GUNS N' ROSES IS BACK!
Ok, it's been a very long time since we heard something from Guns N' Roses, 'The Most Dangerous Band Of The World'. In 1993, they were the biggest band on the planet - Bigger than Nirvana and Metallica put together. But suddenly, they were just like gone! After the release of "The Spaghetti Incident?" followed by their version of Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil", we haven't heard any new material, only a hell lot of of speculations, rumours and gossips about the band. Every year we've heard about a new line-up, a Guns N' Roses re -union, a GN'R split, Axl goes techno, a new album coming out… hmmm, yeah we've heard about this and that, and well… everything. Some of it is feasible, some is downright ludicrous.
Anyway, now it really seems to be a new album coming out! Finally! And here in this section you'll find some information about this new long-awaited record, also some info about what projects etc. the (ex-) members of Guns N' Roses are working on at the moment.
 

WHERE HAS AXL BEEN ALL THESE YEARS?
The ex-gunners Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Izzy Stradlin' and Gilby Clarke have all been quite busy with solo-records, club gigs, tours and various projects etc. But where the hell has "The Invisible Man" Axl Rose been…?

The Entrance to the road on which Axl lives. Pic. copyright © KERRANG Magazine

…LATIGO CANYON Road, a long and winding stretch of grey tarmac that runs through the barren, firescorched Malibu hills, leads to the home of Axl Rose. Although it is possible to walk up the road, the huge security gates that stand in front of the singer's residence makes it clear that visitors are not welcome.

According to insiders, Axl rarely emerges from his house, and when he does it's only to buy sundries at the beach-side shopping malls in the presence of his matronly housekeeper.

Over the past six years, Rose's public appearances have been few and far between. In April 1996, he turned up backstage at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at the L.A. Forum. "He'd cut his hair short and grown a beard," recalled Chilis drummer Chad Smith. "I didn't recognise him."

Another sighting placed him buying popcorn at a cinema in Century City, Los Angeles, while further sources claim to have seen him as far afield as New York, apparently sporting black or brown hair that looked suspiciously like a wig.

Indeed, the only public sighting that can be properly verified occured in February 1998, when he was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona for disorderly conduct at the local airport. Rose's trial took place exactly one year later. He didn't attend the hearing, and was fined $500 in his absence. A police photo taken at the time of his arrest shows him with short hair and five o'clock shadow. This is the last picture anyone outside the Guns camp has seen of him.
 

GN'R NEW ALBUM & LINE-UP INFORMATION!
Important to know: This line-up and album info. has not been confirmed yet!

Current Line Up Of GN'R (The Recording Line-up):

Lead-singer, piano: W. Axl Rose
Bass: Tommy Stinson
Keyboard: Dizzy Reed
Lead-guitar: Dave Navarro, (Robin Finck -out)*
Rhythm-guitar: Paul Tobias Huge
Drums: Josh Freese

Out of the band:
Slash (see what he is doing now!)
Duff (see what he is doing now!)
Gilby Clarke (see what he is doing now!)
Matt Sorum (see what he is doing now!)
Steven Adler (see what he is doing now!)
Izzy Stradlin (see what he is doing now!)
*Robin Finck (see what he is doing now!)

The New Album:
 
Title: Chinese Democrazy

Rumoured Titles: Cockroach Soup, 2000 Intentions
 
Release date:
2000 [Spring / Summer?]
(The record company, the Polygram/Universal group, say that they have tentatively scheduled its release for the end of 1999, altough sources admit that it has been on the schedules several times before and the band have consistently failed to meet deadlines.)
 
How many songs on the new album? 16 - 18

Tracks that might be on the album:
'Catcher in the Rye' **
'I.R.S.' **
'The Blues' **
'TWAT' (There was a time) **
'Prostitute'
'Cock-A-Roach Soup'
'This I Love' (Soft Ballad?)
'Suckerpunched'
'No Love Remains'
'Friend Or Foe'
'Zip It'
'Something Always'
'Hearts Get Killed'
'Closing In On You'
'Oh My God' (This song is on the "End Of Days" Soundtrack)
'Strange Disease'
'Sweet Child O' Mine' ('99 Remixed)
 
** The Rolling Stone Magazine reports that 'Chinese Democracy'     includes these songs.

According to Axl Rose, GN'R have been working on around 70 new songs.The record will be about, anywhere from 16 to 18 songs. They've recorded at least two albums' worth of material that is solidly recorded.

The Sound:
Depending on who you believe, they veered from techno -industrial rock to old style Guns sleaze. Matt Sorum revealed Axl's love of sampling and loops; contrarily, Chris Vrenna stated: "I have a feeling it's gonna be more like 'Appetite…' than anyone is expecting".
The Guns N' Roses manager Doug Goldstein describes the sound as "updated nineties-rock sound with a little more technology thrown in". And the techno guru Moby (who was asked to produce the new album) has said: "The music they're working on is really wonderful."
 
A writer from Rolling Stone Magazine who have had an interview with Mr. Rose, described the new album as "Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti remixed by Beck and Trent Reznor."

Misc Info About the New Album:
Basket player-turned-rapper Shaquille O'Neal supposedly appears on one track, after befriending Axl while recording in the same studio.

Speculations has mounted that Rose forced the new band to re-record the entire album three times, and that the process has already cost more than a million dollars. Moby claims that there is a completed version of the album and suggesting that Axl should simply release it immediately, regardless of circumstances.

When Axl was the only original member left of GN'R he began working with a series of "name" musicians, including former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, Nine Inch Nails drum programmer Chris Vrenna, ex- Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese and even original Gunner Izzy Stradlin'. Between 1994 and 1998, these various line-ups rehearsed at L.A. recording studio The Complex, where they would work 10 hours shifts running 9pm to 7am. By April 1998, the line-up had finally settled down and the band were said to be making their first tentative steps towrds actually recording a new album.

For this new album four producers were considered for the project , including Scott Litt (R.E.M.), Steve Lillywhite (U2), Mark Bell (Björk) and Youth (the Verve). Also techno oracle Moby was mentioned for the producers chair, but he had to focus on his own work.
 

OTHER GN'R RELATED PROJECTS

A New Guns N' Roses Song:
We haven't heard any material from the Gunners since the release of the "Sympathy For The Devil" single… or have we? In the closing credits of the Adam Sandler movie 'Big Daddy' feature Guns classic "Sweet Child O' Mine". Halfway through, it segues into what appears to be a completely different version of the same song with Axl's original vocals over the top. The most common theory is that the latter was recorded by the most recent line-up, although no one seems to be able to confirm or deny that fact.

GN'R Live Album:
In the end of 1999 (release date hasn't been confirmed yet), we can probably expect to see a GN'R double-live album featuring twenty-three or twenty-four songs recorded from Guns N' Roses' concerts between the year 1987 to 1992. The GN'R live album is done, and Mr. Slash is now working on the artwork. According to Andy Wallace, who mixed the yet-untitled set, the album will feature GN'R staples like "Sweet Child o' Mine," "Welcome to the Jungle," "November Rain," "Mr. Brownstone" and the Bob Dylan cover "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." "It definitely has a live feel, but it's well-recorded and well-played," Wallace says. "They were great live and had a lot of concerts to work from."

The more than two hours of material Wallace mixed was culled from shows recorded in Tokyo, Las Vegas and Mexico City. The Tokyo material is likely taken from the same shows that spawned the double-live concert video Use Your Illusion I & II: Live in Tokyo, while the Vegas show may be the same that produced a live version of "Yesterdays," which was included on a self-titled import CD single.

Guns With A New Song On 'End Of Days' Soundtrack:
It's been confirmed!
Guns N' Roses will have a song in the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, "End Of Days"!
The title of the song is "Oh My God". The track included some of the electronic influence rumored to be a part of the hard-rock band's new sound.
You could hear snippets of this song in the movie trailer which appeared during the MTV Video Music Awards! The MTV VMAs was on 9/9/99!
The 15-second snippet was punctuated by horns and a thumping bass drum. A wash of distorted guitars played while another guitar sliced through the sound with wah-wah pedal effects.
"Oh my God, I can't delay this" frontman Axl Rose seemed to sing in an almost incomprehensible, acidic sneer. "I've been tried ... Like nobody wouldn't know!" he shouted. Though the track was clearly a rock song, its production had the sheen of electronica, and Rose's vocals were saturated with effects.
According to the film's music supervisor, G. Marq Roswell, the song was written specifically for the movie by Axl Rose after the singer saw it at an advance screening.
Guitarist Robin Finck, who left the band (August 1, 1999) to tour with his old bandmates in Nine Inch Nails, is not on the track, according to GN'R manager Doug Goldstein. Although Goldstein declined to name the players who are on the soundtrack song, the new GN'R band includes Rose, who's the old band's sole survivor, as well as longtime sideman Dizzy Reed and newbies Tommy Stinson, Josh Freese, and presumably guitarist Paul Huge.
This song also features former Jane's Addiction / Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro, according to sources close to the guitarist.
 

WHAT ARE THE EX-GUNNERS DOING NOW?

Slash is working on his second Slash's Snakepit album, which will be released in the end of this year or early 2000. During the summer he has also been reviewing tapes of GN'R shows for the Guns N' Roses live album. But since the day he left Guns he's been working on lots of different projects. Slash has helped Sega with design and written music for the Slash's Snakepit, and Dodge Viper pinball games. He's also been working together with Duff and a bunch of musicians on a Alice Cooper Tribute album. Mr. Slash also appears on Teddy Andreas album "Innocent Loser"
(This album featuring Duff n' Matt too!) More info here.

On June 27th 1999 in Munich, Germany, Slash appeared on the benefit concert "Michael Jackson & Friends". The mop-topped guitarist performed one song with Michael Jackson. More info here.

In July '99 the Police arrested Slash in L.A., at his recording studio without incident after his girlfriend filed a formal complaint for assault. The woman, whose name was not released, claimed the rocker assaulted her July 19 at the La Parc Hotel on West Knoll Drive in West Hollywood. He was booked at the sheriff station on spousal-abuse charges and released on $50,000 bond. More about it here: Slash Arrested For Assault and
Slash Reports Missing Gear, Assault Charges Explained

In August '99, there was a break-in at Slash's house when he wasn't home. Stolen were 11 guitars, all his microphones, and some valuable tapes. Slash wants you to Keep your eyes open in newsgroups and web sites (including auctions), for this stuff. Slash said he would really appreciate any help you can give him on finding his equipment. If you have heard or seen anything mail Linda Scott.

On August 28th, Cheap Trick celebrated its 25th anniversary at a special concert , with guest appearances anticipated from Slash, Everclear's Art Alexakis, and the Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan.
The show took place in the band's hometown Rockford, Illinois, which is 90 minutes from Chicago.

Duff McKagan is now reported to be recording another solo album. Since the day he left Guns N' Roses, he has released alot of albums with different punk-rock bands.

In 1996 he was teaming up with band mate Matt Sorum, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor and Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones in the punk-n' roll band Neurotic Outsiders. They released a self titled album, "Neurotic Outsiders".

In late '97 the bassist returned to his native Seattle to reform his early-'80s punk band Ten Minute Warning for a reunion album. The TMW album was released in May 1998.

Duff has also been recording together with ex-gunner & guitarist Izzy Stradlin, and played the bass on most of the tracks on Izzy's second solo album "117 Degrees", which was released in March '98.
And as well as Slash he's also been working on the Alice Cooper Tribute album, and appears on Teddy Andreas album, "Innocent Loser", (Both albums were released in 1998). Thereafter Duff started to work on his second solo album "Beautiful Disease", and it was set for a release in December '98, but he was dropped by his label after upheavals rocked US music industry and it never came emerged.

In 1999 he started a new band called Loaded, and they've released a live album. And you can order it from Duff's official website (http://www.duff-mckagan.com), where you also can find more info on Mr. McKagan & Loaded.

Gilby Clarke made a 3rd solo album, "Rubber" and it was released on the Pavement Music label, on September 29th, 1998. Track list and info here! Thereafter he's been touring, and playing alot of club gigs.
 
Matt Sorum was earlier this year (1999) rumoured to join Mötley Crüe, and replace Tommy Lee on the drums, but Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo became Tommy's compensater.

Summer 1999 Mr. Sorum re-joined his old rock band The Cult, and during the summer '99 he's been touring in the U.S.A. with the band. The Cult has planned to enter the studio and release a new album in spring 2000, followed by a summer tour.

Matt has quite recently joined forces with Vinnie LoRusso, Thomas Morse, Toby Skard, and Tori Amos Guitarist Steve Caton to create a new band, " Binge", which now has a 3 song EP release available on Crisis Records. This new EP mixes electronic influences with strong melodies and absolutely heart-pounding drum beats from Sorum. The EP features the industrial rhythms of " Crash", the musical masterpiece " Shame", and the layered textures of " Spirit in the Flesh" .

Sound clips are available in MP3 format at Elly Russell's Official Binge site, as well as new photos of Matt and an exclusive interview. You can also order the EP from that site!

In 1998 he worked together with Lanny Cordola on the soundtrack for Soundman. Mr. Sorum, recruited his old buddies Slash, and Duff to play on it. Matt Sorum also worked on a number of other projects together with Lanny, including the already mentioned Soundman. Sorum and Lanny Cordola have produced a variety of artists out of Matt's studio, and were involved with other film and TV projects. The ex. Guns drummer also made a Drum Instructional Video, featuring Lanny on guitar and Chuck Wright on bass.

Sorum also appears on Pat Torpey's (drummer for Mr. Big) solo album -Pat Torpey 'Odd Man Out', which was released in Japan on July 25th 1998.

The keyboardist, harmonica player and vocalist Teddy Andreas (who was playing with GN'R during the world tour 91-93), released an album, "Innocent Loser", in 1998. Matt plays drums on a couple of tracks.The album also features Duff McKagan n' Slash, (more info here).

In 1996 he was teaming up with band mate Duff McKagan, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor and Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones in the punk-n' roll band Neurotic Outsiders. They released a self titled album, "Neurotic Outsiders".

 
Steven Adler was ironically the only former GN'R member to turn up when the band were awarded a Diamond Award (in early 1999) for selling more than 10 million copies of "Appetite For Destruction".

He wrote a book in 1998 called "No Bed Of Roses" (co-authored with his mother), it describes in details his turbulent days before, during, and after GN'R. He's also written a song that shares a title with the book. More info. here! In October 1998 he was jailed for 150 days after being found guilty of domestic violence.

In 1997 he took out a court case against the band (Guns N' Roses) and won a six-figure sum.

The drummer have had a patchy career since he was ousted from GN'R ranks in 1990, first playing with L.A. glam tarts Vain and then attempting to get his own Roadcrew project off the ground.
 
Izzy Stradlin, Slash's six-string cohort reportedly returned to the Guns camp in 1995 to help Axl write a batch of new songs, which have never seen the light of day. Apparently still in touch with all the other members of Guns N' Roses. In March 1998 he released a second solo album "117 Degrees".
 
Robin Finck who replaced Slash on the lead guitar and joined Axl's new line-up of GN'R, has now left the band to return to his old job with Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails. He joined Axl Rose in the studio in mid-1997. Insiders are saying that Finck had initially intended to tour with GN'R and had signed a two-year contract. His two years are now up. Finck was a bit of an anchor point for the new group; he was the only new Guns player whom GN'R management would confirm to the press. A spokesperson for GN'R told has said that Finck has recorded "several albums" worth of material for Guns N' Roses. And A spokesperson for Reznor's label, Nothing Records, confirmed that Finck will again be touring with Nine Inch Nails.

 
Sources: Kerrang Magazine (Aug 21st 1999), MTV, Rolling Stone Network, Slash's Official Home Page, GN'R Mailinglist, Addicted To Noise (SonicNet), Official Binge Website.