I challenge you to name a band from the 80s glam/hair/sleaze era that’s been more proficient in releasing new music over the last 10 years than L.A. Guns. And not just mediocre material. Damn good music!
It was almost 40 years ago that L.A. Guns established themselves on the Sunset Strip. At this point, most bands that peaked at that time are content to rest on their rock and roll laurels and just trot out the hits.
Not this band! Instead, L.A. Guns are cranking out their 15th studio album, Leopard Skin, April 4 on Cleopatra Records.
The 10-track release kicks off with “Taste It,” and it’s as L.A. Guns as it gets. At 68 years old, lead vocalist, Phil Lewis, sounds as good as he did in 1978 when he formed his first band, Girl, alongside future Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen.
“Lucky Motherfucker” is the second single and video released and it doesn’t disappoint. This sing-along chorus will no doubt fit in nicely with their live setlist.
Phil and founding guitarist Tracii Guns throw us a curveball with “The Grinder.” Definitely not the riff-driven, straight-forward rock staple that we’ve come to know and love. The growth and maturity of playing together for nearly four decades is well represented on this one.
“There’s the saying, ‘a leopard never changes its spots,’” Tracii says. “But even so, they have a million different spots. And they’re all unique. It’s the same with L.A. Guns. We can’t shed our leopard skin, but there’s a lot of different spots in this band.”
“Runaway Train” is definitely one of those spots – complete with train whistles! This song could easily have been included on the “Crossroads” movie soundtrack. I’ve never heard anything like this from L.A. Guns.
I love “Following the Money.” If they told me this was an outtake from their 1988 debut masterpiece, I’d probably believe them.
Leopard Skin wraps up with “If You Wanna.” Killer Phil vocals and blazing Tracii licks. Yes, please!
L.A. Guns doesn’t get nearly the accolades they deserve. Just think about early rock anthems like “Electric Gypsy,” “Rip and Tear” and “Over the Edge.” Add to those classics the indelible ballads like “It’s Over Now” and “The Ballad of Jayne.” And then include their more recent hits like “Speed,” and “Cannonball.” The resume doesn’t lie!
Like the last few L.A. Guns records, the lineup on this album features Guns, Lewis, bassist Johnny Martin, guitarist Ace Von Johnson and studio drummer Adam Hamilton.
The band as a whole may have had more lineup changes than any other on the planet, but as long as Tracii and Phil stick it out and continue to create rock and roll magic, I’ll be listening.
Review by I’m Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski
Connect with L.A. Guns online:
