If there was a band synonymous with the infamous Sunset Strip it is L.A. Guns. Born into a scene that will never be replicated, L.A. Guns rode alongside Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Ratt, Poison, Quiet Riot and co. in one of the biggest movements in Music history. L.A. Guns are without a doubt Hollywood Rock Royalty and their new album Renegades (produced by Steve Riley) will be released later this year.
The band was formed in 1986 and signed with Polygram Records in 1987, recording their first album that summer. This first album, titled L.A. Guns, went on to sell over 1,000,000 copies giving the band its first platinum award. Tours with AC/DC, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard followed. A compilation of the videos made from this first album also earned the band a gold video award. L.A. Guns went into the studio to record their second album, Cocked and Loaded, in the spring of 1989. It was a hit right away with the release of Rip and Tear as the first single and video. Never Enough and The Ballad of Jayne followed, pushing the album toward platinum status once again. The video compilation from this album earned the band its second goldvideo award. A successful world tour followed. The band’s third album, Hollywood Vampires, was recorded in the fall of 1990. With the release of Kiss My Love Goodbye as the first single and video, and another successful world tour, the album gave L.A. Guns its third platinum in a row.
Vicious Circle was released in early 1995 and was followed by another successful world tour. In 1999, L.A. Guns went into the studio to record a greatest hits package titled Black Beauties that also included five new songs written for the album. In 2001, the band released its sixth studio album, Man in the Moon, and in 2002 their seventh album, Waking The Dead, followed.
After a 2003 world tour to support Waking the Dead, L.A. Guns recorded Rips The Covers Off with producer Andy Johns. This was a collection of 70’s rock songs. L.A. Guns began work on Tales From The Strip and it was released in August 2005. It received some stellar reviews and critical acclaim. A live CD, Loud and Dangerous, was released late August 2006 with the band again supporting it with a world tour.
In November 2011 the band signed their latest record deal with Cleopatra Records, releasing their tenth studio album Hollywood Forever in June 2012. The album was produced once again by veteran music producer, Andy Johns. The new record debuted at #25 on the Billboard Rock charts with the title track Hollywood Forever, and it was considered one of the best Hard Rock albums of 2012 by fans and critics alike, proving once again that L.A. Guns were on top of their game with tracks like You Better Not Love Me and Sweet Mystery.
Now after some down time, the band is back and firing with the return of Kelly Nickels on bass, Steve Riley on drums, Scotty Griffin on lead guitar and Kurt Frohlich on lead vocals and guitar.
Pre-order the band’s new single, Crawl, here.
4 Responses
This ain’t L.A. Guns.
Nice write-up about the real L.A. Guns history.
But, this ain’t L.A. Guns.
These scabs need to call themselves something else. Using the L.A. Guns name is very misleading to the fan who doesn`t follow them as closely as we do. People will by tickets and wonder where the hell is Tracii and Phil ?
Another group limping around today using the crutch of a classic band name….KI$$, Ratt, Queensryche, etc….just pathetic
It almost looks like Tracii with the guy wearing a hat looking down. I suppose that was intentional!