L.A. Guns have announced the upcoming release of their latest studio album, “Black Diamonds”. Produced by founding member and guitarist Tracii Guns, “Black Diamonds” is a tour-de-force of rock ‘n roll that fans have come to expect from the long-running hard rockers.
Written and recorded over the course of 2022, “Black Diamonds” sees Tracii Guns, Phil Lewis, and company continuing on the same successful and inspiring sonic journey that they’ve been taking on their most recent albums, “Checkered Past”, “The Devil You Know”, and “The Missing Peace”.
The band doesn’t shy away from flexing their hard rock influences as they always have, but also incorporates more introspective acoustic tracks reflective of their classic rock influences from the ’70s. This makes for a potent and highly listenable cocktail of an album in “Black Diamonds”. Since their self-titled debut in 1988 to their widely praised recent suite of “comeback” albums, L.A. GUNS, led by Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis, have always delivered solid rock ‘n roll to their fans. Since core members Tracii and Phil reunited under the banner of L.A. Guns in 2017, a rekindling of the band’s creative energy has been continuing unabated over the course of, now, four studio albums.
Black Diamonds” shows no signs of this renaissance slowing down… L.A. Guns never looked like the pretty poster boys that so many of their peers did, but more the band that you would be terrified to bump into in an alley as they would likely be carrying switchblades and ready for a fight.
But despite having many songs to back up that image, the band could also write powerful ballads (see the smash hit, “The Ballad Of Jayne” for Exhibit A of this argument) that showed there were some serious songwriting chops in the band.
The story of how we got from the band’s powerful early years to a fourth new studio album in the relatively short time that Guns and Lewis have reunited has already been well documented, so no need to rehash it. What’s important to know and understand is that the driving force of all those classic L.A. Guns songs was Tracii and Phil. Feeling inspired and excited like they did when they first started out, but with many years of wisdom and experience under their belts, and most importantly, a renewed and stronger creative and personal relationship, Guns, Lewis, and L.A. Guns as a whole are at a creative peak.
“Black Diamonds” – Track Listing:
You Betray Wrong About You Diamonds Babylon Shame Shattered Glass Gonna Lose Got It Wrong Lowlife Crying Like A Drug
Time: 0.41.14
Line-Up: Phil Lewis – Vocals Tracii Guns – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Mellotron
Ace Von Johnson – Electric Guitars Johnny Martin – Bass, Electric Guitars Shawn Duncan – Drums (live) Adam Hamilton – Drums (studio) & Strings
While on the SonicSlamTour, LAGuns and Faster Pussycat broke away from the Keifer Band to perform a sold out show of their own. Fans of all ages lined up outside Amos’ Southend in Charlotte North Carolina to witness their own piece of 80’s metal history. Members of Faster Pussycat graciously greeted fans as they walked to the connected restaurant for some preshow refreshments.
Doors opened at 7:00pm and fans filed in filling in both levels to max capacity. First to take the stage was Carolina natives LAMaybe. This 5-piece rock n roll band was the perfect way to open the show. These young musicians perfectly captured the old school style of rock that both LA Guns and Faster Pussycat bring to the table. Right out of the gate they had the whole venue pumped and ready to go, playing all original music. Midway through the show, guitarist Driz let fans know that he had rocked so hard he chipped a tooth. As their set came to an end lead singer, Goliath Furr, began to talk about how the band was trying to gain a spot on the upcoming KISS Kruise. Furr turned his attention to drummer, Ryan Fosnow, who was holding up a sign that said “Show me your boobies.” Once he turned the sign over it instructed fans to vote for them on Lamaybe.com/vote. They ended their show encouraging fans to sing along to their original song “Oh Sugar”. After the show the band mingled with fans to watch the rest of the performers.
Faster Pussycat took the stage next and were welcomed by thunderous applause and cheers. Opening the show with “Jack the Bastard” it was immediately clear that lead singer, Taime Downe, still had the vocal strength that made Faster Pussycat just as fierce in the 80’s. Downe stands center stage with such pride and confidence and has an amazing band to back him up. The talents of bass player Danny Nordahl, best known as Slim Tender, and drummer Chad Stewart combine to create an exceptional rhythm section and truly shine in songs like “Bathroom Wall”. The guitar duo of Ronnie Simmons and Sam Bam Koltun really bring the sleaze. Before he even plays a note, you can already tell that Simmons is a true rockstar. His style, both in the way he plays and how he dresses can easily be seen as having inspiration from the Ramones to AC/DC. The punk flair that Simmons provides adds a little extra something to the Pussycat set. The true star of the show, however, was in fact Sam Bam Koltun. He truly is a guitar virtuoso at such a young age. He makes every strum and pluck look so easy and it is safe to say that being on stage and performing truly comes natural to him. Even though there is only one original member left, each musician plays like they were there the day the song was written.
Fans were given a special treat when former Faster Pussycat and current LA Guns guitarist, Ace Von Johnson joined the band to perform “Bathroom Wall”. The fun did not end there, though. Downe took to side stage as Slim Tender had his turn on vocals. The band welcomed LA Guns bass player, Johnny Martin to the stage and Tender sang “Pretty Fucked Up”. This certainly got the crowd even more pumped. Faster Pussycat ended their show with “Babylon” and left fans scratching for more.
LA Guns wrapped the night with a miraculous 16 song set that included songs from a very diverse set of albums. They opened with an explosion performing the first track off “CheckeredPast”, “Cannonball”. Lead vocalist, Phil Lewis, immediately had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. It does not take long to pick up on the fact that Lewis loves what he does. He is a front man that the younger generation will always be able to enjoy as his vocals have remained immaculate even after over 44 years of singing. While having Lewis on vocals is extremely important for their sound, you can’t have LA Guns without founding member and band namesake, TraciiGuns. Guns continues to amaze fans with his iconic technique and sound. Right before playing “Over the Edge”, Guns began to play his guitar with a violin bow. Long time fans of Tracii know that he is a very big Led Zeppelin fan and this is evident to be a tribute to Jimmy Page with a Tracii Guns twist. This was the first tour to feature Shawn Duncan on drums. Duncan, who also played in BulletBoys, melded so well with the rest of the band, you would have thought he had been with the band from the beginning. A ball of energy was personified in the form of Johnny Martin that night. Martin was in everyone’s face playing his absolute heart out on bass. It was quite the sight to see as he and Ace would bump into each other or play back to back throughout most of the set.
The fun did not stop there, as both Lewis and Guns stepped aside and welcomed Koltun back to the stage as guitarist Ace Von Johnson took over on vocals to sing a cover of “New Rose” by The Damned. Ace started the song with a small speech stating “Do something fucking nice man, this world is fucking numb as it is. There’s too much fucking negative shit man, do something cool”. As a well known animal advocate this type of thing is not out of character for Ace, and the speech was met with a very intense positive reaction. Though Ace is better known for his guitar work, his love for punk rock showed through in his vocals and wowed everyone. As the show came to an end the band took their final bow and, to lighten the mood, began to dance around the stage to a cover of “So Long, Farewell” By The Vandals. Fans cheered and screamed for more as the band excited the stage.
After the show 4 out of 5 members of Faster Pussycat made their way over to their merch table to take pictures with EVERYONE. Ace also made his way into the large crowd of fans to take pictures. Faster Pussycat and LA Guns are perfectly matched to tour together. The crowd’s energy was constant during both bands. Even though the Sonic Slam Tour has come to an end, it is safe to say that this is not going to be the last time we see Faster Pussycat and LAGuns together.
Editor’s note: Metal Odyssey proudly introduces Tanis Enos to our staff. She embodies the talents of being a writer, photographer, concert aficionado and interviewer. Enjoy her review below! Welcome aboard, Tanis!
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Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis have joined forces once again to give fans another electric album. They teamed up yet again with the Vampiric Shredder, Ace Von Johnson, and “Stud” Johnny Martin. CheckeredPast was released on November 12th, 2021. Before the release, the band gave fans a taste of the new album releasing not only 3 singles (Cannonball, KnockMeDown & GetAlong) but also 2 new music videos for Cannonball and GetAlong.
CheckeredPast has a beautiful mix of both the fast pasted Sleazy sound that fans have come to love and slowed-down emotion invoking melodies and lyrics. The day of the release, IfIt’sOverNow was part of Apple Music’s Best New Songs list. This song alone leaves fans wondering “Who hurt the writers”. The slower-paced guitar paired with the low vocals and emotional lyrics makes for a truly theatrical experience that gives fans the ability to picture their own story. The same can be said about LetYouDown. The feeling of this track can be compared to “a heartache in the rain” scene in a movie. Even though it can’t be seen the feeling of sadness can be heard.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, LA Guns have turned out another group of hard rock in-your-face songs that will make you want to grab your leather pants and even your pirate hats. Cannonball is an explosive way to start the album with heavy drums and fast riffs. LivingRightNow is special because of its punk-sounding undertone during the verses and Blues Rock sound for the rest. If you didn’t know Phil was British you did after listening to bits of that song.
Though the band has gotten older, Phil’s voice hasn’t changed a bit. Just listen to ThatAin’tWhy and try to say that it doesn’t sound as clear and clean as listening to ElectricGypsy on their debut album. Tracii Guns will never not have flair, showing off his Jimmy Page like abilities on lead guitar. Now take the talent and grit of Tracii and add the style and skill of Ace Von Johnson and you have the dynamic duo that every band needs.
What is that old saying? “A band is only as good as its bass player”? Well, good thing they have Johnny Martin slapping the bass on this album. You can really hear him shine in songs like LivingRightNow and GetAlong and he adds the deep groove with the drums in Dog.
The diversity of songs in this album alone is incredible and truly makes it hard to skip any song. CheckeredPast will continue the musical high that was given to fans by the release of their 2019 album TheDevilYouKnow. Fans are already crazy about the album, making it the number one best-selling Blues Rock album on Amazon the day it was released. – Tanis Enos
Vocals: Phil Lewis
Lead Guitar: Tracii Guns
Rhythm Guitar: Ace Von Johnson
Bass: Johnny Martin
Drums: Adam Hamilton / Scot Coogan
Track List: 1. Cannonball, 2. Bad Luck Charm, 3. Living Right Now, 4. Get Along, 5. If It’s Over, 6. Better Than You, 7. Knock Me Down, 8. Dog, 9. Let You Down, 10. That Ain’t Why, 11.Physical Itch
Taken from the bands new album ‘Exile to the Velveteen Lounge’, sleaze powerhouse BABYLON SHAKES and HighVolMusic have released a new video for the track ‘Making a Million’.
Track Listing:
“Making A Million”
“Sunset Striptease”
“Sin Parade”
“No Pictures Please”
“Velveteen Libertine”
“Silver Tongue Devil”
“Hardtimes”
“Die Pretty”
“Star In Your Eyes”
“Motel Lights”
BABYLON SHAKES – Tour Dates:
3/2/19 Raleigh, NC @ The Maywood
3/8/19 Hermitage, TN @ Shooters
3/29/19 Atlanta, GA @ Firehouse at Center Stage Atlanta
4/6/19 Newark, DE @ Halftime Sports Bar & Music Venue
5/2/19 Baltimore, MD @ Fish Head Cantina
5/11/19 Westville, NJ @ Hot Shots
FASTER PUSSYCAT kicks off their Summer 2018 tour at the world-famous Whiskey A Go Go, in their hometown of Hollywood, California, on June 15th. Special guest will be Don Jamieson. FASTER PUSSYCAT will be on the road in the USA right through the end of August! Whoa! Check out the tour flyer above to see if FASTER PUSSYCAT will be ROCKING in your stomping grounds! Metal Be Thy Name! – Stone.
Sleaze rockers BABYLON SHAKES has signed a deal with HighVolMusic. Trashy 70s inspired glam hits the rock n roll gutter. Former Last Call Messiahs front-man and guitarist Chris Clark along with drummer Jeff Mortimer and bassist Gary Jordan have combined talents to create the sleaziest high class fashion disaster this side of Hanoi Rocks. Heavily inspired by Aerosmith, NY Dolls and all things rock n roll.
BABYLON SHAKES recently issued a self-released EP titled ‘Exile to the Velvet Lounge’ Volume One along with the video ‘Velveteen Libertine’. The follow-up Volume Two EP is currently being recorded and will be released via HighVolMusic. Afull-length BABYLON SHAKES release is scheduled for 2019.
BREAKING NEWS:Frontiers Music Srl is delighted to welcome the reunion of Tracii Guns And Phil Lewis as L.A. GUNS to the label for the release of a brand new album set for release in the summer of 2017.
After a nearly 15 year break, Philip Lewis and Tracii Guns are back together for another chapter in their partnership that began in 1986, four years after Tracii formed L.A. Guns in 1982.
Their writing partnership spawned classic L.A. GUNS songs such as “Sex Action”, “Never Enough”, “Electric Gypsy”, “The Ballad Of Jayne” and countless more in an impressive catalog of fan favorites. The last time Lewis and Guns joined forces was back in 2000 with legendary producer Andy Johns for the making of what would become “Waking The Dead” – an album that went on to receive tremendous critical acclaim and proved that their musical partnership was every bit as strong as the early days with all-killer-no-filler songs including “Don’t Look At Me That Way”, “Hellraisers Ball” and “The Ballad”.
“I think we owe it to our fans who have stuck with us during the many ups and downs of the band’s long and checkered career,” says Lewis. “Tracii and I have written the songs to the soundtrack of many people’s lives, and I think it’s definitely worth investigating to see if the magic is still there.”
As for Guns, he’s been compiling song ideas over the last year and promises this one will be one of the band’s heaviest records, simply stating, “It’s good to be home.”
The band has already confirmed a bunch of UK shows in early 2017 and two shows at the legendary Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, CA with more surprises to be announced soon!
TOUR DATES US & UK:
March
03. Los Angeles, CA, Whisky A Go Go
04. Los Angeles, CA, Whisky A Go Go
10. Belfast. Limelight2.
11. Phewelli. HRH fest.
12. Swansea. Scene
16. Bristol. Bierkeller.
17. Basingstoke. Stage.
18. Wolverhampton. Civic.
20. Doncaster. Diamond.
22. Sheffield. Academy2.
23. Edinburgh. La Belle Angele.
24. Glasgow. ABC2
25. London. Academy2
Augsburg, Germany-based Sleaze/Glam quartet HOLLYWOOD BURNOUTS will release their debut full-length in North America this July 31st, via Rock Road Records and Soulfood Distribution.
Boasting melodies and choruses obviously inspired by the massively popular Glam and Hard Rock heroes of the ’80s and early ’90s, with straightforward riffs and influences rooted in blues and classic Heavy Metal channeling through their infectious tunes, HOLLYWOOD BURNOUTS released a successful demo in 2009, followed by a self-titled EP in 2010 since their 2008 formation. The band have attracted a massive fanbase throughout Germany and well beyond at this point, having performed on national and international shows supporting Cinderella, Bonfire, HardcoreSuperstar, Crashdiet, Dokken and many others.
HOLLYWOOD BURNOUTS‘ debut album, Excess All Areas, was released to critical acclaim within the European territories in March, and the forthcoming North American release should bring a whole new realm of fans into their world. Here the band proves why they’re considered to be one of Germany’s most successful new Hard Rock bands.
Rock out to four new songs from Excess All Areas and much moreRIGHT HERE.
Germany’s young Sleaze Rock crew KISSIN’ DYNAMITE are preparing to unleash their newest full-length Money,Sex & Power onto hard-partying North American crowds on April 24th. Listen to the first two tracks from the album, including the title track “Money, Sex & Power” and the following “I Will Be King” and much more at the band’s official website HERE.
Considered to be the great hope of the German Hard Rock scene, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have dominated stages across Europe since the release of their debut album Steel Of Swabia in 2008, when the singer was just 16 years old! After winning over crowd after crowd with their energetic live show and infectious anthems, the band’s sophomore album Addicted To Metal was released by Germany’s massive AFM Records in 2010, which even featured the legendary Udo Dirkschneider (Accept, U.D.O.) on the title track.
Their success and experiences over the past few years have shaped the band and increased their professionalism in every department, which is apparent on their third full-length, Money, Sex & Power. Here KISSIN’ DYNAMITE release ten blazing numbers which still follow the classic Metal path of previous releases, yet more than before they display their very own brand of Sleazy Heavy Rock, inspired greatly from timeless masters of the art including Mötley Crue, Whitesnake, AC/DC and Guns ‘N Roses. Money, Sex & Power showcases the band taking their authentic, raw, melodic and powerful songs to new levels, and sees them more determined to dominate the rock scene than ever before.
Swedish Sleaze Rockers CRASHDÏET are set to tour selected cities in the U.S. and Mexico this November of 2011! CRASHDÏET will be taking the stage in support of their critically acclaimed and Rockin’ infectious new studio album Generation Wild, (released on Frontiers Records). Check out below the tour dates:
CRASHDÏET with PRETTY BOY FLOYD:
Nov 11, Garden Grove, CA – The Can
Nov 12, Hollywood, CA – Key Club
Nov 13, Fresno, CA – The Starline * CRASH DIET only!
Nov 16, Tempe, AZ – Club Red
Nov 17, Las Vegas, NV – Vamp´d
Nov 19, Mexico City, Mexico – Casino Life Concert Hall
CRASHDÏET:
Martin Sweet – Guitar
Simon Cruz – Vocal
Peter London – Bass
Eric Young – Drums
(Sources: CRASHDÏET Official Website & Frontiers Records)
* For more info on CRASHDÏET, click on the links below:
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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