L.A. Guns - Blacklist

HinweiseHard times, hard drugs, switchblades, whiskey and fistfights - such was the life of a Hollywood rock'n'roll band in the mid 80's. You may think you know the history of L.A. Guns, but, baby, you don't know the half of it. Fame, debauchery, kick ass rock music, lies, lawsuits, breakups, recrimination, broken hearts and busted noses. Much soap opera drama has transpired over the bands history and many members have come and gone through the spotlight of this reckless rock n roll band - yet it all springs from the original line-up of Paul Black (ex Mau Mau's/Joneses/Black Cherry), Nikki Alexander (ex Weirdos/Berlin Brats/Lords Of The New Church/Dickies), Traci Guns (ex Guns N Roses), Mick Cripps (ex-Cramps), and Robert Stoddard (ex Dogs D'Amour). This line-up took the Hollywood club scene by storm in 1983 blending their love of hard rock with the energy of punk and the look of glam. Always a Hollywood favorite L.A. Guns frequently shared bills with Traci's former bandmates Guns & Roses, each vying for the spot of top dog in the bad boy rock scene. This is the line-up that secured a major label deal but broke up suddenly before releasing anything do to musical direction differences (a lamer line-up was later thrown together for Polygram Records and released two albums with re-worked songs penned by this original line-up - both albums eventually went gold). There were tons of early demo recordings of the original line-up that were left behind when they split apart. During the 80's - disputes over the rights to the original demos resulted in Black demanding the masters back. Polygram claimed that they had been erased. No one could prove otherwise. Those recordings never saw the light of day to the public - until now!! The original line-up of Mick, Robert, Paul, Tracii, and Nickey started speaking again and, fortunately, decided to go through their personal collections of old cassette tapes to find the best versions of those original recordings and songs. This album "Black List" is made from those tapes. This CD comprises those early demo's of the band at their musical height from 1983 leading up to 1987 (just prior to their Polygram signing) and for the first time L.A. Guns is heard at it's absolute best . Their original, untouched sound is definately rougher and sleazier than the later incarnation - finding the band sounding exactly like the true fucked-up, full of piss and vinegar, drugged out Hollywood bastards they started off as. The recordings have been professionally mastered and restored to their fullest potential. Comes with a great full-color 16 page booklet with never before seen pictures and terrific liner notes. 18 songs including all the hits in their original form!!

(VÖ 11.08.05)