Huge Article in November Issue of Popular

This month it seems that finally a miracle has occurred and Chinese Democracy will be put on sale, so we had to celebrate this event by pulling out all the stops.

In the November issue of Popular you'll find a 26 page news article on Guns N'Roses!

Among other things, you'll be able to read the exclusive interview that Izzy Stradlin granted to us this year.

The always smooth and enigmatic Izzy told our correspondent Thiago Sarkis, why he decided to tour again with Guns N' Roses, how his relationship with Axl is at the present, what he thinks of Chinese Democracy, how often he communicates with Slash, Duff, Steven and Sorum, and the possibilities of the reunion which would make millions of fans happy.

Duff McKagan also comments to us about a possible reunion of the Guns N' Roses classic formation.

In addition, he tells Ignacio Reyo how he remembers the height of Guns N' Roses, he speaks of Scott Weiland's exit from Velvet Revolver, and gives his opinion on bands like Mother Love Bone, Alice In Chains, and Blind Melon.

Marc Canter, author of the most complete book ever published on Guns N’Roses, Reckless Road, talks to Fernando Tanxencias giving him access to thousands of interview from the first years of the band.

In one interview that lasted 80 minutes, Marc recalls fifty Guns N' Roses concerts from the band's early history and describes his relationship with Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven in those years.

In another section of our magazine, Canter has given us almost 30 unpublished photos.

Some of them that appear only in miniature in Reckless Road, occupy a page or one double page in this issue, so lovers of the original Guns N' Roses will be sure to enjoy this article.

The writer Greg Prato has also granted to Popular two exclusive chapters of his new book on Blind Melon, A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other, totally dedicated to the relationship between Shannon Hoon, Blind Melon, and Guns N' Roses.

Prato has interviewed a multitude of people near both bands (producer Mike Clink, Shannon's mother, Del James - friend of Axl and Shannon, etc) and analyzes in depth the relationship between the frontmen of the two bands, besides recalling the tour they did together.

Six pages of stories, as much for the fans of Blind Melon as for those of Guns N' Roses.

Source: Popular

Translation by: Mack Arillo

Raconteurs Release "Old Enough" Single

The Raconteurs released "Old Enough" this week as a 7" vinyl single.

Track listing:
1. Old Enough (Live from Bonnaroo 2008)
2. Old Enough (Acoustic - Backstage at Bonnaroo 2008)

The single is available through independent retailers, as well as The Raconteurs webstore.

Aficionado of the Fonz

My Dad sent me this.

The Return of EMIN3M

Although Interscope says no release date has been scheduled, Amazon.com is listing a December 23 release date for Eminem's new album, Relapse.

The rapper confirmed the project's existence in a recent interview on Shade 45, his branded Sirius satellite radio station.

He also played a song from the album, titled "I'm Having a Relapse."

Billboard

Although Em hasn't been in hiding as long as Axl Rose, his return to the music world is still big news as he is arguably one of the most controversial figures in popular culture this decade.

-Mack

Related: Axl Rose = Eminem

Merl Saunders Dies

Keyboardist Merl Saunders, a longtime collaborator with the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band, died this morning at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco after complications from a stroke. Saunders was 74.

Saunders suffered a stroke six years ago and lost the use of one of his hands and his ability to speak, but remained active in Bay Area music circles. “Boy, did he get the most out of what he had left,” Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart told the Marin Independent Journal.

Saunders grew up in San Francisco, playing the piano by ten and later graduated to the Hammond B-3 under the careful tutelage of the legendary Jimmy Smith. In 1970 began playing with Garcia in “Legion of Mary” and then “Garcia/Saunders,” producing a number of popular albums including the Deadhead favorite Live at the Keystone.

Their 1990 collaboration, Blues from the Rainforest, hit the Billboard Top 10. Saunders also contributed to the Dead’s album Grateful Dead in 1971.

Later, he became known as a senior member of the jam band scene having played with Phish, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic, earning him the title “Godfather of Jam Bands.” Saunders also worked as a jazz trio player, performing and recording with Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, BB King, Bonnie Raitt, and Paul Butterfield.

“Despite having lost one side of his body to the stroke and being unable to speak, Merl lit up rooms with his smile and spirit” said longtime Grateful Dead publicist and band historian Dennis McNally. “And despite physical damage he put out more sweetness than anyone could imagine. He was a giant soul, and I will remember his smile, at the Greek Theatre tribute to Jerry Garcia a few years back as he played one handed with Melvin Seals. I’ll remember that smile forever.”

RS

Merl always put on a great show.

I saw him perform live at many small venues over the years and what I remember best about him is his enormous grin and his catchphrase, "I Feel Like Dynamite."

He was an amazing musician and a true professional.

Although, not an official member of the band, Merl is the 5th Grateful Dead keyboard player to pass away.

-Mack

Izzy Stradlin / I Know

Well I know, when I go
That I'll probably be back in a week or a day every time
We'll make it alright
It's likely to be so
Call me on the phone say
Miss you here today

Never stay away too long
Never stay away too long



Well I know, when you go
That you'll probably be back in a week or a day every time
We'll make it alright
It's likely to be so
Call me on the phone say
Miss you here today

It's likely to be so
Call me on the phone say
I need you everywhere

Never stay away too long

Izzy Stradlin's newest album, Concrete, is available here.

Related: Video for Izzy Stradlin's "Concrete" Available

-Mack

Chris Pitman Talks Silkworms

There's been a lot of talk about a Guns N' Roses collaboration between yourself and Dizzy Reed, on a track known as "Silkworms."

It has been confirmed that this track will not make the final cut of Chinese Democracy. Why is this? Does the track have a future as a B-side or future release?

I hope so. That song in particular that you are talking about, "Silkworms," it ended up being this incredible track that sounded like Guns N' Roses 10 or 15 years in the future.

It was so far removed from our other songs that we had to put it in this other place. Concept-wise, it didn't fit with Chinese Democracy.

We hope we will have other songs that match that kind of futuristic sound. It's a really exciting track because it morphs into this crazy sound, but it was out so much in the other direction that we have to let time catch up with it.

Daily Music Guide