The reclusive Axl Rose has surfaced and took to the Guns n` Roses fan forum to finally start talking up `Chinese Democracy` and answering fans questions.
During the chat, he was identified as Dexter. He explained later that was because he is a fan of the show and he also has a cat named Dexter. “She's a methodical killer,’ he said.Here is a summary of the most interesting parts of the Axl Rose online chat.
Q: Axl do you really have 2 or 3 other albums of material?
Dexter wrote: For now we'll concentrate and keep our focus on this album but I will say I've always thought of it as a double.?And no offence but no one's trying to talk in parables. The issues are a bit more complex than anyone would like.
Q. Axl I would like to know why you avoid the press so much. I think it's definitely hurting album sales, I mean, you haven't even done one interview. I know for sure you'd be able to get a few magazine covers. So why don't you? Why be such a hermit/recluse?
Dexter wrote: That's ur opinion and it very well could be true.? What I have to say a lot of people have no desire to hear.? With our team we were able to negotiate thru a mountain of issues to be able to release the album. Within' those negotiations I believed I had secured agreements, commitments and assurances that would have allowed a promotional strategy to be implemented that obviously I've had a fair amount of time to consider. Unfortunately those things never happened and once the record was closer to release the biz went about things in their standard business as usual mode.
Q: Axl, why did you change "The Blues" to "Street of Dreams"?
Dexter wrote: The Blues was my first working title and I was never comfortable with it in the sense that I felt that should be used with a bluesier based song. And here in Hollywood with the walk of fame etc I had always seen that imagery in my head when I think of it. I also like the idea of the song having in affect two titles.
Q: Axl, have you been in contact with Steven Adler at all? Not as far as playing with him or anything, just to like lend him support?
Dexter wrote: “I do wish Steven the best and in my heart hope that he finds some peace and security. As far as direct contact no. It unfortunately gets too messy too quick. In Steven's mind I'm the one who holds the keys and power over his happiness so I'm the bad guy pretty quickly.
Q: Who do you listen to for hardcore blues?
Dexter wrote: I'm a blues singer and I can tell from your work that you have at least got way into a couple of blues records.
Dexter wrote: Bessie Smith, Zep 1, Robert Johnson, Tumbleweed Connection, Janis.
Q. Axl was their ever a cover B and cover C for Chinese Democracy?
Dexter wrote: Yes there are. There are 2 more covers/bk cover combos and the real booklet that is all artwork that will be out shortly in some form. It's been an ugly battle that hasn't made any sense to anyone and whether anyone cares about such things the booklet or artwork has always been something I've been passionate about and to release the album with unapproved and unseen final artwork with a !st work only error filled draft when others more recent were readily available still has not been explained but is finally getting cleared up. My fave is the How Are You Grenade cover.
Q. Axl how do you feel about Kanye outselling Chinese Democracy? Do you like Kanye's music?
Dexter wrote: I met Kanye at the Versace awards. He was very gracious. I love Gold Digger and told him so. I'm a big fan of his stage performance as he seems to go for it physically which I relate more to. B4 r release I sent him a msg that any nonsense from the media had nothing to do with us and wished him the best. I'm humbled we've done as well as we have considering.
Q. Catcher is one of the best songs on the album, why no Brian (May)?
Dexter wrote: There's a few reasons and none of them all that big and definitely not in spite or to slight anyone.?1st off obviously I knew people liked the song but the Brian appreciation really only showed up in force publicly after we had moved on in Guns. In fact Not many seemed to care and most comments were aimed at why Slash in their opinions should be here.? Brian’s solo itself is a personal fave of mine and I really couldn't understand as he's such a rock legend why it wasn't openly appreciated more at the time.? In actuality all that feel and emotion referred to now had a lot to do with Sean and I and the parts I chose out of Brian's different runs, versions, practice runs etc to make sure we had those elements in one version. It's entirely constructed from edits based around one specific note Brian hit in a throw away take. And though Brian seems to have warmed a bit to it at least publicly he was unfortunately none to pleased at the time with our handiwork.?I remember looking at Brian standing to my left and him staring at the big studio speakers a bit aghast saying "But that's not what I played."??Sean Beavan and I were not in any way tring to mess with Brian we just did what we do and then try and do our best to stand up for our decisions.
Q. Axl are you still thinking of suing Dr Peppers ass?
Dexter wrote: Sure but the actions taken so far had nothing to do with me and I was taken off guard as I had specifically told our team who fucking cares rt now we have a record to deal with.?My feelings are after their public response. It was cute.??Maybe the guy who got it rolling originally meant well but it turned out sour and maybe it's just me but he seems like maybe he wants a bit too much attention so..
Q. When are the online shop opening?
Dexter wrote:
I haven't been involved much in any of our merch and the reasons are it's been a mess legally for years. Unbeknownst to most of you I was recently sued again by Duff and Slash for some murky Merckiness that I was unaware and not involved in. Fortunately that was resolved but it got ugly and took a while going into arbitration.?Merck shifted our merch from some of our newer styles to incorporating more of the old with some scam that actually and surprisingly lost sales in comparison but that's old news.?What I look forward to is incorporating the new artwork into our merch and getting some for myself. I think u'll like a lot of it. My vote's for the How Are You grenade and the Sorry automatic rifle artwork on shirts etc.
Q. Hey Axl , what is your favourite song from either Chinese Democracy, or from an unreleased album?
Dexter wrote:The bridge in "Elvis Presley and the Monster of Soul aka The Soul Monster (working title Leave Me Alone)" which will no doubt end up "Soul Monster".??I think it's our most Black Sabbath moment. Sang it on a Christmas Eve. IMO the meanest section of anything I've sung to date. Which having said that I'm sure when it's heard others may disagree but we felt it was a Christmas card of unadulterated venom so to speak. I felt a lot better afterward.
Q. Axl,?what is your honest opinion on why the old lineup disintegrated ??- What is your honest opinion on why it took so long for CD to come out ???I think that's what most people want to know but dare not ask ...
Dexter wrote: 2 great but complicated questions and I agree that people would like to know at least my take on things.?Not avoiding them here but they deserve more than I can give as we've been at this a little while. But I'm attempting to speak out on several issues these being a major focus over the coming weeks and months. What I can say now is u've been told a lot of things in order for others to promote themselves that factually they cannot backup in regard to either. They are complicated legally, financially and have devoured a good portion of my life.??The record Chinese u may have is nothing short of a miracle in almost each and every way that either it or I exist IMO under the bizarre and ugly conditions of the last over 15yrs.??
You can read the full transcript here.
