by Alex Zander photos by Eden Lake for MK ULTRA Magazine with Christine Verchota
L.A.GUNS w/special guests: ENUFF Z NUFF, THE QUIREBOYS, BAD MARRIAGE, DRAMA QUEEN, AND 20 SPOT
ACE and TRACII L.A. GUM photo thanks to Christine Verchota
After almost a solid year starving for a real hard rock show on June 9th we got to cover FASTER PUSSYCAT at the Arcada in St. Charles and less than a month later another real rock show came through Aurora IL at the Piazza headlined by another of our favorite lives acts L.A.GUNS and they did not disappoint. In fact firing on all cylinders on their second night into the BLACK DIAMONDS Tour they were tighter than ever. In fact since 2017 when Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns reunited with an all new L.A.GUNS with a combination of touring members of each other’s bands at the time, they’ve been consistently putting out product and touring extensively. Now along with Johnny Martin on bass, Ace Von Johnson on guitar and Shawn Duncan behind the drum kit they seemed tighter than ever which is really saying something considering this outfits take no prisoner professionalism when it comes to delivering a live set.
We all know by now that when the lights dim and OZZY’s Mr. Crowley starts to play over the PA that it’s showtime and they came out on fucking fire. All wrapped in black they took to the stage and opened up with ‘Cannonball’ from 2021’s “Checkered Past” and then it was a nice hour plus long time travel journey of songs from the first release to the latest ‘Black Diamonds’ which has been met with critical praise. MK has become a regular at all of the regional shows and it’s refreshing to see them shake up the setlist from time to time. At this point they have such a library of material it’s impossible to hear a tune like ‘Malaria’ each time out but they more than make it up with a classic track such as ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’.
Maybe the fellas are well rested after last years outing on the Sonic Slam 2022 Tour but not only were they on fucking fire, it was obvious that they were having a lot of fun playing for us. The 14 song set included classic hits and newbies from the latest platter such as ‘Diamonds’ and ‘You Betray’. Johnny Martin and Ace Von Johnson have been with the group long enough to have found their place in and Shawn Duncan doesn’t have us missing anyone else who has sat on the stool the last few tours.
Tracii Guns is without a doubt a guitar hero if not hero at this point and Phil Lewis sounds as fresh as ever with vocals as strong as they’ve ever been that there’s no point in even mentioning ages in this report. But we fans know how old we are and thank you L.A. GUNS for being a big part of the ride.
See ya soon!
Thank you to tour manager Justin Andres and Tim Heyne at Entertainment Group, Inc
This string of dates runs thru September. For more info see: www.lagunsmusic.com
SETLIST 7/1/2023
Cannonball
Electric Gypsy
Over the Edge
You Betray
One More Reason
Sex Action
Diamonds
Speed
I Wanna Be Your Man
Kiss My Love Goodbye
Hells Bells / Never Enough
Crystal Eyes / The Ballad of Jayne
Rip and Tear
