JULY / AUGUST 2002

08/31/02 40 DATE US TOUR ?

Thanks to bilb @Dust N Bones m/l

http://www.billboard.com

Guns N' Roses will begin a 40-plus date North American arena tour in late October in the Northeastern U.S., according to sources. This will be the band's first full-blown U.S. tour since playing 29 shows in 1993 that grossed $13.7 million. The group successfully toured Japan and Europe this summer and made a surprise appearance last night (Aug. 29) on the MTV Video Music Awards, performing the new song "Madagascar" amid old favorites "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City."

A new album, "Chinese Democracy," has been in the pipeline for years but is still unfinished, Rose said immediately after last night's performance. "You'll see it, but I don't know if soon is the word," he admitted. "How do you make a whole bunch of guys into something that already was, and with this intensity of these players wanting to play this material?"

The group now is comprised of Rose, guitarists Buckethead, Robin Finck, and Richard Fortus, drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia, former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman.

-- Ray Waddell, Nashville

08/30/02 AXL ROSE SAYS WAITING GAME WON'T END SOON

Source MTV.com

Guns N' Roses perform at 2002 VMAs

"You'll see [the album], but I don't know if 'soon' is the word." — Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose

 Axl Rose brought Guns N' Roses back to the MTV Video Music Awards Thursday night for the first time in 10 years, but the frontman indicated that the wait for a new album from the band will continue.

"You'll see [the album], but I don't know if 'soon' is the word," Rose explained to MTV News immediately after unveiling the current GN'R lineup to an American television audience for the first time. "It will come out, and we'll do some more recording and start the American leg of the tour," he promised.

Thursday night's VMA performance marked GN'R's first since 1992, when the band performed "November Rain" with Elton John . The band remained largely off the map in the decade that followed, shedding members and bringing in fresh blood. Axl and his current lineup — which includes drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia, former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson and guitarists Buckethead and Robin Finck — have been working on an album, Chinese Democracy, for years.

"How do you make a whole bunch of guys into something that already was, and with this intensity of these players wanting to play this material?" Rose said of the delay.

So while Guns N' Roses may be back on the airwaves, they may not be back in record stores any time soon.

—Robert Mancini  

08/27/02 LEEDS – DOUG GOLDSTINE LETTER TO NME

Thanks to Louise and Babylon @gnrbar

Sorce: NME

I would like to take this opportunity to let everyone know about the "behind the scenes" events at Leeds regarding GN'R. From the first band all the way through the day, the set changes kept getting longer and longer. Prodigy was supposed to go on until 9.30pm, but didn't end up leaving the stage until 10.10pm.

This letter is not to make excuses for Gn'R taking time to get to the stage. We had out normal 45-minture set change. This letter is to thank one man. festival organiser Melvin Been. He risked going to jail - and they were not idle threats from the local authorities - if he did not shut down the show. Myself and my partner Merck, and out production manager were in his office during the GN'R set, and I saw this man, who had been a gentleman to us from the inception of our committing to play the event, in great emotional turmoil and unrest. He faced the very real threat for being prosecuted, and the very real possibility of losing any future chance of ever having another Leeds festival. He also knew that if we shut down the show, the fans would most likely riot, and another rock'n'roll tragedy would be the headlines today.

Readers, if you enjoyed the festival as much as I did, I urge you to do what you can to keep Leeds alive. The whole even was one of the best bills I've bee involved in. And to Melvin, thank you for making the choice you did. You took a huge personal risk to make sure your fans were firstly safe, and entertained. Thank You.

Doug Goldstein, Co-President
Sanctuary North America,
Management Division

08/26/02 LEEDS – 50,000 FANS CHEER AS AXL SCREAMS FOR THE SHOW TO CONTINUE

Thanks to gnronline

Guns N’ Roses wish it to be known that Saturday night’s appearance in front of the massive sell out crowd was delayed through logistical problems beyond their control.

The band were contracted to play a 2 hour set and scheduled to take the stage at 10pm, at which point The Prodigy were still on stage. Despite concerted attempts from the festival organizers to make up time, the show continued to run late. The running delay was further compounded by the vast amount of equipment between the two bands. As a result the Guns N’ Roses crew were not able to take control of the stage until 10.30 pm to begin their preparations for the band’s set.

In consequence, Axl and band did not take the stage until just past 11.00pm – so the show overran the curfew set by local authorities, but nevertheless they continued to play to an ecstatic audience who witnessed several new songs which included ‘Madagascar’ and ‘The Blues’ in an electrifying set which included classics such as ‘Welcome To the Jungle’, ‘Mr. Brownstone', ‘You Could Be Mine’ and ‘Sweet Child of Mine’.

Guns N’ Roses would like to thank the promoters, The Mean Fiddler, for making the correct decision in allowing the show to continue in the interests of public safety.

[posted 8/26/2002 U.S.A.]

08/22/02 WEEZER TO OPEN FOR GN'R IN LONDON

Thanks to rui @ dust n bones m/l for link

www.weezer.com/news/

special show announcement! UK fans! Weezer has just been confirmed as the opening act for the August 26th Guns -n- Roses show at the London Arena! Tickets still available, come on down and join in a major rock event! Tickets available from UK Ticketmaster outlets, also, this website has a link to purchase tickets online.

08/20/02 RECORD BREAKING GUNS N' ROSES

Thanks to gnronline.com

Guns N' Roses, who opened their Chinese Democracy Tour in Hong Kong last week to rave reviews, broke both festival attendance records and venue capacities at whilst headlining Tokyo's Chiba Marine Stadium (35,000 plus) and Osaka's WTC Open-air stadium (25,000 plus) for Japan's Summer Sonic Festival.

A spokesman for the Summer Sonic Festival said "Both festivals were record breaking sell outs. We were very honoured to witness such spell-binding performances from Guns N' Roses"

The band are currently on their way to England, where they headline Leeds Festival this Friday 23rd August, and headline their own spectacular show at Docklands Arena on bank holiday Monday, after headlining Belgium's infamous Pukkelpop Festival.

[posted 8/20/2002 U.S.A.]

08/15/02 KINGS OF HONG KONG

NME Hong Kong Show Review

www.nme.com/news/102650.htm

GUNS N' ROSES have started their World tour in HONG KONG - a set that included two new songs.

The band played the first night of a brief tour in support of new album 'Chinese Democracy' at the Hong Kong Exhibition Hall. The band performed a two hour greatest hits set, punctuated with two unreleased songs, 'Madagascar' and 'Chinese Democracy'. The title track had previously been premiered by the band at their dates last year.

Since the end of the show, fans have been emailing NME.COM, enthusing about the gig. One wrote: "The show went down a storm. People were quite cynical beforehand. The band hasn’t released new material in a decade, has an unrecognisable line-up and everyone has forgotten about them. But once the band started playing a set that was almost all old songs the atmosphere was quite special. Axl has new band around him, but they are tight, and he can still scream like a banshee."

Another added: "I’ve just witnessed some kind of phenomenon, the most intense and remarkable 2 hours of my life, I have been to countless gigs but never before have I been so totally overwhelmed and engulfed by such an awesome performance as tonight. This band is going to take the world by storm they are simply amazing. As musicians there is no band ever that has the talent of this one and as for charisma every member is a superstar.

"The highlight for me though was Mr Axl Rose. He looked young and healthy and his voice was stunning, he will go down in history as the greatest frontman ever, he was totally awesome and should be commended."

During the gig, singer Axl Rose mainly concentrated on his singing. However, he did pause to show the audience a photograph that is likely to appear on the cover of 'Chinese Democracy'. It depicts a Chinese street, and in the background 'Guns 'N Roses’ can be seen scrawled on a wall.

The band played:
*        'Welcome To The Jungle'
*        'It's So Easy'
*        'Mr. Brownstone'
*        'Live And Let Die'
*        'Think About You'
*        'You Could Be Mine'
*        'Sweet Child O' Mine'
*        'Knockin' On Heaven's Door'
*        'Madagascar'
*        'November Rain'
*        'Out Ta Get Me'
*        'Rocket Queen'
*        'Chinese Democracy'
*        'Patience'
*        'Nightrain'
*        'My Michelle'
*        'Paradise City'

From here, Guns 'N Roses head off to Japan, with dates at the Summer Sonic festival in Tokyo and Osaka. They then come to the UK to headline the Carling Weekend in Leeds (23), and end their tour at the London Docklands Arena (26).

After the shows, the band will put the finishing touches to 'Chinese Democracy', although there is currently no confirmed release date. Published: 15-08-2002-10-29

08/15/02 GN'R IS BACK

Thanks to kill kurt kids @GN'R FACTORY FORUM

LAUNCH.com:

8/15/02, 3 p.m. ET) -- Guns N' Roses is back--again. The hard rock group, still working on its forthcoming album Chinese Democracy, kicked off a short world tour Wednesday (August 14) in Hong Kong, China, with a 17-song show that featured the album's title track and one other new song, "Madagascar."

During the show, leader W. Axl Rose showed the audience a photo of a Chinese street with "Guns N' Roses" scrawled on the wall, a shot he said may be the cover of Chinese Democracy.

So when will we finally see the long awaited album? In an interview on the band's official website (gnronline.com), Rose cautions fans that "if you're waiting...don't. Live your life...If (the album) were not to happen you won't have missed a thing. If in fact it does, you might get something that works for you, in the end you could win on this either way. But if you're really into waiting try holding your breath for Jesus, 'cause I hear the payoff may be that much greater."

He also says that the band will remain on the road "off and on for the next two or three years." The current tour will take Guns N' Roses to Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday (August 17) and Osaka, Japan, on Sunday (August 18), before a three-day swing in Europe that includes shows in Leeds, England (August 23); the Pukkelpop Festival in Hasselt, Belgium (August 24); and the London Arena in London, England (August 26).

The full opening night setlist included: "Welcome To The Jungle," "It's So Easy," "Mr. Brownstone," "Live And Let Die," "Think About You," "You Could Be Mine," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," "Madagascar," "November Rain," "Out Ta Get Me," "Rocket Queen," "Chinese Democracy," "Patience," "Nightrain," "My Michelle," and "Paradise City."

-- Gary Graff, Detroit

08/15/02 GN'R KICK OFF CHINESE DEMOCRACY WORLD TOUR

Thanks to kill kurts kids @ GN'R Factory forum

METALHAMMER.co.uk:

15 Aug 2002 Guns N' Roses kicked off their 'Chinese Democracy' world tour at the Exhibition Hall in Hong Kong last night.

Axl and Co. were in fine form and played the following set:
'Welcome To The Jungle'
'It's So Easy'
'Mr. Brownstone'
'Live And Let Die'
'Think About You'
'You Could Be Mine'
'Sweet Child O' Mine'
'Knockin' On Heaven's Door'
'Madagascar'
'November Rain'
'Out Ta Get Me'
'Rocket Queen'
'Chinese Democracy'
'Patience'
'Nightrain'
'My Michelle'
'Paradise City'

The singer, who had been under much press scrutiny over his weight, apparently looked "studly and buff".

The Gunners' tour continues to Japan (Tokyo Chiba Marine Stadium, Summer Sonic festival on 17th August and Osaka WTC Open-air Stadium, Summer Sonic festival on 23rd), The UK (Leeds Festival on 23rd), Belgium (Pukkelpop Festival on 24th) and back to the UK (London Arena on 26th August).

08/14/02 AXL SPEAKS CHINESE

Thanks to Kill kurts kids @GN'R Factory forum

ROLLING STONE.com

Guns n' Roses ringleader reveals album, tour plans

In an interview with his official fan site, Axl Rose confirmed that Guns n' Roses' long-awaited Chinese Democracy album remains unfinished, but that he hopes to release it by the end of the year. Rose did the interview with longtime friend and associate Del James, before the singer flew to China; Guns perform tonight in Hong Kong. In the conversation, Rose revealed that he expects to return to the States, following a brief tour of Europe and Asia, in order to finish the new album. He claimed that Chinese Democracy's tracks were picked, the sequence chosen and the artwork completed. He also called the band's current tour a warm up for a fall outing. Rose also speculated that Guns n' Roses could be on the road for the next two to three years.

Gn'R's new guitarist, Richard Fortus (Love Spit Love, the Psychedelic Furs), has been recording lead and rhythm tracks, which could account for the most recent delay in the seven-year project, but Rose said that it was "time to stop that now and wrap up the baby," though he also attributed the delay to imperfections on prior projects. "I gave into a lot of pressure on Illusions both internally in Guns and externally in the press. Those albums (Use Your Illusion I and II) suffered as a consequence. It's not something I'm too excited to have to live with again."

Fortus' entry followed the departure of Paul Tobias, a boyhood friend of Rose's who was brought into the fold in the mid-Nineties, at the expense of GN'R members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. "Paul helped us a lot in the writing and the recording of this record," said Rose, "and to me was a vital part of not only the band but also my life. The world tour really wasn't his cup of tea, whereas he's much more comfortable in a studio setting. We're fortunate to have found Richard, who has this vibe kind of like Izzy (Stradlin) but with amazing feel."

From Hong Kong, the band travels to Japan, Belgium and England before heading home. A U.S. tour is being eyed for November with more dates to be scheduled abroad next year.

SORELLE SAIDMAN
(August 14, 2002)

*** 08/14/02 AXL SPEAKS ***

Gnronline was updated today with an interview from Axl on past members, the up and coming tour, and Chinese Democracy album. Read the interview in the articles section,here an AWESOME read.

07/16/02 GN'R TRADE PAUL HUGH FOR PSYCHEDELIC FUR'S GUITARIST

Thanks again to Jarmo @Dust n Bones for the link .

www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mse...fid=332790

July 17, 2002, 11:40 am PT

Axl RoseThe musician accused of breaking up the original Guns N' Roses has been replaced by guitarist Richard Fortus, co-founder of Love Spit Love and later a member of the Psychedelic Furs.

A press release confirming GNR's just-announced London Arena show fails to mention Axl Rose cohort Paul Huge (a.k.a. Paul Tobias), and instead lists Fortus' name as a third guitarist, sans any detail. Sources close to the Furs confirm that he has indeed joined Guns N' Roses.

Huge was Rose's childhood friend from Lafayette, Ind., who was brought on board in the mid-'90s to fill the rhythm slot vacated first by Izzy Stradlin and then Gilby Clarke. Huge was openly despised by then-lead guitarist Slash, who quit the band largely due to his presence and was soon followed by bandmates Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan.

Huge played rhythm guitar on GN'R's rendition of "Sympathy for the Devil" on the Interview with the Vampire soundtrack in 1994, and is credited as a co-writer on "Oh My God," recorded for the movie End of Days in 1999. He's appeared with the new band at all four of their shows to date, in Las Vegas and Rio De Janeiro.

Fortus initially co-founded Love Spit Love with Furs frontman Richard Butler and Butler's brother, Tim, when that band broke up in the early-'90s, and later he toured with the Butlers when they resurrected the Furs early in 2000. Fortus has also worked with his own projects, including Pale Divine and Honky Toast, and did extensive session work with acts like BT, Gravity Kills, 'NSync, and most recently, Enrique Iglesias.

The release also names keyboard player Dizzy Reed (listed as an original member since 1991), guitarists Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails) and Buckethead, bassist Tommy Stinson (the Replacements), drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia (Primus), and second keyboard player Chris Pitman (the Replicants).

Although Guns N' Roses have only announced dates in Japan, England, and Belgium (allstar, July 16), a few more are expected to be confirmed in the near future. p>-- Sorelle Saidman

07/16/02 RICHARD FORTUS NEW GNR GUITARIST

Thanks to Jarmo @Dust n Bones m/l

This is from a press release about the London gig:

Nearly nine years have passed since Guns N' Roses embarked on their last world tour. Fortunately, the most important piece is still in place and for people wondering where Axl Rose has been, he's been busy writing and recording a new album, "Chinese Democracy", that promises to surpass all of his previous efforts. Keyboard player Dizzy Reed has been in GN'R since 1991 and along with Axl is the holdover from the band's previous line-up. New to the fold are three guitarists: Robin Finck, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, guitar phenomenom Buckethead, and Richard Fortus. Rounding out the allstar line-up is bassist Tommy Stinson from The Replacements, a second keyboard player Chris Pitman, and Brian "Brain" Mantia of Primus on drums. While this new line-up only has a handful of live shows under their belt, critics world-wide are singing their praises and saying that this version of Guns N' Roses is a must see!!

07/16/02 CD NOW Confirm London shows

Thanks to Jarmo@Dust n Bones for the link.CD now are saying tickets go on sale tomorrow?

www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mse...fid=332686

July 16, 2002, 11:05 am PT

Axl RoseGuns N' Roses have finally nailed down a long-rumored London date for Aug. 26 at the London Arena, according to a spokesperson for the venue.

Tickets for the show, priced at approximately $43, go on sale Wednesday (July 17) through Ticketmaster U.K. The show marks the fifth confirmed date for the band this summer, including headlining spots at Japan's Summer Sonic festival in Tokyo and Osaka on Aug. 17-18 (allstar, April 25), the Leeds Carling Weekend in Leeds, England, on Aug. 23, and the Pukkelpop Festival in Hasselt, Belgium, on Aug. 24.

Guns N' Roses last live shows were Dec. 29 and Dec. 31, 2001 in Las Vegas (allstar, Jan. 2). Despite the flurry of live activity, however, there was still no word at press time as to a release date for Chinese Democracy, the band's long-awaited new album.

07/16/02 NME Confirm London Dates

Thanks to Endo @ GN'R Factory

ROSES RETURN!

GUNS 'N ROSES are to play a LONDON show next month. The group, whose new album 'Chinese Democracy' is due in September have confirmed rumours reported on NME.COM and will play the London Arena on August 26. Tickets are priced £27.50, and go on sale shortly.

The rumour that they would play in London has been circulating since it was announced they would headline the Leeds leg of the Reading/Leeds Carling Weekender on August 23.

The band had been due to play Docklands Arena twice last year, but scrapped the shows, blaming a problem with guitarist Buckethead and also because Axl Rose was said to be finishing up 'Chinese Democracy'.

For ticket availability, call the NME Ticketline on 0870 1 663 663.

07/06/02 BUCKETHEAD CONFIRMS TOUR


Thanks to Bucketheadland bucketheadland

August 17, 2002 Tokyo, Japan - Chiba Marine Stadium Buy Tickets Summer Sonic 2002
August 18, 2002 Osaka, Japan - WTC Open Air Stadium Buy Tickets Summer Sonic 2002
August 23, 2002 Leeds, UK - Temple Newsam Park Buy Tickets Leeds Festival
August 24, 2002 Hasselt, Belgium Pukkelpop Festival
August 27, 2002 London, UK London Arena

06/13/02 NEW GN'R TOUR DATES

THANK'S to Jeff Boerio @ Dust n Bones ML

www.arocknid.com/gnr -

Information for you on GNR's touring plans (but no info on an album release date).

GNR will be playing in CHINA! After playing the festivals, look for GNR to tour the US starting in late September and ending around Christmas.

Here's the dates I have been given:
8/14/02 Hong Kong, China
8/16/02 Tokyo, Japan (Summer Sonic Festival)
8/17/02 Osaka, Japan (Summer Sonic Festival)
8/23/02 Leeds, England (Carling Weekend Festival)
8/24/02 Belgium (Pukkelpop Festival)
8/26/02 Docklands Arena, England
8/27/02 Docklands Arena, England

05/17/02 BUCKETHEAD & BRAIN SHOW WITH LES CLAYPOOL

Thanks to bucketheadland

Big News Slash!  Buckethead, Les Claypool, Brain and The Woo Warrior - Bernie Worrell at Bonnaroo Saturday, June 22 at Bonnaroo featuring: Les Claypool (himself), Buckethead on guitar, Brain (drums of course!), and the one and only Bernie Worrell on keyboards (of Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors, former member of the original Parliament/Funkadelic, Talking Heads, and Praxis). You can now buy tickets.

TICKETS: A limited number of Bonnaroo tickets will be released on Saturday, May 18th at Noon EST. Tickets will be available at www.bonnaroo.com.