The Offspring probably didn't get Axl Rose's vote for naming their new album Chinese Democracy.

The Orange County, California, punkers snatched the title from Guns N' Roses' long-awaited and much-delayed album, according to a band spokesperson.

"You snooze you lose," Offspring singer Dexter Holland said in a statement. "Axl ripped off my braids, so I ripped off his album title."

Holland referred to Rose's new hairstyle, which was premiered at last year's MTV Video Music Awards. Holland, meanwhile, has long since retired the 'do he rocked during Offspring's breakthrough LP, 1994's Smash.

Produced by Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine), the Offspring's Chinese Democracy, their follow-up to 2000's Conspiracy of One, is scheduled for an early summer release. GN'R's LP, meanwhile, remains in limbo.

Whether the Offspring's jack move will cause Rose to alter plans for moving forward with the title he has been flaunting for about seven years is not yet known. An Interscope spokesperson did not return calls by press time.

Should Axl stick to his guns, which he has every legal right to do, it wouldn't be the first time several albums shared a title. Home, for instance, has been used by, among others, Spearhead (1994), Deep Blue Something (1995), Sevendust (1999), and most recently, the Dixie Chicks (2002).

Reports that surfaced last week claiming the Offspring were to call their new LP Chinese Democrazy (You Snooze You Lose), originated from a fan site and were never confirmed by management, according to the Offspring's spokesperson. Another post on that same site also alleged that Rose's attorney's sent the Offspring a cease-and-desist letter, of which management said it had no knowledge.

Coincidentally, Josh Freese, who played with A Perfect Circle and is now the replacement for departed Offspring drummer Ron Welty, also worked with Rose on his Chinese Democracy.

—Joe D'Angelo

03/29/03 Offspring to release Chinese Democracy ?

*Looks like some people will stoop to anything for some publicity when lacking in their own talent to get recondition*

Source;offspring.com

March 29th, 2003

Multi-platinum Sony artists THE OFFSPRING are recording their new disc with producer Brendan O'Brien in Los Angeles The album is titled Chinese Democracy, which also happens to be the title of the long-awaited GUNS N ROSES album, currently in limbo. When reached for comment, The Offspring's front man/vocalist, Dexter Holland, said "You snooze, you lose." Holland further added, "Axl [Rose] ripped-off my braids, so I ripped-off his album title." Chinese Democracy, The Offspring's seventh album is scheduled for release in late spring. It follows Conspiracy of One, also produced by O'Brien.