October 7th, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Chinese Thievery: Axl Rose vs. Ulrich Schnauss

Axl Rose

Chinese Democracy, Guns ‘N Roses‘ long (long, long) awaited 2008 studio album, came and went with little fanfare. Chock full of metal sludge, post-industrial mayhem, and massive amounts of hype, the album didn’t do as well as the labels expected, and certainly undershot even W. Axl Rose’s expectations. It was supposed to change our lives, and instead, all we’re left with is a half-baked record and the sour taste of (free) Dr. Pepper in our mouths.

That said, a year after its release, Chinese Democracy is still being discussed. This time, however, everyone’s talking about Ulrich Schnauss, the atmospheric German musician, who claims Axl cribbed not just one, but two of his songs, directly and without clearance. Schnauss has slapped a $1 million lawsuit on Guns N’ co. for the illegal sampling of his songs “Wherever You Are” and “A Strangely Isolated Place” in the Chinese Democracy track “Riad N’ the Bedouins.”

Though by comparing the tracks, this seems to be a rather open-and-shut case, Guns N’ Roses is naturally challenging the allegations as if they’d done nothing wrong. ”Guns N’ Roses vigorously contests these claims and intends to respond accordingly,” the band’s manager, Irving Azoff, said in a statement. “The band believed when the record came out and still believes that there are no unauthorized samples on the track.” Naturally, this statement directly contrasts those emanating from Schnauss’ camp. ”The band and the record company are ultimately responsible for copyright infringement,” suggested Brian Caplan, Schnauss’ attorney. “I can tell you that there is no paper trail authorizing the use of these songs and nobody from the plaintiff’s side authorized the use of this song.”

Again, the outcome of this strife seems as clear as day, but if you prefer to hear for yourself, click here, here, and here, respectively. All things considered, I can’t really blame Axl for having a sliver of taste left in him.

By Frank Deserto

Filed under Featured Posts, Music Gossip, News

7

Comments

7

  1. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    J said:

    I listen to Schnausers crap and I didnt hear any similarity whatsoever…clever way to get his name out there though…frivolous

  2. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    EndGame said:

    Hahaa…Brian got caught!

  3. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    Aaron said:

    J, either you are retarded or deaf.

  4. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    wendell said:

    indeed, J, retarded or deaf.
    15 years of preparing this freakin thing and axl can’t write his own atmospheric intros?

  5. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    frances said:

    The song’s “Riad N’ the Bedouins” not raid.

  6. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    E.J. Wolborsky said:

    Touche, Frances. It’s been corrected.

    - Ed.

  7. October 7th, 2009 at 11:50 AM { # }

    Frank Deserto said:

    Damn you spelling checker!

February 9th, 2010 at 4:43 PM