SPEAKING OF MAGS:

The new February issue of RIP Magazine features a cover story interview with Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash (complete with a bare-chested centerfold spread of Slash, posing with his favorite snake). Unfortunately the interview ignores the storm of controversy surrounding the band’s Rolling Stones dates (or was done beforehand). However, Slash does admit he’s been battling a booze problem. “I was drinking too much--up to a half gallon of vodka a day easy,” he said. “It got to the point where I would have the shakes so bad the next morning, I would have to drink a fairly tall stiff vodka and cranberry just so I could drive.” . . . While we’re on that subject: Who was that guy in the Batman T-shirt who climbed up on stage to sing “White Light, White Heat” with Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson at the Palace the other night? None other than Axl Rose, who was joined by G N’ R’s Slash, who handled as many chord progressions as he could remember. . . . And yes, that was Stevie Nicks at the Whisky, of all places, singing her old Fleetwood Mac hit “Landslide” with Venice, a new band signed to Modern Records.