To write these e-mails is to assume the new GNR guitarists want the cover and cant get it, of which theres no evidence.? When the time is right, and if theye interested, GNRs promotion team will contact these magazines and make the deals - thats how it works.
Nah, not with GNR. The media begs, whines, pleads and harasses, and eventually somebody at the label may respond to the 'majors', but just consumer/music press. They may get around to responding to specialty mags eventually. (With most platinum bands, the media approaches the label, the label picks the ones they want, unless the label is throwing a ton of money into the pot and and they hire an contract publicist for that purpose).
However, GNR is certainly not on the media radar anymore aside from the diehards like MTV (I assume) and the the tabloid interest generated by fights with Tommy Hilfiger. I'm surprised how little they care. It's a far cry from just a few years ago when everybody was clamoring for news. A couple of years after the failed US tour, it just evaporated. Axl (the high profile guy) doesn't even rate a mention on the GQ cover for an in depth story.
As for Total Guitar, yes, the editors, who probably like the rest of the real world never venture on this board, really wouldn't know what was up with the band. People here don't realize how little of this info is front and center in the aforementioned real world. The common response is, 'GN'R? They're still around?' with a puzzled look. The mag certainly wouldn't automatically expect their readership to care. The really do need the nudge.
And sending letters to media, pubishers, radio, promoters, retailers, etc, and even the label always works wonders (especially if a) it doesn't look like somebody organized the interest by posting the address on a fan board, or b) it's obvious it's from a fan board, but it's a strong (overwhelming, even) response. (Any media types feel free to correct me if I'm wrong re: the latter).
Sending letters to management does nothing.
Oh wait, that's not true... it annoys them!