Gn'R mastermind talks "Democracy" at L.A. party
"People will hear music this year," says Axl Rose, puffing on a cigar in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The notoriously reclusive rocker is of course referring to Guns n' Roses' decade-in-the-making Chinese Democracy, arguably the most anticipated album in rock & roll history. "It's a very complex record," says Rose, a surprise guest at Korn's tour announcement bash. (Others in the house: Jessica Alba, cast members of The OC, and members of Linkin Park, Good Charlotte and the Used.) "I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns n' Roses.'" He then smiles and adds, "But you'll like at least a few songs on there."

Dressed in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, cross hanging around his neck, cornrows still intact and sporting a blonde goatee, Rose strolled into the party around 1 a.m., just as the DJ was coincidentally rocking some vintage Gn'R. Approached by a steady stream of women and hard-rock disciples -- including Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin and Papa Roach's Dave Buckner -- Rose is cordial and chatty as he poses for photo after photo. He seems more like an average guy out for a night with friends than the most mythical rock star on the planet in 2006.

And he maintains that that's exactly what he is. "The only time people ever write about me is when I go out to a strip club, because I don't chase the paparazzi down," he says. And, when he's out of the spotlight, Rose says you'll find him doing average-guy stuff: reading books and watching movies. His favorite book is Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly. "I was a little scared when I saw they were making it into a movie starring Keanu [Reeves]," he says. "But I guess if he can handle The Matrix, he can do this."

While Rose and his revolving cast of Gn'R bandmates have been working on Chinese Democracy, Papa Roach have achieved platinum status in their own right. But tonight, their drummer reverts to his teenage fan days, asking Rose for a picture and to guest on Papa Roach's next album. Rose strikes a pose and then graciously refers the fellow rocker to his management.

After all, before he lends his talents to others' projects, Rose has one of his own to finish, and he says it's getting there. "We're working on thirty-two songs, and twenty-six are nearly done," he says. Of those, thirteen are slated for the final album. Among Rose's favorites are "Better," "There Was a Time" and "The Blues."

As for a reunion with his former Gn'R mates, that seems unlikely. "I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was, but.... I was just talking to Izzy the other day though."

However, he hints that you could see the current incarnation of Gn'R back out on the road soon. "Every time there's a big festival announced, we get rumored to be on there," he says. "But we'll see what happens."

One thing's for sure: Everyone will be watching.

I sent u that!

oh yea i forgot to mention i stole it from catpark!

i wish there was a picture of him to go along with this story. the day this album comes out is the day that hell freezes over!

talk about obsessive compulsive...

dancerella said:

There is...

http://prutsfm.punt.nl/?i..._archief=&

Shame he didn't break his neck.

here is 2 more new pics

Why, exactly, is "Chinese Democracy" being promoted as a GNR album when it is, in fact, not a GNR album at all?

at this point,who really cares? The world has moved on and if you take 14 years to finish an album,it's like,what's the point? Expect this project to be a well-publicized flop.

it is going to be huge

DavidEye said:

tell that to brian wilson and kate bush..

what's up with his hair?

jillybean said:

Rose apparently owns the rights to the name of the band.

In a way I think he looks a little better in those pics than he did a few years ago though i'm still not feeling his "new look". The big over sized jerseys need to do as well as the braids and facial hair. Sorry Axl, you still rock though.

noepie said:

ewww

dancerella said:

He does look better. Still I feel like any minute now he's gonna tell me that poser mobile says I'm outta free minutes.

That guy's a complete and total fuck-up.

Evolution said:

i hate to say it but i agree with you and i was/am a big fan of his and g n'r. what a waste. so many people out there would kill to have the opportunies he has and he keeps screwing them up. all i know is this album better be a bloody masterpiece after all this time.

weave cornrows ARE NOT FOR U!!!! and neather is that ugly blonde shit!!!

Oh God, he should just give it up now. I adore GnR but this is just wrong.

He should team up with Mick Hucknall and form a ginger minge duo.

no, he should not give it up. i have heard quite a few of the songs from 2001 and they are great. i cant wait for this album. i just wish him and slash would work things out.

Axl is a fucking rock god and Chinese Democracy is one of the best things he's ever done. The demos and the live shows in 2002 prove it.

Listen to Chinese Democracy in Rio http://media.putfile.com/...ock-in-Rio

this shit is the heat!
[Edited 1/19/06 19:09pm]

so yesterday next he can open for Boston

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[Edited 1/20/06 2:41am]

"People will hear music this year,"

Oh, they'll hear music, Axl...just nothing from "Chinese Democracy"!

jthad1129 said:

who cares? yesterday sounds a lot better then today thats for sure

Evolution said:

well,finally we agree on something

lilgish said:

wow, what's ironic here (considering the feuds between the two and their fans) is that the main groove is VERY Nirvana....mixed with a bit of Iggy Pop and old Gunners.


and off-topic, to the guy further up: no one band, especially a great one like Nirvana could possibly "ruin" rock music. it's just that the industry lately has steadily more about fashion, superficialities and $$ rather than art, talent, musicianship, etc.


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[Edited 1/20/06 2:43am]
[Edited 1/20/06 6:33am]