L.A. Guns

They got their start on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip more than 15 years ago, but for all intents and purposes, L.A. Guns have been born again. Since the release of Man In The Moon in 2001, which marked the reunion of Lewis with founding guitarist Tracii Guns and drummer Steve Riley, there's been a new fire burning in the L.A. Guns camp. Their new release, Waking The Dead, significantly furthers the band's classic rock and blues vibe by propelling them into a heavier, more musically challenging realm. One that has ultimately proven more satisfying to the band themselves.

Produced by the legendary Andy Johns (Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones), Guns describes Waking The Dead as "more metal than the last record, more like Iron Maiden and early Scorpions. The guitars are crunchier. It's definitely heavier. It's a lot like Cocked And Loaded, with elements of Vicious Circle, and Phil sounds even better than on the last record. He's just getting better and better."

With a renewed focus and sound that stings as sharp as anything from their fabled past, as well as a new member in bassist Adam Hamilton, formerly of Joe 90, L.A. Guns are well on their way of proving their place as one of Hollywood's hardest hitting and longest lasting acts. Some call them a hair band, others considered them more of a goth outfit circa their Hollywood Vampires era, and many more pay closest attention to their punk rock roots. All in all? They're a rock band, and no matter how they're labeled, that fact will never change.

"I don't even know what L.A. Guns sounds like," laughs Guns. "After nine records, there aren't two records that sound the same. I guess that's what we do. We do something different every time, but we're always L.A. Guns."

DISCOGRAPHY
L.A. Guns (1988)
Cocked & Loaded (1989)
Hollywood Vampires (1991)
Cuts (1992)
Vicious Circle (1994)
American Hardcore (1996)
Shrinking Violet (1999)
Man In The Moon (2001)
Waking The Dead (2002)