Two separate independent record labels are suing Guns N’ Roses and Interscope-Geffen A&M for $1 million over a claim that they used two samples of work by German electronic musician Ulrich Schnauss without licensing.The samples were used on Chinese Democracy’s “Riad N’ the Bedouins” and come from Schnauss’ “Wherever You Are” and “A Strangely Isolated Place.”After the modest sales of Chinese Democracy, maybe these labels would accept their payment in the form of Dr. Pepper? (Via: Yahoo Music)
Supergroup Velvet Revolver, the mix of Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, all formerly of Guns N’ Roses, and Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth is still hunting for a set of vocal chords to add to their group. Former vocals were provided by Scott Weiland (above, second from left) of Stone Temple Pilots, but he made like a tree in 2008 and since then Velvet Revolver has been without a frontdude. The means they won’t be releasing any new music until the summer of 2010. But if you’re unable to make it that long without any Slash in your life, don’t jump off the cliff just yet; Slash says he is working on a new solo album that he is to tour with “most likely through next summer starting in March or April.” In due time a replacement singer will come along, Slash says. “We know the right guy is out there somewhere.” (Via Rolling Stone).
While a Minnesota mom was fined $1.92 million for illegal downloading, those who have the taste to leak Guns N Roses tracks get off lightly in comparison. Yesterday, Kevin Cogill, the man who pleaded guilty to leaking tracks from the band’s latest effort, Chinese Democracy, was sentenced to a year of probation and two months of home confinement. His computers will also be searched by the government (to possibly verify the existence of other tracks from Axl’s fallow period?). To top it off (and thwart more would-be leakers), Cogill will be required to record an anti-pirating PSA for the Recording Industry of America. “I intended to promote the artist because I am a fan,” Cogill claimed.
In more leaking news, Dead Weather band members Jack White, Jack Lawrence, and Alison Mosshart provide their own views on the matter in an interview with Clash Music. The whole thing is worth reading, but a few choice quotes on the subject of pirating:
[Leaking] just ruins the element of surprise, doesn’t it?
JW: That’s all that I care about. That’s the hard part for me, that’s the heartbreaker for me, all the elements of surprise.
Jack Lawrence: I just don’t… I just can’t find an answer in my head, or talk to anyone and get an answer, but why do people want to ruin the surprise? What is the big deal? Why do they need to know?
AM: I don’t know. Cos people like having things that other people don’t have. It’s a power thing.
JL: A surprise is good. It’s nice to be surprised. Just let us surprise you.
No, Axl is not just conflicted. According to the New York Daily News, the manic-depressive rocker is going through mood swings and is on rocky terrain with his manager, Irving Azoff. Apparently, the rift stems from disagreement about how to revive sale numbers for Rose’s recent album, Chinese Democracy. What the Daily News has failed to acknowledge, however, is that the real victim here is Axl’s haircut.
[Photo by Bootsy Holler for Seattle Weekly]
“Donald Trump sauntered into our main backstage room, instantly making himself at home and regaling me with his Donald-esque-ness. Next, Billy Joel came in looking for some Jack Daniel’s that he must have smelled all the way from uptown.”
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