Guns 'N' Roses is Back!!

Just after 3:30 AM on the first day of the 21st Century, Guns n' Roses fans witnessed what many thought was about as likely as Chinese Democracy - the sight of W. Axl Rose taking the stage.

     Amidst an assault of lasers, strobes and a video montage of apocalyptic images, the new regime of G n' R took no prisoners, launching immediately into a searing version of "Welcome to the Jungle." A buffer, thicker Rose emerged looking like a hulking mountain man with his face partially obscured by wrap-around, mirrored sunglasses and long, straight, red hair.

     It was readily apparent that Rose was out to prove that the "new" G 'n' R comprised of Robin Finck of Nine Inch Nails, Tommy Stinson of the Replacements on bass, oddball guitarist/performance artist Buckethead on guitar, Paul Tobias (a.k.a. Paul Huge) on guitar, longtime Guns sideman Dizzy Reed and Replicants' Chris Pittman on keyboards and Primus' Brian "Brian" Mantia on drums were more than capable of playing every G 'n' R classic with an almost uncanny precision. "It's So Easy," "Mr. Brownstone" and "My Michelle" were exacting replicas of the album versions. Even Axl's vocals proved he could hit every note exactly the same - if not better than the old days.

     Between songs, Axl spoke warmly to the crowd, joking that he had been "taking a nap for about 8 years," and confessing that he had attended rehearsal, sound check and was performing with an actual set list for the first time in his entire career. "I was afraid I would jinx things - like a baseball player changing his socks, " said Rose.

     After Rose and friends blistered through spot-on renditions of G 'n' R's hits, they offered up some slightly varied versions. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Patience" were bluesy and warm and both benefited from Stinson and Finck's solid harmonies and "Nightrain" was an ear-shattering rocker. On of the most impressive moments in the show was when Rose pushed back his sunglasses and delivered an almost painfully sad rendition of "Sweet Child of Mine."

     There was no question the new line sounded like Guns n' Roses, but they certainly didn't look like them, but rather like a collection of oddball superheroes. From Buckethead's trademark inverted Kentucky Fried Chicken Bucket hat and kabuki mask - to Stinson's dapper 50's-style suit and Finck's stormtrooper garb - it was a little like Bizzaro World Guns n' Roses.

     The show definitely had some odd moments including Buckethead's brief nunchaku/breakdance routine as well as a his snappy hoe down guitar interlude - which was greeted with boos and shouts of "Slash!" from the crowd. A brief tongue-in-cheek, animated short (voiced by Rose) opened the show which depicted "Uncle Axl" enjoying his daily high colonic (an obvious nod to recent rumors that Rose had become a bizarre recluse).

     The band played stuck to the G n' R hits, throughout the two-hour set, but they did offer up four new tracks from their upcoming release, Chinese Democracy (scheduled for a June release). Many of the new singles approached the band's old material but they seemed a little stale. However, the first song in the band's encore - a cyber punk rocker had the crowd raging.

     Will the "new" Guns 'n' Roses fly with fans? The band certainly proved they replicate the hits live, but the new album will be the real proof.

     Is Axl Rose actually a self-depreciating, humble man these days? Doubtful, but perhaps a smarter, humbled one.

Setlist

1. Welcome to the Jungle
2. It's so Easy
3. Mr. Brownstone
4. Live and Let Die
5. Oh, My God
6. My Michelle
7. Think About You
8. You Could Be Mine
9. Sweet Child O' Mine
10. Knocking on Heaven's Door
11. November Rain
12. Out Ta Get Me
13. Rocket Queen
14. NEW SONG
15. Chinese Democracy (NEW SONG)
    --TECHNICAL GLITCH--
16. Patience
17. The Blues (NEW SONG)
18. Nightrain

    ENCORE

19. NEW SONG
20. Paradise City