On another piping hot July summer night in NYC, the one thing we know is that no matter what, the new GNR can play. While they’ll never be what the Original Guns was because who can really follow that high wire act, Axl’s new band has solid chemistry and even every now and then can give off some of that ‘ole familiar sound that made Guns N’ Roses one of the best bands of the 80′s and 90′s.

As an avid fan dating back to those glory days (paging The Boss), I can vouch for how good the new band is. Having seen them perform three times out of a four show warmup at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan a few years back, they were superb. Of course, playing classic hits such as Welcome To The Jungle, Paradise City, Mr. Brownstone, Patience, Sweet Child O’ Mine, November Rain, Live and Let Die, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and You Could Be Mine is far from easy to pull off. Even if everyone’s singing along.

Trivia: What popular heavy metal band played the warmup? (Answer below)

Just a glance at what’s doing on the web where popular sites like MYGNR and HereTodayGoneToHell are off the hook, reemphasizing just how many fans the band has. Pro or con against the new Gunners who still include keyboard man Dizzy Reed, there’s always plenty being said. Of course, much of it centers around Axl and Slash, who had about as bad a breakup as Cleveland and LeBron. We’ve heard the stories before from both sides. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. Believe me, it’s a waste of energy.

If by some miracle Axl and Slash made up and there was a reunion with Izzy, Duff and Steven Adler, everyone would buy it in about five seconds. It would be soldout in record fashion. That’s one dream show I hope I’ll see before I’m floating above in another dimension.

Instead of day dreaming the impossible, let’s take a look at one of our faves off Chinese Democracy. Better originated from former lead guitarist Robin Finck, who returned to another kick ass band you may have heard of called Nine Inch Nails. It sounds like a GNR track that even the biggest Axl haters could sit back and appreciate. There’s edge and plenty of energy.

Regarding the much anticipated album that finally came out 14 years later (GNR irony), it’s pretty good. Self-titled Democracy, Street of Dreams, Madagascar, Sorry, I.R.S., There Was  A Time, If The World and our video feature Better are quality songs. It’s easy to conclude that the sound is different. Well, in case you were living in a cave, the Illusions weren’t the same as Appetite For Destruction. Perhaps we should’ve seen it coming. Most great bands don’t last. That’s why it’s easy to appreciate U2, REM, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day.  

Let’s just be happy we got a new group who’s touring and <gulp> just might release another album before 2024. Kudos to Axl, Finck, Reed, Tommy Stinson, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Chris Pittman, Bryan “Brain” Mantia, Frank Ferrer, Paul Tobias and Josh Freese on finally collaborating on this monstrosity (Axl’s words on Eddie Trunk a few years ago). And hey. How can we leave out Buckethead?!?!?!?!?! Love that dude. Even if he needs a good therapist.

I’ll never forget the 2002 show at MSG a couple of days before my birthday. At one point while Axl was giving a classic rant on Conan O’ Brien featuring Krispy Kremes he handed out, there came Buckethead who gave away presents to lucky fans. How I wish I knew what the heck they were. At least we had good seats. And hey. Dude next to us offered me pot. Haha. Little did we know that that was the last show with chaos in Philadelphia ensuing as Axl and Clear Channel got into a huge dispute. It only further damaged the band’s reputation- making fans wonder if Chinese Democracy would ever see the light of day. Thank God for November ’08!

Along with my brother Justin and even our cool Dad, who knows good music when he sees it, that’s how much that album meant to the gunners. Here’s a live version of Better. And if I do say, it really kicks cerebral ass.

 

 

New GNR: “Better”

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

The hardest part
This troubled heart
Has ever yet been through now

Was heal the scars
That got their start
Inside someone like you now

For had I known
Or I’d been shown
Back when how long it’d take me

To break the charms
That brought me harm
And all but would erase me

I never won
Or thought I could
No matter what you’d pay me

Replay the part
You stole my heart
I should have known you’re crazy

If all I knew
Was that with you
I’d want someone to save me

It’d be enough
But just my luck
I fell in love and maybe

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

So bittersweet
This tragedy
Won’t ask for absolution

This melody
Inside of me
Still searches for solution

A twist of faith
A change of heart
Cures my infatuation

A broken heart
Provides the spark
For my determination

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

I never wanted you to be so full of anger (anger)
I never wanted you to be somebody else
I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves
I only wanted you to see things for yourself

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
Now we all know better
All that I wanted was

Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
(cont. thru verse)

If I were you
I’d manage to
Avoid the invitation

Of promised love
That can’t keep up
With your adoration

Just use your head
And in the end
You’ll find your inspiration

To choose your steps
And won’t regret
This kind of aggravation

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I’d know better, better

 

Trivia Answer: Bullet For My Valentine