Demo list with details

[Creepshow2]

This project is finally almost complete. I have a few questions for anyone who can help, mainly regarding the Use Your Illusion takes and instrumentals. Also "Patience" from the GN'R Lies session is very hard to determine whether or not it's even an outtake because it sounds extremely close to the album version.

I hope this list clears up a lot of confusion for those collecting and attempting to organize demos by session...

Guns N’ Roses Demos

The differences are in comparison to the album versions and other demos.

Mystic Studio
August 1985
Producer: ?

Welcome to the Jungle (5:00)
This version is slow with dual vocal tracks
During the intro Axl whispers, “ch-ch-ch-ch-cha”
During the first chorus he just holds in the word “knees”

Anything Goes (5:11)
Alternate lyrics different from both Appetite for Destruction and the 1986 live/demo version. They are from when Hollywood Rose performed the song in which the first verse ends with, “But I'm gonna work it out”
Dual vocal tracks
During the intro (0:33) Axl holds in a wail for 14 seconds
The backing vocals in the chorus have a higher register
After the chorus (2:06) Axl repeats, “Ahh, ahh, ahh” for the next 23 seconds
Right at the end he does not sing “tonight” and leaves it at “say anything goes…”

Don’t Cry (4:42)
Dual vocal tracks with backing vocals during choruses
During the solo there are spoken words, “And don’t you cry cause I’ll be coming back home to you…”
At the very end Axl only holds the word “tonight” for 5 seconds
This demo can be found on the single for “Don’t Cry”

Back Off Bitch (4:57)
Dual vocal tracks
During the intro Axl says, “This one’s for you”
After the choruses Axl’s vocals are overlapped
During the lyrics “nasty ball breaker” the other vocal track hears Axl say “Ow!”
During the last choruses Axl sings, “I’m gonna burn, burn the witch”

Heartbreak Hotel
Recorded but not included on tape


Sound City
June 2-4, 1986
Producer: Manny Charlton

Out Ta Get Me (4:02)
Before the first chorus Axl sings, “I’m already gone”
During the first chorus Axl sings, “Cause I’m innocent”
Before the second chorus Axl sings, “For so fuckin’ long”
Only half of the part after the solo is played omitting the second half with the double notes and goes right into the third verse
During the last chorus Axl sings, “They’re out ta get me, you better believe, they won’t catch me, oh listen to me, I’m fuckin’ innocent”

Rocket Queen take 1 (6:13)
Right before the song starts a short guitar riff is played
During the choruses Axl holds the word “am” both times
During the second verse Axl sings, “I’ve had everything imaginable”
The part between the solo and the third chorus is omitted
During the end Axl sings, “I hate to see you walkin’ out there in the rain” instead of “out in the rain”
He also holds the word “harm”
Axl comes in late on, “Don’t ever leave me”

Rocket Queen take 2 (6:07)
This demo has the same structure as the first take only the bass is heard more prominently during the intro
During the end Axl pauses between “I” and “see you standin’”
He also doesn’t hold in “harm” as he did in the first take
At the very end he holds in “care” for 9 seconds

Nightrain (4:54)
At the start of the song there is no 4-count on the high-hat
The intro is played twice before Axl starts singing
During the first chorus Axl sings, “I can never get enough” first and then “I love my stuff” and ending it with “Ready to crash and burn” instead of “Never to return”
The ending repeats the intro 3 times

My Michelle (4:23)
Axl sings, “And you drive all your friends crazy…” instead of “Drivin’ all your friends crazy…”
He also sings, “So you can go party and I’ll return the key” instead of “Party till your connection calls...”
In the last verse he sings, “And if you keep tryin’ we both know money burns. Don’t stop your cryin’ and you’ll get what you deserve”
At the very end, “My my my Michelle” is done 8 times instead of 4

You’re Crazy (3:24)
Axl is heard speaking for a second at the very beginning
He sings, “I’ve been looking’ for you” in a higher register
Axl stays silent the entire double time before the solo

Paradise City (5:40)
The demo starts out with power chords instead of an introduction with vocals
Axl sings, “Spin me ‘round” in the chorus before the double time and there is only one double bass drum fill while he holds in “home”

Move to the City take 1 (3:15)
At 0:53 and 1:41 Axl sings, "Well you're gonna gonna move to the city"
Before the solo instead of singing "Sometimes it gets too shitty" he just holds in a note

Move to the City take 2
Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

November Rain acoustic (4:54)
On the same vocal track Izzy does the backing vocals after each lyric
At 3:16 Axl sings, “You can find me walkin’ again and again and again…”
The third verse is not sung and neither is the outro

November Rain piano (9:44)
The low and high F chords are played twice at the beginning
During the first verse Axl sings, “But when I’m holdin’ you” instead of “But darlin’ when I hold you”
The first verse is repeated where the third verse would be
Izzy does backing vocals again
The outro has only piano and no vocals

Shadow of Your Love (2:43)
Axl says, “Wake up! It’s time to play!” right at the beginning
He also holds in notes over the chords before the first verse

Reckless Life (2:47)
This version is played faster than the one on Live Like a Suicide, the solo starts out with lower notes
Axl laughs at the end

Think About You (3:54)
Both guitars have distortion during the choruses instead of just one
Axl omits the first two lyrics in the chorus after the solo

Welcome to the Jungle (4:59)
At the very beginning Axl says, “You guys ready?” and Slash attempts to start the intro but stops and then restarts
On the second “And when you’re high you never, ever wanna come down…” Axl sings “I said down”
There are no backing vocals

Don’t Cry (5:19)
During the last chorus after the first “And don’t you cry tonight” Axl adds “Whoa no, whoa no, oh whoa”
At the very end he holds “tonight” for 6 seconds

Nice Boys (2:59)
Axl says “No we’re not” right at the very beginning
During the chorus with just drums and no guitars Axl sings, “Nice boys never play rock n’ roll, I bet your mama said…” changing “don’t” to “never” in this version

Back Off Bitch (4:41)
Axl sings the first lyric, “Oh baby” instead of “Whoa baby”
He also holds in a note over the beginning of the solo
At the end of the solo he sings, “I’m talkin’ to you” and repeats it again during the last choruses along with “So what are you gonna do?”
Axl laughs at the end right before “Fucking bitch”

Anything Goes (4:33)
This demo starts out with Axl saying, “Ready”
This is second of three versions with different lyrics in which the first verse contains, “I know you want it, you can bring your sister, and we can do it on top of the car”
Again Axl does not sing the word “tonight” at the very end

Mama Kin (3:29)
This demo starts right with the power chords without Axl saying, “This is a song about your fuckin’ mother!”
Slash’s solo is very different

Heartbreak Hotel (4:41)
For the third and fifth choruses Axl sings, “So fuckin’ lonely”
The fifth chorus is done right before “Don’t make me cry”
At the very end Axl holds in a note for 15 seconds and the whole ending lasts for 28 seconds

Ain’t Goin’ Down instrumental (3:33)
No vocals
Slash’s solo runs from 1:37 to 2:20

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (3:26)
This take is done very fast
At the end Axl says, “That one’s for your mama!”

Jumpin’ Jack Flash acoustic (3:53)
This acoustic take is done very slow
There are backing vocals from the rest of the band on the same vocal track throughout the whole song but Axl is heard most prominently

Move to the City acoustic (3:48)
Talking is heard in the very beginning and then the lyrics, “I’m a West Coast junkie, an East Coast monkey, got another big dick under my arm” before the acoustic guitars come in
The rest of the band does some backing vocals throughout the verses
Axl laughs at the end and an applause is heard

Untitled song in progress
Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

You’re Crazy acoustic
Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

The Plague
Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

Cornshucker Stomp
Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

The last four songs were omitted from the bootlegs that ended up in circulation. Since the demo session was so long, it’s possible that they just didn’t fit onto the tapes they were copied onto. The other “Move to the City” demo hasn’t surfaced either for whatever reason.


Pasha Studios
August 1986
Producer: Spencer Proffer (only for Sweet Child O’ Mine and Nightrain)

Sweet Child O’ Mine (6:29)
The intro fades in
Duff doesn’t play bass notes over the C chord the first time the rest of the band comes in
Axl sings, “Oooohhh, oh yeaah” during the intro
This version is slowed down
During the ending Axl sings, “Oh child where do we go now?”
There is feedback at the end and then a drum is heard

Nightrain (5:14)
The song starts out with a train sound and drumbeat which is followed by the guitar riff of the chorus being played as the intro before going into the actual intro
This version is slowed down
The ending has all of Axl’s vocal overdubs

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (3:31)
This version has backing vocals on the choruses and the ending

You’re Crazy (3:35)
At the end of the first chorus before the double time Axl sings, “You’re fuckin’ crazy” again
He stays silent during the double time except for right before the solo

Reckless Life (3:11)
This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Heartbreak Hotel (4:15)
Axl sings, “So fuckin’ lonely” in the first and third choruses and “So god awful lonely” in the second chorus
Right after the last solo Axl goes into “Don’t make me cry” instead of a fifth chorus
At the very end he holds in a note for 7 seconds

Shadow of Your Love (2:59)
Axl stays silent during the intro
During the first verse he pauses in between “Took my chances carelessly” and “Choked on my own cigarette”
This version is slower than the Sound City take and has backing vocals on the choruses

Welcome to the Jungle (4:59)
Drumsticks count the song off
During the drumbeat after the solo Axl whispers, “Cha”
The song ends with a drum roll

Move to the City (3:27)
This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Mama Kin (3:41)
This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Nice Boys (???????????)
This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Mr. Brownstone (4:13)
At the very beginning the word “Ready?” is heard through a talkbox
This version is slowed down
At the end of the choruses Axl sings, “He won’t leave me alone, no no, no no whoa”
The drumbeat right after the solo is slightly different
Axl doesn’t pause in between “I leave it all…behind”

Don't Cry (5:25)
This demo is played even slower than the first two
There are no backing vocals
At the end Axl holds in “tonight” for 9 seconds making it sound the closest to Use Your Illusion I


Rumbo Studios, Take One Studio & Can Am Studio
Fall 1986
Producer: Mike Clink

These are all unavailble at the moment

Welcome to the Jungle
It’s So Easy
Nightrain
Out Ta Get Me
Mr. Brownstone
Paradise City
My Michelle
Think About You
Sweet Child O’ Mine
You’re Crazy
Anything Goes
Rocket Queen


Rumbo Studios
???? 1988
Producer:

Patience (5:56)
Outtake???

One in a Million (6:32)
There is talking at the beginning addressing Mike Clink asking if he’s ready
Axl does not whistle during the intro
There is no distorted third guitar just two acoustics
In the first verse Axl sings “I need some piece of mind” instead of “needed”
During the second chorus he doesn’t reverse “You know that you are” and “You’re a shooting star”
Axl continues to sing over the solo

You’re Crazy (4:26)
Axl shouts, “One, two!” right before the song starts
He only sings “You know you’re crazy” throughout the choruses instead of “You’re fuckin’ crazy”
Axl makes a lot of noises over the double time before the solo

Used To Love Her (1:30)
Axl counts off the song in Spanish
The song is played only to second chorus

Cornshucker (4:20)
Duff sings lead vocals and Axl joins on the choruses
Although the song didn’t end up on GN’R Lies it was played live once at the Limelight in New York, NY on January 31, 1988


Mates Rehearsal Studios
December 6, 1989
Producer:

Don’t Damn Me instrumental take 1 (5:23)
Slash begins to play the opening riff, stops and then starts again

Don’t Damn Me instrumental take 2 (5:17)
Steven bangs on the snare drum at the very beginning

Garden Of Eden instrumental (3:20)
The song is restarted four times

Locomotive instrumental (5:15)
The ending is omitted

Dust N’ Bones (5:19)
Duff sings lead vocals


Record Plant Recording Studios
September 21, 1990
Producer:

Estranged (instrumental) (9:27) - Drumsticks count the song off, Slash’s solo before “Well I jumped into the river…” is not played, just the rest of the instruments
Locomotive (instrumental) (8:30) - Drumsticks count the song off
Breakdown (instrumental) (7:11) - Piano is heard briefly at the beginning and then the song is counted off
The Garden (instrumental) (5:09) -
Black Leather (instrumental) (3:46) -
I Don’t Care About You (instrumental) (2:09) - The song is counted off
Attitude (instrumental) (1:37) - There is a count off and the pick slide at the beginning is different, the power chord strumming and solo also sound different
New Rose (instrumental) (2:40) - The song is counted off on the high-hat
14 Years (5:18) - Izzy reverses a lot of the lyrics and adds completely different ones in certain parts, the ending is extended with another solo by Slash


Record Plant Recording Studios
December 1990 - January 1991
Producer:

November Rain (mix from December 16, 1990)
Live and Let Die (mix from December 17, 1990)
Estranged (mix from December 19, 1990)
Double Talkin’ Jive (mix from January 5, 1991)
You Ain’t the First (mix from January 6, 1991)
Yesterdays (mix from January 7, 1991)
Pretty Tied Up (mix from January 10, 1991)
You Could Be Mine (mix from January 12, 1991)
Bad Apples (mix from January 14, 1991)
Don’t Cry (original) (mix from January 16, 1991)
Don’t Cry (alt. lyrics) (mix from January 16, 1991)

November Rain (Q-Sound)
Live and Let Die (Q-Sound)
Estranged (Q-Sound)
Double Talkin’ Jive (Q-Sound)
You Ain’t the First (Q-Sound)
Yesterdays (Q-Sound)
Pretty Tied Up (Q-Sound)
You Could Be Mine (Q-Sound)
Bad Apples (Q-Sound)
Don’t Cry (original) (Q-Sound)
Don’t Cry (alt. lyrics) (Q-Sound)

Coma, Get in the Ring, Ain't Goin' Down, 3 versions of Civil War, Back Off Bitch, Bad Apples, Dead Horse, and many others are scattered. Can anyone place the sessions?

[31illusions]

This is a fantasic list! Could you up load all these song in high def stereo please? Haha, J/K!

Seriously, I want it.

[Creepshow2]

Sure. If there's anything you're missing from the list that I have, I'll send it to you. They're not high definition but they sound good.

In addition to the questions about "Patience" and the Use Your Illusion demos, does anyone know what session/studio the "Estranged" piano only demo is from?

[jman2000]

Guns N’ Roses Demos

The differences are in comparison to the album versions and other demos.

Mystic Studio

August 1985

Producer: ?

Welcome to the Jungle (5:00)

This version is slow with dual vocal tracks

During the intro Axl whispers, “ch-ch-ch-ch-cha”

During the first chorus he just holds in the word “knees”

Anything Goes (5:11)

Alternate lyrics different from both Appetite for Destruction and the 1986 live/demo version. They are from when Hollywood Rose performed the song in which the first verse ends with, “But I'm gonna work it out”

Dual vocal tracks

During the intro (0:33) Axl holds in a wail for 14 seconds

The backing vocals in the chorus have a higher register

After the chorus (2:06) Axl repeats, “Ahh, ahh, ahh” for the next 23 seconds

Right at the end he does not sing “tonight” and leaves it at “say anything goes…”

Don’t Cry (4:42)

Dual vocal tracks with backing vocals during choruses

During the solo there are spoken words, “And don’t you cry cause I’ll be coming back home to you…”

At the very end Axl only holds the word “tonight” for 5 seconds

This demo can be found on the single for “Don’t Cry”

Back Off Bitch (4:57)

Dual vocal tracks

During the intro Axl says, “This one’s for you”

After the choruses Axl’s vocals are overlapped

During the lyrics “nasty ball breaker” the other vocal track hears Axl say “Ow!”

During the last choruses Axl sings, “I’m gonna burn, burn the witch”

Heartbreak Hotel

Recorded but not included on tape

Sound City

June 2-4, 1986

Producer: Manny Charlton

Out Ta Get Me (4:02)

Before the first chorus Axl sings, “I’m already gone”

During the first chorus Axl sings, “Cause I’m innocent”

Before the second chorus Axl sings, “For so fuckin’ long”

Only half of the part after the solo is played omitting the second half with the double notes and goes right into the third verse

During the last chorus Axl sings, “They’re out ta get me, you better believe, they won’t catch me, oh listen to me, I’m fuckin’ innocent”

Rocket Queen take 1 (6:13)

Right before the song starts a short guitar riff is played

During the choruses Axl holds the word “am” both times

During the second verse Axl sings, “I’ve had everything imaginable”

The part between the solo and the third chorus is omitted

During the end Axl sings, “I hate to see you walkin’ out there in the rain” instead of “out in the rain”

He also holds the word “harm”

Axl comes in late on, “Don’t ever leave me”

Rocket Queen take 2 (6:07)

This demo has the same structure as the first take only the bass is heard more prominently during the intro

During the end Axl pauses between “I” and “see you standin’”

He also doesn’t hold in “harm” as he did in the first take

At the very end he holds in “care” for 9 seconds

Nightrain (4:54)

At the start of the song there is no 4-count on the high-hat

The intro is played twice before Axl starts singing

During the first chorus Axl sings, “I can never get enough” first and then “I love my stuff” and ending it with “Ready to crash and burn” instead of “Never to return”

The ending repeats the intro 3 times

My Michelle (4:23)

Axl sings, “And you drive all your friends crazy…” instead of “Drivin’ all your friends crazy…”

He also sings, “So you can go party and I’ll return the key” instead of “Party till your connection calls...”

In the last verse he sings, “And if you keep tryin’ we both know money burns. Don’t stop your cryin’ and you’ll get what you deserve”

At the very end, “My my my Michelle” is done 8 times instead of 4

You’re Crazy (3:24)

Axl is heard speaking for a second at the very beginning

He sings, “I’ve been looking’ for you” in a higher register

Axl stays silent the entire double time before the solo

Paradise City (5:40)

The demo starts out with power chords instead of an introduction with vocals

Axl sings, “Spin me ‘round” in the chorus before the double time and there is only one double bass drum fill while he holds in “home”

Move to the City take 1 (3:15)

At 0:53 and 1:41 Axl sings, "Well you're gonna gonna move to the city"

Before the solo instead of singing "Sometimes it gets too shitty" he just holds in a note

Move to the City take 2

Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

November Rain acoustic (4:54)

On the same vocal track Izzy does the backing vocals after each lyric

At 3:16 Axl sings, “You can find me walkin’ again and again and again…”

The third verse is not sung and neither is the outro

November Rain piano (9:44)

The low and high F chords are played twice at the beginning

During the first verse Axl sings, “But when I’m holdin’ you” instead of “But darlin’ when I hold you”

The first verse is repeated where the third verse would be

Izzy does backing vocals again

The outro has only piano and no vocals

Shadow of Your Love (2:43)

Axl says, “Wake up! It’s time to play!” right at the beginning

He also holds in notes over the chords before the first verse

Reckless Life (2:47)

This version is played faster than the one on Live Like a Suicide, the solo starts out with lower notes

Axl laughs at the end

Think About You (3:54)

Both guitars have distortion during the choruses instead of just one

Axl omits the first two lyrics in the chorus after the solo

Welcome to the Jungle (4:59)

At the very beginning Axl says, “You guys ready?” and Slash attempts to start the intro but stops and then restarts

On the second “And when you’re high you never, ever wanna come down…” Axl sings “I said down”

There are no backing vocals

Don’t Cry (5:19)

During the last chorus after the first “And don’t you cry tonight” Axl adds “Whoa no, whoa no, oh whoa”

At the very end he holds “tonight” for 6 seconds

Nice Boys (2:59)

Axl says “No we’re not” right at the very beginning

During the chorus with just drums and no guitars Axl sings, “Nice boys never play rock n’ roll, I bet your mama said…” changing “don’t” to “never” in this version

Back Off Bitch (4:41)

Axl sings the first lyric, “Oh baby” instead of “Whoa baby”

He also holds in a note over the beginning of the solo

At the end of the solo he sings, “I’m talkin’ to you” and repeats it again during the last choruses along with “So what are you gonna do?”

Axl laughs at the end right before “Fucking bitch”

Anything Goes (4:33)

This demo starts out with Axl saying, “Ready”

This is second of three versions with different lyrics in which the first verse contains, “I know you want it, you can bring your sister, and we can do it on top of the car”

Again Axl does not sing the word “tonight” at the very end

Mama Kin (3:29)

This demo starts right with the power chords without Axl saying, “This is a song about your fuckin’ mother!”

Slash’s solo is very different

Heartbreak Hotel (4:41)

For the third and fifth choruses Axl sings, “So fuckin’ lonely”

The fifth chorus is done right before “Don’t make me cry”

At the very end Axl holds in a note for 15 seconds and the whole ending lasts for 28 seconds

Ain’t Goin’ Down instrumental (3:33)

No vocals

Slash’s solo runs from 1:37 to 2:20

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (3:26)

This take is done very fast

At the end Axl says, “That one’s for your mama!”

Jumpin’ Jack Flash acoustic (3:53)

This acoustic take is done very slow

There are backing vocals from the rest of the band on the same vocal track throughout the whole song but Axl is heard most prominently

Move to the City acoustic (3:48)

Talking is heard in the very beginning and then the lyrics, “I’m a West Coast junkie, an East Coast monkey, got another big dick under my arm” before the acoustic guitars come in

The rest of the band does some backing vocals throughout the verses

Axl laughs at the end and an applause is heard

Untitled song in progress

Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

You’re Crazy acoustic

Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

The Plague

Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

Cornshucker Stomp

Unavailable, this take didn’t make it onto the bootlegs

The last four songs were omitted from the bootlegs that ended up in circulation. Since the demo session was so long, it’s possible that they just didn’t fit onto the tapes they were copied onto. The other “Move to the City” demo hasn’t surfaced either for whatever reason.

Pasha Studios

August 1986

Producer: Spencer Proffer (only for Sweet Child O’ Mine and Nightrain)

Sweet Child O’ Mine (6:29)

The intro fades in

Duff doesn’t play bass notes over the C chord the first time the rest of the band comes in

Axl sings, “Oooohhh, oh yeaah” during the intro

This version is slowed down

During the ending Axl sings, “Oh child where do we go now?”

There is feedback at the end and then a drum is heard

Nightrain (5:14)

The song starts out with a train sound and drumbeat which is followed by the guitar riff of the chorus being played as the intro before going into the actual intro

This version is slowed down

The ending has all of Axl’s vocal overdubs

Jumpin’ Jack Flash (3:31)

This version has backing vocals on the choruses and the ending

You’re Crazy (3:35)

At the end of the first chorus before the double time Axl sings, “You’re fuckin’ crazy” again

He stays silent during the double time except for right before the solo

Reckless Life (3:11)

This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Heartbreak Hotel (4:15)

Axl sings, “So fuckin’ lonely” in the first and third choruses and “So god awful lonely” in the second chorus

Right after the last solo Axl goes into “Don’t make me cry” instead of a fifth chorus

At the very end he holds in a note for 7 seconds

Shadow of Your Love (2:59)

Axl stays silent during the intro

During the first verse he pauses in between “Took my chances carelessly” and “Choked on my own cigarette”

This version is slower than the Sound City take and has backing vocals on the choruses

Welcome to the Jungle (4:59)

Drumsticks count the song off

During the drumbeat after the solo Axl whispers, “Cha”

The song ends with a drum roll

Move to the City (3:27)

This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Mama Kin (3:41)

This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Nice Boys (???????????)

This is the same take used on Live Like a Suicide before the crowd noise is overdubbed

Mr. Brownstone (4:13)

At the very beginning the word “Ready?” is heard through a talkbox

This version is slowed down

At the end of the choruses Axl sings, “He won’t leave me alone, no no, no no whoa”

The drumbeat right after the solo is slightly different

Axl doesn’t pause in between “I leave it all…behind”

Don't Cry (5:25)

This demo is played even slower than the first two

There are no backing vocals

At the end Axl holds in “tonight” for 9 seconds making it sound the closest to Use Your Illusion I

Rumbo Studios, Take One Studio & Can Am Studio

Fall 1986

Producer: Mike Clink

These are all unavailble at the moment

Welcome to the Jungle

It’s So Easy

Nightrain

Out Ta Get Me

Mr. Brownstone

Paradise City

My Michelle

Think About You

Sweet Child O’ Mine

You’re Crazy

Anything Goes

Rocket Queen

Rumbo Studios

???? 1988

Producer:

Patience (5:56)

Outtake???

One in a Million (6:32)

There is talking at the beginning addressing Mike Clink asking if he’s ready

Axl does not whistle during the intro

There is no distorted third guitar just two acoustics

In the first verse Axl sings “I need some piece of mind” instead of “needed”

During the second chorus he doesn’t reverse “You know that you are” and “You’re a shooting star”

Axl continues to sing over the solo

You’re Crazy (4:26)

Axl shouts, “One, two!” right before the song starts

He only sings “You know you’re crazy” throughout the choruses instead of “You’re fuckin’ crazy”

Axl makes a lot of noises over the double time before the solo

Used To Love Her (1:30)

Axl counts off the song in Spanish

The song is played only to second chorus

Cornshucker (4:20)

Duff sings lead vocals and Axl joins on the choruses

Although the song didn’t end up on GN’R Lies it was played live once at the Limelight in New York, NY on January 31, 1988

Mates Rehearsal Studios

December 6, 1989

Producer:

Don’t Damn Me instrumental take 1 (5:23)

Slash begins to play the opening riff, stops and then starts again

Don’t Damn Me instrumental take 2 (5:17)

Steven bangs on the snare drum at the very beginning

Garden Of Eden instrumental (3:20)

The song is restarted four times

Locomotive instrumental (5:15)

The ending is omitted

Dust N’ Bones (5:19)

Duff sings lead vocals

Record Plant Recording Studios

September 21, 1990

Producer:

Estranged (instrumental) (9:27) - Drumsticks count the song off, Slash’s solo before “Well I jumped into the river…” is not played, just the rest of the instruments

Locomotive (instrumental) (8:30) - Drumsticks count the song off

Breakdown (instrumental) (7:11) - Piano is heard briefly at the beginning and then the song is counted off

The Garden (instrumental) (5:09) -

Black Leather (instrumental) (3:46) -

I Don’t Care About You (instrumental) (2:09) - The song is counted off

Attitude (instrumental) (1:37) - There is a count off and the pick slide at the beginning is different, the power chord strumming and solo also sound different

New Rose (instrumental) (2:40) - The song is counted off on the high-hat

14 Years (5:18) - Izzy reverses a lot of the lyrics and adds completely different ones in certain parts, the ending is extended with another solo by Slash

Record Plant Recording Studios

December 1990 - January 1991

Producer:

November Rain (mix from December 16, 1990)

Live and Let Die (mix from December 17, 1990)

Estranged (mix from December 19, 1990)

Double Talkin’ Jive (mix from January 5, 1991)

You Ain’t the First (mix from January 6, 1991)

Yesterdays (mix from January 7, 1991)

Pretty Tied Up (mix from January 10, 1991)

You Could Be Mine (mix from January 12, 1991)

Bad Apples (mix from January 14, 1991)

Don’t Cry (original) (mix from January 16, 1991)

Don’t Cry (alt. lyrics) (mix from January 16, 1991)

November Rain (Q-Sound)

Live and Let Die (Q-Sound)

Estranged (Q-Sound)

Double Talkin’ Jive (Q-Sound)

You Ain’t the First (Q-Sound)

Yesterdays (Q-Sound)

Pretty Tied Up (Q-Sound)

You Could Be Mine (Q-Sound)

Bad Apples (Q-Sound)

Don’t Cry (original) (Q-Sound)

Don’t Cry (alt. lyrics) (Q-Sound)

I just changed a few things for my reference so I can separate things better. Anyway, AMAZING list! I have a few of these, but not all. If you have all the demos here maybe you could send me them and I can upload them to 2shared and we can make links next to each song? Also, I have a few instrumentals (not sure if you downloaded the bootleg "The Hell Revisisted" but that is where I got them from). I looked and don't have a Patience demo, sorry . We should do something like this with Hollywood Rose also, I'd definitely like to help with it. Thanks again for the list!

[Creepshow2]

No problem. It was a lot of fun, actually, listening to those songs over and over and placing everything. I'm going to print a Zine soon with the information and photos, in color. That would be great to do a Hollywood Rose one. I'm on the hunt for all the pre-GN'R demos, especially Rapidfire. The only Hollywood Rose demos I've heard so far are the 5 that were officially released.

Which demos do you need? I can send them through email. They're all in folders by session. So if you need a large amount of them, I can probably send them a folder at a time. Just let me know.

[jman2000]

I'll hit you up with a pm. Unfortunately I don't think there are any Rapidfire songs out there, but I think I might have 2 versions of Ready to Rumble. I've been told by Joshua Soloman that they aren't real, but he might be just saying that so the songs don't get passed around anymore. (Joshua Soloman is the lawyer of Kevin Lawrence who was originally going to put out the demos commercially. I do have a good collection of Hollywood Rose demos including a few live. I'll send you all you want and all the info I know on them.

[Creepshow2]

That sounds great. I'll also send you the "Patience" demo that I'm so confused about and maybe you can hear a difference, however slight, to confirm whether or not it's the same take used on Lies. It's strange because "One in a Million", "Used to Love Her" and the rest are obvious alternate takes.

[jman2000]

I just thought of some discs that might have some old outtakes that aren't really circulating much but I could get them. I'll tell you about it in pm.

[Axl Rose aka God]

Wow, all of these demos sound pretty much like the live versions performed today. Perhaps that's why Axl does 'em that way, they're the original way he and the band thought of 'em. I always wondered where "Spin me round" came from in Paradise.

[DieselDaisy]

Thanks for that - I will go through it at somepoint in the next few days (listening to what I have).

Rapid Fire's demo (recorded, May 1983 at Telstar Sound Recorders, Burbank) was going to get an official release, à la Roots of Hollywood Rose, but Rose got his lawyers onto the case: the project seems to have stalled.

[jman2000]

It most likely will never be released, which is such a shame. If he'd still sell it (wasn't he selling it for $10,000 at a time?) I'd definitely buy it without even thinking twice. Seems like they already have the cd artwork, etc planned out. I'd just have to deal with Axl's lawyers... which probably isn't pretty.

[DieselDaisy]

It may get a release but it would take a record company willing enough to see it through the courts. Axl, Slash and Duff were completely hammered by Cleopatra during the Roots of Guns N' Roses lawsuit (Incidentally, Cleopatra were actually interested in the Rapid Fire tape at some stage). Have you read that long legalistic letter on Rapid Fire? I think this was an appeal to Axl's, better nature!

[jman2000]

Yep, I've read it. The whole thing. I don't quite remember it all but it was pretty complicated. From what I got out of it it most likely won't be released any time soon, nor does Cleopatra seem to be interested anymore.

[DieselDaisy]

There is also the thing that Roots didn't really shift many units. Apparently Mick Wall has heard the Rapidfire tape. He describes it as being like Judas Priest.

[ManetsBR]

Great job!

Edited May 13, 2013 by ManetsBR

[Gibbo]

Is there anyway i could get a copy mate pleaseee

[jman2000]

There is also the thing that Roots didn't really shift many units. Apparently Mick Wall has heard the Rapidfire tape. He describes it as being like Judas Priest.

Mick Wall most likely hasn't heard anything. He's still trying to be an insider writing un true stuff about GNR after so many years.

Edited May 13, 2013 by jman2000

[DieselDaisy]

Well he names the tracklisting (this was before that letter).

[jman2000]

Well he names the tracklisting (this was before that letter).

Well then he possibly has. I'm not sure how, as Joshua Solomon claims it was played for anyone unless they were involved with the cd coming out.

[DieselDaisy]

He must have as the letter was written 2012. Wall's Axl biography was written, 2007. This is what he has to say:

''In May that year, however, they (RapidFire) managed to make a rough one-take demo, recording the songs 'Ready to Rumble, 'All Night Long', 'The Prowler and 'On the Run' - all fairly sub-Judas Priest fare. Copies of the cassette were sent out sporadically to various club owners and record company A&R departments''

- W. Axl Rose: The Unauthorised Biography by Mick Wall, p. 60.

He is correct about the date, May, and the tracklist.

[recklessroad]

I was offered the chance to hear it but didn't follow up with it last year. One of the guys from the band called me to ask me a few questions and offered to let me hear it.

[Lim666]

contact em, Marc!!

[The Real McCoy]

There's the '85 demos of Nice Boys and Heartbreak Hotel available on iTunes. Both are (to my knowledge) previously unknown takes.

[DieselDaisy]

I was offered the chance to hear it but didn't follow up with it last year. One of the guys from the band called me to ask me a few questions and offered to let me hear it.

Marc, do you know if there is still a 'push' to release the thing?

[Creepshow2]

Hi Marc, in addition to DieselDaisy's question, (different subject but so his isn't overlooked) the Sound City list in Reckless Road has the words "take 2" after Heartbreak Hotel and "take 3" after Nice Boys. Is there any reason you didn't write in the first and second takes the way you did with Rocket Queen? I just heard of the newly discovered demos of both those songs and hearing that they are most likely from Sound City. Could these be the other takes? Also do you have every take from that list or you also missing the last 4?

Edited May 14, 2013 by Creepshow2