SMALL FACES: Izzy or isn’t he? Look...

SMALL FACES: Izzy or isn’t he? Look for a formal decision any day now on whether Izzy Stradlin will be with Guns N’ Roses when the band resumes touring with Northeast U.S. dates the first week of December. Just two weeks ago GNR representatives were saying the guitarist--who reportedly had wearied of life on the road--was definitely going to be on board, but now the matter once again seems in doubt. One thing is almost certain: If a replacement is needed, it probably won’t be Jane’s Addiction’s David Navarro, as has been rumored. Navarro is starting work on a possible solo album, doing demos with Jane’s bassist Eric Avery.

If you have a nagging urge to know what Slayer would sound like doing “Auld Lang Syne,” MTV’s having a contest in which the thrash-metal band will play a private New Year’s Eve concert in the winner’s hometown.