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GUNS N' ROSES Vs. DR PEPPER: Complete Letter Available
- Nov. 26, 2008
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BLABBERMOUTH.NET has obtained a copy of the entire three-page letter (see below) that was sent by GUNS N' ROSES' and Axl Rose's lawyer to Dr Pepper, accusing the soda maker of failing to deliver on its "Chinese Democracy" free soda promotion, which the band was never involved in. According to Billboard.biz, Beverly Hills-based Alan Gutman has written to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers." 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. Read more from Billboard.biz. Page 1: 
Page 2: 
Page 3: 
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with pertinent details.
Anyone posting such material will be immediately and permanently banned. IP
addresses are recorded to aid us in enforcing these conditions.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Grusome
11/26/2008 5:22:04 PM
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they shouldn't have agreed to this promotion if they knew they couldn't complete it in the alotted time
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COMMENT | LOL
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:23:29 PM
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Whether you love or hate GNR, you have to admit that this is totally funny! :D
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COMMENT | Gutman's good...
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:26:21 PM
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At making this letter make as much sense out of analyzing a dump I took earlier today.
Gutman should have made a move before today if he thought his client was getting exploited. Dr. Pepper entered no binding contract by saying everyone will get a soda for free. This is publicity they can use. I don't like the taste at all.
Axl should not let this guy mar the release of a celebrated album...
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COMMENT | Fuck You Axl-
posted by : JRSPON
11/26/2008 5:27:26 PM
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How many times have you pulled this stunt by not showing up for a concert, you never gave a shit, even when you showed up you never gave your fans a great show, your new cd is ok at best, go crawl back underthat rock that you have been under - Dr Pepper is only doing to people what you have invented, and thats screwing your fans and people over for years!!!!
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COMMENT | LOL
posted by : weasel321
11/26/2008 5:27:37 PM
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Leave it to an attorney to write a 3 page letter to say "Dr. Pepper you should have expected the traffic on your website". ( I did it in one sentence)! Did anybody else notice that Axl is reserving the right to sue and is looking for money because Dr. Pepper used his picture? I guess he needs to pay for 14 years of studio time.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:29:17 PM
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ha, im getting a beer
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COMMENT | Fuck me
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:34:01 PM
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Here I always thought that the album's release was a done deal the second the promise was madeit at by Dr. Pepper. The fact that this was not a copromotional deal and they did nor have Axl's permission is quite fucked up. Just goes goes to show, if corporate America can fuck with Axl like this, what does that say about you and me?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:36:38 PM
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Actually Axl did put on a good show most of the time when he did showed up. The problem is he is a fuckin psycho.
This lawsuit is such a joke.
"Dr. Pepper created an expensive and highly publizied campaign based solely on the exploitation of my clients legendary reputation" ??? lol what the fuck???
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COMMENT | --
posted by : angie82
11/26/2008 5:36:41 PM
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I'm sorry but I don't recall hiring this guy to represent "everyone in America". This is all really horrible. The record is bad, soda is $1 and people crying over it all is ridiculous. I don't want the record, I don't want the soda and I certainly don't want all of this kind of crap looming within my entertainment. Good for you, Axl and your gang, for making a record. Great! Nice for you! Enjoy it. But for fuck's sake...move on. Everyone involved needs an actual problem.
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COMMENT | so...
posted by : devilspider1313
11/26/2008 5:37:36 PM
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Exactly what does this matter? How in the hell does missing out on a free bottle of pop "ruin" an entire fucking day?! This country is really going down the shitter, isn't it? BTW, I tried to listen to CD, and couldn't bear it. So, maybe I should write a letter to Axl for "ruining" my day. Grow the fuck up!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Sepultallica9
11/26/2008 5:42:52 PM
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Axl and his lawyers are what's wrong with society today. "Oh I didn't get my way, wah wah wah, let's sue". Hey Axl... how does "get fucked" sound?
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COMMENT |
posted by : Jan2b
11/26/2008 5:44:49 PM
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Shoddily phrased!
- "Now it's time to clean up the mess." - Does it take a cartful of lawyers to produce such formulae?
- Why specify the abbreviations ("Axl", "GNR") if they are not used?
- Why switch from third person ("Dr Pepper has ...") to second person ("Govern yourself ...")?
File under 't' for 'trash'.
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COMMENT | WHAT A DUMBASS
posted by : Land of the Lost Horizon
11/26/2008 5:47:10 PM
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i thought i was wasting time to try and get a free soda (got one), but this guy actually wasted the time to write a 3 page complaint. can we say "publicity stunt"?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:48:06 PM
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The cost for paper and the amount of time put in by the lawyer costs more than a can of Dr. Pepper... I would think. America is so sue happy, I love it.
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COMMENT | Dr Axls Lawyers Peppers Rose Band
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:55:33 PM
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That's retarded.
Just like the Chinese Democracy album.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 5:59:22 PM
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this shit is getting out of hand. but Dr. Pepper does need to face the consequences considering they weren't authorized to affiliate with GNR in the first place and then fucked up a promise to people that they directly associated with GNR.
looks like their publicity stunt went straight down the shitter.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Clit Banger
11/26/2008 6:05:36 PM
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Hey Axl, eat shit.
I just went down to the store and bought a bottle of Dr. Pepper. And I'm still not going to listen to your fucking album. Who can I sue for this blatant waste of time?
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 6:09:09 PM
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Only in America would you see people sueing because they didn't get something for free. Who waits on the phone for 6 hours because they want to save 1.50 on a fucking soda? It's fucking embarrassing. Let it go, everyone.
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COMMENT | .
posted by : SalaciousCrumb
11/26/2008 6:09:24 PM
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Free yummy publicity.
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COMMENT | Hey guys listen up...
posted by : Rick Neilsen's Cap
11/26/2008 6:13:53 PM
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If a major soft drink company makes a claim as big as Dr. Pepper then they better back it up..Axl has every right to go after the company..GNR didnt make this up... a FREE F'ING DRINK isnt gonna kill Dr Pepper...After all how many people will take the time to do it??? Not that many in my opinion..They should do this PROMO for a WHILE.... Axl did put out the fucking album..thats the miracle!!
Wether or not the album is liked doesnt matter... IT IS WHAT IT IS...
Its not like Axl is Robin Zander or anything....
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COMMENT | this is strange...
posted by : darthadv
11/26/2008 6:15:09 PM
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...having talked to someone close to the matter recently, it sounded like they HAD talked closely with the gnr camp, the vp or whoever orchestrated the whole thing happened to be a big gnr fan, and even sent each of the band members huge dr p coolers (fridges)... if it wasn't being reported on billboard, i would've been inclined to think that the letter was a hoax, but it looks like it's not, and i don't know the whole story...
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COMMENT | F*ckin' A!
posted by :
11/26/2008 6:22:46 PM
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I tried and tried again to register on Dr. Pepper's website for my free drink, and I never got through. I'm not the least bit upset that I didn't get it, but I'm pissed off that most of America didn't get one. On principal, if a major company makes a public offer to give every single person in the country a free drink, then they damn well better make good on it. Instead, Dr. Pepper weiseled out of it the best they could. Everyone in the country was offered a drink, but I doubt that even 5% of America got one.
Axl's lawyer is exagerating by saying that this "ruined" the release of Chinese Democracy, but I think they have a right to be pissed about it affecting GNR's reputation.
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COMMENT |
posted by : pigchop
11/26/2008 6:33:30 PM
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It will be most interesting to see how this plays out in a court of law - that is exactly where this looks to be headed.
Because a great number of people are basically 'stupid', many will associate the inability to receive a promised free soda with Axl N' Roses. And many will choose to not buy Chinese Democracy as a way of venting their frustration/s.
It sounds crazy, but hey - it is a crazy world out there.
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COMMENT | We're talking about a free soda, right?
posted by :
11/26/2008 6:40:58 PM
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Here's the thing... whether or not I get my free Dr. Pepper may change how I view Dr. Pepper but it sure as hell ain't gonna change the way I view Axl Rose - he was always a flaming red asshole - so I don't know what their problem is with Dr. Pepper.
Although I do like the line, "Dr. Pepper didn't define 'everyone in America' the way 'everyone in America' defines 'everyone in America."
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COMMENT | Sgt Hartman...
posted by : Rick Neilsen's Cap
11/26/2008 7:03:36 PM
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Thats why Axl called it "CHINESE " Democracy,
Cause hes a flaming "RED" asshole!!
Love your tag name name too... Lee is the shit!!!!
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COMMENT | LOSER!
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:29:56 PM
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Typical pissy Axl on his period again--BOO HOO, Chinese Democracy isnt exactly taking the world by storm, so take the typical loser route: SUE SOMEONE WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. Axl is a coward puss who hides behind his lawyers--without them he'd be nothing. I cant believe what a little girl this man is.
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COMMENT | great letter
posted by : puthimdownyafrig
11/26/2008 7:30:25 PM
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and flyingv1043, it's not about the cost of a soda or the public's need to get over a failed promise.. it's about a corporation riding the coattails of a high profile act without paying the price for that association.
despite the 'fine print' way they implemented it with an impossible bottleneck at an overloaded website, dr pepper achieved their goal of getting their product into the minds of the public.
had the promotion gone off without a hitch to 'everyone in america' it may have been easily forgotten. now dr pepper will probably get more publicity over a longer time. it will be fun to see how it plays out and if they make good on their promise.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Von Lee
11/26/2008 7:36:08 PM
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democracy album doesnt have the soul of the previous album
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:48:31 PM
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I never thought I would Like Chinese Democracy but I gotta say its FUCKIN GREAT!!!
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COMMENT | What an idiot....
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:50:40 PM
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seems he is working in showbiz? Wow....
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:52:20 PM
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CHI-DEM GETS LUKEWARM SALES, AXL FINDS SOMEONE TO SUE. WHAT A TYPICAL COWARD! CRY ME A RIVER AXL, SO I CAN PISS IN IT!!!
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COMMENT | Fuck you Axl
posted by : JimmyDiablo
11/26/2008 7:53:07 PM
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What a bunch of pompus assholes. No one cared about the record because it's 14 years old. You have claimed that it would come out for years, so can I sue you? We should all get together and hire some lawyers to send Axl a retarded baseless letter just like that one above. Dr pepper promised something free. FREE. If you didn't get you coupon oh well. They gave away lots of free soda, and I got one easily. No problems with the site. If it would have been difficult I would not have really cared, it's not like it was a defective or sub par product that I paid for (like most people that bought your POS album) It was free. Who cares. This album will go down as a whimper in music history. It's nothing, you are nothing and the Guns n Roses name is nothing. Thank you, fuck off! You will be hearing from my attorney.
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COMMENT | dine
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:55:02 PM
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yeah I'm sure he's crying a river over the hundreds of millions of dollars he's made writing music on his own terms.
and by the way....he's not suing anybody so maybe you should re-read the article.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 7:58:13 PM
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Making money??? Chi-Dem was the most expensive album of all time, and it's gonna LOSE huge sums of money unless sales REALLY pick up. As for Dr. Pecker, personally I never liked the stuff anyway. The fact that Axl and his lawyers care proves what desperate losers they are.
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COMMENT | great album
posted by : double_talking_jive
11/26/2008 8:36:07 PM
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and as far as Pepper is concerned, millions of dollars are spend on advertising by companies. Pepper tried to be cheeky by having this promotion and not sticking to their bargain!
Pepper should just offer and extend the deal again and apologise to fans and gnr.
Chinese Democracy \m/
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 9:00:07 PM
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I never thought CD would sell 5-10 million copies like so many idiots predicted but i also never imagined it would tank this badly.
The Waterworld of music. Maybe even worse. Axl is a fuckin douchebag.
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COMMENT | .
posted by : Blackenistheyend
11/26/2008 9:04:55 PM
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No way... a one-day promotion on a website giving away free stuff, and the website crashes? Didn't see that one coming 1000 miles away. Even huge internet companies like Amazon can't handle that sort of thing (they had a one-day sale on Xboxes & the site crashed).
And are they really suing someone for trying to give away freebies? Guess that's what happens when you try to be nice. I'm sure all the Chinese Democracy fans were crushed, and can never properly enjoy their turd of an album now, since they didn't get a free soda.
Dr. Pepper > Guns N Roses > Axl Rose
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COMMENT | Ceast & Desist
posted by : alanr666
11/26/2008 9:17:40 PM
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GnR had plenty of time to send Dr Pepper a 'Ceast & Desist' letter, explaining all the things mentioned in that letter regarding the use of the name and image of Axl and GnR and all that other lawyer shite.
Instead, it seems that they let Dr Pepper continue to put out press releases regarding the possible release of the album, and how Slash and Buckethead wouldn't get a soda, etc... so I would say that this letter and the threat of a lawsuit is a little too late!
If this record was on par with AC/DC and Metallica first-week numbers, I doubt they would be complaining as such!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 10:20:40 PM
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This is the gayest thing I've ever seen. Shame on Axl.
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COMMENT | Great album chi dem is
posted by : RiotAct666
11/26/2008 10:24:14 PM
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can't wait to get my free soda next.
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COMMENT | Lol
posted by : Polimar
11/26/2008 10:27:21 PM
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Corporate "rock" against Corporate arseholes: Fuck them both.
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COMMENT |
posted by : 5142
11/26/2008 10:35:36 PM
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I can't wait for my free soda..
but hopefully riotact666 becomes the only american not to receive one...
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/26/2008 10:59:09 PM
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wow Axl you are a piece of shit.
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COMMENT | Tin Omen 07
posted by : wastingbeerz
11/26/2008 11:08:37 PM
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You're right, Nevermore's Year of the Voyager IS out now... i needs ta get me dat shizznit!!! Seriously... been waiting for a Nevermore DVD... uh... forevermore.
Yeah... few beers in at this point.
Wish it was Hoegaarden offering 1 free beer to everyone over Chinese Democracy instead of Dr. Pepper. That would be some good shit.
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COMMENT | The two things I hate most in the world:
posted by : THRASHMONGER
11/26/2008 11:44:03 PM
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Lawyers, and Guns'n'Roses.
HOWEVER, this above letter is entirely correct.
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COMMENT | GNR
posted by :
11/27/2008 12:00:01 AM
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Whatever you think about Axl and the album, it's nice to see them stick up for their fans (what ever the intentions are). Dr. Pepper royally screwed this whole deal up.
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COMMENT | GNR
posted by : Geinwear
11/27/2008 12:15:25 AM
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just a free soda...so what
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COMMENT |
posted by : madeinquebec
11/27/2008 12:41:00 AM
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Stupid AXHOLE and GNR. Dr Pepper Didn't ruin YOUR reputation, YOU DID IT TO YOURSELVES, man. you came out with a sub-par album and in the new age of download. Don't be surprised if it doesn't sell as you expected.
ps: you're a real AXHOLE, Axhole.
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COMMENT | Kanye West News Bulletin:
posted by : rollins
11/27/2008 12:51:31 AM
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If Kanye West compares himself to Jesus this year, we all get a free Mountain Dew.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
11/27/2008 1:12:17 AM
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So Axl is allowed 17 years worth of delay but Dr. Pepper gets reemed for delay after 3 days? Great to see where the priorities are.
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COMMENT | Axl has and always will be
posted by :
11/27/2008 2:20:31 AM
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.... it's just a desperate attempt at some extra promotion / publicity. Thanks Blabbermouth for supporting these kinds of campaigns....
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COMMENT | wow
posted by :
11/27/2008 4:17:32 AM
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That was the stupidest thing I've ever read.
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COMMENT | Hilarious!!!!!!!!
posted by : samurai22
11/27/2008 5:00:13 AM
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The only thing funnier than Axl Rose's lawyers threatening to sue a soft drink company for not giving its fans a free soda is the people posting on this website.
"CRY ME A RIVER AXL, SO I CAN PISS IN IT!!"
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT | LOL
posted by :
11/27/2008 5:17:34 AM
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Nice to see them stick up for their fans.Pfft.Axl f*cks his fans at every chance.Whether its cancelling shows time after time or playing half ass shows with Axl beating his meat in the bathroom while the rest of the band plays instrumentals.If you have seen a good GnR show consider yourself lucky.Then there is the eons it took for Chinese Democracy to be released.Screw you Axl.You should offer a free show in every state to make up for being a two bit douchebag.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Pee Wee Herman
11/27/2008 2:29:17 PM
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that dr. pepper promotion was bullshit. tried several times on the website and couldn't get through. they should have exteneded it long enough for everyone to be able to get through
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