What follows is part of the FIRST exchange that Axl had with fans on an online board. We'll have highlights of the second exchange for you tomorrow. At press time we are unsure at exactly which site this chat took place at as Guns N' Roses publicist forwarded us a link to another site which transcribed the exchange. We have changed the order a little to feature some of the more news worthy questions and answers first and also labeled the answers as coming from Axl instead of the username he used. (He Posted under the name Dexter -he explains that too). Here you go:

Fan: Axl how do you feel about Kanye outselling Chinese Democracy? Do you like Kanye's music?

Axl: I met Kanye at the Versace awards. He was very gracious. I love Gold Digger and told him so. I'm a big fan of his stage performance as he seems to go for it physically which I relate more to. B4 r release I sent him a msg that any nonsense from the media had nothing to do with us and wished him the best. I'm humbled we've done as well as we have considering.

Fan: Axl will you tour Australia next year, and when are you looking at doing so? If you could work with buckethead again, would you have him just in studio, or also would you welcome him in the touring lineup?

Axl: Austrailia's great and the crowds are really alive. No plans yet but I'm sure there will be.

I have no issues with Bucket. It's hard to tell what was real or not in things we were told by Merck. He's more than welcome to tour with us in some form or other provided we're both interested at the time and come to some type of reasonable terms. Personally I have a blast w/Bucket on tour and get a big kick out of the guy. A lot of feelings were hurt on this side of the fence in how things went down and unfortunately others used our silence and the public's not knowing for their own purposes at both Bucket's and our expense.

Fan: Now that you said that please tell us if Robin's out or not... because, otherwise, we'll be reading several 'Axl wants Bucket back and Robin/Bumble/Richard out' type of threads for the entire '09 year and these threads annoy us, the new lineup fans.

Axl: It really is what it is. No decisions have been made by either him, I or us that I'm aware of.

When we're touring or working in the studio or there's social things like a friend's dinner or party whatever we would hang. But as people get older they have their own lives. The Stones aren't going bowling every Tuesday etc.

Robin leads one of the most different lives I know of starting with the trapeze in his backyard to the tv in his closet. Robin's work on the next is done so there's not lots for him to do here except the elusive promo and he'd rather be on stage.

It's more about seeing where things are when Guns decides it's right for a tour and if we're able to make agreements we both are comfortable and can live with at that time.

Fan: Catcher is one of the best songs on the album, why no Brian?

Axl: There's a few reasons and none of them all that big and definitely not in spite or to slight anyone.

1st off obviously I knew people liked the song but the Brian appreciation really only showed up in force publicly after we had moved on in Guns. In fact Not many seemed to care and most comments were aimed at why Slash in their opinions should be here.

Brians solo itself is a personal fave of mine and I really couldn't understand as he's such a rock legend why it wasn't openly appreciated more at the time.

In actuality all that feel and emotion referred to now had a lot to do with Sean and I and the parts I chose out of Brian's different runs, versions, practice runs etc to make sure we had those elements in one version. It's entirely constructed from edits based around one specific note Brian hit in a throw away take. And though Brian seems to have warmed a bit to it at least publicly he was unfortunately none to pleased at the time with our handiwork.

I remember looking at Brian standing to my left and him staring at the big studio speakers a bit aghast saying "But that's not what I played."

Sean Beavan and I were not in any way tring to mess with Brian we just did what we do and then try and do our best to stand up for our decisions.

Fan: I have one question for you Axl. What is stopping the fans from seeing you Slash, Duff, and Izzy back on stage together?

Axl: U've been lied to and misled for such a long time that sorting through all that here is virtually impossible. A lot will come out over time but the truth has been out there for a long time as well but that doesn't give you what you want so this dance just goes on and on.

Fan: just a quick question Axl, how come you always come on stage so late at gigs? ps I LOVE YOU MAN !!!!!!!

Axl: I've been an after midnight type since I was sneakin' out of my house in Jr. High. With old Guns we preferred 12am or so. When we moved to theaters etc obviously that changes but it's never changed inside me. Doesn't matter what I do so generally that's when I'm more myself. This isn't to mess with anyone that has an early schedule to keep it's just personal preference.

And in regard to the size venues I'm on record as preferring what ever venues allow for our schedule but management and promoters can do a lot in their own interests behind the scenes that can rarely be avoided and their greed or whatever leads to a lot of double talk and ugly behind nonsense that generally eventually ruins things for everyone. Translated once a tour is scheduled however it's like parting the seas to change.
As far as being late, I've been that way my whole life. It drove Izzy crazy but he would check himself and freely admit I was generally actually doing something that had to get done rather than watching basketball etc.

Fan: Axl do you really have 2 or 3 other albums of material?

Axl: For now we'll concentrate and keep our focus on this album but I will say I've always thought of it as a double. And no offence but no one's trying to talk in parables. The issues are a bit more complex than anyone would like.

Fan: Axl I would like to know why you avoid the press so much. I think it's definitely hurting album sales, I mean, you haven't even done one interview. I know for sure you'd be able to get a few magazine covers. So why don't you? Why be such a hermit/recluse?

Axl: That's ur opinion and it very well could be true. What I have to say a lot of people have no desire to hear. With our team we were able to negotiate thru a mountain of issues to be able to release the album. Within' those negotiations I believed I had secured agreements, commitments and assurances that would have allowed a promotional strategy to be implemented that obviously I've had a fair amount of time to consider. Unfortunately those things never happened and once the record was closer to release the biz went about things in their standard business as usual mode.

Fan: axl, why did you change "the b[l]ues" to "street of dreams"??

Axl: The Blues was my first working title and I was never comfortable with it in the sense that I felt that should be used with a bluesier based song. And here in Hollywood with the walk of fame etc I had always seen that imagery in my head when I think of it. I also like the idea of the song having in affect two titles.

Fan: Axl, have you been in contact with steven adler at all? Not as far as playing with him or anything, just to like lend him support?

Axl: I do wish Steven the best and in my heart hope that he finds some peace and security. As far as direct contact no. It unfortunately gets too messy too quick. In Steven's mind I'm the one who holds the keys and power over his happiness so I'm the bad guy pretty quickly.

Fan: A video for "Better" was mentioned. Any ideas for a date of release, and/or in what capacities it will be released? What style of video is planned - live footage, some more dramatic theme? Great song. Can't wait to see what you guys have created for a visual.

Axl: Soon is the word as in a week or so.

Fan: Axl, cherry or original flavor Nyquil?

Axl:prefer cherry night time for breakfast around 11pm

Fan: Who do you listen to for hardcore blues? I'm a blues singer and I can tell from your work that you have at least got way into a couple of blues records.

Axl: Bessie Smith, Zep 1, Robert Johnson, Tumbleweed Connection, Janice.

Fan: Hey Axl, is the song Atlas Shrugged as epic as the book? Who is your favorite character from the book?

Axl: Song doesn't have all that much to do with the book other than trying to do what you believe in and a line about shoulders not being wide enough.

Fan: Axl was their ever a cover B and cover C for chinese democracy?

Axl: Yes there are. There are 2 more covers/bk cover combos and the real booklet that is all artwork that will be out shortly in some form. It's been an ugly battle that hasn't made any sense to anyone and whether anyone cares about such things the booklet or artwork has always been something I've been passionate about and to release the album with unapproved and unseen final artwork with a !st work only error filled draft when others more recent were readily available still has not been explained but is finally getting cleared up. My fave is the How Are You Grenade cover.

Fan: Jarmo, do you know the reason behind the name Dexter? Is he a fan of the show (on Showtime)? Just curious...No need to reply if the reason is deemed private/personal.

Could be because of the guy from The Offspring, too... but I'd rather it be the TV show. ok

Axl: The show and my cat named after the show, she's a methodical killer.

Fan: Axl, thanks for Chinese Democracy which i personally think is your best work.
what's your pick for album of the year? and have you heard the new MetallicA album?

Axl: Ours of course!! Wink

Yes, I like it.

Fan: lmao STOP trying to rick roll him rofl

Axl: That's my brother.

...He doesn't like to go out much. Strange guy! :Grin:

Fan: How do you feel about artists covering your songs ?

Axl:Depends but in general it's great.

Fan: Hey Axl , whats your favourite song from either Chinese Democracy, or from an unreleased album?

Axl: The bridge in "Elvis Presley and the Monster of Soul aka The Soul Monster (working title Leave Me Alone)" which will no doubt end up "Soul Monster".

I think it's r most Black Sabbath moment. Sang it on a Christmas eve. Imo the meanest section of anything I've sung to date. Which having said that I'm sure when it's heard others may disagree but we felt it was a Christmas card of unadulterated venom so to speak. I felt a lot better afterward.

Fan: Axl, how is your relationship with the former members/friends of GNR???

Axl: Not sure I understand the question.

Fan: I know this is jumping the gun big time, but any tentative idea when you would like to see the next CD come out?

Axl: No, maybe same bat time, same bat channel next year but we'll have to see.

Fan: Atlas Shrugged
No Love Remains
Take That
When Love Collides (I believe that was the name)
Thats the ones I remember....

Axl: only Atlas

Fan: Hey Axl, Is there anything in the past that you have now looked back on and thought maybe I culd have handled that differently, also what are your ongoing hopes for GnR in the future?

I have cyclothemia and sometimes get this feeling that I cant be around people and need my own space and area, how do you find the bipolar effect you, if you dont mind me asking that is? thanks again for doing this. Alex

Axl: Of course but in the world of sports and litigation....

I've not been diagnosed as being bipolar though many misconstrue statements I made earlier as alluding to such and unfortunately there's been an abundance of misguided or unqualified speculation of various events but I definitely can relate to needing my own space.

In my world all bi polar means (and not to offend or make light of those suffering from a genuine condition or involved with those who are) is that someone can try to take cheap uneducated shots or try to claim I'm bipolar thus justifying why they should get paid a financial settlement for whatever nonsense they're up to. Fortunately that hasn't proved successful.

Fan: Axl, - What is your honest opinion on why the old lineup disintegrated ? - What is your honest opinion on why it took so long for CD to come out ? I think that's what most people want to know but dare not ask ...

Axl: 2 great but complicated questions and I agree that people would like to know at least my take on things.

Not avoiding them here but they deserve more than I can give as we've been at this a little while. But I'm attempting to speak out on several issues these being a major focus over the coming weeks and months. What I can say now is u've been told a lot of things in order for others to promote themselves that factually they cannot backup in regard to either. They are complicated legally, financially and have devoured a good portion of my life.

The record Chinese u may have is nothing short of a miracle in almost each and every way that either it or I exist imo under the bizarre and ugly conditions of the last over 15yrs.

Thanks everyone and thanks for all the support and the positive comments both 2nite and over the years. I hope to do this again soon, maybe sooner than u'd think! And u didn't scare me off I'm just burnt and would rather not mispeak on issues that may mean a lot to some.

Thanks again.

Peace,

Axl-

And Checkmate is a bogus title.

The working title is Jackie Chan. Cool