dictates that chickens should not be counted until they hatch, but it seems that this egg is starting to shake.

[Ed. note - $50 says Axl shows up late or not at all]

Labels: Guns N' Roses