Now, I’ve heard so much shit about how the new Guns isn’t the real Guns and what not.  People can’t seem to get past the proposed equation that Slash plus Axl equals G N’ R.  But the reality is that parents get divorced, countries take over countries, spinach gives you diseases, and Velvet Revolver is where Slash goes to work now.  I don’t need to visit a therapist for that information to make sense.  And after last night’s seemingly flawless performance by what will probably be referred to as Guns N’ Fucking Roses for the rest of time, I don’t think I’ll be even talking about the old Guns for awhile.
            From the opening guitar teasers that triggered the question to end all questions surrounding Axl, “Do you know where the fuck you are?,” the audience was convinced that rock n’ roll just sounds better when it’s coming from his mouth.  I saw them play on New Years Eve in Vegas a few years back and I was reduced to a screaming little girl for two and a half hours.  It wasn’t pretty, but I didn’t give a shit.  Last night was the same deal.  Axl’s vocals were better than great. I pinched myself every time he uttered even a word fragment. 
            Axl aside, the band came out firing and didn’t miss a beat the entire show.  It’s amazing how so many musicians can be attacking the same song at the same time and not let it slip into a complete mess.  Their sound technician definitely deserves more than a high five for his efforts.  Oh yeah, and that one guy…named Izzy Fuckin’ Stradlin came out and gave everyone an early Christmas present.  In recent shows he looked a little awkward nestled in the mix of assorted guitar players, but last night he played like the Appetite Izzy.  Hell, what’s another guitar player? 
           

Adam Mars