If You Don't Know, Now You Know: L.A.Guns

Okay, so I'll admit it. I've been in a little bit of a creative rut here on this site lately. Hey it happens, right? I've been busy lately, so it hasn't been easy coming up with some dumb shit to talk about, like some band that no one has ever heard of. Well, I'm at work now, so I've got plenty of time tonight to talk about said dumb band. Who is it, you ask? Why it's L.A. Guns baby!

So most people know the history already, but I'll briefly go through it again. Traci Guns was in a band called Hollywood Rose with one Axl Rose before Axl joined/formed Guns N Roses. There were many different incarnations of L.A. Guns through the years until Traci settled on the classic line-up. Actually, there were a shitload of people who came in and out of this band even after they were in the studio recording their self-titled debut record. Eventually, the lineup consisted of Phil Lewis on vocals, Traci on lead guitar, Mick Cripps on rhythm guitar, Kelly Nickels on bass and former W.A.S.P. drummer Steve Riley. That first album is killer, just straight L.A. sleaze metal at its finest. Check out "One More Reason" for proof:

This whole album smokes actually. And since Slider loves the Electric Gypsy video you can check that out here if you want. There's something about the production too that gives it a different vibe. Their second album Cocked and Loaded was pretty solid too. The production was a bit better and they even scored a hit with "The Ballad Of Jane" when countless bands were doing ballads. Not one of my favorites, but i never held it against them. There were better songs off that record. Check out the old-school looking clip for "Never Enough".

Look kinda familiar? Nirvana did a similar video a few years later with "In Bloom". L.A. Guns third album Hollywood Vampires wasn't quite as solid from what I remember. I couldn't tell you the last time I listened to it, but by looking over the track listing, there's a few that I can't recall. But "Some Lie For Love" will always be a personal favorite because of the fact that friends I grew up with were in the crowd shots in the video. In fact because I grew up next door to them and they loved the band so much, they'll always have a spot in my heart. They werent that big, so when they were featured in a magazine or on MTV it was a big deal. Or at least it seemed like a big deal to me. Anyways, here's the video:

After that I sort of lost track with the band. They realeasd a few more albums, but members left and the music scene had completely changed. Last I heard there were two different versions of the band: One featuring Traci Guns and some other jabrones, and another with Phil Lewis and Steve Riley. My thoughts? OH COME ON!. Maybe one day they'll put petty shit aside and reform, but its doubtful. I still have my memories either way. L.A. Guns will always be a strong footnote of the L.A. metal scene in the 80's They left a small mark. More than alot of other bands ever have.