L.A. GUNS Frontman: 'Sex, Drugs And Rock 'N' Roll - There's Nothing Wrong With That'

April 28, 2006

Kristi Singer of The Sun News recently conducted an interview with L.A. GUNS frontman Phil Lewis. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Q: Do you enjoy performing the old or new material more?

Lewis: "I like doing it all. I like doing the new stuff and impressing people that we've still got it — and I like the old stuff because everybody just let's go as soon as we start 'Electric Gypsy' — the place goes nuts — you gotta love that."

Q: What do you think has contributed to the L.A. GUNS' staying power through the years?

Lewis: "For me personally, it's my enthusiasm for the music and acknowledgement that we've got such a great fan base, such a great crowd. What I love about our crowd is that they vary from 16 to 60. And I pride myself on the fact that we've gotten just as many girl fans as guy fans."

Q: How have your crowds changed through the years?

Lewis: "Age-wise, it's getting bigger. Especially in Europe, we're getting lots of 14-, 15-year-olds and all-ages shows who love the '80s metal. And the fans that have been loyal to us in the beginning are still around. So that's what keeps the whole machine moving and running so smoothly."

Q: In your educated opinion, what do you think it is about '80s metal and '80s rock that makes it an irreplaceable part of music today?

Lewis: "It's fun. It really was. It was about fun, it was about escapism. It wasn't about 'Oh daddy touched me.' It was about riding motorbikes, chicks and little black dresses. It's fantastic. That's what rock 'n' roll's supposed to be — fast, sleazy, fun."

Q: What have you noticed as significant changes in rock 'n' roll since the '80s?

Lewis: "I notice that bands don't have fun anymore. I'm starting to see a slight resurgence in bands having fun — but when we were booted out by NIRVANA and the rest of the grunge boys, it was the dark ages. I think it will be looked back on as being a very bleak time culturally. We're about having some fun. A little bit of escapism never hurt anyone. Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll — there's nothing wrong with that."

Read the entire interview at this location.

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