GUNS N' ROSES guitarist DJ Ashba reports that the band is proceeding with the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to 2008's "Chinese Democracy" while preparing for an appearance at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California, and the 12-date residency at the Hard Rock Hotel's Joint club in Las Vegas.

"[Axl Rose] has tons of stuff done [and] recorded that he's played for me and wants my input on," Ashba said. "Axl's put together such a talented group of musicians and there are so many songs that are already worked out. So we've got a good jump on it, for sure."

He added, "[The Vegas residency] is the first time we're all gonna be in the same place for a month solid and that will be, and already has been talked about, our main focus. So I think we're gonna get a lot of done. There's a lot of stuff recorded and I think it's just a matter of sitting down and working together as a band, putting together what we feel is gonna be the next best GUNS N' ROSES record. And I can't wait; I'm so excited to dive even deeper into that."