Chinese Democracy Takes the Gold

Chinese Democracy is now officially a gold record. They've reached 500k sold in 5 weeks. None too shabby, especially with little promotion.

Nice way to bring in the New Year boys.

No Tour, or Maybe?

It seems that Richard Fortus was misquoted. The GnR camp is now correcting the earlier statement that there would be a two-year tour. Instead, they're now saying, there's no tour, or there may be a tour, but it won't be two years long.

In addition, it seems Axl's assistant/housekeeper's son posted a message on the GnR forums that the video for "Better" was being held up by Lars Ulrich. That like Richard's quote is being denied by the GnR camp, stating it was a joke and never meant to be taken seriously.

Read more about it below:

“I never said that Guns N’ Roses would be playing St. Louis, nor did I say that we will be doing free shows or that we are starting a two-year tour in March,” he said in a statement to Blabbermouth. “Selective hearing. Never said it."

http://www.gigwise.com/news/48465/Guns-N-Roses-Not-Planning-Two-Year-World-Tour

According to Rolling Stone, Fernando Lepeis also denied saying the band’s new video is being held up thanks to ongoing litigation with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich even though he said just as much hours before hand.

http://www.cinemablend.com/music/GNR-Not-Touring-Maybe-14333.html

Dave Navarro loves Chinese Democracy...

Ok, usually I think Dave Navarro is kind of a douchebag, but for once he has something interesting to say. Blabbermouth is reporting that apparently a fan asked Dave via his website if he had listened to Chinese Democracy and what he thought about it. Dave had the following to say...

"I have to say that I pretty much love it. The way I have been describing it has been 70% awesome and 30% really weird, but after a few listens the weird becomes awesome again. I don't know if it's the songs or the fact that I just enjoy hearing that guy's [Axl Rose] voice or both, but I am a fan. "

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=111577

GnR Love Tour?

According to a recent interview with Richard Fortus, GnR will tour in 2009 (which I had previously reported in November, go me!) and that there are talks of a "love tour" see below for quote and follow the link to the original article.

In addition, he said that the band will tour for two years, not unlike the tour after UYI. That tour took it's toll on the original line up, hope that doesn't happen this time around.

...Fortus made mention that Axl Rose and the gang may embark on what they are calling a “Love Tour,” which would involve Guns N’ Roses playing free shows in all the cities that rioted due to Axl’s bad behaviour or no-show tendencies. “There has been talk of us doing a ‘Love Tour,’ a tour of all the cities where there have been riots, and doing free shows,” Fortus said...

http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=128&csid2=844&fid1=35568

Chinese Democracy Videos...

Ok, so there are no real offical videos as of yet, however you should check out this youtube account. Someone is making videos and they're worth a look for sure.

Merry Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82c-ylz6B_M&feature=related

On Chinese Democracy

I'll include a link this time after the jump. Why bother with formal interviews that assist in the sales of publications when you can talk directly to your fans via the net? Axl's been doing exactly that. Here's a few more excerpts that I find interesting...

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

Axl: Right now, a lot on this album "Chinese Democracy". For me, musically, it would have to be the orchestral arrangement in the bridge of "This I Love".
Q: Which song on "Chinese Democracy" do you feel was your best work vocally?

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

Axl: Never thought of that with "The Sopranos", but a big fan of that song. And I think that's a yes on Rock Band.
Q: Which is the most emotional song for you too sing on "Chinese Democracy"?

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

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

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

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

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

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


Read more

Axl Speaks.....the truth about Slash

Axl has been talking to fans via message boards and chat rooms.

Here's some of what he has to say about Slash.

"...Then you have the mind twisting equally as true horseshit in Slash's book, but I have the rehearsal tapes. There's nothing but Slash-based blues rock and he stopped it to both go solo and try to completely take over GUNS. I read all this 'if Axl would've put words and melodies on it could've…' That was denied and I didn't walk 'till several months after having 3-to-4-hour phone conversations nearly every day with Slash trying to reach a compromise. I was specifically told no lyrics, no melodies, no changes to anything and to sing what I was told or fuck off."

I'm happy to see Axl is starting to tell his side of the story. Slash you ruined the original band and now it's come back even stronger. Like a Phoenix rises from the ashes, so is Guns n Roses.

No Reunion Planned - So What?

So the big news item being reported this week was that the original band was going to reform. No surprise to me that this report is false.

I for one say, good for you Axl. Why reform now? You just released a brilliant album and proved you don't need those guys. Not that I have anything against the old line-up. I've actually met Slash and he's a really nice guy. I just don't think it's necessary. Why Axl would dump the dudes that have now been working with him way longer then Slash et. al. Whatever's clever though... GnR rocked then and they rock now.

Although I would like to see if the great Slash could keep up with Buckethead.

#1 in Europe... Take that haters!

So to all you critics who keep trying to bring the band and the fans down... Chinese Democracy took #1 in the European billboard charts. Despite missing the #1 spot in some territories, the LP had enough #2's and #3's to push it to numero uno for the region.

The album did hit #1 in Sweden & Finland and let's face it... those folks know how to Rock over there.

Take that you fucking haters!

GnR Home Movies?

Ok, if you don't know about this you'll be pleasantly surprised and by that I mean really fucking stoked.

I suggest you go here...

http://www.joost.com/395kyw3/t/My-GNR-Home-Movies

The main photographer (Robert John) for GnR during the Illusion tours has released some "home movies" of the band.

And I quote...

"Because I was so close to GUNS N' ROSES, I had access others didn't — as we did everything together. When I wasn't shooting photos for GUNS on tour, I would take out the video camera on downtime and capture the daily activities and antics on the road, more for memory's sake than anything," explains Robert.

He goes on to say...

I'm starting out with just a few clips with interpreted details of my memories from each moment in time, and plan to add more content later. I held on to my video diaries for the past 14 years and, aside from a few glimpses on television, fans have never seen the majority of my GNR footage. So, this will be a real treat and I'm excited to share it with them. Also, I plan to launch other channels with other bands I work with in coming months, so check it out and stay tuned."

#3 - Are you f*cking kidding me?

So the results are in and Chinese Democracy debuted in the #3 slot. What has the world come to?

I suppose the limited release through BestBuy could've screwed them a bit. Speaking of, I think BestBuy really mishandled the release. I mean day of there was hardly any hype at the stores. I saw one had a big sign, but the rest had little tiny posters. Not exactly the way to promote the biggest release in 15 years. I was also put off by the fact that they were not playing the CD in the store on release day. IMO- it should have been playing non-stop all day or at least an only Guns music day.

And, I would think if Axl had gone out promoting the album with interviews or network appearances, that might have changed things too? I don't know. I mean Kayne's always got his mug plastered somewhere.

The Taylor Swift at #2, I can't even speak to that. I don't get country music. It's my least favorite music genre. I'd rather listen to latin polka than country and that says a lot.

So while I hoped for #1, I gain comfort in the knowledge that in 10 years, the music contained on Chinese Democracy will stand the test of time. Kayne or Taylor Swift? I doubt it.

All in all, the sales are commendable.... and I expect Chinese Democracy will stay on the charts for months. Wait until "Better" starts getting radio play... then LOOK OUT!