With the recent release of Acoustic Gypsy Live, Tracii Guns’ L.A. Guns have turned a bunch of their raunchy, sleaze-driven rock ‘n’ roll tunes into slick-sounding, charming acoustic numbers (Imagine the raw “Sex Action” given a more streamlined, sophisticated sound onstage — and working!).
The live show featured on Acoustic Gypsy Live is sung by former vocalist Jizzy Pearl, a soulful solid performance. Now fronted with brand new singer Dilana (runner-up on CBS’ 2006 show Rockstar: Supernova ), the band continues on with another singer that has a strong, smokey voice.
As some are aware, there are two L.A. Guns touring around these days (the ‘other’ band is led by singer Phil Lewis). For the casual fan this can be awfully confusing (and annoying) but Tracii Guns’ group surely has the soul of the original.
The following is an interview with L.A. Guns founder Tracii Guns:
Jizzy Pearl sounded fantastic on the acoustic live disc, Acoustic Gypsy. How do you feel a bout the CD’s outcome?
Tracii Guns: I agree. I am very proud of this release. It is a complete departure from the status quo of what people expect from L.A. Guns. The ability to take songs that already exist and offer a complete polar opposite in instrument arrangement without the luxury of a wall of wailing guitars was a very cool process. We stripped them all the way down to just the basic songs and then rebuilt them with piano, ukulele, acoustic guitar, sitar, percussion and a little harmonica. No reverb or delay.
How did the idea to release this particular live show come about?
Guns: The original idea was to put out a sort of acoustic greatest hits type thing. That idea blossomed into a reworking of L.A. Guns best tunes with some extra songs thrown in. The styles are all over the place. We recorded two nights back to back at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and chose the second night as the final version.
Did Jizzy split on good terms?
Guns: Indeed he did. He was burnt out on traveling in a van.
Do you feel the history of all the lineup changes and two bands existing under the moniker L.A. Guns hurt the band?
Guns: I don’t know, it always seems the same to me.
You seem to take this ‘Who is the real L.A. Guns?’ debate in stride though. Doesn’t it ever get to you?
Guns: The only thing that gets to me is criminal activity behind my back. I support Phil Lewis. He is the most important member ever in L.A. Guns aside from myself.
Are you still on speaking terms with the ‘other” L.A. Guns of the classic lineup?
Guns: Not really, there is nothing too talk about.
There seems to be some confusion on whether you or drummer Steve Riley own the rights to the name L.A. Guns. Both of you do?
Guns: Legally the logo is registered to both of us. He never came up with an original idea in the years I worked with him, let alone a badass band name L.A. Guns. Obviously he is taking advantage of my name. That’s what people do I guess when they can’t do it on their own. God bless that asshole.
Do you ever speak to (former bandmate) Axl Rose? If so, would there ever be a collaboration? If not, would you ever want there to be some collaboration?
Guns: No, never. Been there done that. His vision, his deal.
What is former L.A. Guns vocalist Paul Black up to now?
Guns: Trying to sue me for the name L.A. Guns.
Many think that L.A. Guns best album is the first one, and you and Black (songwriting) had a lot to do with that.
Guns: People think a lot of things. I like all the lyrics Elton John didn’t write.
Do you think (the second L.A. Guns album) Cocked and Loaded went off into more of a hairband sound?
Guns: Ya, it’s pretty ok.
Which L.A. Guns album are you most proud of?
Guns: Mmmmmm, overall Waking The Dead is pretty badass. Actually, Man In The Moon and Shrinking Violet are a nice lead up to Waking The Dead. The new record is a huge left turn so I like that one, too.
How is the new vocalist Dilana Robichaux coming along? Her voice will further define LA Guns. How did you meet her?
Guns: She’s a badass , she fits the L.A. Guns mold, ya know? Big old balls! Tattoos, rides a Harley, really cocky and a great singer. Eric Grossman — our new bass player — connected us.
Did you watch her sing on Rock Star: SuperNova?
Guns: Barely, I couldn’t sit through that particular show.
If you had to pick a L.A. Guns lineup as your favorite, would it be the current one?
Guns: I don’t have a favorite but, I certainly miss Mick Cripps.
When will there be a new album?
Guns: Plans are a way of God playing tricks on people.
You bio states that LA Guns started as a “straight up dirty ass rock and roll band.” Do you still feel it can be described as that?
Guns: Mmmmmm, I think the musical diversity has altered the original straight up part but, we are still real dirty and real rock ‘n’ roll.
If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would change?
Guns: Hindsight is 20/20 — if I changed anything then I wouldn’t know what I know now, and I still don’t know anything.
Would you ever write a biography of the LA rock scene one day?
Guns: Probably not, someone else can do it better.
Read Powerline’s review of Acoustic Gypsy Live by clicking here.
