Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Anyone know what happened to the stuff Kevin Lawerence said he was gonna put out?  The RapidFire website (RapidFire1983.com) isn't up anymore either.

I emailed their myspace page a while ago and they told me they were hoping it would be out around 6 months from then but it never happened.

I have sent another couple of emails to them since but never got a reply and the myspace page hasn't been updated in a long time


 :peace:

Such a tease.  Lawerence talks about how he's gonna put out that stuff 2 years ago and now he's gone.  I was really interested in hearing the stuff.

I don't think it was a tease more so Axl's lawyers.

Of course... I was just saying that it's a tease to know the material is out there and we can't hear it.

"Rare Axl Rose (GUNS N' ROSES) recordings made while he was a member of the early '80s band RAPIDFIRE will be made available to the public despite Axl's objections to their commercial release, according to former RAPIDFIRE guitarist Kevin Lawrence.

The tapes, which were purportedly recorded in May 1983, have been in storage in the original eight-track format for more than 20 years. The songs featured on the tape are as follows:

01. Ready to Rumble
02. All Night Long
03. The Prowler
04. On the Run
05. Closure

RAPIDFIRE's lineup was as follows:

Axl Rose - Vocals
Kevin Lawrence - Guitar
Mike Hammernik - Bass
Chuck Gordon ? Drums

According to Lawrence, Axl's voice on the RAPIDFIRE recording sounds a bit "more Rob Halford"-ish compared to his vocals on "Appetite for Destruction". In addition, the CD's packaging will reportedly include "plenty of pre-tattoo Axl pictures."

Regarding the CD's delay, Lawrence writes, "My attorney has been working with Axl's attorney for some time now trying to come out with a way to release these demos which is acceptible to Axl. Regardless, though, of what he wants, the law states that I can release these at any time and have the full legal right to do so. Because at one time (and if I ever spoke to him now) I considered Axl a friend, I am trying to work beyond the scope of my legal rights with him, out of my respect and admiration for him. Regardless, though, if in the future he chooses not to cooperate, the CD will come out commercially. Once again I am sorry to all of you for the delay, but the legal process moves very slowly.""

------------------------------------------------------------

this was  the latest update from KEVIN L. in May 2007. whatever happened is speculation right now. facts are the rapidfire website and Kevin's email account aint working anymore and we didnt get any updates for about a year.

so things dont look good for a release from those demos....

CHINESE DEMOCRACY > anything rapidfire did/does/doing............whatever

I'm really interesting in hear this material... Hollywood Rose demos sounded  NWOBHM for me, also chris weber said that... n' this guy lawrence said that Axl voice sounds more like Halford... seems to be a metal band... the name n' also their looks... it's a shame can't hear this material  :no:

indeed it was a metal band

No they don't. Also, he can say what he will about releasing those recordings. And yes, it's probably true, Axl wouldn't have a leg to stand on legally. However, he has the money the keep that dude tied up in court and can outspend him. At some point, it's just not worth the legal hassle to deal with someone who's richer than you are.

I love the HR stuff and can only imagine what Rapidfire sounds like.  C'mon Kevin Lawerence.  If you read this board... just send me a couple snippets.  Hell, I'd be happy with a :10 hook from each song just to wet my appetite. 

update:

"In Los Angeles in May 1983 a little known band called Rapidfire made a demo. It was Bill Bailey's first time in a recording studio. He ROCKED the house! Who would have known that he would become one of Rock's biggest stars? Well... here we have the first ever, unreleased recordings of that band, with it's then undiscovered singer who now goes by the name of Axl Rose (R). Five unreleased songs featuring one of Rock's biggest stars at the begining and most pristine time of his career. The vocals are AMAZING!

Interested in buying these recordings, photos, and the associated copyrights? Contact the Attorney dealing with these incredible pieces of undiscovered Rock History, and own them!"

http://rapidfire1983.com/


up for sale!!  :o

This item is not directly up for sale. It was a route that he was thinking about taking but not sure.

If he does take it you're looking to spend a shit load of money ($20+ Thousand) for the rights and then Kevin wants compensation. Then they want to meet you and discuss your intentions with the items and stuff.


But apparently according to his attorney that idea is over with.

A clip was posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLQGLEdmILU It's badass!

Yeah it is! Welcome to the board dude!

The whole story... as told by Lawrence's attorney.
http://www.rapidfire1983.com/Rapidfire-Recordings-Web1.pdf

on may 25, 2013 this info got out:

Thirty years ago today, Kevin Lawrence went into the studio with Axl Rose, Mike Hamernik and Chuck Gordon.  They recorded five songs.  As all of you know, none of them have ever been released to the public.  Although nothing has changed in this regard, I can see no harm in posting a small sample of the opening track.  So many people continue to express their interest in the Rapidfire Recordings, it seems like a good way to satisfy everyone's curiosity and to mark this anniversary.
 
Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck06IJNewI0&feature=youtu.be
 
Joshua Solomon
joshua@rapidfire1983.com

----------------------------------------------------
^^this is the first proven official audioclip from these 30 year old demo sessions  :beer:

Hi guys! Hahah.

A.

Hey man!

H.

Would really like the hear this at a point. The sample sounds great.

Translashon: OMAGAD, GIEV!!! :hihi: k'thx


Thanks for this, wonder what the pimpmaster thinks.

there are 2x recent official updates regarding the Rapidfire recordings/release:



"So today I bring bad news. The Rapidfire Attorney and my Brother and Best Friend, was found dead hanging in his home from a suicide. This only increases my resolve to get you fans the recordings out ASAP in his honour. I will work harder than ever to deal with Mr. Rose and his never ending legal harassment. I know my rights. I own, wrote, paid for, played on and produced this CD. Mr. Rose and his attorneys knoew that they have NO BASIS WHATSOEVER to stop the release for you fans but he can harass and harass me. At this point I have nothing to lose and have already began scouting artists for the CD 6 panel cover as well as getting ready for a final mix and mastering. This MAJOR setback just fires me up to release these songs in Joshua's honour. I have every legal t crossed and i dotted. I will keep you all posted as well as share the letters between his camp and me. Get Ready To Rumble in 2014. Thank you Josh for putting up with over 10 years of harassment and threats from Axl's camp even though they are well aware that they don't have a legal leg to stand on. The most dangerous part.... I KNOW they dont have a legal leg to stand on. Everything Rapidfire is owned by me, all the songs, performances and masters. Mr. Rose and his attorneys can try to mess with me all they want. I do NOT scare easily and I have nothing to lose. Lets ROCK.... for Josh...... I love you my Brother..... Kev."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"The release of the "Ready To Rumble" CD in 2014 will be stopped over MY dead body and since Josh is gone via suicide, PARTIALLY FROM DEALING WITH TEN YEARS OF THIS HARASSMENT AND CRAP FROM AXL?s CAMP??. IT?S ON??AND FAN SUPPORT VIA LETTERS WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL AND APPRECIATED. Mail a letter TO AXL?S ATTORNEYS AND SEND ME A COPY AT KEVIN@RAPIDFIRE.COM in order to express your demand and desire, as fans of Axl who want to hear his earliest ever recordings, from his first time in a recording studio, when he was still an untattooed "Bill Bailey? fresh off the bus. PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES and write these letters from every country around the world that you "DEMAND AN END TO THE HARASSMENT AND THAT YOU WANT TO HEAR THE EARLIEST RECORDED PART OF THE HISTORY OF AXL?S CAREER. THESE RECORDINGS, PHOTOS, AND FLYERS WHICH ARE A PART OF HISTORY THAT DESERVE TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. Please tell Douglass S. Mark Esq, AND AXL, that you WANT YOUR RAPIDFIRE CD, AND TO STOP HARASSING THOSE WHO, WITHIN THE FULL CONTEXT AND EXTENT OF THE LAW, SPECIFICALLY COPYRIGHT LAW, PLAN TO RELEASE THE RAPIDFIRE CD WITH BILL BAILEY ON VOCALS.

His address is:

Axl Rose c/o
Douglas S. Mark Esq.
Mark Music & Media Law, P.C.
120 El Camino Dr., Suite 104
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

So hopefully Axl and his million dollar bully lawyers do not interfere with the 100% LEGAL release of this CD. BTW Everyone including Axl gets paid per CD. Im sure Axl doesn't care, but this is a 100% legit project that in my personal opinion we have tried too hard and waited too long for a way to "appease and please" Axl. Josh worked slower than I do personally, and in his attempt to "appease" Axl and a female friend of Josh, Axl and Slash?s, that it has taken over 10 years to get to where we are. The material is 100% legally mine to release, sounds great, and I own all the government form copyrights, master tapes and actually have the receipt with my name as the one who paid for the recordings. Axl can frivolously sue me into oblivion, or not, I don't care. I have nothing to lose. Im releasing it. So fire up, please send your letters to Axl c/o Douglas S. Mark, Esq., and lets get this going once and for all. Rapidfire needs fan support to show the desire for this to be released.

Do you know we got over 80,000 hits on the UNANNOUNCED sample of Ready To Rumble, until Axl's lawyer bullies filed an ILLEGAL copyright infringement with You Tube? As Josh put it in his letter to Douglas S. Mark, Esq., Axl's attorney that filing ILLEGAL copyright infringement was, to quote Josh's letter "Arguably, it was even a violation of 17 USC ? 506 ?." All we had to do is show You Tube the copyrights of which I have for every song, and it went right back up. It seems that these lawyers will pull any stunt legal or illegal to stop me. IT WON'T WORK. THE ALBUM IS COMING OUT.

I look forward to your fan support. Thank you for reading.... if ya did?

Kevin Lawrence"

I've just downloaded and listened to this collection of songs and they are brilliant. You'd recognise Axl's voice alright but it is in a lower register. 'Closure' is a nice ballad and sounds more like the Axl voice we're used to. Thanks for getting it out there. Amazing

Hearing closure for The first time right now... Really nice. But, is it Axl singing on the entire song?

-Eirik

Downloaded and had a listen of this last night.  Been very behind of all things GN'R and finding that this was available was a nice surprise.  Downloaded it to my Amazon Prime music account and, being a Prime member, it was free.  No mistaking Axl's voice at all and it still sounds really good in the lower key.  Decent sound, very raw, not bad to listen to.

I just read that Kevin Lawrence died...
May he rest in peace and a big thank you for giving us those recordings.

any chance to upload and post here?  :-\

You can find this on various torrent site I suppose.

thanks, I found it  ;D