This was my favorite music story this week. Seemingly out of nowhere, Dr. Pepper offers a free can of soda to every man, woman, and child in the US if Axl Rose releases the long awaited Guns and Roses album “Chinese Democracy” anytime in 2008. The record, said by the New York Times to be “the most expensive album ever”, has been in the works for about seventeen years now.
Get a load of this:
"It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper’s special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love," said Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. "So we completely understand and empathize with Axl’s quest for perfection — for something more than the average album. We know once it’s released, people will refer to it as "Dr Pepper for the ears" because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds — an instant classic."
But it gets better. After Axle defended former Guns and Roses guitarist Buckethead in his official response to this offer, “I’ll share my Dr. Pepper with him”, he left original Guns and Roses guitarist Slash as the only American who cannot get a free can of soda. OK, so either Andy Kaufman has taken charge of Dr. Pepper or a thirteen year old has. And although Axl claims no knowledge of record company involvement, I suppose this could be a set up to stage some kind of Martin and Lewis telethon reunion-like reforming of Guns and Roses with Slash and Axl for some major long green. Any way you look at this situation, it’s a hoot.
OT Update: By the way, last week’s response from the FDL community really helped out the Iraqi Art gallery in Chicago. But “not for profits” can always use more help. Find out more about the gallery here.
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Free Dr Pepper? Too bad it’s only in the US, I love that stuff
We discussed this at some length in the lounge at Democratic Underground and “driver8″ had a good story:
I used to work at a recording studio that Guns n’ Roses recorded at, and the guys in the band used it for their side projects as well.
Slash had been in our studio for a couple of weeks and was going to appear on Letterman one night. Axl was also in the studio producing a demo for a local band and was there the night that Slash was on Letterman. It just so happened that I had brought in a six pack of Dr. Pepper that day and had it stashed in our “employee fridge.”
A few of us were sitting in one of the lounges watching Slash on tv and someone sat down next to me. I looked over and there sat Axl…and he was drinking a Dr. Pepper.
I went to grab one later and discovered that Axl Rose had drank every one of my fucking Dr. Peppers!! So, I went into the studio he was in, grabbed him around the throat and beat the shit out of him!!
Ok, I didn’t do that, but he DID drink my Dr. Peppers!!
Oh, I also promised myself that I would try to force some firepups to view a YouTube clip of my pal Lucynda and a bunch of roller derby people doing a commercial for Voodoo Donuts in Portland.
Look at it, you won’t regret it!
707
Hey hi howdy Firepups! MMMMMMM I loves me some Dr. Pepper too…CMON AXL! I WANTS ONE!
i’m a pepper..
In Texas you can get the “original” formula Dr. Pepper….so gooood.
Holy crap! I don’t even want to know what the “infamous cock n balls” doughnut involves. Great commercial though! Ol’ girl has some pipes!
That is frikkin’ hilarious.
Say what? I’m not getting the real Dr. Pepper in Indiana? What’s different?
Hi fini! Donita
and *waving to that YoungJessPepper!*
Happy Friday!
W00t!
Hey Donita! Hey finifinto!
I’m sure I’m alone with this but whenever I see Axl Rose or hear Guns n’ Roses, I flash on Black Oak Arkansas and Jim Dandy Mangrum
Hello Elliott :)
happy friday y’all, i thought i’d share this slice o’ boston for fun
Donita, Fin, y4y! Friday fun!
Hi Everyone! I’ll catch up.
Classic as in taking 17 years to put together…better be good.
What weird sync. He’s a Pepper!
I used to drink a ton of that stuff until one day someone told me they put prune juice in it.
that was that, now I’m a Mt. Dew drinking machine.
:-))))))))))))
(sorry guys, I really can’t help that)
I found it so said that L7 dissed Guns n’ Roses so much. After all they gave us November Rain. That alone is reason enough to not bash them IMHO.
In response to swag @ 2
Hehe.
I never drank Dr. Pepper, as it can’t be found in our stores. I’m a Red Bull addict though to the point that it actually concerns me.
They used to serve some doughnuts glazed with Robitussin, but the health department made them knock it off.
I hope so.
that’s hysterical!
Prune juice is good for ya man. dr. pepper rules no matter what they put in it.
Oh my god, that is such a coincidence! I turned my friend on to Black Oak Arkansas a couple of weeks ago because David Lee Roth reminds me of Jim Dandy Mangrum.
I love Dr. Pepper, haven’t had one for a long time.
Do you think they’ll have an organic version anytime soon?/s
I think it is made with a completely different type of sugar and tastes much better. I’ll look it up.
strange story … i did some work a couple years ago for a “private label beverage manufacturer” that basically did knockoffs of coke, dr pepper, etc. — er, ah, produced quality beverages inspired and influenced by market leading brands.
the chief food chemist was an indian guy w/ a truly awesome nose. Not only in size but also in nasal skill.
his crowning glory was producing their “doctor” formula, influenced by you-know-which drink. At one point, I asked him what went into the doctor formula and he stalled answering. At little bit later, he went upstairs to the lab and came back down w/ a bunch of various herbs, including white cardomom — just like normal cardomom only much bigger seeds. He didn’t say anything, just handed the pile of herbs, stick, seeds to me and told me to smell and taste it.
I can still see him holding the herbs in his hand and inhaling, with his prodigous nose vibrating over them …
‘Tussin glazed doughnuts? Hell yeah! Sounds like a pretty rockin’ doughnut shop!
If I were to sned you some money from PayPal could you send me some “real” Dr. pepper? Seriously, I am an addict to the stuff.
Here is the one I was talkin’ about:
http://www.dublindrpepper.com/
I used to listen to BOA back in the day, as for Jim dandy lookin’ like David Lee, umm, not anymore.
You could probably order it from my link at 33!! It’s really good.
Just saw they have a shop at that link. Thanks for turning me onto this place!
Prune juice is good for you Busted.
Bank of America has a band?
Total Dr. Pepper fan. It was bottled in the town where I grew up and have been drinking it my whole life.
The Ugly Republicans.
Dr Pepper is a cool taste. But believe me, guys, all those kinds of “junk drink” fuck your inside year by year. I used to drink a lot of Coca Cola years ago and the other problem is about the sleep. When you drink that every day, you can sleep but it’s not the same sleep quality. Believe the “old” cac’ I am…
(shit I’m too serious there!:-)
cane sugar rather than HFCS is what people like … a lot of the “real” sodas and reason people like stuff like Coke better outside the US is cause they still use real sugar rather than all the HFCS.
another story from the private label beverage people. I was there one time when they were exploring various other artificial sweeteners — right when splenda came out. They had a sprite clone made w/ 4 different combos: sugar/HFCS, aspartame, splenda, and another splenda-like sweetener. It was really weird to taste the same soda w/ different sweeteners … surprisingly different.
I wonder what Mr Rose (!) thing about it. I imagine he don’t give a shit…
Aspartame…run away!!!!
Black Oak was always a good tape to throw on the player for road trips.
We all just Mutants of this here Monstah!
I’ve run into several people lately who are “addicted” to Red Bull. I wonder why?
As for The Spin I’m In today. i have been on a tear listening to Disturbed lately.
This song in particular just Rocks, Hard.
Look out world, Busted is on another Metal tear.
no prob … this gig was the only time since I was 7 or 8 that I’ve actually drunk any significant amount of soda pop. without that, it’s pretty easy to avoid all the artificials …
IRT to Iraqi Art.
Take this SVG of MacCain’s Head, print it large, cut it out, use it as a stencil and throw shit at it.
I’ve been wanting to try Redbull but I haven’t yet….what’s it’s flavour?
it is an awfully good party drink … my choice if i’m doin’ the rock’n’roll thing and need to stay awake … but mixing it w/ alcohol seems just horrible. keep my poisons separate please ….
Nasty.
Donita
a Rubix cube of brilliance, don’t you think? It’s complex and seems to be a win win for everyone. Slash could certainly think of a funny retort. I love it! What would you do if you were Axl? release or not release the album?
thanks for this! Happy Friday
Dr. Pepper fan here too. They were the first to produce a diet drink that wasn’t total crap with a bitter aftertaste, IMHO. Don’t know how they did it at first without more of the modern non-sugar sweeteners but they did.
I rarely drink bottled sodas, but when I do, Dr. Pepper is my choice.
Maybe its an oldie goldie thing. (g)
putrid sweet, sticky, and gross. but gives you a good buzz ;)
Hey mista Lee. Too much real sugar also sux and it’s everywhere. The acidity “fuck” me more at the end, and those drinks are full of…
Looks “pre-Botox”…heh.
Alright, now I know it sucks and I won’t try it, thanks for lettin me know :)
Oh please answer this question, Donita.
I didn’t know until a few years ago that soft drinks differ by region. They are much sweeter in the south because people like it that way.
I only recently learned of the remake Disturbed did of this song. Phenomenal!
Cactus, normally I use some nasty language too but after I found out our little friend Young Jess is only ELEVEN years old, I kinda try to tone it down.
It’s not easy my friend, but I try.
Hey Donita! Caught you on NPR recently when they played your music during the interview. You are awesome! Hope you are getting some attention (music sales) from the radio show.
It sux but humans need water. Sometimes at friends or when I’m out I drink a beer or two (or coca cola) but at home : water! (and ganja!:-S
I love the offer. I think that it is brilliant too. I thought that Axl would ignore it at first. I don’t know what I’d do if I were Axl. He probably feels so much pressure about the record to begin with. Slash excluded from the soda offer… too much! It’s like an art piece. I’m glad you dig it too.
Oooooops! Oh really sorry, I didn’t imagine that, sorry.
So is the sweet ice tea..mmmmm..
Gimme real sugar please..
Must be thinking about Mountain Dew. That stuff is really nasty.
Oh yeah, I just bought The Sickness yesterday and right after work I’m buying whatever else they have too.
I know, me too. 8)
thank you Sixty Something
Can’t drink Mountain Dew at all. ick
Hey Donita, do you know Axl personally?
I had that CD when I was still a DJ, really solid rocknroll on that disc. You will enjoy it.
I love Mountain Dew! In my opinion, that stuff is awesome :D
In response to LS @ 46
Back when I was in school, I took a sip of Red Bull on a class drip to the Netherlands. I was hooked to the stuff immediately.
In response to YoungJess @ 50
Like gummi bears. Actually it tastes very fruity, but it’s hard to make anything out. I suppose black currant is one of the countless tastes the put in. Oh and it’s very sweet (over 11% sugar) but it’s not that bad because of all the acid in.
I found people either love or hate the taste.
Is anyone fascinated by the YouTube? I am.
this reminds me of something we saw in the Financial Times about their policy re printing cuss words. (They print what people say, so when Cheney invited Leahy to fuck himself, that’s what they printed.) The FT said “we’re a newspaper for adults and we print the actual words. if there are any children reading this newspaper, then they’re mature enough to see what was said”. Or something to that effect. I was impressed.
I figure FDL is also for those of us mature enough to read it. And welcome Young Jess ;)
I started drinking it back in the sixties, my Grandparents were from the south.
Back then it came in a green glass bottle and had a little Hillbilly on the label.
Ok, gotta go. Have a great weekend!
Hi there :)
See ya!!!
Yes. All of the time. …do you mean the site in general or today’s video in the opening thread?
I don’t disagree, just trying to be considerate is all.
See ya later gator!
Now don’t go messing with we Southerner’s iced tea. I make mine by the gallon. Several times a week, with real sugar. Confession. I only put one third a cup of sugar per gallon. Don’t like mine real sweet. And don’t forget the real lemon. Its a taste of spring time.
Thanx Donita, a great w-e to you too
:-************
I believe she was referring to the Axl Rose vid up top.
Mmmmm Dr. Pepper. Mmmmmm Mates. I sure wish that Axl would get over his agoraphobia and finish the album and get back on the road. Crews need to pay the bills too.
Whose messin’ with it…I make it just like you do!!! *G*
Is that why? Oy.
Heh heh heh, I’m on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N next week.
WHOO HOO!
Stayin’ home and cleaning house, beats workin.
Hi Fini. I guess so. But I did’nt get it directly. Tee hee! Aaaah Donita, she forget we are not all as intelligent as she is :-)
Yes, I was shocked as well, thought she was like 16.
Of course my first reply in the “Sticky Fingers” Spin now seems pathetic, knowing that YoungJess is that young.
Good that my shyness kept me from getting totally inappropriate.
Sorry for going OT on Donita’s music thread. Feeling guilty.
Work!!! – Maynard G. Krebs.
Heh, so now we’re all in discussion of my age? :)
Don’t sweat it, OT is rule of the day on FDL! We just roll with it :)
Speaking of which, I need to get back to.
Have a great weekend everyone!
axl, axl, axl……..
a loooong while back, i heard interviews with musicians about axl’s long-struggling efforts of perfection to make his project ’just right’…….
and you know, musicians/creative people/artists kinda have a warped and polished sense of humor. true.
they were asked why they thought he wasn’t releasing it yet, and why they thought it was taking so long.
lots of comments on how nothing could be THAT good, to spend that many years on it, and take such crap about it, which he has.
axl wouldn’t be interviewed, he was in seclusion, working on his album…….
i was cracking up in my car.
i wish i could remember what radio show it was on……..it was a long spot.
i think dr. pepper just has a savvy staff that maybe heard that interview. quality takes time kind of thing.
donita’s ot update up top–i tried to mail my comment from last week about the iraki artists and browser wouldn’t cooperate with your site-was going to post it today, but maybe you got it-so, did you read the rest of the comments and get my ’thank you’?
Just being nice Jess, don’t fret.
See ya
Ah it’s fine :)
Maynard was more like:
Work?
WERK!1!
Sounds like just the solution when a sick Little One doesn’t want to take his medicine.
*g*
Heh. Perfect solution for that! Yummy ‘tussin doughnuts!
lol
Hmmm. mushrooms give wine peach coolers an Xtra crisp taste.
Uh scrap that. I feel nervous whenever I hear companies “trade secrets”.
i’d guess that mushrooms might effect the taste of a wine cooler … ;)
Ugh. Sounds gross to me actually. I love mushrooms too, but in peach wine coolers? I’ll pass.
lee5’s chemist friend *knows*. You gotta have an open mind.
Um, you probably don’t want to try the Jaeger Bomb=Jaegermeister and Red Bull.
Ehm, Mr. Finifinito.
You know I found the old smelll7.com to be nostalgic. That spartanic charme of the interweb as it was in the 90s… The point is, I see that more and more files are missing from that site and I wanted to know if there is a complete archive from the love advice section that was discontinued before I got to know the site . I found something on web archive, but don’t know if that’s all that has ever been.
http://web.archive.org/web/*/www.smelll7.com/loveadvice.html
http://web.archive.org/web/*/www.smelll7.com/lovepostings.html
Hey folks, I gotta run. Be sure to catch a live local band this weekend if you get the chance to, support your local musicians! Oh, and drive fast and swerve!
Gawd…that is what those people told me they were drinking…instant state of coma.
It couldn’t hurt the taste of a wine cooler.
I’ll stick with the wine, straight up, myself.
Real quick, I don’t know what happened to those files, they were removed before I came along and took over the L7 site. I can ask the old webmaster if he still has them though. Send me an email to my screename here at gmail.com and I will look into it for you!
Maynard G. Krebs and Zonker Harris have been long time role models of mine. :})
Bye Fini!
Bye Mister Finito, see you guys, peace,
cactus***
lee5 at 30
i was just telling people how cardomom changes things when you add a little of it…..
in foods, and in bath salts-aromatherapy.
turns it into an entirely different thing.
i’ve even had batches of salts, experimenting, that were really yuck, add a few drops of cardomom, heaven, wow.
It’s like being smashed in the head with a brick made of frozen cough syrup.
Of course, I have vague recollections of the night we mixed Pure Grain and Gatoraide when I was in college.
Very vague.
When I was at Keesler, my ex- was real big on Everclear and lemonade. She used to leave it in the ‘frig…
Pure grain alcohol and distilled water!
busted/pete look-alike—-prunes are plums, no need to fear.
rond–redbull and jaeger, big around here—lotta people, in bars, that’s how they start off their night…..
================
best drinking of all time? soak fresh ready-to-eat fruit in pure grain alchohol, make punch, enjoy.
we used to do it in a new, very-washed garbage can………talk about a party. people who didn’t drink were eating the fruit, they didn’t know…….fun. best parties we ever had, all of them out in the country, this was the mode of operation back in the late 70’s early 80’s.
and my favorite thing in the summer for an outdoor party—-spiked watermelons………cut a hole the size of a vodca bottle top, invert vodca bottle. wait overnight, eat.
have seed spitting contest half-way through eating it.
what a riot, some can’t spit them after a few slices, hilarious.
can’t get anyone to do it anymore, and i can’t eat the whole watermelon.
retirement communities should adopt this practice.
Mmmmmm….yummy….spiked watermelons. ;-)
Axl has beat out Tom Scholz for the longest amount of time wasted putting out an album. I live in Providence, and the common joke from about 1980 to 1986 was that”Boston is about to release the next album”. It finally was released, and wasn’t as bad as expected…