VOMITING FORTH MORE CHINESE DEMOCRACY NEWS

We haven’t spent all that much time talking about the impending release of Chinese Democracy, which is now just ten days away from finally hitting stores. Here’s a quick round-up of some the shit that’s been going down in the world of Axl Rose:

• If you pre-order the album from Best Buy or iTunes, you can download the title track immediately.
• The album booklet has leaked – and it’s bizarrely fascinating. For one thing, Axl actually pulled a classy move and included photos of and special thanks from not only the current members of nu-GN’R, but also past members as well, such as Buckethead. There’s a full two pages devoted simply to telling you who wrote what and who played what and who produced what, and it’s positively dizzying. Figuring out payment structure on an album that was worked on by no fewer than five guitarists, three drummers, two composer/conductors, two keyboardists, and six producers, and Christ only knows how many engineers must have been a nightmare. Interesting side note: the guitars Queen axe slinger Brian May recorded for the song “Catcher in the Rye” didn’t make the final album, but some contributions from one time guitar tech Billy Howerdel did. Also interesting: one original member of Guns N’ Roses, Izzy Stradlin, gets a shout out in the “special thanks” section… alongside Lars Ulrich, Mickey Rourke, Kid Rock, and a host of other random celebrities.
• Kind of amazingly, though, the actual album hasn’t leaked… sort of. Versions of songs with scratches, skipping, and, in one instance, sound effects from AOL Instant Messenger have found their way onto the internet.
• Dr. Pepper will, indeed, be giving away free cans to anyone who buys Chinese Democracy – although you’ll have to register on the web and wait for them to send you a coupon to redeem your complimentary soda. Whether or not anyone wants a free Dr. Pepper that badly remains to be seen.
• Finally, there’s going to be a series of *free* listening parties where you can hear the complete album prior to its official release. There’ll also be some giveaways at said listening parties. A complete list of their locations, dates and times can be found below.

So, there you have it. Everything we completely failed to report in the past few weeks. Consider yourselves caught up.

Upcoming Chinese Democracy listening parties:

New York City
Nov. 17 at 7PM
All Ages
Webster Hall – The Studio
125 E 11th St.
New York, NY 10003

Dallas
Nov. 17 at 8PM
21+ Over
Whisky Bar
1930 Greenville Ave,
Dallas, TX 75206

Chicago
Nov. 17 at 8PM
21 + Over
Joe’s
940 W. Weed St .
Chicago, IL 60622

Los Angeles
Nov. 18 at 9PM
All Ages
The Roxy
9009 West Sunset Blvd.,
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Minneapolis
Nov. 18 at 6:30PM
18 + Over
Fine Line
318 1st Ave
N Minneapolis, MN 55401

Atlanta
Nov. 19 at 7:30PM
All Ages
Tabernacle
152 Luckie Street
Atlanta, GA 30303

San Francisco
Nov. 20 at 7:30PM
21 + Over
Mezzanine
444 Jessie Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103

Boston
Nov. 20 at 8PM
All Ages
Cavern Club At Hard Rock Café
22-24 Clinton St.
Boston, MA 02109

Detroit
Nov. 20 at 7 PM
All Ages
St. Andrews Hall
431 E Congress St.
Detroit, MI 48226

-AR