Kev Rowland I do not have the energy to describe in detail what has happened to L.A. Guns over the years, but there is now only one band legally allowed to use the name without having another name attached to it, and that is the one which features Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis (who I will always think of as the singer from Girl, as I loved their debut album). In November 2020, during the recording of a new album, L.A. Guns wanted to get together and do one of the things they love most, which is play a show. The band announced a special gig at the Fremont Country Club in Las Vegas, NV that would celebrate the 31st anniversary of their beloved album, ‘Cocked and Loaded’, which they then played virtually in its entirety while also adding in “Speed” from their more recent album ‘The Missing Peace’.

Everyone knows Tracii merged his band with Hollywood Rose to create Guns ‘n’ Roses before leaving to form a new version of his own band, and there is no doubt that their second album, 1989’s ‘Cocked and Loaded’ is seen by many as their highlight with the single “The Ballad of Jayne” being one of the highlights. When it comes to sleazy glam then L.A. Guns have been at the forefront since their re-emergence in 1985, and while there have been different versions over the years, for me the true band is whichever one features Tracii and Phil Lewis (strange to think that at one time they were each fronting their own version of the band). There is something about the two of them together which creates tension and a great end result. Lewis has never been the best singer in the world, yet he is the consummate frontman, always knowing what the audience expect and giving it to them. For this show they were joined by Scot Coogan (drums, backing vocals), Ace Von Johnson (rhythm vocals, backing vocals) and Johnny Martin (bass, backing vocals) and together the quintet makes the place jump like it was 1989.

Kev Rowland Given there have been a few different versions of this band treading the bands, and even now there are two in existence, it can be somewhat difficult to understand which one is the real deal. To me, and to many other fans it has to be said, whatever version contains guitarist Tracii Guns is the one that matters. And if that version also contains the one and only Philip Lewis, then that is the one to go for. Lewis and Guns have fallen out more than once during their long relationship, which stretches all the way back to 1987, but when they are together there is no doubting the chemistry. I first came across Lewis when I purchased Girl’s second single “Hollywood Tease” back in 1980. I was curious to see what a British band would do with the Kiss classic, and they made it their very own. After the success of their superb debut album ‘Sheer Greed’ I was somewhat surprised they imploded but given that Collen went on to Def Leppard and Lewis eventually to L.A Guns it was obviously a good training ground.

Whenever Lewis is at the microphone, he somehow embodies sleaze, and sneers through the vocals, and when he has Guns next to him then both of them hit pure form. There is no doubt that in the 30+ years since they first met, their finest moments have been when they are together. The rest of the line-up is Johnny Martin (bass), Scot Coogan (drums) and Ace Von Johnson (guitar), but none of them have been there for more than three years in a band whose history can be traced all the way back to 1983 (of course there was a small detour into some outfit called Guns ‘s’ Roses). This is the Lewis and Guns show, and they are showing now sign at all of slowing down. Lewis screams with power and swagger as if he is still in twenties pouting “Let me be rude, do you mind if I'm crude, I'll insult all of your friends” while Guns has turned it up, and shows whatever Lewis can do on his part of the stage he is going to do his very best to show who is the owner of the name.

L.A. Guns are back with a huge bang, and this album deserves very close attention indeed. It rocks, it rolls, and it belts it out. This is the real deal, the Eighties L.A. scene which brought us bands like Faster Pussycat, has been brought back to life in a relevant and fun manner. This album just makes me smile.

Stephen 2002 is surely a bad year to produce a glam album, I mean, who's going to buy that when nu-metal still rule the world, but thumbs up to Phil Lewis and the gang to deliver such a classy release in the midst of a horrible heavy metal year. 'Waking The Dead' shows L.A.GUNS try to revive their early days sound, but also attempt to adapt with the current climate, resulting in a 75% classic style and 25% modern touch.

Hits for me here are the opening song, 'Don't Look At Me That Way'; the melodic hard rock 'Revolution' and 'Lost In The City of Angels'; 'The Ballad' which is quite obvious, is the ballad of this album; the sleazy 'Hellraisers Ball'; and the fast-paced closer, 'Don't You Cry'. 'OK, Let's Roll' and 'Waking The Dead' are okay, the latter has almost-growly vocal which I believe they never tried before, and 'Frequency' could be the worst song here.

I know lots of fans dig this but I also know that many of the 80s generation missed this because they think by 1993, the game is over, but if you can find this, I strongly recommend you to buy it. It has that punchy riffs they used to have, Lewis scream crazily good here, and the songs are mostly enjoyable. A great criminally-underrated album!

Negoba Good Trash Rock

After the phenomenal success of Appetite for Destruction, record companies were of course scrambling to fill the desire for more trashy glam rock. What better place to tap the well than Axl's former partner in crime Tracii Guns? L.A. Guns was already up and running by the time of Appetite, and their debut album was released within the year.

The result was a plain jane version of G'n'R sleaze. The songs had plenty of attitude, rocked hard enough, but also had absolutely nothing new to say. Unlike Appetite, which had seemed fresh and bold, L.A. Guns was just a raunchier kind of color by numbers rock. Given Tracii's role in the evolution of the sound itself, this judgment may have been unfair. But with the chronology and personel involved with the albums, it was what it was.

Bottom Line: Average GnR afterthought

Cat Casino What a great album by a great band.This album is just awesome for anyone that's into hardcore L.A. rock from the early to late 80's.L.A.Guns is kind of like the heavier,more straightforward version of an early Guns N' Roses.No Mercy,Sex Action,Shoot For thrills,and Bitch Is Back are all highlights and also all instant classics.Just take a listen to tracii Guns' guitar wailing and Phil Lewis' instantly recognizable voice and you'll se why this album is a must have for your record collection.This band helped to put the sleaze in sleaze metal with this album.For any fans of sleaze and glam,this is a must have.