The L.A. Guns are the epitome of the 1980’s Sunset Strip glam rock scene.

The band was formerly named Pyrrhus, the initial lineup of L.A. Guns in 1983 consisted of guitarist Tracii Guns, vocalist Michael Jagosz, drummer Rob Gardner, and bassist Ole Beich.

Interestingly, Michael Jagosz was replaced after getting jailed for a week by Axl Rose. The band merged with Rose’s Hollywood Rose in 1985 to form Guns N' Roses. Tracii Guns left after about six months and was replaced by the legendary guitarist, Slash.

Tracii reformed L.A. Guns in 1985 with Mick Cripps, Nickey Alexander and Paul Black. When the group was signed to Polygram, Black was relegating to the credit of a songwriter.

After a litany of lineup changes, the band formed in 1986. Their self-titled first album, L.A. Guns, sold 750,000 copies, peaked at number 50 on the Billboard 2000

In 1989, the Guns released their second and most successful album, Cocked and Loaded. C&L peaked at number 38 on Billboard 200 and included the band’s biggest hit, “The Ballad of Jayne.”

The band released their somewhat overlooked third album, Hollywood Vampires in 1991, at the end of an era defined by big-hair, sexual provocation, and powerful instrumentation. Although the album received only average ratings from critics, its opener, “Over The Edge,” is featured on the movie soundtrack for 1991’s Pointbreak.

The Guns waited a few years before releasing any further material, in hopes that mainstream attention would grow tired of the grunge sound. Not until early 1995 did they release their fourth studio product, Viscous Circle. It is the band’s worst selling album and most poorly . Consequently, the band’s lineup changed completely and now included: Johnny Crypt on bass, Chris Van Dahl taking over the leadership role from Guns, and Guns serving the band as its sole guitarist.

L.A. Gun’s label, Polygram, dropped the band after the poor performance of both Vicious Circle and 1996’s American Hardcore.

Following a streak that produced six studio albums, The Guns recorded a greatest hits package, titled “Black Beauties”, releasing it in the summer of 1999. The live album Live: A Night on the Strip was recorded during this time and released the following year.

The second period of the L.A. Guns' career produced five additional studio albums: Man in the Moon (2001), Waking the Dead (2002), Tales from the Strip (2005), Hollywood Forever (2012), and The Missing Peace (2017).

Members

Phil Lewis – vocals (1987-1995, 1999-present)
Johnny Monaco – guitar (2018-present)
Scott Griffin – bass guitar (2007-2009, 2011-present)
Steve Riley – drums (1987-1992, 1994-present)