GILBY CLARKE On GUNS N' ROSES Reunion: 'It's Gonna Be Interesting To See SLASH And AXL Back Together'

During a brand new interview with "The Rock Show" on Star Radio with Neil Jones, former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke was once again asked for his thoughts on a GN'R reunion, following the recent announcement that long-estranged singer Axl Rose and guitarist Slash had repaired their relationship and were staging a handful of comeback shows in April. Clarke, who was not an original member of the group, said: "You know, I'm probably just as curious as everybody else is. It's gonna be interesting to see Slash and Axl back together after all these years. I mean, I have certainly seen Slash many times; I've seen his solo band, I've seen VELVET REVOLVER. So it's gonna be interesting to see, after that big hiatus, what comes together from this. I'm just like a fan; I'm curious too."

Asked how the members of GUNS N' ROSES dealt with Axl's stage tardiness while Clarke was in the band, the guitarist said: "Well, you know, back then, we drank a lot, and we got drunk a lot. I mean, that's the thing — we didn't know whether it was gonna be five minutes late or three hours late. It's just one of those things that… it came with the territory. We've all got our pluses and minuses with our jobs. The waiting was a minus."

Clarke replaced founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin in the GUNS lineup in 1991, during the "Use Your Illusion" tour, and stayed with the band for three years.

He has continued as a producer and solo artist since then, while also playing in ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, HEART and other acts.

Clarke reunited with GUNS members Slash, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan at the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in April 14, 2012, although he himself was not inducted as part of the band.

Gilby is currently recording a new solo album that will feature guest appearances by drummers Stephen Perkins (JANE'S ADDICTION) and Matt Starr (ACE FREHLEY) along with members of Clarke's solo band, EJ Curse (bass/vocals) and Troy Patrick Farrell (drums/vocals). Gilby told "The Rock Show" about the upcoming effort: "It's been a long time, and I've kind of been working on this record for, like, about four or five years, which would sound like, 'Oh my God! It's an epic.' It's not. I just… I can't put a record out unless I think it's good. And I've been writing tunes and I've been recording a lot, but I just honestly didn't think it was good. And up until this year, I've really got a good batch of songs. And after these next few weeks, the shows for us, we're taking a few months off because I wanna finish this record. I wanna get it out by the end of the year."

Regarding the musical direction of his upcoming CD, Gilby said: "I still like… I guess it's now called classic rock. I like rock and roll, man. I like THE BEATLES. I like THE [ROLLING] STONES. I like METALLICA. I like the RAMONES. To me, it's all just rock and roll. As long as it's an electric guitar and the Marshall's on 10, I'm a pretty happy guy."

Photo credit: Alex Kluft of California Rock News