Axl mistreated by Police (Merck's Press Release / Statement on Sweden incident)

[darknemus]

Guns N' Roses Continue Through Europe!

Guns N' Roses manager Merck Mercuriadis released this statement following the band's sold out show in Oslo, Norway last night. Their first since Axl Rose was released from jail in Stockholm on Tuesday.

"We are very unhappy about Tuesday's events in Stockholm. To put this in context, we are in the middle of a tour - with sold out shows last night in Oslo, tomorrow in Copenhagen, and Saturday in Zurich rounding out this week alone - and continuing until the beginning of August.

The Swedish authorities were very aware of this, yet continually threatened us over a 12 hour period with between 5 days and 3 weeks incarceration without bail if Axl did not "cooperate." They were fully aware that there were millions of dollars at stake, not to mention the hopes of tens of thousands of fans who had paid for tickets to see Guns N' Roses.

The point is, the police report should not be taken at face value, and if one were to be explicit, this experience is tantamount to being held for ransom. If the context were any different, Axl would probably have preferred to spend the time in jail in order to ensure that all the facts were a matter of public record.

In addition to this, we are also not happy at the treatment he received. He was arrested after being accosted by a security guard in his hotel, following which he was physically mistreated by the arresting officer in the process of which a valuable bracelet went missing not to be returned. While in custody, he was held down by 5 police officers while a doctor tried to take blood to administer a drug test 3 different times. This illustrates not only the level of incompetence, but malice involved. The results of the test were negative, but the exercise was a clear example of an authoritarian approach trying to flex its muscles. This is the same draconian approach that assumes the security guard in question is telling the truth just because he has a badge.

Here you have a situation where authorities are skewing information their way, with the media all too ready to run with the biased reports. I did not receive a single phone call Tuesday to verify or comment on any of the reported events. There is a long history of claims by law enforcement, media and others against Axl that have not held up against scrutiny, legal or otherwise. He has had countless baseless lawsuits brought by numerous attorneys and nothing of any merit has ever held up.

This is not a criticism of the people of Stockholm. The 15,000 people at the show Monday night were amazing, and everyone we met before and after were terrific, until the encounter with the over exuberant security guard. That is where encounters with real people stop and the authorities attempt to take over. There were a number of people involved who treated Axl well, while the conduct of some was questionable and others still deplorable. Regardless, Guns N' Roses will return to Sweden where they will play once again for the people, not the authorities.

Love him or hate him don't get it twisted."

I especially like the "Love him or hate him don't get it twisted" line.  It does go to show that there are two sides to every story.  FYI, snippets of this press release are appearing in news outlets all over the place.  Of course, the parts appearing are all about "Axl being mistreated" - no comments that I've seen yet about the sold out shows or success of the tour, to date.

-darknemus

[estranged2006]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.  the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!  and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

[Charity Case]

It's just damage control with some promotion mixed in.  Do not take what merck says at face value.

[darknemus]

Of course its spin.  Thats Merck's job.  Still, I doubt they'd make claims like the 5 cops holding Axl down for a 'forced drug test' unless they're true.  (As in, I'm sure there's some form of evidence that such a thing really happened - even if its just surveilance footage held by the Swedish authorities)

-darknemus

[cyllan]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.?

Do we? Since when?? I certainly wouldn't claim knowledge of the incident not having been there, witnessed it first-hand nor having heard the testimony of a trusted friend?? Likewise, I can't believe that anyone else who is basing their assumptions on newspaper accounts and media tittle-tattle have any notion of what actually took place.

[estranged2006]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.?

Do we? Since when?? I certainly wouldn\'t claim knowledge of the incident not having been there, witnessed it first-hand nor having heard the testimony of a trusted friend?? Likewise, I can\'t believe that anyone else who is basing their assumptions on newspaper accounts and media tittle-tattle have any notion of what actually took place.

he was seen drinking all nite long! he has a very bad temper! he bite the mans leg!

bad bad bad... not good actions that he used that day.

[badapple81]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up 

[estranged2006]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up?

no im not there ok!!!!!! i dont see it all! but i dont see any of it first hands!! i KNOW he was drinking! I saw the pictures of it in his hands. I KNOW he has a bad temper!! and I KNOW that a hotel security would not want to make a troubles with a respected millionare guest at the hotel! 

the rest i can piece together with some of my senses!!!!  the press release is stupid.

[badapple81]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up?

no im not there ok!!!!!! i dont see it all! but i dont see any of it first hands!! i KNOW he was drinking! I saw the pictures of it in his hands. I KNOW he has a bad temper!! and I KNOW that a hotel security would not want to make a troubles with a respected millionare guest at the hotel!?

the rest i can piece together with some of my senses!!!!? the press release is stupid.

Yeah.. being allowed to tell your own side of the story is stupid huh. Especially to a set of fans that constantly complain about Axl not explaining himself.

Anyway incident over and this kick ass tour continues.

[Mr.Intensity]

Why would they do a blood test?

To see if Axl had narcotics in him?? I know that certain drugs if you are on them, you list them, right?? Such as anything prescription.? But does anyone think that there is more going on then just alcohol?

Well, if he did would they cover that up too?

Well, if it was their intention to trump up a case as much as they could against him in order to get as much money as they could out of him, they'd love to have a positive drug test in order to maybe add a possession of a drug charge against him (even though that would he a shitty case at best.) While I believe Merck is doing his job and adding his spin to the story, I've said from the get go that we'll never know exactly what happened. I also said that I guarantee Axl has a long time hatred of authority figures, if you can't figure that out, then you obviously don't read his lyrics or analyze his actions. You take a drunk Axl getting harrassed by some guards who think they're sweet because they have a badge, you're brewing up a bad situation right there. I can say that I've been in that same situation before at Central Michigan University where I was COMPLETELY sober and Resident Assistants wanted to search my dorm room, I told them to "fuck off".. they the were like "we'll call the police".. I said "you can tell them to fuck off too." Police came, started searching my room, I sat there and just ripped on them the whole time they were saying mean things to me. It ended with them finding nothing, me passing a breath test, then them taking me to the doctors for a forced blood test, at which that point it became physical... fortunately for me, I wasn't in a held for ransom situation, and those cops got fucked when I sued the school. I believe there is definitely some truth to Axl+Merck's side of the story, I know personally that some cops can be pieces of shit, although some can be great too.

[Mr.Intensity]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up?

no im not there ok!!!!!! i dont see it all! but i dont see any of it first hands!! i KNOW he was drinking! I saw the pictures of it in his hands. I KNOW he has a bad temper!! and I KNOW that a hotel security would not want to make a troubles with a respected millionare guest at the hotel!?

the rest i can piece together with some of my senses!!!!? the press release is stupid.

See, that's where you are wrong, some douche bag security guards will look for ANY reason to flex their muscle, especially against a guy with a temper, let's say Axl Rose, Dennis Rodman, Dennis Leary, Ray Lewis, etc..... I'm not saying Axl did NOTHING wrong, but he could have only done something minor, but was then escalated by a security guard on a power trip. You can't rule that possibility out.

[estranged2006]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up?

yeah, but his sides of the stories are always blaming someone else.. ur righ back to the tour! no more problems i hope
no im not there ok!!!!!! i dont see it all! but i dont see any of it first hands!! i KNOW he was drinking! I saw the pictures of it in his hands. I KNOW he has a bad temper!! and I KNOW that a hotel security would not want to make a troubles with a respected millionare guest at the hotel!?

the rest i can piece together with some of my senses!!!!? the press release is stupid.

Yeah.. being allowed to tell your own side of the story is stupid huh. Especially to a set of fans that constantly complain about Axl not explaining himself.

Anyway incident over and this kick ass tour continues.

your right its over hope its done with now.  but i think axls side of the story is always him blaming someone else even as obvious as this looks that he was wrong he would blame it to someone else.  the security guards were not drunk

[Mr.Intensity]

Also, keep in mind Axl and Merck's hands were tied, when in a foreign country you're fucked man, you got barely any rights.

[BLS-Pride]

        Security Guard: 'AXL ROSE Was Going To Kill Me' - June 30, 2006
The hotel security guard who was involved in a brawl with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose the morning after the band's concert in Stockholm, Sweden has broken his silence on the incident.

Pascal H?kansson (photo#1, photo#2), 25, who was working his fourth day as a security guard at the Berns hotel when he was allegedly assaulted by Rose, spoke exclusively to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet about the Tuesday morning (June 27) altercation.

"Axl came alone to the hotel and went up to his room," H?kansson said. "He came back again in the company of some sort of coordinator ? an older woman, who was his 'mom.'"

According to Pascal, what was about to happen turned out to be the most bizarre thing he's experienced in his five years as a security guard.

"Axl was pissed off because people had left him alone at some party," Pascal said. "He was loaded, in a bad mood and started cursing at the woman. When he started banging on the walls, I approached him and asked him to lower his voice."

When Axl ignored him, the security guard approached the assistant instead.

"Then Axl turned around and pushed me in my chest and neck," H?kansson said.

How hard?

"I totally lost balance. I wasn't prepared and I had to kneel for a moment in order to be able to remain standing. Then he jumped me and started fighting. I had to fend off a few punches, on my arms, for instance. Then I got hold of his neck and got him down on the ground. We wrestled for about a minute; he was strong."

And that's when he bit you?

"Yeah, but it wasn't until afterwards that I felt it. When you get such a rush of adrenaline, you don't feel anything. He could have had Hepatitis B or something. It was very uncomfortable. In general, it's disgusting to bite people."

When you were lying there on the ground, were you able to get both his arms in a lock?

"No, it wasn't possible. He was wild. He was totally wild. He was gonna kill me. 'I'm gonna fuck your life up,' he screamed."

At the same time as Axl Rose's bodyguard came down to the lobby, the reception called the police.

"Axl was stark-raving mad," Pascal continued. "The bodyguard tried to calm him down, but Axl threatened to fire him if he intervened. That's when he threw a vase into an antique mirror."

How did Axl look?

"He had a crazy, disturbing look."

Was he intoxicated?

"Yes, he was intoxicated, by alcohol or something."

At 7:45 a.m., four policemen with their batons drawn entered Berns hotel.

"He was still bouncing up and down screaming that he was gonna make my life a living hell," Pascal said.

What happened to you when the police detained Axl and drove away to the police station?

"I was upset. I sat down and talked to the staff at the reception. One of the girls was sad after what had happened. I wrote a report. Then the police called and wanted me to go to the hospital."

What did they check you out for at the hospital?

"If my skin had broken, but it hadn't. It was mostly a superficial wound."

Did you have time to be afraid? According to you, he seemed to be totally out of control.

"I have worked a lot as a bouncer at nightclubs and have become somewhat desensitized. I didn't have time to be afraid. But afterwards, it hit me. He was totally crazy. Anything could have happened."

Why have you been laying low until now?

"You have to reflect a bit before going public."

Axl Rose has admitted the crimes and will pay you 10,000 SEK (approximately $1,400) in damages. Have you heard anything from him since this incident?

"No one has called me. Not the police, not the District Attorney, not Axl's crew. It wold be nice to get an apology."

Will you proceed with this matter?

"I'm going to contact a lawyer to see what options are available. If this would have happened in the U.S., I probably would have been a millionaire," Pascal said with a smile.

H?kansson is now off work for a week before returning to his position as the security guard at the lobby of the Berns hotel.

"This was my fourth day at Berns and people told me that nothing ever happened there," Pascal said. "And then this is how it turns out. It's just totally crazy."

Aftonbladet has tried to reach Axl Rose through the concert booking agency Ema Telstar for a comment, but with no luck.

"I hold no grudge against him," H?kansson insisted. "I just did my job and did it well. It was nothing personal against me ? it could have happened to anyone. It's just by pure luck that it wasn't one of the girls working in the reception that was harmed."

[Mandy.]

       
When Axl ignored him, the security guard approached the assistant instead.

"Then Axl turned around and pushed me in my chest and neck," H?kansson said.

That explains why Axl said he just wanted to make sure Beta was okay. I didn't get that part till now.

[estranged2006]

I belive that man. He was there! there is your first hand account and wittness! no tabloid, no news, nope. I belive that mans story. he was not drunk and axl was. ?Axl should just admit that he was fucked up and appologizes to the man. everyone will be ok with it then!

[Mr.Intensity]

Sounds like he's preparing a case against Axl Rose to get on the money train. I'd be shocked if Axl just started slugging on the guy. Definitely sounds like Axl was wasted though, lol at the guard saying he "feared for his life", "disturbing look", "he told me he was going to make my life a living hell", "he was going to kill me" etc.... that's straight up what you need to say to claim "mental harm","post traumatic stress disorder" or "intentional infliction of emotional distress" civil claims in the United States. I know that because that's what I claimed the cops made me feel after they fucked with me at college. ?

I'd bet my bottom dollar he contacted a lawyer the next day, this is phase 1 of the civil lawsuit.

[MeanBone]

i believe the guard, poor guy. i wouldn't to face an aging rock star on a powertrip either...

[Mr.Intensity]

i believe the guard, poor guy. i wouldn't to face an aging rock star on a powertrip either...

I believe some of what he said is true, but if you believe he "feared for his life," you absolutely know nothing about police/security guards. Those guys deal with 10x bigger lunatics than Axl and have been shot at or actually took beatings where they couldn't subdue a guy, to say Axl Rose made him "fear for his life".. nothing more than him setting up his lawsuit to hop on that money train.

[estranged2006]

i believe the guard, poor guy. i wouldn\'t to face an aging rock star on a powertrip either...

I believe some of what he said is true, but if you believe he \"feared for his life,\" you absolutely know nothing about police/security guards. Those guys deal with 10x bigger lunatics than Axl and have been shot at or actually took beatings where they couldn\'t subdue a guy, to say Axl Rose made him \"fear for his life\".. nothing more than him setting up his lawsuit to hop on that money train.

hes a hotel security guard. hes not a police. hes not even armed. axl is nuts and everyone knows that! he prob was afraid.  axl should just admit that he was drunk and what he did. appologize to the man and it would be ok! no lawsuits,  no bad press, no problems. dont make fun of the guy onstage coz he did his job. he needs to grow up about it all.

[Mr.Intensity]

i believe the guard, poor guy. i wouldn\'t to face an aging rock star on a powertrip either...

I believe some of what he said is true, but if you believe he \"feared for his life,\" you absolutely know nothing about police/security guards. Those guys deal with 10x bigger lunatics than Axl and have been shot at or actually took beatings where they couldn\'t subdue a guy, to say Axl Rose made him \"fear for his life\".. nothing more than him setting up his lawsuit to hop on that money train.

hes a hotel security guard. hes not a police. hes not even armed. axl is nuts and everyone knows that! he prob was afraid.? axl should just admit that he was drunk and what he did. appologize to the man and it would be ok! no lawsuits,? no bad press, no problems. dont make fun of the guy onstage coz he did his job. he needs to grow up about it all.

But, wait a minute the security guard was quoted as saying..."I have worked a lot as a bouncer at nightclubs and have become somewhat desensitized. I didn't have time to be afraid. But afterwards, it hit me. He was totally crazy. Anything could have happened."

But, oh wait a minute guy.. I thought you "feared for your life" because "Axl was going to kill you?"

This security guard already looks like a moron in his press statement, I wonder how bad a good attorney would be able to get him to contradict himself on the stand, he's already done it on his own in his own statement.

[Mr.Intensity]

I can't blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

[estranged2006]

I can\'t blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

he deserves every cent he gets.

[Mr.Intensity]

I can\'t blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

he deserves every cent he gets.

Oh he gonna get paid, maybe he'll buy you a cocktail if you write him a fan letter.

[Dragon]

I can't blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

Remember that this is sweden, that means that he won't get over compensated as he would have been if it happened in the US. But I understand if he want's more. There was no reason for Axl to go cannibal on this security guard.

[Shirell]

You can understand why Axl resorted to biting.  Jesus, held down by 5 guys what else did he have left to defend himself with.

[Origen]

You can understand why Axl resorted to biting.? Jesus, held down by 5 guys what else did he have left to defend himself with.

He wasn't getting mugged he was being restrained by the police for causing a disturbance, he should of just given up struggling.

[estranged2006]

I can\\\\\\\'t blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

he deserves every cent he gets.

Oh he gonna get paid, maybe he\\\'ll buy you a cocktail if you write him a fan letter.

i dont care about him!!!!!!!! im fan of axl! but i dont thnk what axl did was right to do. everyone blamed that guard. but it never happen if he just go to bed after being drunk. i dont know about u but whem i get drunk i get sleepy. ?why would u need to yell in the loby of the hotel?

[Mr.Intensity]

I can\\\\\\\'t blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

he deserves every cent he gets.

Oh he gonna get paid, maybe he\\\'ll buy you a cocktail if you write him a fan letter.

i dont care about him!!!!!!!! im fan of axl! but i dont thnk what axl did was right to do. everyone blamed that guard. but it never happen if he just go to bed after being drunk. i dont know about u but whem i get drunk i get sleepy. ?why would u need to yell in the loby of the hotel?

Maybe Axl had a fine as chick coming to meet him at the hotel and didn't get a ride home because he was left at the party, then when he got there Beta had decided to tell to chick to just go home because she didn't want Axl to engage in any pre-marital sexual activities, then he was irate he got cockblocked.

[estranged2006]

I can\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t blame the security guard though.. he just wants to hop on that money train too, he wants his cash.

he deserves every cent he gets.

Oh he gonna get paid, maybe he\\\\\\\'ll buy you a cocktail if you write him a fan letter.

i dont care about him!!!!!!!! im fan of axl! but i dont thnk what axl did was right to do. everyone blamed that guard. but it never happen if he just go to bed after being drunk. i dont know about u but whem i get drunk i get sleepy. ?why would u need to yell in the loby of the hotel?

Maybe Axl had a fine as chick coming to meet him at the hotel and didn\'t get a ride home because he was left at the party, then when he got there Beta had decided to tell to chick to just go home because she didn\'t want Axl to engage in any pre-marital sexual activities, then he was irate he got cockblocked.

haha maybe! he spent all his money for the swedish blonde models and spent the nite alone and drunk in a jail cell.  I would be mad too.

[Annie]

POlice can be jerks! Look at all the African Americans who get beat up in Chicago. When I was a teenager I was running to work one day because I was late. I was stopped by a policeman and he made me get in his car because I fit the description of a blonde who was involved in a hit and run. He kept trying to get me to confess and when we found the woman who had filed the complaint she said that it was not me, thank GOD! The cop drove me back to work, never apologized, and he refused to come in and tell my boss why I was 45 minutes late. My Mom was so mad that she called to complain and they yelled at her, " THAT I WAS TREATED GREAT!"  I was so scared that day, and all because I was wearing a gray shirt!

[cyllan]

I belive that man. He was there! there is your first hand account and wittness! no tabloid, no news, nope. I belive that mans story. he was not drunk and axl was. ?Axl should just admit that he was fucked up and appologizes to the man. everyone will be ok with it then!

And your source for this 'eye-witness account' is?? Oh yes, that's right, the same paper that printed the original story.?

I can hear the sound of cash registers ringing from here!

[estranged2006]

I belive that man. He was there! there is your first hand account and wittness! no tabloid, no news, nope. I belive that mans story. he was not drunk and axl was. ?Axl should just admit that he was fucked up and appologizes to the man. everyone will be ok with it then!

And your source for this \'eye-witness account\' is?? Oh yes, that\'s right, the same paper that printed the original story.?

I can hear the sound of cash registers ringing from here!

why would u care if the cash register is ringing? you wont get any money from it..  so u think they man just make up the story to have his name in the paper? he like to be bite on the legs? i dont  think so.  you think axl is soooo innocent dont you girl? dont be foolish. axl is not an angel. if he get in trouble like that and he has to have another lawsuit or spend time in jail hes not gonna have time to finish hes album..

[Thorazine Shuffle]

I'm sorry Mercky-Merck, but uh, I didn't read anything in this spinned press release that showed me that the cops or anyone "mistreated" Axl.

He better be glad he didn't pull that shit in the south (U.S.) or he would of gotten a baton in the face. ?And there would of been no way he could of proven other-wise that he didn't deserve it.

[cyllan]

I belive that man. He was there! there is your first hand account and wittness! no tabloid, no news, nope. I belive that mans story. he was not drunk and axl was. ?Axl should just admit that he was fucked up and appologizes to the man. everyone will be ok with it then!

And your source for this \'eye-witness account\' is?? Oh yes, that\'s right, the same paper that printed the original story.?

I can hear the sound of cash registers ringing from here!

why would u care if the cash register is ringing? you wont get any money from it..? so u think they man just make up the story to have his name in the paper? he like to be bite on the legs? i dont? think so.? you think axl is soooo innocent dont you girl? dont be foolish. axl is not an angel. if he get in trouble like that and he has to have another lawsuit or spend time in jail hes not gonna have time to finish hes album..

I can't believe that you really don't understand the influence that the thought of gaining easy money can exert.? Secondly, I admit that I don't know the truth anymore than you do.? However, what I won't do is condemn someone without having all the facts and certainly not on the basis of a newspaper report.? Whether you choose to do so is, of course, your concern.

[estranged2006]

I belive that man. He was there! there is your first hand account and wittness! no tabloid, no news, nope. I belive that mans story. he was not drunk and axl was. ?Axl should just admit that he was fucked up and appologizes to the man. everyone will be ok with it then!

And your source for this \\\'eye-witness account\\\' is?? Oh yes, that\\\'s right, the same paper that printed the original story.?

I can hear the sound of cash registers ringing from here!

why would u care if the cash register is ringing? you wont get any money from it..? so u think they man just make up the story to have his name in the paper? he like to be bite on the legs? i dont? think so.? you think axl is soooo innocent dont you girl? dont be foolish. axl is not an angel. if he get in trouble like that and he has to have another lawsuit or spend time in jail hes not gonna have time to finish hes album..

I can\'t believe that you really don\'t understand the influence that the thought of gaining easy money can exert.? Secondly, I admit that I don\'t know the truth anymore than you do.? However, what I won\'t do is condemn someone without having all the facts and certainly not on the basis of a newspaper report.? Whether you choose to do so is, of course, your concern.

u just only say that coz you think axl is always right or hes so cute or handsome or something. wish he would bite ur friend or ur brother in the legs. then maybe u dont say that.

[dizzy68]

 This Press Release is Pure Bullshit. I think there was more promotion in it then an actual defense for what Axl did. Axl has no valid defense. He fucked up. So the best they could do is put a positive spin on things by promoting how popular the band is and how many tickets were sold. What a fucking Joke!

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Merck is pissed because the cops were telling Axl he could be in jail up to three weeks. If they just let axl go with the fine after that one night and were not threatening axl with up to three weeks, I dont think Merck would have said anything. No one goes to jail for three weeks for getting drunk and breaking something and biting someone after getting his hair pulled.

they get a night and detox and post bail the next morning. That was mercks point not that axl was wrong. He said he was mistreated which he was after going to the drunk tank.

I dont think he is saying Axl was not at fault, he was unhappy with the cops telling axl they are going to detrail the tour

[Mr.Intensity]

Merck is pissed because the cops were telling Axl he could be in jail up to three weeks. If they just let axl go with the fine after that one night and were not threatening axl with up to three weeks, I dont think Merck would have said anything. No one goes to jail for three weeks for getting drunk and breaking something and biting someone after getting his hair pulled.

they get a night and detox and post bail the next morning. That was mercks point not that axl was wrong. He said he was mistreated which he was after going to the drunk tank.

I dont think he is saying Axl was not at fault, he was unhappy with the cops telling axl they are going to detrail the tour

Plus showing that Axl Rose chose the fans and the tour over his own self pride... maybe possibly actually fighting the charges.

[Origen]

Merck is pissed because the cops were telling Axl he could be in jail up to three weeks. If they just let axl go with the fine after that one night and were not threatening axl with up to three weeks, I dont think Merck would have said anything. No one goes to jail for three weeks for getting drunk and breaking something and biting someone after getting his hair pulled.

they get a night and detox and post bail the next morning. That was mercks point not that axl was wrong. He said he was mistreated which he was after going to the drunk tank.

I dont think he is saying Axl was not at fault, he was unhappy with the cops telling axl they are going to detrail the tour

Plus showing that Axl Rose chose the fans and the tour over his own self pride...

...And the Million of dollars at stake (in the words of Merck)

[Mr.Intensity]

Merck is pissed because the cops were telling Axl he could be in jail up to three weeks. If they just let axl go with the fine after that one night and were not threatening axl with up to three weeks, I dont think Merck would have said anything. No one goes to jail for three weeks for getting drunk and breaking something and biting someone after getting his hair pulled.

they get a night and detox and post bail the next morning. That was mercks point not that axl was wrong. He said he was mistreated which he was after going to the drunk tank.

I dont think he is saying Axl was not at fault, he was unhappy with the cops telling axl they are going to detrail the tour

Plus showing that Axl Rose chose the fans and the tour over his own self pride...

...And the Million of dollars at stake (in the words of Merck)

  well maybe Brain's rubbed off on him and Axl just "has to get paid."

[AdZ]

Or perhaps there are other people on the tour that need to be paid, like the road crew.

[oldgunsfan]

I just got my Yahoo GnR News aler and some of these online "News" outlets sure do know how to twist a headline around.  Here are some examples:

Yahoo! Alerts Yahoo! News - My Alerts - Edit Alert 
Friday, June 30, 2006 10:08 AM PDT

Guns N' Roses Continue Through Europe!
CNW Group via Yahoo! Finance Thu, 29 Jun 2006 6:52 PM PDT
Guns N' Roses manager Merck Mercuriadis released this statement following the band's sold out show in Oslo, Norway last night. Their first since Axl Rose was released from jail in Stockholm on Tuesday: 

Guns N' Roses hit out at Swedish police
NME Fri, 30 Jun 2006 3:12 AM PDT
The band declare themselves 'very unhappy' 

Rose complains of police 'malice'
BBC News Fri, 30 Jun 2006 1:10 AM PDT
Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose was "held for ransom" and mistreated by Swedish police during his arrest, his manager claims. 

Rock star Axl Rose accuses police
BBC News Fri, 30 Jun 2006 1:33 AM PDT
Rock band Guns N' Roses claim singer Axl Rose was "held for ransom" and mistreated when arrested in Sweden. 

Axl Rose mag Schweden immer noch
Whiskey Soda Fri, 30 Jun 2006 7:33 AM PDT
Nach seiner Verhaftung in Stockholm am letzten Dienstag hat Guns N'Roses -Frontmann Axl Rose nun verlauten lassen, dass er Schweden immer noch in Ordnung findet: Zuvor jedoch willigte Rose ein, knapp 4000 Euro Bussgeld zu zahlen und weitere 1000 Schmerzensgeld an den Beamten, den er ins Bein gebissen hatte . Band Manager Merck Mercuriadis:"We are very unhappy about Tuesdays events in Stockholm. 

Axl Rose Blasts Police For Blackmail
ContactMusic Fri, 30 Jun 2006 5:35 AM PDT
LATEST: GUNS N' ROSES frontman AXL ROSE has blasted Swedish police for blackmailing him into co-operating with their demands. The singer was being he 

Axl on Arrest
antiMUSIC Thu, 29 Jun 2006 6:14 PM PDT
(Blabbermouth) At GUNS N' ROSES' gig in Oslo Wednesday night (June 28), frontman Axl Rose addressed the the hotel brawl that landed him in a Swedish jail earlier in the week. 

I read the statement and nowhere in it is there a quote from Axl.  It's just misleading
 


 

[February]

Just my two cents, it's likely Axl was very drunk and very pissed, but a security guard that worked in clubs and is scared for is life when treatned by a drunk guy....or either the clubs in sweden are very peacefull places or he should consider getting a new job. I have a couple of friends that are security, and my husband payed 4 years of college working as one two, drunken guys(usually with their friends) getting crazy it's all in a days work.

[johnnythunders24]

I don't really like this press release...It's kinda goofy really. I've been drunk and arrested and flipped out on cops before...I've been mistreated and whatever. Axl got off pretty good...I know I'd still be in jail if I got in a fight in a hotel and fought there security. It's not a big deal and I really dont care about the incident. I probably shouldn't post this, but whatever.

[mega_music]

I just heard the first news report about Mercks press release. It was on Howard 100 News update during the 4:00 hours.  I hope other big networks pick up on this story to try to clear the air of the negative press from the other day. This whole things kinda reminds me of the creppy cops on the movie Hostel.  Very crazy stuff however again we will never know the exact truth, its gonna be his word versus another persons word.

[Bono]

Actually this press release might have been a really good thing. I mean Axl was intoxicated so really he wasn't fully in control and "shit hapens". I mean I've been really drunk before(never bit anyone though) and caused some shit or some minor disturbance or whatever and never have I been held down by 5 cops. Wow! that must've been scary. Poor Axl is always being held down by numerous cops, it just doesn't seem fair. That securty guard is a total ass anyways and the cops probably just wanted their name in print beside Axl Rose's name. How cool would that be. Anyways Hopefully Axl is able to put this incident behind him and move on with life, kick ass on tour and put out an a mazing album.  You da man Axl!!! 

[Parabola]

I love the comment about the tens of thousands of fans who had tickets for the shows? they didn't seem to care about that when Mercks boy was a no show for the Philly show?

[Sillything]

i think this press release is just stupid. everyone knows that axl was drunk and go carried away yelling at his beta.? the security would not talk to or bother a respected hotel guest like axl rose for no reason! it wouldnt happen!? and poor axl pretned to be kidnaped or held for ransom! if he would have gone to his room or his bed he wouldnt be held! simple!

Glad we have a first hand direct eyewitness account of things to clear what really happened up?

no im not there ok!!!!!! i dont see it all! but i dont see any of it first hands!! i KNOW he was drinking! I saw the pictures of it in his hands. I KNOW he has a bad temper!! and I KNOW that a hotel security would not want to make a troubles with a respected millionare guest at the hotel!?

the rest i can piece together with some of my senses!!!!? the press release is stupid.

You obiously don't know the mentality of these guards. If they don't like you they fuck you up because they don't like you! Ok? It has been happening to me numerous times that I have been hassled by this kind of guards. And yes I'm not so smart when I'm drunk and crazy shit can happen. That's why I totally identify with a song like Out Ta Get Me, I have taken it to my swedish heart

[girlincarwithgnr]

All I know is if I was drunk and pissed and was being restrained by being pinned on the floor...I would bite'em too! 

[Sillything]

haha maybe! he spent all his money for the swedish blonde models and spent the nite alone and drunk in a jail cell.? I would be mad too.

That's how things end up for me from time to time

[sucker punch]

FUCK THE POLICE !!! THAY HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT DO HIM FOR SHIT SENCE HIS TEENS!

[Athena]

Too bad we get stuck with another press release. Would have been nice if Axl himself addressed the issue instead of Merck. However, his word against the security guards words - believe what you want to believe.

[pebbles]

they'll learn not to mess with axl. 

[LaTeRaLuS]

its like what axl said in the early 90s, police just pick on people like him so they have a good story to tell their mates at the pub

[Axl4Prez2004]

Did that picture of the lobby area look alot smaller than you expected?  Maybe it was just the picture.