Axl Rose Gives First "Chinese Democracy" Interview, Says He'll Never Reunite With Slash

Axl Rose has finally given his first official Chinese Democracy interview, answering Billboard's questions via e-mail about Guns n' Roses' new album, the Best Buy deal, touring and why he'll never perform with Slash again. While Rose had recently responded to fan questions during several message board chats, the new Q&A is Rose's first substantial print feature in nine years.

Rose doesn't blame Best Buy's exclusive deal for Chinese Democracy's unexpectedly low sales, but points the finger at his labels, Interscope and Universal Music. "Unfortunately I have no information for me to believe [that] there was any real involvement or effort from Interscope," Rose told Billboard. "I do know [that] I've been asking for a marketing plan for over five years and still haven't got anything."

Axl also addressed rumors that Gn'R has two more albums already finished. "We'd like to get another album out at some point, but for now our focus is on Chinese," Rose said. Also, where's that "Better" video? "We're finalizing a video for 'Better' and writing a couple others now," Rose said. "We have been discouraged from making a video all along by Interscope, up until Best Buy requested one after the release." So blame Interscope, not Lars Ulrich.

Rose also said that Chinese Democracy will be heading to Rock Band on February 28th, but MTV Games told Billboard the release date has been shifted to the spring. Regarding a possible tour, Axl said, "No plans, but there's talk. Management and our promoters are really excited with the offers coming in both here and worldwide."

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Song Stories

“Weird”

Hanson | 1997

Accomplished tunesmith Desmond Child co-wrote "Weird" with the three brothers that make up Hanson. Credited for dozens of cuts, including songs by Kiss, Cher, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith, Child told Rolling Stone that "Weird" holds a special place in his heart, "because it's about being different--and I grew up poor, I grew up being Latin, I grew up being gay, and now I'm fat!" The song was included on Hanson's 1997 album Middle of Nowhere, which sold more than ten million units.

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