Slashing through the boundaries.

As according to Eddie Trunk, the Guns N'Roses camp has not officially called the upcoming shows with Slash and Duff a "reunion." He's absolutely right. It's not. In order for a true reunion to happen, Axl would have to make concessions to the other guys, right? Possibly even give up some control? Also, with the exclusion of Izzy or Steven, it's absolutely not a reunion.

Slash is once again a hired gun. He joined GN'R as a guitar player and is on Axl's payroll. I'm sure the tight lipped approach from all parties is a attempt to avoid a potential catastrophic scenario if things don't work out. I am equally sure he will be well compensated for his involvement.

In years past, a more opinionated Nago called Axl many a bad name. This is my public apology. I have no idea the amount of pressure he is under, or the amount of work it takes (and took) to keep the GN'R machine running for 20 years without the players that made the band great to begin with. No pressure there at all, right?

The eventual breakup of the last of the original lineup has been well documented. Slash was vocal about the bad vibes in the band and Axl's need to have control. In defense of Axl, can you imagine having to see your iconic partner suffering the dregs of alcoholism while trying to maintain a career? As fans, the collective opinion says Axl is a control freak. Maybe so, but Guns N' Roses survived the last 20 years somehow. The CEO of the brand kept the train a-rolling. If ego is the conductor, so be it.

Many fans (myself included) took serious issue with Axl's solo band called GN'R. Why?

If you're my age and grew up in a world that included the original Guns N' Roses, I don't need to explain any further. The following is for those that weren't there (physically or spiritually).

The Metal community was drenched in Glam. Poison and Def Leppard dominated the MTV generation. Thrash bands were the underground and top 40 radio made everyone soft and glossy. Hip-Hop was not dangerous at all yet. Even traditionally volatile bands from the '70's pumped out goofy rubbish (Dude Looks Like A Lady?) to the hairspray masses.

On the surface, 1987 looked like a fun time. It was all about the party. Pre-Internet, no cell phones, all frills. Bullies still bullied, and awards were given for actual achievement. If you took a knife to school it ended up in the Principals desk drawer, not the police station. Underage drinking got you a ride home in a cop car, not always a trip to court, and a "keg party" invite was brag worthy.

In my neck of the woods, guys had long hair and girls wore theirs high above their forehead. We all looked ridiculous. Our televisions tuned in to Alf, Cheers, Family Ties, Growing Pains and McGuyver. Again, all frills with not much substance. By the summer of 1988 pop culture needed a cleanse. Not the slow build up like the Thrash movement. Immediate culture colon cleansing.

Enter "Appetite for Destruction." It was a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal LP, but more Aerosmith than Van Halen. I can honestly say GN'R's first major label album is probably a point of source material I have heard more than any other in this crazy life of mine. Originally because it was everywhere: on every tape deck, turn table and television I walked past for 2 years straight. I know every note and nuance of that LP by heart. I've recently heard criticism regarding the piss poor timing of the LP. I'm nerdy, but not nerdy enough to actually set up a metronome to test the drummers time keeping ability. It's a perfect album. It took it a year to get over, but went on to sell over 30 Million copies.

For the next few years, musically GN'R could do no wrong, but these guys were train wrecks in their personal lives. They fought, swore on live TV, used controversial lyrical content and reminded the world what a Bad Boy really was. They smoked, drank, took drugs and dressed like glam rock hobo thugs. 

Their stock rose high enough to be considered the biggest band in the world. Even after achieving legendary status, the controversy got worse. Inciting riots, pissing off fans, media verbal wars, physical confrontations with other musicians and insane behavior adding fuel to the nuclear bomb called Guns N' Roses.

There was a beauty in their madness. "Sweet Child of Mine" is one of the greatest rock recordings of all time. It's become a "Free Bird" over the course of the ages. It's still universally loved almost 30 years later.

OK, Enough with the generic "Behind the Music" chatter. They gave a type of gift to the world can't be understated. They surpassed all of their peers coming out of the LA Glam scene. They bridged gaps in music which needed bridged. They wrote their legacy on their own terms. It was a wonderful period in time to be a Rock fan.

"November Rain" holds a very large piece of my memory. It's a soundtrack to one of my most favorite periods of my young life. It's a time machine for me. We all have those songs that take us back to better times. "November Rain" makes me a 17 year old kid on a motorcycle in the rain, free, with young heart believing in something bigger than himself.

So even if this is not an official "reunion," it matters. I'd like to think that the last 20 years of shit throwing was all planned out leading up to this ginormous payday for the 3 guys taking the stage at Coachella. Wouldn't it be great if Slash, Axl, Duff and the boys all walked into MTV and exclaimed "GOT YA!!!!, We've been bro's the entire time, here's 3 LP's we recorded over the years!" As much as I'd love to think someone out there is Kaufman enough to pull off a 20 year joke (Dumb and Dumber 2?) none of them are smart funny. Smart? Sure. Funny? Absolutely! Not smart funny though.

It's still Axl's band. Slash and Duff are well paid, legacy players with name recognition. It adds to the nostalgic vibe of the band today. The thrill of seeing Axl and Slash together on a stage again reminds me of the ill fated Kiss reunion of the mid 90's, or maybe the Eagles on the "Hell Freezes Over Tour." It will be interesting to see what they name this Tour if it actually gets to that point.

People forgive each other. Time heals. It's a wonderful thing when high profile enemies make up. Even Waters and Gilmore shared a stage together after years of bashing each other. Over the last couple of years, Slash has been very complimentary toward Axl, and even Axl has loosened up. I agree with Slash, burying the hatchet was probably long overdue.

My questions:

• Where's Izzy?
• Does this mean The Replacements are getting back together?
• Will Axl buy a gold chain today (since he is all mind-changie and everything)?

One last note and I'm off this self serving rant: Izzy Stradlin played a huge part in the magic. After his departure, the band fell apart creatively. Here's some Ju Ju Hounds to make your day better:

Nago