If you haven’t heard, the latest incarnation of Guns N' Roses is gearing up for a massive, 40 date North American tour later this fall. On paper, the name “Guns N' Roses” would cause a mass hysteria for a tour, but as most music fans realize; that it is not the true Guns N' Roses lineup going on tour this fall.

If you are looking to plunk down 100 dollars or more for a Guns N' Roses ticket; be aware this version of Guns N' Roses does NOT include guitar virtuoso Slash, bassist Duff McKagan or any other the other members that still call Velvet Revolver their musical home. I guess Slash is too busy hawking riffs for Volkswagen, or Duff is too busy trying to keep himself and Scott Weiland clean to reunite for what would be the greatest reunion tour to people in my generation of music fans. Well, that or a Mr. Big reunion, you make the decision….

What you will receive with this Guns N' Roses tour are six guys with original lead singer and headcase Axl Rose that will make for a glorified cover band. Respectable musicians such as ex-Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson and former Primus drummer Brian Mantia are in the new lineup, but to many fans, this will not even hold a candle to the original Guns N' Roses lineup.

The original Guns N' Roses lineup is held up almost mythically to this day by former fans, and younger fans who have found the band years after their heyday. To 16 year old rock fans, they are put into the same category as Led Zeppelin or AC/DC as rock legends. The band does deserve a place in rock history, as one of the last bad ass bands that made rock dangerous and entertaining before grunge changed the mood of rock, and before emo-rock wussified it.

But like many people, I still hold Guns N' Roses in this holier than thou light; well at least the 1990 version. It is tough for me to even call this new version Guns N' Roses, because I was such a fan of the version that everybody remembers. Everybody remembers Axl Rose’s tirades, long waits and no shows; and everybody remembers Slash falling over while trying to play through a set. Not only did the music add to the mystique of the band, but the way the band imploded was almost as puzzling, yet intriguing at the same time.

I think the band has held this legacy for the fact that since their breakup, no band has come close to replicating or capturing the band’s fire. Sure, bands like Avenged Sevenfold and plenty of bands from Orange County give Guns N' Roses props, but the bands sounds completely different and lack the danger factor Guns N' Roses had. But even if they try to act out party and scenarios of debauchery, they look like they are just copying this band.

I think it’s important to remember Guns N' Roses for what they brought to the table back in the day as the new version mounts another North American tour. Now, I know, the 2002 tour ended up a complete disaster and seemed like a horribly failed attempt to recapture glory. I was at the show at the Palace in November of 2002, and while “Welcome to the Jungle” made the show worth every penny, the show went downhill fast.

After watching recent streamed broadcasts of the new Guns N' Roses lineup, this seems like a tighter version than what the overweight and obviously out of breath Rose brought to us 4 years ago. Axl has dropped the old Jerry Rice jersey, and track pants, for a more rock and roll look (but dude, those cornrows still gotta go!).

But I am willing to give this version of Guns N' Roses one more chance. In the back of my mind, I still leave a glimmer of hope that one day that Slash and Axl will make up, and embark on the greatest reunion tour since… well, ever. The United States might get out of Iraq quicker, and Israel and Hezbollah may patch things up before the original Guns N' Roses lineup gets back together, but hey, a guy can dream, right?

When discussing with a much younger friend of mine, he posed the question to me: “You would really go see the Axl Rose Karaoke Band, and pay 60 dollars to see it?” And my response: “It may not be Slash and the other guys, but you better believe I’d pay 60 dollars to see Axl keep me waiting ‘til midnight to sing with a bunch of nobodies”.

So, I guess I’ll be seeing you November 25th at the Palace, with absolutely no shame in my decision.