Dr. Pepper's Chinese Democracy press release

[Verse Chorus Verse]

someone mentioned, that this dr pepper campaign leaked too early? maybe it was indeed planned as a fools day joke initially?

Can we please stop rehashing this?

[BMo13]

I'm just hoping that Axl and the record company realize that this is the time to get shit going (assuming of course everything is ready for the album to be released).  They shouldn't worry about what time of year is "best" to release albums and all of that jazz, just release the thing as quickly as possible! I mean you have this unexpected (and free) Dr. Pepper promotion that seems to have built quite a bit of interest, The name Chinese Democracy which would fit in with all of the talks about the Olympics, Tibet, etc...If promotion is the main worry of the powers that be concerning the album's release, I don't see how it gets better than now!  Plus you could make a lot of fans happy, which I would hope is one of their concerns.

[McDuff]

First... Buckethead confirmed on the album 100%... that is the best part of Axl's statement, although I think it will be just a few solo's. Hopefully Bucket can play some concerts and maybe even return, because I think he is the one who pulled GnR musically to the special level and Axl definitely doesn't seem to have a problem with him anymore

Second, I have noticed on this and other GnR forums that the anti-Axl and anti-present GnR crowd try to sarcastically bash this amazing opportunity for free publicity.... a band can't ask for a better PR campaign than this. If this goes ahead, it will be everywhere. It just shows the anti crowd consisting of r3t4rds   

Third, I still think Pepper tastes like @ss but if we get the cd CD

I think most people don't believe Bucket will ever be in GN'R again.Anyway any mention of GN'R is a good thing if you ask me

[Ali]

I have a friend who works at Uni (as alot of you know) and hit her up about this today. She says that no one at the label has anything to do with this whatsoever. Just FYI.

If that's correct, then the band or record company had no prior knowledge of this.





/jarmo

Here's the thing I don't get:

If Axl and the band had no knowledge of this and were not o.k. with it, i.e. saw no benefit to them in this, wouldn't they be able to sue Dr. Pepper for using their name and/or likeness in a promotion (and that's what this is in reality) without consent?

Something to consider.

Ali

[gnrjanus]

Look Smashing pumpkins are suiing pepsie cause they usde there name and It would get bad publicity... but I guess Axl on the other hand thinks the timing couldn't be better fom him and they are going to use it to promote Chidem... they could get a lot of money from it...

[Ali]

Look Smashing pumpkins are suiing pepsie cause they usde there name and It would get bad publicity... but I guess Axl on the other hand thinks the timing couldn't be better fom him and they are going to use it to promote Chidem... they could get a lot of money from it...

That was exactly my point when I mentioned seeing a benefit to this.  It's only beneficial to them if the record is coming out because it serves as promotion.  Otherwise, it is useless to them.

Ali

[faldor]

I'm just hoping that Axl and the record company realize that this is the time to get shit going (assuming of course everything is ready for the album to be released).  They shouldn't worry about what time of year is "best" to release albums and all of that jazz, just release the thing as quickly as possible! I mean you have this unexpected (and free) Dr. Pepper promotion that seems to have built quite a bit of interest, The name Chinese Democracy which would fit in with all of the talks about the Olympics, Tibet, etc...If promotion is the main worry of the powers that be concerning the album's release, I don't see how it gets better than now!  Plus you could make a lot of fans happy, which I would hope is one of their concerns.

I've heard this argument and thought about it myself, but the more I think about it, it doesn't make much sense.  If the album was indeed ready to be released, I can't imagine having to "wait" for a perfect time to release it.  When it's done, it's done, and it should be released at that point.  I can't see how waiting can help anyone at this point.  You're right in a sense, timing does seem to be perfect this time around with the free promotion.   But I seriously doubt THAT'S what the band was waiting for, and now all of a sudden they'll unleash the beast.

[marknroses]

There are five things that have evidenced themselves to push this record out:

1. GNR Greatest Hits Record, which has gone 4x platinum
2. The positive 2nd round reception of a new, reinvigorated GNR in their performances on demos and concerts since 2006.
3. Izzy's comeback with the band, proving that at least he considers Axl to have some right to the band name.
4. Sebastchian's return to the fold with Axl and his reporting of the record confirming that he likes it as a rock album, not as Axl's friend alone.
3. This endorsement by DR. Pepper.

The latest from Dr. Pepper, I never drink the stuff, but for a corporation to promise unsolocited promotions for a rock group in this day and age is entirely unheard of. There is a market for the new album that needs to be tapped now. The record is done and there's no more reason not to start pressuring the appropriate parties to put it out.

I hope to G-D that Axl's not the one holding it up and that the record company sees the value potential for themselves. Otherwise, if 2008 isn't the year, then I doubt it will ever be released, or released with this amount of anticipation.

MNW

[plasmabeam]

I've always been a Mr. Pibb man, but I'll knock down anything to get CD this year 

[faldor]

There are five things that have evidenced themselves to push this record out:

1. GNR Greatest Hits Record, which has gone 4x platinum
2. The positive 2nd round reception of a new, reinvigorated GNR in their performances on demos and concerts since 2006.
3. Izzy's comeback with the band, proving that at least he considers Axl to have some right to the band name.
4. Sebastchian's return to the fold with Axl and his reporting of the record confirming that he likes it as a rock album, not as Axl's friend alone.
3. This endorsement by DR. Pepper.

The latest from Dr. Pepper, I never drink the stuff, but for a corporation to promise unsolocited promotions for a rock group in this day and age is entirely unheard of. There is a market for the new album that needs to be tapped now. The record is done and there's no more reason not to start pressuring the appropriate parties to put it out.

I hope to G-D that Axl's not the one holding it up and that the record company sees the value potential for themselves. Otherwise, if 2008 isn't the year, then I doubt it will ever be released, or released with this amount of anticipation.

MNW

Good point about the anticipation being up high now.  I was beginning to think people outside the GNR community had forgotten or given up on the album.  Now they've at the very least been reminded, as this story has hit most major outlets.

I visit a site daily for funny media clips and such.  They picked up on the story.  Here's there headline.

Dr. Pepper will give a free soda to everyone in America except Slash & Buckethead if Axl releases Chinese Democracy in '08. Axl's response here. Public's response, "We waited ten years for this shit? WOO HOO, Free Dr. Pepper!"

http://www.gorillamask.net

[Grouse]

Here's the thing I don't get:

If Axl and the band had no knowledge of this and were not o.k. with it, i.e. saw no benefit to them in this, wouldn't they be able to sue Dr. Pepper for using their name and/or likeness in a promotion (and that's what this is in reality) without consent?

Something to consider.

Ali

Ask yourself this, was the gnr brand damaged by this?....the answer is no, meaning they've got nothing to base a lawsuit on.

And as far as using logos and other trademarks, all of what connected it to gnr has already been taken down and replaced by something else as far as I know.

[BMo13]

I'm just hoping that Axl and the record company realize that this is the time to get shit going (assuming of course everything is ready for the album to be released).  They shouldn't worry about what time of year is "best" to release albums and all of that jazz, just release the thing as quickly as possible! I mean you have this unexpected (and free) Dr. Pepper promotion that seems to have built quite a bit of interest, The name Chinese Democracy which would fit in with all of the talks about the Olympics, Tibet, etc...If promotion is the main worry of the powers that be concerning the album's release, I don't see how it gets better than now!  Plus you could make a lot of fans happy, which I would hope is one of their concerns.

I've heard this argument and thought about it myself, but the more I think about it, it doesn't make much sense.  If the album was indeed ready to be released, I can't imagine having to "wait" for a perfect time to release it.  When it's done, it's done, and it should be released at that point.  I can't see how waiting can help anyone at this point.  You're right in a sense, timing does seem to be perfect this time around with the free promotion.   But I seriously doubt THAT'S what the band was waiting for, and now all of a sudden they'll unleash the beast.

Well you make it seem like I think they've been sitting around waiting for Dr. Pepper to do this.  I don't mean that at all, I have no F'ing clue what the hang up is on the release. I'm just saying now seems like a really good time to release it.  Most people are obviously fed up with the waiting,etc and some people just have forgotten about GNR through the years.  That being the case, I think it's stupid to not release the album ASAP, assuming it's finished and ready for release...

[faldor]

I'm just hoping that Axl and the record company realize that this is the time to get shit going (assuming of course everything is ready for the album to be released).  They shouldn't worry about what time of year is "best" to release albums and all of that jazz, just release the thing as quickly as possible! I mean you have this unexpected (and free) Dr. Pepper promotion that seems to have built quite a bit of interest, The name Chinese Democracy which would fit in with all of the talks about the Olympics, Tibet, etc...If promotion is the main worry of the powers that be concerning the album's release, I don't see how it gets better than now!  Plus you could make a lot of fans happy, which I would hope is one of their concerns.

I've heard this argument and thought about it myself, but the more I think about it, it doesn't make much sense.  If the album was indeed ready to be released, I can't imagine having to "wait" for a perfect time to release it.  When it's done, it's done, and it should be released at that point.  I can't see how waiting can help anyone at this point.  You're right in a sense, timing does seem to be perfect this time around with the free promotion.   But I seriously doubt THAT'S what the band was waiting for, and now all of a sudden they'll unleash the beast.

Well you make it seem like I think they've been sitting around waiting for Dr. Pepper to do this.  I don't mean that at all, I have no F'ing clue what the hang up is on the release. I'm just saying now seems like a really good time to release it.  Most people are obviously fed up with the waiting,etc and some people just have forgotten about GNR through the years.  That being the case, I think it's stupid to not release the album ASAP, assuming it's finished and ready for release...

Yeah I didn't mean to insinuate YOU thought they were waiting for something like this to happen to release the album.  It seems to be perfect timing right now, but if it's not released it's because it's not ready for some reason or another.  It shouldn't be viewed as if they missed a perfect opportunity.  I don't think this Dr. Pepper thing, if they indeed didn't know anything about it, will push them any harder to get the album out.  That's all I'm saying.

[jarmo]

It seems to be perfect timing right now, but if it's not released it's because it's not ready for some reason or another. 

There seems to be some kind of misconception that the band doesn't want the album out because it's not ready or something.

Going by what people like Baz has said in interviews, this is totally wrong.




/jarmo

[PrimaDonna]

THE NEWS IS ALL OVER SCANDINAVIA ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Axl/Geffen/Big Honey etc etc.....!

[Adam_Guill]

I've always been a Mr. Pibb man, but I'll knock down anything to get CD this year 

Mr. Pibb doesn't have the proper credentials to bring Chinese democracy to a modern generation. leave this to the doctors

[Ali]

Here's the thing I don't get:

If Axl and the band had no knowledge of this and were not o.k. with it, i.e. saw no benefit to them in this, wouldn't they be able to sue Dr. Pepper for using their name and/or likeness in a promotion (and that's what this is in reality) without consent?

Something to consider.

Ali

Ask yourself this, was the gnr brand damaged by this?....the answer is no, meaning they've got nothing to base a lawsuit on.

And as far as using logos and other trademarks, all of what connected it to gnr has already been taken down and replaced by something else as far as I know.

It doesn't matter whether or not the GN'R brand was damaged.  The issue is you cannot use someone's name or likeness in a promotional/marketing/advertising campaign without their consent.  You just can't profit off someone's name or likeness without having their o.k. and/or cutting them in on it.  You just can't do it.

Ali

[Ines_rocks!]

I've always been a Mr. Pibb man, but I'll knock down anything to get CD this year 

Mr. Pibb doesn't have the proper credentials to bring Chinese democracy to a modern generation. leave this to the doctors

like Dr. Phill? He should make a promise not to sell any more of his books untill CD was out... now that would be great! 

[jarmo]

Here's the thing I don't get:

If Axl and the band had no knowledge of this and were not o.k. with it, i.e. saw no benefit to them in this, wouldn't they be able to sue Dr. Pepper for using their name and/or likeness in a promotion (and that's what this is in reality) without consent?

Something to consider.

Ali

Ask yourself this, was the gnr brand damaged by this?....the answer is no, meaning they've got nothing to base a lawsuit on.

And as far as using logos and other trademarks, all of what connected it to gnr has already been taken down and replaced by something else as far as I know.

It doesn't matter whether or not the GN'R brand was damaged.  The issue is you cannot use someone's name or likeness in a promotional/marketing/advertising campaign without their consent.  You just can't profit off someone's name or likeness without having their o.k. and/or cutting them in on it.  You just can't do it.

Ali

Yeah, but you can always decide what to do. If the good outweighs the bad, why take the other route?





/jarmo

[AxlsMainMan]

Has a major soft drink ever promoted a rock band like this before?