Duff McKagan: Axl Rose has written 'magnificent stuff' for 'real' Guns N’ Roses album

Duff also says he's "excited about the possibilities"

Duff McKagan and Axl Rose
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 25th Feb 2019

Duff McKagan says Guns N’ Roses’ new album is “real” and Axl Rose has written some “magnificent” material for it.

Guns N’ Roses guitarists Slash and Richard Fortus have both spoken about the record in recent weeks and now, in an interview to promote his poignant solo single ‘Tenderness’, Duff McKagan has also opened up about it.

Appearing on Trunk Nation, Duff was asked if there is an album in the works or it’s just speculation. He responded: "Oh, it’s real, but the fun part and the cool part about Guns N’ Roses is we don’t really talk about it, and what happens next just happens.”

The bassist continued: "It’s never been that band that there’s a direct schedule of how we do things. I’ve heard some magnificent stuff that Axl (Rose) has, really cool stuff he’s been working on. So I’m excited about the possibilities with that, of course.

“I don’t mean to get anybody rabid. Our day will happen when it happens, that’s for sure."

When the album eventually sees the light of day, it will be Guns N’ Roses’ first album since 2008’s ‘Chinese Democracy’ and their first to feature Slash and Duff McKagan since “The Spaghetti Incident?” way back in 1993.

Slash told TVK’s Rock City last week: “Axl (Rose), Duff (McKagan), myself and Richard (guitars) have all talked about… there’s material and stuff going on already for a new record.

"It's just, with Guns N' Roses, you don't go, 'Oh, there is a plan, and it's gonna be like this,' because that's not how it works. So, basically, the only real answer to give is we're hoping to put a new record out, and we'll just see what happens when it happens."

Back in December, Richard Fortus teased fans by saying a new album could arrive "faster than you think" and vowed the band are “going to try and do another record and get it out soon.”

Echoing these comments, earlier this month Fortus said: "Slash is on tour right now. Once he gets back from that, we're gonna get some more recording done and hopefully get an album out soon. And then we'll get back to touring.

Listen to Kerrang! Radio for Everything That Rocks. Listen online, via your smart speaker ("play Kerrang! Radio") and watch on Freeview TV channel 717. You can also listen on our free app:

Download the Kerrang! Radio App for Android

Download the Kerrang! Radio App for iOS