Here Today... Gone To Hell!

There's an image of the red hand cover floating around a couple of sites,

Fan made?

Thoughts?

Where is that picture from?

It does seem like it would be a fruitless, tiresome, and unfulfilling process for someone to go through to create a fake alternative cover.  Then again, this is Guns N' Roses so anything is possible.  I recall the fake Rock Band setlists and screen shots.  Some people have way too much time on their hands.  Either that or they're way too talented and should be putting their abilities to better use.

Didn't someone post pics of yet another cover a while back. I think it was like an amusment park or something. I can't really remember.



 :peace:

I liked the amusement park cover =P


This pic, according to someone in another forum, is from someone selling the CD on ebay or something... if it's fake, I don't know... some people do have A LOT of time on their hands...

On another note, does anyone know chinese?  :hihi: I' ve always wanted to know what is written there on the side... ::)

I think someone did transcribe some of the chinese writing over at www.gnrevolution.com awhile back.  I'll see if I could dig that up.

On the actual Best Buy bought/ordered copies, the sticker is attached to the shrink wrap.

There seems to be no shrink wrap present on that album.


Best Buy only sells one version (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9111016&st=chinese+democracy&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1925065) of the album (the one we all have).


/jarmo

A good friend of mine saw this cover at a record store a few months ago.

Really? With the Best Buy sticker and all?



It's not out at Best Buy. That's a fact.




/jarmo

Which forum? Who posted this and what he (she) said?

sorry folks, looks like a load of BS after all

and the drama goes on while Ill listen to the music! :P

http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=5557&p=2

Posted by Dreamline
Heh.  Sorry guys.  I had planned to do thread about it and got sidetracked somewhere.

I'm fluent in Japanese, not Chinese.  Japanese uses many of the same characters and variations of characters that Chinese does, but obviously it's not the same language.  So this is based on my knowledge of Chinese characters, some internet research, and also from talking to a Chinese translator that works at my company.

I should figure out a better layout for this, but anyway...

Page 5:

First 2 are "dream", second 2 are "street".  "Street of Dreams"

Page 6:

"China's democratic (political) system."  I didn't notice this myself, but my Japanese GF said that this is crappy caligraphy - the individual characters are not well-balanced.  She says it looks like someone who doesn't know Chinese wrote it while looking at something.  Take that for what it's worth.

Page 9:

Had to look this one up.  "To scrape"

Page 10-11 (both the same):

Chinese Democracy.  Technically, I think it says China Democracy, but don't quote me on that.

Page 14:

The character for "Yuan", I think, which is the currency of China.  Can also mean "money", which explains its use on the IRS lyrics page.

Page 15:
(The image I had was shitty)
Madagascar

Page 16:

The character for "love".  Appropriate, but translating it to "This I Love" is a stretch IMO.

And finally...the bottom of the new logo:

"Democracy"

And the spine of the jewel case:

Guns and Roses.

This is interesting though.  It does say "Guns n' Roses," but I think it's "wrong."  I made this image to show how I think the band name is actually written in China:

Basically, the 2nd character is different, but both mean "and."  However, this version gets about 87,200 hits on Google, while the album version gets only around 7,500 hits.  When I first started translating these - back before the album release when we only had the leaked liner notes, I believe there were even less hits.  Incidentally, the online translator Bablefish spits out the version that is on the CD jacket.

I don't think it had the sticker, I'll ask him next time I see him.  It was in the used section he said.

We both deduced that it was probably a fake, he's a pretty diehard fan too.  But it was strange to see it, nonetheless.

That cover is the same one they used in the ad for Rock Band 2 for the D/L of CD.

(http://f.imagehost.org/0167/gnr_different_cover_art.jpg)

Look at the spine.
Here is a comparison of the spine on the copies of CD that we all have
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG2.jpg)

and the spine of the new disc.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG1.jpg)

Can anyone shed some light on this?

I wouldn't be calling fake so fast - you may end up looking foolish.

I wasn't calling it fake (I deleted that post cause it's not my job to manage the boards), I was only pointing out that there was already a thread to discuss it.

Oh sorry - I didn't see that when I posted. Merge away  : ok:

Nice try, I can see several mistakes you made...

 ???

What an inexplicable post. Really.

1. Who are you responding to?
2. What are the mistakes?

There's no cd with that cover on sale at Best Buy.

That's a fact and makes this a fake.



The art itself isn't fake. It's a painting by Shi Lifeng (http://soemo-fine-arts.com/artist?id=743).




/jarmo

Look at the spine.
Here is a comparison of the spine on the copies of CD that we all have
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG2.jpg)

and the spine of the new disc.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG1.jpg)

What say you to this?

I don't speak that particular language.



I would like to hear the story behind this cd.

Where did it come from?






/jarmo

you can see where the sticker has been peeled away at the top left corner and re-used on this jewel case

It's the same cover being used for the CD guitar book.

AC

so it is  http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=guns+roses+chinese&x=11&y=14 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=guns+roses+chinese&x=11&y=14)

(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q63/wadey9/51VtfeZD7IL__SL160_AA115_.jpg)

I don't get it. Why would Axl & Company re-release CD again with a different cover???? ???

They're being posted on another forum...maybe that's why you don't have an answer.

The theory there: this alternative cover would come from the first batch of CDs from Best Buy with different covers that got scraped before the album release. That would explain the Best Buy stuff.

Also, the guy claimed this copy is on ebay or something and then another guy said he has it already (and posted this Chinese Democract lyrics to prove).

This is a combination of the chinese characters. The original one is Guns N' Roses and the "new" one is "China Democracy" or "Chinese Democracy". Wouldn't be that hard to put the two togheter because its on the original booklet.

I agree it kind of appears that way, BUT I don't know that it's too easy to peel off those stickers that easily.  I could be wrong, but I saw the 2 copies at Newbury Comics and the stickers were still on the disc, just torn to pieces so you could read it clearly.  If it was so easy to peel off I'm sure they would've peeled the thing off instead of scratching parts of it off so you couldn't read any of it.

The question remains though, where did this come from?  Who has it?  How'd they get it?  If that is, they didn't create it themselves.  And I'm not looking for the answer, "someone from another forum."

Thank you very much!!!
Haha. ;D

What I was getting at was...they are being posted on another forum.  I don't think anyone here knows.  If I'm wrong, someone share. :)

Why bother trying to peel off the sticker when you could just swap the whole jewel case?

This sticker discussion is irrelevant.  :) :)

The sticker is on the shrink wrap on most cds....



Why not share information with us since you seem to know all about it?



/jarmo

Any additional scans will get removed. Don't bother posting.

If you want to get all their surprises ruined in advance, don't expect me to help.



/jarmo

I can understand removing any additional scans since the argument could be made that this is a bootleg copy of an official item, possibly made for profit.  But I don't get the part where you are talking about surprises.  Are you implying that it is official and someone got their hands on an advance copy (and stupidly placed a Bestbuy sticker on the front of the case)?  Just curious, not trying to be a jerk.

I'm not sure what to think of it.

If it's a fake, then it shouldn't be posted because of that reason alone.

If it's real, then it shouldn't be posted because it's not out.


Just like the leaks ruined a lot of surprises for a lot of people, that kind of scans could do the same thing.

I'm not gonna have them posted and then find out they were the real thing.





/jarmo

Maybe Del can give us an answer? 

OK ladies and gents,

to further whet your appetites!

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/Capture.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG23.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/Gavgnr/CaptureJPG22.jpg)



BTW looks like new vinyl is coming too!!

I know some artists have had different covers before I don't understand the point, unless there is extra's involved or something?

One member of another forum claims to have this album and claims that there are different photo's etc in the booklet.

I was wondering why the guitar tab book was on amazon and the alternative cover versions weren't if they were both supposedly coming out?  Well, that takes care of that.  No date for the alt. versions though.

Originally, Best Buy had 3 covers listed.  They were removed (and people who pre-ordered were compensated)

From what Axl has said, the booklet that came with the CD originally was not approved and was a draft copy.  It was rushed out the door.  I think the other 3 covers are now coming out! ;D  Course, I had the money THEN and don't have it NOW, dammit!

As for why.....if this album isn't a collectors item in the making, I don't know WHAT is.

On Amazon.com usa it says will ship in 1-3 weeks for each of the alternate covers. 

Yeah but it doesn't give a release date.  I'm not sure I'd make too much of that.  Although feel free to order it and see what happens and let me know.  But amazon has posted Chinese Democracy many times in the past that never came to frution, right?  I think these will come out, that's the way I'm leaning.  But until we get a firm date I wouldn't get too excited.

I ordered it and it says it is expected to arrive July 2.  If that is the case a June 30th release date along with the guitar tab books seems reasonable.

Just in case anyone hasnt seen this already, its from the Axl chats. 

It does make sense since back in october 3 covers were originally being marketed. some new artwork can be seen online on various websites..looks very cool........

Nice, hope you/we all get it by then.  Mostly, I hope if it is available by then it gets a more significant push than the original release got.  Fingers crossed.

So you think some where, somebody in the GNR camp is going "god damn it"?

Somebody who would love to get excited with us and tell us all about it but can't because of some contract out there that says someone else gets to put this out there first?

Only way I'm buying the album again (5th copy) is if there's a corrected vinyl coming out.

It is unfortunate that everyone wants to be 'the spoiler'.  Does it give you bragging rights, to be the first to undercut what may or may not be the bands plans?  Does anyone consider the damage it may do to leak songs, artwork, etc - perhaps even cause plans to change?  I hope this is fake...
 :no:

Someone told me it does fuck stuff up and underminds what the band is planning and things have been changed because of leaks.  They didn't explain and I didn't ask.

Reminder it was the FBI that went after that one guy and not the band.  They've joined in the discussion of why it's wrong but I don't recall the band ever going after anybody.  Not to say that couldn't change but I admire their patience with us.

Just so you're aware, Neemo over at www.gnrevolution.com e-mailed Amazon Canada (not sure if the US would have a leg up on Canada, the UK, etc.) to ask them about the items and this is how they responded.

i have a question regarding 2 items on for sale on your site

Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy (Cover B) (Bb) [Import]
Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy (Cover C) (Bb) [Import]

do you know when these will be coming out? and what does "Bb" stand for?




Thank you for writing to us at Amazon.ca. I understand that you wish to know the meaning of Bb for the items. I've tried researching all possible resources available to me and was unable to find the answer to your question. Our information is limited to what the publishers and manufacturers supply to us; this information appears on our website. Our editorial staff is working to improve the information we provide about each item. Also I have checked our website and found that these items are listed on our web site as "Currently unavailable."  At this time, we don't know when or if we will have copies of this item available for purchase. Therefore, we are not accepting any orders. If we learn that the item is available again, we will update its page on our web site.

Bb = Best Buy, I bet.

I think this is a big misunderstood from Amazon. They still have the old index database of Best Buy from November with the shelved covers.

If I remember correctly, the Aa and Bb and Cc were the codes used for the vinyl versions of the (then) three covers.

I agree with you my dear friend Bruno!

But it?d be awesome if GnR released 2 new covers!
Of course I?d buy all of them.

Maybe one "Ultra Collector?s Edition" with a DVD full of backstage videos from GnR '06/7 tour and some videos from the concerts too.
 ;D
Dream on!  ;D

Actually Bb is listed for all 3 covers, on Amazon at least.  But, if those 2 alternates actually exist is what's up for debate.  But the original ONE that is out available at Best Buy right now IS listed as Bb on Amazon so I'm assuming that does stand for Best Buy.

You're right.  I stand corrected.

I checked my original order confirmation from Bestbuy that (at the time) was for all six versions (three cd versions with matching three vinyl versions).  They do read COVER A (Bb), COVER A (Bb) VINYL, COVER B (Bb), COVER B (Bb) VINYL, COVER C (Bb), COVER C (Bb) VINYL.

if those have the proper booklet without all those errors it would be nice.
but re-releasing albums only with different covers is not something i'd consider from big value for peoples' motivation of re-buying it. thats not the only target off course. but some bonus (special tracks, demo-, live-songs, dvds etc.) would be more understandable.

Has anything substantial really been leaked though? All we've seen is a scan of the chinese democracy artwork which has yet to be determined as real, and a sales listing on Amazon.

so these 2 combos are coming now?  :D
the red hand one and the other with How Are You Grenede?

(http://i40.tinypic.com/2zfsr5j.jpg)

Was the amusement park cover a fake, or just been scrapped?

that was fan made, mate.

Damn, I really liked it.

The amusement park picture was made by the same guy who did the hand with the crawling hands and the star on the back of the album.  My friend just slapped the "Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy" thing on the side.

That would be such a cool cover.

i saw this cd at amoeba for a $100.00. its real. they got a whole box of them in the back. & people wonder why independent record stores go out of business.

I call bullshit



and exactly how do you (and nobody else) know they got a whole box of them in the back?  ::)

What the hell is on the CD if it's $100?  Guide to the eternal fountain of youth?

Pics/video or we won't believe you.

What's up dude!  The man you call the Mean Machine has seen that CD at Amoeba.  ( I referenced this earlier.)

Connect the dots for me here.

I thought indie record stores were going out of business because they can't compete with the prices of the big box chains and the internet.

What are you trying to say?

I remember you did bring that up before.  Is the booklet the same inside?  Just a different cover?  Same content on the CD I presume?  Is the Mean Machine to be believed?

So we're doing it like apetite now? :hihi:

it's on the wall marked as a promo. i really dont give a fuck what you believe or dont. i asked them about it & the guy working there told me they have a whole box of promo cd's in the back. my point of indie cd shops over charging for new cds is 1 thing, but trying 2 rape someone for a promo cd that will be out shortly is another. this is the same store that sells chinese democracy box set for $130.00. but back to the cd. it is there at the hollywood store. u are more than welcome to spend $100.00 on it. i can wait.

Just spoke to the dope employee at Amoeba. He said "He's seen that cover on the wall before but its not there anymore."

Who knows if hes telling the truth, he sounded clueless.

So they're really selling for $100?  That's utterly ridiculous.

That's like $7 for Riad N' the Bedouins.

The Mean Machine did not purchase it.  All he said was the cover was different (the red hand).  Same exact songs, no bonus tracks.  We look for it every time we go record shopping, but we haven't seen it lately.  Also, we haven't gone record shopping for two weeks so maybe next time it might pop up again. 

Juggalo is legit.  I'll take his word for it unless the president of Amoeba comes to my house and personally tells me he is making shit up.  This story isn't too far-fetched.  This same record store sells the orange Spaghetti Incident? vinyl for $50. 

i was there tonight. they didnt have cd up on the wall any more, but they did have si for $50.00 bucks & aold axl poster for $50.00  also. god that place is a rip off. they also had the misfits ?12 hits from hell? cd for $ 250.00. what a joke!

Who'd pay $250 for the Misfits when we can hear Duff singing "Attitude" lol.

Anyone know if the story at gnrdaily is reputable or just another BS rumor?

Axl did say he wanted to put out a new version so who knows??

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=55296.msg1145336#msg1145336

That's been the rumor of the week.  As far as I know, it hasn't been confirmed or denied to this point so at this time it's still just a rumor.

Probably just fixing the mistake that was made in the beginning and has nothing to do with a re-release or any real push of this cd.  This is just too fucked up to fix and a waste of time to be working behind the cd.  It's time to tour, past time to tour.  It's time to have a good time.

For what it's worth, I spoke to the Geffen rep that I know earlier this week, and she didn't know anything about a re-release. Not to say that one isn't happening, as she's more on the pop/Top 40 side of things, but she hasn't heard of anything just yet.

That's not a price I'd want to pay personally, but that 12 Hits from Hell was quickly discontinued & not available elsewhere.

I've seen links to the pics of the inner booklet w/ song lyrics posted. I assume its BS fan made.

i have 12 hits from hell. i even got danzig to sign it for me. he was really cool & explained the whole story of why it didnt come out. anyway its the best misfits album ever. its ashame that they wont release it. & i paid $10 bucks for it.

So prolly it's not a re release but the same stuff fear the juggalo 2 and Bank of America's friend saw at Amoeba.

Depending on if the pictures of the new booklet are real, I guess.

Like I said, she deals more with Top 40 radio than anything else. She's a fan, though - and likes the album.

If I remember correctly, I talked to her right after the listings for CD popped up on Best Buy's website, and she still wasn't sure of the release at that point. She's on the road a lot though, so it could have easily went under her radar. Basically, she pops in every few weeks and we chat for a few minutes. I'll try to find out more the next time she's in. I'd imagine next month at some point. She might know more about it then.

but if there were re releases in july wouldn't that be news? Or at least jarmo would know.

I wonder how they got them at Amoeba Records?  Looks like they are quite rare though, so I guess that's the reason for the $100 price tag.  I wonder how many they've sold to date?  I'd imagine more now that the story is a little clearer on where these came from.  Quite the collector's item as long as they stay limited in availability.