Ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist a fan of Chinese Democracy

Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin hasn't heard all of the band's new album, Chinese Democracy, but he likes what he has heard. Stradlin, who quit the group in 1991, told punk.bz, "I have listened to some tracks off the record and I enjoyed them." As for whether his former bandmate and sole remaining original Guns member Axl Rose was responsible for the break-up of the classic lineup, Stradlin said, "Axl is a very complicated guy, but very talented."

Stradlin, who has continued to perform and record as a solo artist since leaving Guns, opened up about why he quit the band, explaining, "Our lifestyle was very self-destructive. I was seeing how my friends were dying, and after some time of that I decided that I'd had enough. I didn't want to continue being a part of that. Now we're all clean, and that's great."

The guitarist says he "never imagined" that Guns N' Roses would reach the heights of success that it hit following the release of its 1987 debut album, Appetite For Destruction.

Stradlin added that he has remained friends with the other former members of Guns N' Roses. Bassist Duff McKagan played on his most recent album and he also speaks with guitarist Slash, although a planned show together fell through. Stradlin also made a guest appearance at a Guns N' Roses gig in New York City two years ago.

Chinese Democracy goes on sale November 23rd exclusively through Best Buy.

In related news, Wired.com reports that the lawyer for Kevin Cogill, the Los Angeles man arrested on federal charges for leaking nine songs from Chinese Democracy on his website, has made a plea deal with prosecutors that will allow him to avoid doing jail time. Attorney David Kaloyanides told Wired, "We're looking at straight probation as a result of taking this deal."
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