photo by Eden Lake
Review by Alex Zander with photos by Robinette Giacolo and Eden Lake for MK ULTRA Magazine
We’ve all been anxiously awaiting for LA GUNS to return to the region after the release of their latest offering “Leopard Skin” on Cleopatra Records which has been riding high on two singles “Taste It” and “Lucky Motherfucker” both catchy fun rocking tunes with videos that were released weeks of each other as the new album was being rolled out.
Ace, Phil and Tracii photo by Eden Lake
Phil Lewis photo by Eden Lake
Shawn Duncan photo by Eden Lake
Ace and Johnny photo by Eden Lake
This line up we all know well by now and the blatant non stop energy fueled by raw power of this quintet never ceases to amaze me. Where do they get it? And opening up with “Cannonball” is above appropriate. That’s exactly what they did after the intro of the very recently deceased Ozzy Osbourne’s title track “Diary of a Mad Man”.which has been a staple of the live show for several tours now and is also very appropriate.
The Fantastic 4 came out and began to tease us with the opening of “Taste It” followed by the always charismatic lead vocalist Phil Lewis and they ripped into “Cannonball” and they all showed us how much they enjoy their “day jobs”. Johnny Martin on bass alongside Ace Von Johnson on second guitar and Phil front and center with his partner in crime band founder namesake Tracii Guns doing what he does better than most as they were all all over the stage for the next 90 minutes while Shawn Duncan held it together with his relentless hard hitting beats.
Phil Lewis photo by Robinette Giacolo
Phil Lewis photo by Eden Lake
Tracii Guns photo by Eden Lake
Ace, Shawn and Johnny photo by Robinette Giacolo
Johnny, Phil and Tracii photo by Robinette Giacolo
Shawn, Ace and Tracii photo by Robinette Giacolo
The band which now has just under 4 decades of albums worth of a helluva lot of tunes are getting to the point now that it’s impossible to fit everything into their set. They gave us the classics such as ” Electric Gypsy”, “Over the Edge”, “I Wanna be Your Man” and “Sex Action” as well as some newer material such as “Hit and Run” and “Lucky Motherfucker” from the new album along with “Like a Drug” written by and featuring a sizzling lead guitar solo by Ace Von Johnson. “Speed ” which was the new song a few albums ago is now a well seasoned standard.
We always love the twin guitar solo on “Over The Edge” which was the only song that was played this evening from ‘Hollywood Vampires’, one of the finest records I own that didn’t get nearly the promotion or success that it deserved. Sadly this may have been the only time I’ve seen the Gunners live that they did not play “Kiss My Love Goodbye”.
Tracii was having a lot of fun and I noticed he played only one guitar for most of the show on this evening throughout the set. We did get a little taste of the theremin which we know well from another ol fave “Malaria” even though it wasn’t played this evening. It’s always a blast to watch Guns play with his toys.
Tracii Guns photo by Eden Lake
There was loads of non stop energy onstage at the historic Arcada Theater in St Charles IL which also has top notch acoustics. There was a little Ozzy tribute by Tracii that followed into the “Hells Bells” intro of “Never Enough” another late 80’s classic track. Tracii shot the horns and yelled out “HAIL SATAN !” as the song kicked into overdrive.
The big surprise of the night was when Phil introduced Peter Dankelson the musician and motivator behind the regional band Pete’s Diary for “Rip and Tear” the song where Phil introduces each member of the live group as they play a little signature solo part. Pete got to show off his chops on “Rip and Tear”. which you can see here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x78PqMH38_0 and you can learn more about Pete here: www.petesdiary.com
As usual the band is at the top of their game again only it seems there is more momentum than everl LA GUNS don’t look to slow down anytime in the near future which is what we as followers need. Being one of the best classic hard rock bands from the 80’s LA GUNS exudes an attitude and energy that a whole generation of young bands struly need to aspire to. They don’t only look like they are having a very good time onstage it appears that they might actually really like one another. A rarity for a lot of bands of their era.
Ace Von Johnson photo by Robinette Giacolo
Ace Von Johnson photo by Robinette Giacolo
Johnny Martin photo by Eden Lake
LA GUNS ARE:
Tracii Guns – lead guitar, backing vocals
Phil Lewis – lead vocals
Johnny Martin – bass
Ace Von Johnson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Shawn Duncan – drums, percussion live only
Set List:
Diary of a Madman (Ozzy Intro)
Cannonball
Electric Gypsy
Sex Action
Hellraisers Ball
Hit and Run
Like a Drug
Speed
One More Reason
Over the Edge
I Wanna Be Your Man
Lucky Motherfucker
Hells Bells / Never Enough
The Ballad of Jayne
Rip and Tear
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