L.A. GUNS Guitarist Discusses Lineup Changes, Future Plans

Saviours Of Rock recently conducted an interview with L.A. GUNS guitarist Stacey Blades. A couple of excerpts follow:

Saviours Of Rock: It's unfortunate Adam [Hamilton, bass] chose to leave?

Stacey: We weren't that shocked when Adam told us he was leaving. I think we knew for some time that he wanted to get off the road. Adam is definitely going to be missed. We really had some great times touring and recording together. He's definitely at home in his studio. Adam is one of the most talented musicians I have ever worked with.

Saviours Of Rock: It kind of tarnishes the name again, doesn't it? I mean, it really seemed like this was going to be a solid line-up?

Stacey: Well, I guess it was a bit of a shake-up, that's for sure. It sucks when someone who has been with the band for a long time decides to leave. The show must go on!! Maybe we can reach the record for the most member changes in a single band. ha ha ha.

Saviours Of Rock: Maybe Adam will help engineer/produce your next album?

Stacey: We will definitely still work with Adam, probably write with him. We have an amazing relationship with Andy Johns and I hope we get to do another record with him.

Saviours Of Rock: Talking of which, when can we expect one?

Stacey: Well we don't have a deal right now since we severed our ties with Shrapnel. We are hoping to have an album early next year

Saviours Of Rock: Did you guys have any trouble with the Tracii diehards when you first joined up?

Stacey: No not really! Every one pretty much knew that Trace had left for BRIDES. My style is very close to his as well so it was a really easy transition for me. Hell some people think I'm him half the time anyways. There are, of course, some people out there that wish Tracii was up there instead of me, but for the most part the fans have really accepted me with open arms.

Saviours Of Rock: How did you guys hook up anyway?

Stacey: Well I was in a band at the time called S.M.A.C.K. with Pat Muzingo from JUNKYARD. We were just about to breakup and a buddy of mine who is friends with Phil called and asked me if I was interested in playing with L.A.GUNS. I was like "Hell ya!" I met with Phil and Steve and we really connected. There was huge chemistry right from the first rehearsal.

Saviours Of Rock: ROXX GANG was over for a few years by the time you joined up with the L.A. GUNS. What the hell happened there?

Stacey: I was in that band for almost 9 years! I left in 2000 due to a lot of reasons. They just didn't want to rock anymore. Kevin slowly started turning the band into this Muddy Waters thing and all we were doing is learning all these old blues songs. That got real old after a while. I got tired of being told how to dress, "Turn down, you're playing too loud." It's funny, I actually remember Kevin telling me during a rehearsal, "This is MOJO GURUS, not L.A. GUNS!" I told them "See ya" and I moved out to L.A.

Read the entire interview at Saviours Of Rock.