2/6/09
[показать]Photo: Mazur/Wireimage
Axl Rose has finally given his first official Chinese Democracy interview, answering Billboard’s questions via e-mail about Guns n’ Roses‘ new album, the Best Buy deal, touring and why he’ll never perform with Slash again. While Rose had recently responded to fan questions during several message board chats, the new Q&A is Rose’s first substantial print feature in nine years.
Rose doesn’t blame Best Buy’s exclusive deal for Chinese Democracy’s unexpectedly low sales, but points the finger at his labels, Interscope and Universal Music. “Unfortunately I have no information for me to believe [that] there was any real involvement or effort from Interscope,” Rose told Billboard. “I do know [that] I’ve been asking for a marketing plan for over five years and still haven’t got anything.”
Axl also addressed rumors that Gn’R has two more albums already finished. “We’d like to get another album out at some point, but for now our focus is on Chinese,” Rose said. Also, where’s that “Better” video? “We’re finalizing a video for ‘Better’ and writing a couple others now,” Rose said. “We have been discouraged from making a video all along by Interscope, up until Best Buy requested one after the release.” So blame Interscope, not Lars Ulrich.
Rose also said that Chinese Democracy will be heading to Rock Band on February 28th, but MTV Games told Billboard the release date has been shifted to the spring. Regarding a possible tour, Axl said, “No plans, but there’s talk. Management and our promoters are really excited with the offers coming in both here and worldwide.”
While Rose admitted he’d be open to working with former Guns Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan, don’t expect a reunion with Slash anytime soon — or ever. “In regards to Slash, I read a desperate fan’s message about, what if one of us were to die and looking back I had the possibility of a reunion now, blah blah blah. And my thoughts are, ‘Yeah, and while you’re at the show your baby accidentally kicks a candle and burns your house down, killing himself and the rest of your family,’ ” Rose said. “Give me a fucking break. What’s clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is. Those decisions were made a long time ago and reiterated year after year by one man.”
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