GNR Article in New Issue of Spin Magazine - About Buckethead's Departure

I recently received the new issue of Spin in the mail (I'm halfway through with a free twelve month subscription to it), and I was pleasantly surprised to see a GNR related article in the news section.

I don't currently have a scanner, but the article is rather short, so I'll just type it out:

Axl Kicks the Bucket
Guns N' Roses frontman attacks Buckethead, lacks self-awareness

Full-time recluse and part-time musician Axl Rose recently added another hat to his bandana-clad dome: band publicist. In a terse press release, the 42-year-old Rose wrote that Guns N' Roses would be canceling their May 30th headlining slot at the Rock in Rio festival. And he blamed his KFC-loving, hockey mask-wearing former guitarist, Buckethead.

"During his tenure with the band, Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and commitment," wrote Rose, "making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals, and live plans."

Guns N' Roses were set to take the stage for the first time since 2002's North American tour ended in chaos, with Rose reportedly needing a psychiatrist to coax him onstage. He also ditched several confirmed dates (leading to a riot in Vancouver) and offered incoherent tirades in New York City, where the tour ended prematurely. But according to Rose, the group's real problem was that one of their key players in their revamped lineup has been wasting time and plotting ways to boost his solo career. "It appears [Buckethead's] plans were to secure a contract with Sanctuary Records...quit GN'R, and...immediately promote his individual efforts. Nice guy!"

Those who know Rose remain mum on the matter (former guitarist Slash and current bassist Tommy Stinson refused comment). But Buckethead's manager, David Lefkowitz, defended his famously silent client. "Bucket doesn't speak to the press," Lefkowitz says. "But needless to say, Rose's accusations are false - and wrong. And with all the drama surrounding this matter, I'd better leave it at that."

Rose concluded with a mention of GN'R's Chinese Democracy album, which has been delayed for seven years. "Guns will be moving forward," he promised. "We hope to announce a release date within the next few months." In other words, we'll need a little (more) patience.

- James Montgomery

Now, the main reason why I thought that this was worth posting, was for the fact that not only did Buckethead's manager actually speak out within the context of the article, but he also denied the accusations that Axl made about Buckethead, in his press release. I remember how a lot of people were saying that since Buckethead and his camp had yet to say anything about those claims, that they must have been acknowledging that they were true, well...this certainly makes it a bit more interesting, I think.