Joe Perry, left, performs with Steven Tyler at O2 Arena in London, England. WENN.COM

Nobody pushes Joe Perry around. Not even Steven Tyler.

The Aerosmith frontman learned that the hard way when he hipchecked his guitarist onstage in Toronto recently -- and ended up tumbling into the crowd after Perry returned the favour.

"I didn't do anything out of revenge," maintains the 59-year-old Perry. "But did you watch the video? Did you see what he did to me?

"He came up behind me and deliberately hipchecked me ... in the middle of a solo. It was all I could do to stay on my feet without falling into the monitors. So I walked by him on the way back and my guitar tapped him in the back. He had a couple of seconds to decide if he wanted to hold his balance or jump into the audience and get caught, which is what he did.

"He was caught by about 30 or 40 beautiful girls. That's what the guy lives for," Perry laughed. "And since then, I haven't felt any unexpected hipchecks. So it's been a lot better."

It's apparently not the only improvement. Despite health issues, communication problems and an uncertain future -- Tyler reportedly signed on to judge American Idol without telling his bandmates -- Perry claims the 40-year-old Boston blues-rockers are at the top of their game on their latest tour, which wraps up in Western Canada this month.

"The band has been playing great," he insists. "We've just gotten stronger through all the ups and downs. Every show for the last couple of weeks has been a couple of percent better. I can just feel it building up. We're gonna f---ing explode at these last shows."

Before it all blows up -- onstage or in his face -- here's some of what the talkative guitarist had to say about living on the edge, drawing the line, and the future with (or without) Tyler.

Could these be the last Aerosmith shows ever?

Frankly and truthfully, I don't know what's going to happen after our last gig in Vancouver. But about 15 years ago, I had an epiphany -- I can't remember why -- and realized we're mortal. And I have to play every night like it's the last show. So that's how I've been playing it. On top of that, you know, what with the accidents we've had and some of the other stuff, we're playing the shows like they are the last.

Do you and Steven even talk anymore?

Sure. We talk all the time. I go in his dressing room when I have something to tell him. We talk about the set list. We have our arguments about what he thinks works and what I think works.

But stuff like, 'Hey, I'm going to be on American Idol' never comes up?

Well, he did tell me. But not until about two weeks ago, when it had already been rumours and gossip for a month.

How can you have a decent relationship when he plays his cards so close to his vest?

Well, that's really naming it. I really don't know what goes on in there. I'd like to. I'm the kind of person who pretty much tells the truth, and when I say what I say, you're gonna get the same answer tomorrow ... But I know who he is, I know his personality. I know what to expect. And the days of 'I wish Steven would ...' are gone.

Is Aerosmith still worth all the hassle?

So far, it's been worth it. But I have to say we're readjusting how much time we want to give to the fans and how much time we want to give to other things in life. There are other things in life. And frankly, I plan to take advantage of those over the next few years. How many more years do I have left when I'm going to feel like skiing and riding my snowmobile? But I don't really see us stopping.

So American Idol isn't going to kill the band?

No. When this tour is over, even if he wasn't doing the show, we would be taking off up until Christmas. We just need some time off ... And he's chosen to take the next four months and do this TV show. More power to him if that's what he wants to do. I've gone off and had my own band and put out my own records. I plan to do more of that. And hopefully we'll find the time to make an Aerosmith record. I'm not sure when that's going to happen. But I'm an optimist (and) we're planning positively. There's got to be another Aerosmith record.

What about getting a temporary replacement for Steven? Is that off the table?

Nothing has changed. I don't know what his schedule is. I don't know what he is planning on doing. But if January rolls around and he's involved in some project, we'll find another singer. Why not?

Well, didn't he threaten legal action last time?

Well, he can threaten to sue anybody. But it's four votes against one. And we have a pretty strong case if he wants to go that way. Bottom line is, how can he stop the four of us from wanting to go out and play?