"Chinese Democracy" coming soon to a record store near you ... maybe

If Samuel Beckett were a Guns 'N' Roses fan, he would have called his play "Waiting for 'Chinese Democracy.'" (That's right, I just led a GNR blog item with a semi-snooty Beckett reference. Snap!) The oft-delayed album has become a Spinal Tap-style joke. "Chinese Democracy" could be the most famous album that might not actually exist ever.

But thanks to Sebastian Bach, of all people, we might finally have some answers to the "CD" connudrum. Bach called Axl on his cellphone during a radio show this weekend to get the lowdown on the record. Somehow it worked.

Quizzed on when the near-mythical album would come out, Rose said, "Sometime this fall or late fall." His band could be heard rehearsing in the background. "It will be out this year."

Plans are currently in the works for Rose to relaunch his comeback by playing four shows at New Yorks Hammerstein Ballroom over the next 10 days, then head to Europe to play several music festivals.

Rose said the band at the Hammerstein shows will be similar to the one that played the 2002 tour, except for a new lead guitarist, whom he declined to identify except to say it's not an old GNR member. Buckethead left the band in 2004.

However, later in the broadcast, Rose seemed to contradict himself when he said hes been hobnobbing with former GNR guitarist and songwriter Izzy Stradlin, and strongly hinted that Stradlin may show up for the Hammerstein shows.

Former GNR guitar maestro Slash may end up back in the band as well, but probably not before the Hammerstein shows.

So Izzy and Slash might end up back in the band. Or they might not. Or Axl might marry the Olsen twins and hole up in a Mexican hotel with enough cocaine to choke Tony Montana. Who knows?

Anyone have odds on whether "Chinese Democracy" will be any good? My guess is every song is 10 minutes long and has about 56 different players on it. In other words, um, no.

For another interesting take on "Chinese Democracy," read this.