Merck writes into Q magazine

[kevdo242]

The October issue of Q magazine featured an article on Chinese Democracy.  I havent read that article but I get the impression that it was negative towards Axl and Chinese Democracy.

In the November issue, Merck Mercuriadis wrote into Q magazine defending Axl and Chinese Democracy.  Heres the letter:

Dear Q
Re: Guns N' Roses

I find it remarkable that Q has chosen to run an article on the making of the forthcoming Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy without bothering to talk to anyone who has actually been involved in its making.  You quote five people on the record all of whom, with the exception of Tom Zutaut, have been out of the picture for between six and nine years and, like the author of your article, have never even heard the album.  Tom Zutaut himself has not been involved for three years and has heard virtually none of the actual record.  As one of the few people involved in the making of the record, I can tell your readers that W Axl Rose is not interested in fame, money, popularity or what Q might think of him.  His only interest is making the best album he is capable of so that it can have a positive effect in 2005 on people who are enthusiasts of music and interested in Guns N' Roses.  His artistic integrity is such that he has chosen to do so without compromise at great personal sacrifice which makes him a soft target for the sort of rubbish you have chosen to print.  I believe he will have the last laugh.

Merck Mercuriadis, Chief Executive Officer,  The Sanctuary Group.

[Rockin' Rose]

Looks like the same response Merck sent to NY Times

[Pingouirose]

Because it was perhaps the same article found in NY Times 

[kevdo242]

Well, I'm sorry for posting something to discuss.  (sarcasm)

How was I supposed to know that he sent a response to NY Times?  I don't read every single topic here.  So don't start fucking moaning about the post.  You don't have to reply or even read it.

[Rockin' Rose]

Sorry kevdo if you got the impression that I was insulting you somehow.

I just find it a bit strange that Merck used the same response and that there's still the 2005 comment...

[Christos AG]

Well, I'm sorry for posting something to discuss.? (sarcasm)

How was I supposed to know that he sent a response to NY Times?? I don't read every single topic here.? So don't start fucking moaning about the post.? You don't have to reply or even read it.

Is this the exact letter that was written in Q magazine for November?

Cause if it is so, then people in here should be more than happy...

"rubbish" is a word Merck uses a lot...

[Christos AG]

Mysteron if you're reading, can you confirm this?

[Pingouirose]

kevdo242 : thanks for posting this, my laughs were for Merck answer 

[AxlFink]

what i find the most interesting is that CD has been recorded in the past 3 years since Tom Zutaut has not heard any of the actual recording.  Not sure if anyone brought that up during the times artice though.

[Mysteron]

Mysteron if you're reading, can you confirm this?

Confirmed

[Christos AG]

Mysteron if you're reading, can you confirm this?

Confirmed

So, Merck still believes in a 2005 release.

Damn, this makes me really happy... 

[John Daniels]

how it could be out in 2005? three months to go and even promotion hasn't started. can you make a good pr within 1-2 months and then the album out in december. has it even happened this way ever?

[Christos AG]

how it could be out in 2005? three months to go and even promotion hasn't started. can you make a good pr within 1-2 months and then the album out in december. has it even happened this way ever?

I don't think they'll give interviews to every magazine in the world. They'll choose the most important, and that will create a buzz in the industry.

one month is enough for that. And it could still be released in December, however I don't think it will happen, I'm just happy cause I think we're not so far away from getting the album...

[Saul]

Promotion?

I dont care if axl hand delivers them to stores at midnight the night before the release day without telling anyone , just the fact that the album will be in stores is enough for me.

I want MY copy , fuck the rest. 

I think if a release date is announced music outlets all over will pick up the story and run with it , promotion enough. 

Chinese Democracy Promotion starts now!

[Christos AG]

Promotion?

I dont care if axl hand delivers them to stores at midnight the night before the release day without telling anyone , just the fact that the album will be in stores is enough for me.

I want MY copy , fuck the rest.?

And mine...   

I think if a release date is announced music outlets all over will pick up the story and run with it , promotion enough.?

Exactly, it's Guns N' Fuckin Roses... It will spread in 2 hours...

Chinese Democracy Promotion starts now!

You just can't stop this, can you?   

[Mysteron]

From what Merck is saying, I don't think he has re-sent the response himself. I think Jeff Leeds gave Q his article and Merck's response from ages ago

[conny]

If only the management's communication with the fans was as good as it is with the press...

[Sterlingdog]

From what Merck is saying, I don't think he has re-sent the response himself. I think Jeff Leeds gave Q his article and Merck's response from ages ago

If that's the case, then Q took it upon themselves to edit the response and change NY times to Q.  Maybe they did, but don't they need some sort of permission to do that?

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

From what Merck is saying, I don't think he has re-sent the response himself. I think Jeff Leeds gave Q his article and Merck's response from ages ago

If so and Q has published the Merck response to make it appear that its a response to Q, that's just pathetic.

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

what i find the most interesting is that CD has been recorded in the past 3 years since Tom Zutaut has not heard any of the actual recording.? Not sure if anyone brought that up during the times artice though.

was that in the letter to the NY Times?

We can't take that to mean that "Chinese Democracy" the album won't contain "Chinese Democracy" the song!  We'd have to reason that even though "Chinese Democracy" was  performed live in 2001 and 2002, Tom Zutaut had not heard a studio recording of it (or of any of the other songs we heard live that may have been recorded for CD).  Does that work?