GN’R Newswire

Here are a couple of pictures of Brain Mantia doing a drum clinic in Cochester, UK

James Barber who has worked as an A&R at Geffen Records was recently interviewed by Poptones. Here’s the GN’R part of the interview:
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How did you get involved in Guns N’ Roses?

Nothing else had worked, so Geffen figured they’d send me in to talk to Axl after I moved to Los Angeles. We desperately wanted the new album for Christmas 1998 and I had a year to get it finished. Whenever anyone asks me about GNR, I think about Rutger Hauer’s line in Blade Runner: ‘I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.’

No expense was spared; they were the biggest band in the history of the label and, even though everyone except Axl was gone, Geffen Records lived and breathed for another GNR album.

The Robin Finck/Josh Freese/Tommy Stinson/Billy Howerdel/Dizzy Reed version of the album that existed in 1998 was pretty incredible. It still sounded like GNR but there were elements of Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails and Pink Floyd mixed in. If Axl had recorded vocals, it would have been an absolutely contemporary record in 1999.

People close to the project have since told me that I don’t know what I’m talking about, that the current version of the record in no way resembles what I heard in early 1999. That’s too bad.

Do you think that Chinese Democracy is ever going to come out?

I have no idea. Seven years ago, the record just needed a lead vocal and a mix. The last time I was at the studio was two days before my daughter was born. Last night she read all of ‘Hop on Pop’ to me. Some mysteries passeth all understanding.

The Reeds have implied on Myspace that Chinese Democracy should happen in the very near future.

Richard Fortus has sent a frank email to a frustrated Guns n’Roses fan.

Addressing the frustrations and the wait for Chinese Democracy, Richard reveals;

Of course I am tired of waiting. However there are many outside disturbances that have made it very difficult for us to finish this record. We as a band, have agreed not to speak about this to others.

This band exists still only for the music. Not money or egos. We do appreciate the fans that are still waiting, and supporting us. I know this has been a very trying experience for all of us (fans and band alike). I also realize that we have lost many, many fans along the way. I only hope that the ones that have stuck with us, will not be dissapointed.

Dizzy spoke to a potential booker, the content of which has been posted to various GN’R fan forums. Dizzy said;

- He does not know about the rumor that GnR will have a new song on the soundtrack for the movie “Da Vinci Code” - its a possibility for its Spring 2006 release but its something that Axl’s dealing with

- Buckethead’s guitar parts will remain on Chinese Democracy.

- Chris Pittman, 2nd keyboardist, is still in GnR.

- The epic track “Catcher in the Rye” will be on Chinese Democracy and is written by Axl based upon the book of the same name and will have a different sound from UYI epics.

- Silkworms & Rhiad & Bedouins will NOT be on Chinese Democracy. They were simply test tracks that the band tried out during the 2001-2002 tour.

We asked Richard Fortus to confirm that all his recent emails to fans were genuine. Although he confirmed them to be genuine, he also said:

The only thing that is truly ‘pertinent’, is the forth-coming music. That is all that matters. Hopefully, all will be revealed in the near future.

From Splat

Punk band, Mongrel, recently supported Dizzy Reed on his recent September tour.

We asked Mongrel guitarist, Adam Savage, whether Dizzy had given him any juicy information on Chinese Democracy. He told us, “(I) didn’t get to talk to him much. I heard he told a few people that Gn’R is still alive and that the album should be out in early 06”

According to this blog, Axl Rose was in New York City recently at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe