Dear Axl Rose…Shut Up!
Ok, for those of you who do not know that back story, here it is. After years of delays (13 to be exact), Guns N Roses announced in 2007, that their new album Chinese Democracy would hit shelves in late 2008. Dr. Pepper (who is owned by Snapple) decided to do a give-away. If the album actually hit stores in 2008, Dr. Pepper would give a free bottle to everyone in the US. Well, the album released on Nov. 23rd. Dr. Pepper said it would make good on the deal. The opted for what I think is the easiest way to do it. They were going to post a coupon on their website. Well we all know where this is going to lead. The server got overwhelmed and went down. But here is the best part. The lawyers for G N R are pissing an moaning because Dr. Pepper is running a “online scam”. You can read the whole article here (article). I am just going to point out a few things that I find ironic (or moronic as it may be).
“Gutman is demanding that Dr Pepper makes good on its offer by extending the period for the offer; he also wants full-page apologies in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.”
So does that mean G N R is going to take out full page ads also for 1) Having an album that is 13 years late and 2) Pretending to be quality rock and roll. They have failed on both counts.
“Gutman’s letter makes clear his view that the original campaign was an “exploitation of my clients’ legendary reputation and their eagerly awaited album” and “brazenly violated our clients’ rights.” He is also seeking an “appropriate payment … for the unauthorized use and abuse of their publicity and intellectual property rights,” with the threat of further action if an acceptable offer is not made.”
Legendary reputation? Did anyone even know that the band was still around? I mean come on, you are best know in recent years for having a guitar player who wore a KFC bucket on his head. With the exception of the family members, no one was really looking forward to this album. Lastly, I have a hard time using the word “intellectual” and Axl Rose in the same article.
“Gutman adds, “The entire point of your campaign has been to use public interest in Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses as a lure to increase consumer awareness of Dr Pepper.” He further states that “mocking undertones” in the online promotional content represent a “raw and damaging commercial exploitation of our clients’ rights,” adding that the association is “even more damaging in light of your shoddy execution of your disingenuous giveaway offer.”
Let me think about this. Who do you think people around the world are more familiar with? The current G N R lineup, or Dr. Pepper? I will tell you what is a mocking undertone. Tracks 1-10 of the new album are monking undertones of real music and talent. As far as shoddy execution, I am not sure if the G N R lawyer is still talking about the giveaway or the album. I am actually more offended by album than I am of the giveaway failure.
Here is a test. Try and name any 2 of the 26 ingredients in Dr. Pepper (I bet you actually can). Now, try and name anyone in G N R that is not Axl Rose. Point proved. G N R can go away for good now. Axl, if you happen to read this post (yeah right), I have some advice. You are white redhead. At what point did you think cornrows was a go
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4 Responses to “Dear Axl Rose…Shut Up!”
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November 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
“…take out full page ads also for 1) Having an album that is 13 years late”
Too late or too soon? Now, I admittedly quit my job of 12 years to stand in line at Sam Goody for 3 days waiting for the release of the new album. Or maybe I didn’t. Hell, I waited about 5 years for the “Best of G ‘N R” CD to drop under $10.00 to buy it recently.
Ultimately, it just comes down the fact that Rose is an asshole. Had he not been so open of an asshole all these years things may have been different. I mean, there are tons of celebrities that are private assholes, and that’s ok. Charlie Sheen: incredibly likeable guy in the public, but by all tabloid accounts, a complete asshole.
Barry Bonds: Asshole on the field, asshole off the field, asshole with the press.
Which one would you have for dinner first? Sheen, hands down.
Now the final thing that you pointed out was this whole garbage they are playing about GNR raising awareness for Dr. Pepper. I think there’s a problem here. Of the current music buying market, the massive chunk of the $$ spenders only know GNR from their exposure in the Guitar Hero games.
If anything needs to happen here, GNR needs Dr. Pepper to raise public awareness of GNR. I am 100% sure that if I stopped 100 people under 25 years old on the street and asked them
1. Have you heard of Guns and Roses?
2. Have you heard of Dr. Pepper?
Which do you think would get more “yes” responses?
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
“Try and name any 2 of the 26 ingredients in Dr. Pepper”
Do water and sugar count? Otherwise, I can’t do it.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Well at this point when given a choice of the following:
Drink a glass of water
Taste some sugar
drink straight Phosphoric Acid
have a a personal interaction with Axl Rose
My last choice might be a tossup of the last two (I’d have to wiki or google Phosphoric Acid side effects). Keep your distance from me and play Welcome to the Jungle and we’re on good terms, other than that…I’ll pass.
Now I have nothing against Slash really, but come on, lose the stupid hat (aside from that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?). I mean come on, it’s 2008, even KISS ditched the make up when they reached middle age.
Even having heard a couple of not terrible reviews of Chinese Democracy I hate to put money in Axl’s pocket (I love people hitting rock bottom from their own arrogance and stupidity). I’ll hear it eventually.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Caffeine, Water, Food Coloring…
“On the label in the US, the ingredients are: Carbonated Water;
Imperial Pure Cane Sugar [or "High Fructose Corn Syrup and/or Sugar,"
if you're not so lucky]; Caramel Color; Phosphoric Acid; Artificial
and Natural Flavors; Sodium Benzoate (Preservative); Caffeine.”
And everything you probably never want to know about Dr. Pepper…
http://www.freenewyork.net/dpfaq.html