L.A. GUNS – L.A. Guns [Rock Candy Remastered & Reloaded]

These are among the most requested albums to be featured here; the two first releases by L.A. GUNS ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ by Rock Candy Records. Both are great, killer hard rock plates, but this, L.A. Guns self-titled debut is regarded by many as their best, without a doubt one of the best representations from the Sunset Strip Californian ’80s Hard Rock.

If you’re looking for the Godfather of the early Eighties L.A. hard rock scene, then guitarist Tracii Guns is your man. A hustler, a human dynamo and a hugely talented band leader, Tracii broad-shouldered his way onto the Hollywood Strip with a succession of fledgling acts – including Hollywood Rose, a band that evolved into the legendary Guns N’ Roses.

Following a disagreement with Axl, he left (replaced by Slash) and immediately formed L.A. Guns, a unit that was now under his sole control and direction. The band was solidified with the addition of British born frontman Phil Lewis, fresh from the well respected glam rock band Girl (that also featured future Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen) and former W.A.S.P. drummer Steve Riley.

Signing to PolyGram the band recorded their debut album on home turf in Los Angeles with producer Jim Faraci (Ratt, Poison, Femme Fatale). The results were hugely encouraging, the band whipping up a frenzy of low-slung sleazy in the finest style.
Originally issued in 1988, the album surprised even their most dedicated supporters by quickly going gold and selling a cool half million units in the US alone. Amongst a brace of classic tracks, including ‘Sex Action’, ‘Electric Gypsy’ and ‘Bitch Is Back’ is a surprising cover of the Girl anthem ‘Hollywood Teaze’, a track allowing Phil Lewis to link past ambitions with his newly adopted home of Los Angeles.

“L.A. Guns” is a terrific hard rock album. This ‘is’ a Tracii Guns album, the man is on fire with hot razor riffs, monster solos and lots of guitar licks / sounds. And the songs are moving, fun, party-ready but with a heavy approach.
The Rock Candy remaster really blows out of the water the quite thin original CD transfer, and here everything comes out punchy & big.
In my book, this is an essential album in your ’80s collection.

01 – No Mercy
02 – Sex Action
03 – One More Reason
04 – Electric Gypsy
05 – Nothing To Lose
06 – Bitch Is Back
07 – Cry No More
08 – One Way Ticket
09 – Hollywood Tease
10 – Shoot For Thrills
11 – Down In The City

Phil Lewis – lead vocals
Tracii Guns – lead guitar
Mick Cripps – rhythm guitar
Kelly Nickels – bass guitar
Nickey Alexander – drums

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