Axl Rose has finally scheduled studio time in early August to begin
recording with the revamped version of Guns 'N' Roses. After Slash departed
over two years ago, Rose recruited former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin
Finck, former Replacement bassist Tommy Stinson, and current Vandals
drummer Josh Freese, who also drums for Devo and Paul Westerberg, just to
name a few.

When muzic.com spoke to the sought-after drummer, he told us that he's
excited about the pending studio project. He also told us, however, the
news was rather bittersweet when he realized he'd have to forego a
previously scheduled Vandals U.K. tour in support of the just-released punk
gem Hitler Bad, Vandals Good.

"As soon as I discovered the studio time would conflict with the Vandals
tour," he said, "I told the other band members they should find a
replacement. It was a hard decision, but I figured it would be better than
canceling the tour altogether." So who was chosen as fill-in for Freese?
Why, none other than No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, of course. According to
Freese, Young -- who is on hiatus while his bandmates write new material --
will pick up the sticks for the Vandals on the tour that begins August 4 in
Sheffield, England. The fellow Orange County native is a perfect choice for
the band -- aside from being a longtime fan, he knows what to expect on a
Vandals tour, after No Doubt hired them as their opening act for the '97
"Tragic Kingdom" U.S. slog. Anyone else who has witnessed the Vandals live
know Young is in for an insanely wild and outrageous two-week trek.

Freese shouldn't despair too much, though. There is a chance that he may
get to meet up with his band after all. "Adrian and I both have valid
British working permits, so if Axl pushes back the studio time, then we can
both play drums. Not at the same time of course," he added. "We'll decide
before each show which one of us will play -- depending on who is drunker."
The most inebriated, of course, will man the skins.