![]() If you are familiar with the band, no matter how familiar you are with the album it’s an exhilarating ride. LA Guns are an actual, accomplished live band, with music that transcends space and time and may induce a state of euphoria.Ĭocked And Loaded cannot be faulted, nor can it be faulted live (despite the mild gripe that the album opener, the brief ‘Letting Go’ and the unnecessary ‘I’m Addicted’ instrumental was left out, but the rather splendid ‘Speed’ from The Missing Peace is substituted. It even sounds live, not the overtly polished, regurgitated turds that are insultingly presented as ‘live’ these days. Guns retains his alarming accuracy while Lewis’s admittedly more mature voice demonstrates greater subtleties (which would be missed drunkenly singing along in the first few rows of an actual gig). Opening with Slap In The Face, the energy and enthusiasm is palpable and increases to contagion levels within minutes. This isn’t the ‘classic’ line-up, I believe LA Guns are close to Hawkwind levels of churn in terms of band members, but bassist Johnny Martin has been involved since 2017’s Missing Peace. I was nervous with the anticipation of what would unfold as I settled into my favourite chair and cracked a beer for this live replay of an album so integral to my youth. As much as I would have dearly loved visual footage, its absence enhances the magic (the gig itself had limited capacity, but was available as a live-streamed Pay-Per-View, which I regrettably did not indulge in at the time). With their numerous live albums, there are no regrets and no fears of missing out however this recording is an essential addition for fans and anyone melancholic for live music.Ĭocked And Loaded Live was recorded at the Fremont Country Club in Las Vegas, in November 2020 ‘Celebrating 31 years of Cocked And Loaded’ during a pandemic that has limited live music and audience interaction. But I have failed to view that perfect alliance of precision guitar and vocals again in three decades. Since that date, I have seen Jizzy Pearl (Love/ Hate) sing LA Guns, the ‘original’ vocalist and songwriter Paul Black with Tracii Guns (and son) and the inimitable Phil Lewis (without Tracii Guns, but with Brent Muscat of Faster Pussycat). The line-up, the songs, the company it would take a lot to beat. Despite the rumours that the band had to borrow the instruments of Love/ Hate – nothing could mar my joy. I had bought Cocked And Loaded (and the newly released Hollywood Vampires) the day they were released and the coach I travelled in was suffused with excitement and the illicit smoke of dozens of fans. It was in 1991 I finally saw LA Guns live, sandwiched between Love/Hate and Skid Row and it certainly was a teenage dream come true. Guns celebrate 31 years of their Cocked and Loaded album with a live album recorded and streamed during the pandemic. Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) – backing vocalsĭerek St.L.A. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) – backing vocals ![]() This Rock Candy Records ‘”Cocked & Loaded Remastered & Reloaded’ sounds million bucks and features a bonus track. It’s varied, and rocks with melody and great melody. Make no mistake, this album remains one of the most comprehensive and exciting records to have emerged from the glam / sleazy US Sunset Strip movement. Stylistically their no-nonsense style of razor sharp riffs courtesy of terrific axe-man Tracii Guns and tough-guy bravado also helped them to surf the grunge onslaught from Seattle allowing the band an afterlife that many were ultimately denied. ![]() Guns were more than just a flash in the pan by storming the US charts, selling over a million copies and producing two bonafide hit singles with ‘Never Enough’ and the power ballad ‘The Ballad Of Jane’. The results were spectacular, confirming that L.A. Naturally all eyes were on the band’s second album, “Cocked And Loaded”, recorded in Los Angeles with seasoned producers Tom Werman (Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Cheap Trick) alongside Duane Barron & John Purdell (Poison, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart), and featuring guest appearances from Ted Nugent, Derek St. Amazingly, the combination was highly combustible confirmed by the band’s self titled debut album crashing into the US charts and going on to sell over half a million units. based band pivotal to the upsurge in mid-Eighties glam based hard rock but fronted by London born vocalist Phil Lewis, previously of Girl, one of the decade most lauded UK outfits. ![]() This Rock Candy Records remastered version provide a clearer definition, and includes a bonus track. ![]() Both are great, killer hard rock plates, but this “ Cocked & Loaded” (their second) was the band’s most important commercial success. These are among the most requested albums to be featured here the two first releases by L.A. ![]()
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