Chinese Democracy = Free Dr. Pepper

[Rude]

...

Dr Pepper Will Give Everyone* in America a Free Soda If Axl Rose Releases New Guns N' Roses Album, Chinese Democracy, In 2008
*Guitarists Slash and Buckethead Will Not Be Eligible For Free Soda

Tired of a world in which Americans idolize wannabe singers and musicals about high schoolers pass as rock 'n roll music, Dr Pepper is encouraging (ok, begging) Axl Rose to finally release his 17-year-in-the-making belabored masterpiece, Chinese Democracy, in 2008.

In an unprecedented show of solidarity with Axl, everyone in America, except estranged GNR guitarists Slash and Buckethead, will receive a free can of Dr Pepper if the album ships some time -- anytime! -- in 2008.

Rest of the article: here

And Axl actually responded to the offer on the official GN'R website:

We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album "Chinese Democracy," as for us, this came totally out of the blue. If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him.

-Rude

[jewishcarpenter]

Wouldn't that be crazy if Duke Nukem and a Guns N' Roses album were both released this year? I have the same expectations of the quality level for both, low.

[Conor]

In 2003 I drove to Philly to see the GNR tour that was going on.  Axl didn't show, and Philly rioted, (some guy yelled "Are we Philly?  Are we Philly!?!" to no one in particular while setting his shirt on fire.)  It was intense full riot squad, seats being torn up and thrown and everything.  The tour was canceled a few days later.  Waiting for Chinese Democracy will mark the end of an era, and will surely disappoint, but I'm still curious as hell to hear what it sounds like.

[BathTub]

Ok, cool, I didn't know Buckethead was from GnR.

[Nick]

*Cadbury Schweppes Board Meeting.

Board Member 1: All right, what should we do to maximize profits for the next quarter.

Board Member 2: Ooh. Ooh!

Board Member 1: *Sigh* What is it this time Jerry?

Jerry: We should give everyone in America a free Dr. Pepper if Axyl finally releases Chinese Democracy! Rockin!

Board Member 1: Ummm... what?

* Heh sorry for that. That was pretty much my reaction to this news. WTF does Dr. Pepper have to do with GNR exactly? Seemed kind of bizarrely funny to me.

[MrTorso]

Ok, cool, I didn't know Buckethead was from GnR.

Rather Buckethead joined/played in the reformed GnR along with Tommy Stinson of the Replacements and Brain from Primus. Buckethead had many albums before he played with GnR. Axl accused him of joining GnR, then working a new record deal for himself because of his involvement with GnR, then quiting.

[Wheaty Petestraw]

I hope less people drink Dr. Pepper than before because of this.

and Warrior, isn't Dr. Pepper produced by Cadbury Schweppes?

[bratpop]

But how can WE make this happen? I want free Dr. Pepper!

[Nick]

and Warrior, isn't Dr. Pepper produced by Cadbury Schweppes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Pepper

Correct. I was just unaware at the time I posted that. I will edit my post to reflect my growing knowledge.

[Rude]

...

Dr Pepper To Deliver On Its Free-Soda Promise

Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a reality. The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. "Chinese Democracy," infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until Feb. 28.

Complete article: here

-Rude

[Nick]

Sweet. Now if only I liked Dr. Pepper. I do like me some GNR though. What's the word on the album?

[kodiakthejuggler]

Hey guys, I work at the JCPenney home office in Plano, Texas, which is just down the street from the Cadbury Schweppes Texas office. Should I go to the front door and demand my free Dr. Pepper? And if they refuse, should I riot?

Maybe Axl can join me, seeing as how he's not going to have anything to live for once the world hears this washed up piece of crap hit the airwaves.

[RobtheBarbarian]

He'll just go pack to getting drunk and picking fights with people - his real talent.

[bratpop]

So is this album a seething indictment of China? Or just a pile of crap songs being pushed to nostalgic ex-fans?

[PsypherPunk]

I'm actually vaguely impressed with the album although I'll admit I wasn't expecting much. No, it isn't worth a decade and a half of waiting and no, if won't change the face of Planet Rock but it's pretty listenable. The production's pretty dense without being overproduced (quite an achievement considering...), the lyrics are narcissistic to say the least and Axl has a tendency to break out the strings and piano a little too often but when it rocks, it rocks pretty hard. Yep, kinda glad Guns N' Roses are back...sort of.

At least you all get a free beverage out of it.