L.A. GUNS

[Mr. Sleazy]

In my opinion the best sleazy hard rock band ever... since their debut album in 1988...

L.A. GUNS: NEW RELEASE 'TALES FROM THE STRIP' ON SHRAPNEL RECORDS

HOLLYWOOD (July 15, 2005) - In January 2005 L.A. Guns headed to the studio with producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones) and began work on "Tales from the Strip."

"Tales From The Strip" is a reference to the band's long time affiliation with L.A.s legendary rock scene, whose hub is the renowned Sunset Strip. The album's lyrical focus is inspired by a historically significant rock scene that L. A. GUNS had a strong hand in creating. With producer Andy Johns at the helm, L.A. GUNS delivers a new studio record of original songs that proves, without a doubt, that L.A. GUNS is still on top of their game.

The 2005 summer release is planned to hit the stores August 16th. The band will be on tour throughout the summer of 2005 with W.A.S.P to support the new CD.

Tracks:

1. IT DON'T MEAN NOTHING
2. ELECTRIC NEON SUNSET
3. GYPSY SOUL
4. ORIGINAL SIN
5. VAMPIRE
6. HOLLYWOOD'S BURNING
7. 6.9 EARTHSHAKER
8. ROX BABY GIRL
9. CRAZY MOTORCYCLE
10. SKIN
11. SHAME
12. RESURRECTION
13. AMANECER
14. (CAN'T GIVE YOU) ANYTHING BETTER THAN LOVE

[Mr. Sleazy]

L.A. GUNS
Tales from The Strip

Band: Phil Lewis-vocals, Stacey Blades-guitar, Adam Hamilton-bass, Steve Riley-drums
Songs that you won’t be able to get out of your head (AKA Earworms!): Gypsy Soul, Skin, Original Sin Electric Neon Sunset
Disappointments: No lyrics printed in the CD jacket

If you’ve never had the chance to walk down the infamous Sunset Strip, then sit back and let Phil Lewis and LA Guns take you there. Their latest release “Tales from The Strip” has all the elements of a concept record however, drummer Steve Riley has assured us, that it is not. The lyrical content is heavy with references to the glamorously sleazy and often times dark …Hollywood, CA. What I enjoy most about this collection of songs is that each member of the band gets their moment in the sun. The track “6.9 Earthshaker” is actually an instrumental featuring a fantastic and extensive drum solo. When’s the last time you heard that on a studio rock record? Adam Hamilton’s bass lines are just killer throughout, but shine on tracks like “Skin”, “Rox Baby Girl”and “Electric Neon Sunset.” He even picks up the guitar for an acoustic prelude entitled “Amanecer.” Phil Lewis has really taken his voice to places on this record that I have never heard him tackle before. The caterwauls he lets out on the chorus of “Skin” shoot through you like venom from a snake bite. Stacey Blades’ guitar playing is chill-inducing, with his mastery of the wah pedal on this track as well as Adam’s opening bass line that’s like a black cat tiptoeing through a dark alley. The addition of Blades has definitely brought a new energy to the band. He has some scorching riffs on tracks like the aforementioned “Skin” as well as “Gypsy Soul”, “Original Sin” and “Rox Baby Girl.”

The songs on this record are polished, yet not over produced. The effort that went into writing and recording them is apparent. You will find no “filler” here, there is not one song that you’ll want to skip over. Musically and lyrically it is outstanding. “Vampire” is the autobiographical ballad that brings you into Phil Lewis’s headspace for a haunting trip to an obviously dark place somewhere in his 14-year existence on the Sunset Strip. Other than maybe the track “Shame” which has a little Velvet Revolver flavor to it, the album is 100% LA Guns, and is the band’s third record with producer Andy Johns. It’s easy to see why they are sticking with him, the formula works. There is no doubt that Tales recaptures the early sound of the band. I’d say it’s most comparable to Hollywood Vampires and the self titled debut LA Guns, however once you hear the grooves that surround cuts like “Rox Baby Girl” and “Gypsy Soul” you won’t be able to stop your body from moving and dancing like a Los Angeles stripper. There are a few tunes that provide a harder-edge too, including “Hollywood’s Burning” and “Crazy Motorcycle.”

Had this album come out in say, 1989, it would’ve been all over MTV and radio, but ya know what? MTV sucks, and let’s face it, so does radio most of the time. My advice is to go buy this record. Buy it now! Play it for your friends, your kids, your friend’s kids, the neighbors and anyone else who needs a lesson in what a real rock n’ roll record should sound like. It’s Glam-ROCK, done right. To quote a lyric from the last track on ‘Tales’: “In my arms I’ll let you hide, and in your dreams I will reside,” let’s just say this record will reside in your CD player for quite awhile, I assure you it will not disappoint.

Rating out of 10: 9.5
Review by: Tracey Longboat
Band site: www.laguns.net

[Mr. Sleazy]

while waiting for the new album ready to come out tomorrow you can read this interview with Steve Riley done 07-08 at: www.glam-metal.com/steve_riley.html

[Mr. Sleazy]

Finally I got it... Just first listening and second song right now playing... I just wanted to write something while listening to it for the first time... Together with the new Tigertailz stuff (Steve & Ace's version of Tigertailz of course) soon to come out (I hope), I was waiting so much for this new album by L.A. Guns. I got all their discography and I am a very big fan of them since their beginnings and their first album 1988 still their best in my opinion... and what can I say, As far as I have listened (now playing third song), I must say that even if I always loved Tracii's playing as maybe the only one who can reach my deeper feelings by playing from the heart and not technical, Stacy does great job, he's also one of my favourite guitar players since very long ago. I've been always a big fan of Roxx Gang since they started and since he joined Roxx Gang in 1995 for the album Voodoo You Love I've always liked very very much his style of playing guitar. Now playing fourth song... and what can I say... you know the feeling when you discover song by song a new album you have been waiting for and which has just arrived to your mailbox... like a little child with a great smile and great ilusion... Shame that first listening only happens once... I will post more about my opinions later on when I have listened to it 3 or 4 times...

Cheerz/Mr. Sleazy

[Mr. Sleazy]

First listening completed and... for those who think that a Tracii Guns-less LA Guns should be a pale imitation of the original... this 14 track release goes a long way of putting that theory to pasture. This is by far the best thing I have heard out of the LA Guns lads since the late 80s and certainly thousands times better than Man In The Moon, Waking The Dead and also million times better than the Brides debut release. Both music and lyrics are on cracking form. Phil Lewis is in fine form here and the band of Steve Riley, Adam Hamilton & Stacey Blades produce a d**n good slice of Hollywood sleeze. Tracks like 'Hollywood's Bruning' and 'It Don't Mean Nothing' evoke the sleeze and glamour that is Hollywood. To be honest I cannot get enough of playing this CD again and again, really enjoying it something I can't say I have with this sort of music for quite a while (except maybe that one of Zan Clan which is great). Its got all those bits that remind you why you liked GnR, LA Guns et al in the first place. 'Vampire' will remind you of the band's past glories if you had forgotten. Forget all the imitators trying to get that 80s' vibe and take a listen to the boys who were there when it all started. LA Guns are back and baby they got attitude.

Cheerz/Mr. Sleazy

[Mr. Sleazy]

love the track 'Resurrection'! For me the best track of the album... Both solos shouldn't be in the album and 'Skin' is the weakest for my taste... and 'Rox Baby Girl' a filler but not bad at all (a 11-track album with this included would have been OK too). It should have been a 10-track album with the following setlist:
1. It Don't Mean Nothing
2. Electric Neon Sunset
3. Gypsy Soul
4. Original Sin
5. Vampire
6. Hollywood's Burning
7. Crazy Motorcycle
8. Shame
9. Resurrection
10. (Can't Give You)Anything Better Than Love

But anyway, as it is it's with 14 tracks is perfect and I am getting used to both instrumental tracks at every listening...

[Mr. Sleazy]

Writing Keeps L.A. Guns Rocking

That's the way to survive, according to L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley.

L.A. Guns has survived, Riley said, because the pens still hit the paper.

"That's the survival technique, to keep writing and not just keep trying to go to play shows," Riley said. "We keep putting out new material; that's something that's a must for us. We just can't live off the old stuff.

"If the fans want to hear it, we'll play it, but we've got to keep doing new stuff," he said. "We've always wanted to make a living playing music, and L.A. Guns has never been a band who cared if we played in a club or in an arena. We just want to play."

The '80s brand of metal has survived because of its dedicated fan base.

This stuff is like a religion for us, the people in it. We don't follow trends or look at fads or follow what's on the charts in Billboard. We are following a lifestyle ... that dangerous spirit of rock 'n' roll.

The CD's title refers to the Los Angeles Strip, where L.A. Guns, Guns N' Roses and other metal greats got their start.

"That's where the pulse was coming from. ... It was a huge scene, and we're proud of it," Riley said.

"... It was one of the biggest music scenes that this country ever developed," he explained. "It ruled. It was all over the radio, on TV, in arenas.

"A lot of people who missed it are now wondering what the hell it was like. It sounds like it was unbelievable, and it was," he said.

"It's not a concept album, but it has a common thread in it about what had gone on on the L.A. Strip," Riley said.

Writing that new material "is in our blood."

"We've just got to keep writing new stuff," Riley said. "I know the album sales and the radio is not going to be what it used to be, but we've got to keep writing. It's a must for us."

[nightofthevampire]

"In my opinion the best sleazy hard rock band ever... since the debut album in 1988"

I really agree with you, they´re simply great, and the new album is killer.

[1972]

;DThe Hollywood Vampires Rock!!! ;D

[1972]

:)Here´s an interview with drummer Steve Riley!
www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=4380
The one and only Hollywood Vampires ;D