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In his hearing this week, a judge questioned the necessity of arresting
Guns N’ Roses leaker Kevin Cogill, calling it unnecessary. The man who posted nine songs from the previously unheard sessions for the forever-in-production Chinese Democracy was shown some leniency by the court as the presiding judge felt the proposed $50,000 bail was excessive and noted that a court summons would have been sufficient. Instead, as Cogill’s girlfriend Shana told Rolling Stone, “They put him in handcuffs. They let me get him a shirt, and shoes without any laces before they took him away.” (more…)

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Remember back in June when those nine possibly Chinese Democracy-bound Guns n’ Roses songs leaked? At the time, the man who admitted leaking them, Antiquiet blogger Kevin Skwerl, told Rock Daily “If legal proceedings come my way, I’ll face them 100 percent. I’m not afraid of that. I did what I did, and I’ll face the music if I have to” after a meeting with the FBI. Skwerl (real name Kevin Cogill) will face the law, as he was arrested this morning at his Culver City, California home for suspicion of violating federal copyright laws. (more…)

A brand new Guns n’ Roses song will make its debut via Rock Band 2, the sequel to the hit video game that allows players to contribute their own guitar, bass, drums and vocals to hit rock songs. “Shackler’s Revenge,” a new track from Chinese Democracy (though not included with the recently-leaked supposedly finished tracks), will get its world premiere via the game, also suggesting that an autumn release for Chinese Democracy is inevitable. Rock Band 2, developed by Harmonix and distributed by MTV Games, will also feature songs from Rush and AC/DC, and according to a track list leaked last week may also include songs from Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan.

• More Guns n’ Roses at Rock Daily

When Rolling Stone spoke with Sebastian Bach about the alleged Chinese Democracy leak, he reported that he’s heard “at least four albums’ worth” of finished Guns n’ Roses tracks, recalling a night in January 2007 when Rose rolled out new songs from midnight to 6 a.m. at New York’s Electric Lady studios. He says Rose told him that a slow, grinding track called “The General” is “the sequel to [Use Your Illusion II’s] ‘Estranged,’ that goes to the parable that Del James wrote of the trilogy” (James penned the short story that inspired the “November Rain” video). “He’s like the George Lucas of rock,” Bach marvels. “I know for a fact it’s not him saying, ‘Let’s wait and work on [Chinese Democracy] some more. He has a whole new business team. (more…)

Last week, the Internet was rocked when California blogger Kevin Skwerl posted nine newly leaked Chinese Democracy tracks, including three previously unheard songs allegedly from Guns n’ Roses long-awaited album. Skwerl — who used to work in the distribution department of Universal Music and is now a Web designer — runs the blog Antiquiet, and says he received the tracks from “an anonymous online source.”

Yesterday Skwerl was surprised to find himself face to face with two FBI agents who paid a visit to his day job. “It was kind of an ambush,” Skwerl tells Rolling Stone. “When I came back from lunch they were waiting in the lobby for me. It’s a little creepy they know where I work.” Two young FBI officers, who Skwerl describes as “Mulder and Scully types,” questioned him for 15 minutes about where he got the tracks and made plans to visit his house at 7:00 a.m. this morning.

“I wasn’t sure if they were going to come by with a warrant and trash the place, like in the movies,” he says. (more…)

Yesterday, Sebastian Bach recalled the smackdown he received from Axl Rose when he dared to suggest Rose nail down a Chinese Democracy release date. Today, the onetime Skid Row frontman has an amazing story about how he nearly got Axl and Slash together — to rock out with Sly Stone:

“I actually talked on the phone to Sly Stone because I always wanted to do obscure covers of Sly Stone songs. I want to do them in the style of ‘Back in the Saddle’ from Angel Down. I had a whole session ready to go. Sly said, ‘I’d love Axl and Slash to come play on this.’ I texted Axl and said, ‘Would you be interested in singing with Sly Stone on some music?’ He goes, ‘Yeah. If this is a real album that Sly’s doing, I will come down there and sing with you guys.’

“I was footing the bill for this session on my own. I had everyone ready to go. At the very last minute my manager calls Sly and says, ‘What’s Sly going to need?’ Sly wanted me to buy him a dog. (more…)

In light of the Guns n’ Roses leak last week — nine tracks that may or may not be the near-final version of Chinese Democracy — Rolling Stone dialed up Axl Rose pal and collaborator Sebastian Bach to gain some insight into where Rose now stands with the extremely delayed LP. For the full story, see the next issue (out later this week). For now, here’s Bach recalling what happened the time he suggested Rose just put out Democracy:

“There’s only a couple of times he’s ever gotten mad at me. One of them was when I let Ron Jeremy in his dressing room. He didn’t like that at all. ‘Why the fuck did you let Ron Jeremy in my dressing room?’ I was like, dude, he was begging. That wasn’t a good time for me. Axl goes from zero to 60 faster than any hemi engine, I’ll tell you that. When we were first hanging out in 2006, we were just standing around a bunch of people. I go, ‘Axl, do you think you might get the record out? It would be a great time, now that we’re on tour and everything.’ He goes, ‘Oh. Great! Everybody! Sebastian has a great idea here, man. Guess what? Sebastian, should I put out a record? Maybe it would be a good idea for me to put out a fucking record! Hey everybody, listen to this! I never thought of that! That never came to me! Oh, great idea dude.’ I felt like Fred Flintstone in Mr. Slate’s office.

“Another thing that I don’t know you’ll ever see is a Axl Rose reality show. (more…)

According to Brazilian newspaper Folha, some formation of Guns n’ Roses will perform live in the South American country later this year. To quote the paper, “As bandas Red Hot Chili Peppers e Guns N’ Roses virão para o Brasil neste ano.” We’re assuming that means Anthony Keidis and Co. will play Brazil too. Exact dates and locations for the supposed Gn’R shows have not been announced. The Folha report comes more than four months after they printed a story in which one concert promoter said there were “good chances” Axl Rose would play there in the third quarter of ‘08. The Brazilian tour plans are just the latest round of rumors surrounding Gn’R. The past month has seen Chinese Democracy supposedly being completed and handed off to the record companies, Rose on the verge of starring in a reality TV show, Gn’R signing with a top management team and Rose thanking Dr. Pepper for their support.

Related Stories:

• Is “Chinese Democracy” Close? Axl Rose Gets Top Management Team
• Axl Rose Thanks Dr. Pepper For Supporting “Chinese Democracy”
• More “Chinese” Water Torture: Guns N’ Roses Album Out in 2008?

[Photo: Getty]