Tribute band Appetite for Destruction’s show Friday at Last Call promises to satisfy anyone’s appetite for a genuine Guns N’ Roses concert.

“The point is to do a Guns N’ Roses show,” said Chad Atkins, frontman (or “Notquiteaxl”). “What we do on stage is what we think they would do or have done, including the same song introductions or other things and announcements.”

Not only do they make a point to mimic the band by imitating its sound and actions as closely as possible, but they also go the full mile and dress the part to help convince the audience that they are the real thing.

“I would consider them the most authentic Guns N’ Roses tribute band in the country right now,” said Rick Stowe, the band’s manager. “The show is costumed and choreographed to a tee, and their persona when they’re on stage is if they were Guns N’ Roses circa 1989.”

Evenso Atkins said the members “go all over the board” when it comes to deciding what songs to play. Favorites such as “Knockin’ On Heavens Door,” “It’s So Easy,” “Rocket Queen” and “November Rain” are features that frequent the band’s playlist.

While it has sold out shows at Georgia Theatre during its frequent visits to Athens, this is the group’s first stop at Last Call.

“Students seem to like cover bands as they can sing to the songs easier,” said Eyal Reisin, owner of Last Call. “And I’ve seen these guys before – they are incredible. There is a guy that looks exactly like Axl, and the guitarist looks exactly like Slash.”

The bands conception began five years ago in Raleigh, N.C., with Atkin’s attempts at a high school band that were met with constant comparisons of him to Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose.

“We originally didn’t want to be associated with the band,” Atkins said. “But we wanted to do a cover band, and we knew we could pull it off.”

Since then, the act has grown to a national phenomenon as its tour goes all over the country. And it is negotiating some shows in South America.

Stowe said: “We’re trying to go to Brazil and Argentina – the heavy metal thing is so big over there still.”

- Katie Golden

Playing with Interview
Where: Last Call
When: 10 p.m. Friday (doors at 9)
Cost: $TBA0