Is Axl Rose a Pepper, too?

In a brilliant PR move from Dr. Pepper, the company recently offered everyone in the U.S. (with the exception of former Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Buckethead) a free Dr. Pepper if the long-gestating "Chinese Democracy" is released this year. the record has been in the works for 17 years and counting.

The release, in part, states: "In an unprecedented show of solidarity with Axl, everyone in America, except estranged GNR guitarists Slash and Buckethead, will receive a free can of Dr Pepper if the album ships some time -- anytime! -- in 2008. Dr Pepper supports Axl, and fully understands that sometimes you have to make it through the jungle before you get it right."

And who knew Axl had a sense of humor? Here's the response, posted on his Web site:

Guns N' Roses
March 26, 2008
Press Release from Axl Regarding Dr Pepper By Axl

We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album "Chinese Democracy," as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him.
Axl Rose

Can't Listen to the Boss? That's a Stabbin'

Not that I condone this reaction, just sayin' I'm a big fan of the boss as well, and this might deserve some sort of pardon...

Woman stabs partner to death after fight over Bruce Springsteen

(CNN) -- An Australian woman pleaded guilty Thursday to fatally stabbing her boyfriend because he objected to her listening to Bruce Springsteen's music.

The national news agency, Australian Associated Press, reported that the Supreme Court in the city of Brisbane sentenced Karen Lee Cooper to eight years in prison.

Cooper told arresting officers she "just got tired" of her boyfriend, Kevin Watson, bossing her around during their two-year relationship.

"I couldn't even play Bruce Springsteen on my stereo. Can you believe that? Can you believe that?" Cooper told police, according to the Courier Mail newspaper.

Later, in a formal police interview, she repeated her claims: "I mean, who doesn't like Bruce Springsteen? I am 49 years old and I want to play my own music."
Springsteen is an award-winning American singer-songwriter, best known for his lyrics about the struggles of the common man.

The couple had been drinking at their rental home the night of the stabbing two years ago when they began arguing over Cooper's choice of music, the Australian Associated Press said.
Cooper's lawyer told the court she experienced a "brain snap." She ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed Watson, 49, after he said he didn't want her to listen to a Springsteen CD, the newspaper said.

Cooper took a handful of pills before calling police. She told officers she hoped the pills would kill her before they arrived.

According to the press reports, Cooper regretted the stabbing and did not think her boyfriend deserved to die.

Again, not condoning her reaction, I'll just ask the question we're all thinking: why would you want someone to turn off Bruce Springsteen?

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

So last night VH1 (or more likely VH1 classic) aired the latest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony... and I watched Jon & Kate Plus 8 which some how seemed much more rock and roll than the bloated RnR rubber chicken dinner (let's put on tuxes and sit at assigned tables! Rawk on!!!)

I'm not even going to bother to list the inductees, because Johnnie Cougar is the only one that really mattered this year.

Which brings me to the (only) greatest moment in Rock& Roll Hall of Fame history, when they tried to encase the Sex Pistols. Johnnie Rotten (aka John Lydon) may be the biggest ass in music history (and I'm including the Oasis brothers), but he was the first and only to give the appropriate response when the folks at the Hall of Fame knocked on his door.

"Next to the SEX PISTOLS rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain," said a statement the band sent to media. "Your museum. Urine in wine. Were (sic) not coming. Were (sic) not your monkey and so what?"

The band also rightly pointed out that folks had to shell out $25,000 for a table, "or $15,000 to squeak up in the gallery."

"Your (sic) not paying attention. Outside the shit-stem is a real SEX PISTOL."

Here's a link to the full statement, psychotic handwriting and typos included.