Guns n' Roses To Tour Canada This Winter, Eh

The inscrutable, unpredictable Guns n' Roses are back. Or rather, they will be, when they hit the road to criss cross Canada during the darkest depths of its winter.

The tour, hinted at for days in the concert industry, will kick off January 13th in Winnipeg and veer west into Alberta and Saskatchewan before heading east for four shows in Ontario, two in Quebec, and two in the Maritime provinces. What—no love for British Columbia? Or Nunavet?

So who'll be joining Axl for his long day's journey into rockin' night? Let's take a look at what is likely the current lineup.

Axl Rose The only remaining original member. The Ring Bearer. The Key Master. The Keeper of the Secret. The Lord of the Cornrow. Axl is still in charge because, as he's long claimed, he didn't leave the band - Slash, Duff et al did. Why did Axl keep a low profile during the release period for Chinese Democracy, helping condemn the album to lower than hoped for sales? Was he unhappy with exclusive retailer Best Buy? Why is the Chinese Democracy tour happening more than a year after the release of the album? Why why why, Axl.

Tommy Stinson The former Replacements bassist has been holding down the low end in GNR for a decade, providing Axl and the fledgling Chinese Democracy Guns, at least when he joined, with welcome rock n' roll cred. Stinson's addition was the first sign, way back in 1998, that Axl had a very different, very eye-opening roster in mind for the post 'classic lineup' Guns.

DJ Ashba (pictured right) The newest Gun in the Guns arsenal. Ashba officially joined the band in March. A statement from Axl at the time claimed that Ashba "brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns N' Roses live." Ashba replaced Robin Finck, who after years of service in Axl's army, returned to this original home in Trent Reznor's world of Nine Inch Nails.

Richard Fortus A stunning player who made his name in Psychedelic Fur Richard Butler's Love Spit Love in the 90s, then with the touring Furs, then with the late, great NYC bands Honky Toast and Pisser, then as an in-demand New York session player. Fortus is the least well-known name in the lineup, which he's probably fine with.

Frank Ferrer A monster on the drums who hits as hard as anyone in the business, Ferrer is a longtime New York drummer who met Fortus in the 90s. The two have played together in Love Spit Love and the Psychedelic Furs, as well as the aforementioned Honky Toast and Pisser. Ferrer filled in for drummer Brain in the summer of 2006 when personal reasons forced Brain off the road. Ferrer's performance resulted in an official invitation to join Brain as one of two Guns drummers. Since 2006, Ferrer has been the main Guns drummer, and Brain is no longer listed as a member on the band's MySpace.

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal In case you were wondering, the name 'Bumblefoot' comes from a bacterial infection Thal learned of while helping his wife study for veterinary exams. Thal has been a Gunner since May 2006.

Chris Pitman Like Tommy Stinson, Pitman joined in 1998, making him one of the longest serving members. Pitman handles keyboards and backing vocals. His previous work with Tool well prepared him for Axl's shift from heavy glam to proggy industrial.

Dizzy Reed The only holdover (aside from Axl) from the Use Your Illusion era, and the second longest serving Gunner after Axl.

There it is—your eight man, 2009-2010 Guns n' Roses. And those dates: don't look for them on the official Guns site—the tour dates there haven't been updated since 2007. However, pre-sales begin this Thursday the 22nd at 10AM. Head to Ticketmaster and/or Live Nation, depending on the city. And pray Axl shows up.

January
13 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre
16 - Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome
17 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
19 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre
20 - Regina, SK - Brandt Centre
24 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Coliseum
25 - London, ON - John Labatt Centre
27 - Montreal, PQ - Bell Centre
28 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
31 - Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place

February
1 - Quebec City, PQ - Colisee Pepsi
3 - Moncton, NB - Moncton Coliseum
4 - Halifax, NS - Metro Centre

Do they still got it? Watch this performance of "Paradise City" from 2006 and judge for yourself.