TRACII GUNS: 'I Still Don't Believe DIMEBAG Is Gone'

Debby Rao of KNAC.COM recently conducted an interview with former L.A. GUNS/BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION guitarist Tracii Guns. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

KNAC.COM: How do you feel about the music industry today? Do you think the label gave BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION a fair chance?

Guns: "I think that the industry is a great vehicle for younger musicians, although I also feel that it still exploits the energy of young musicians and that will never change. As in any big business the product line gets discontinued when the product stops selling well. That's just the reality. BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION absolutely had a fair chance with the first record. We had all the marketing tools we needed. Had we put out a second single and followed through with Nikki [Sixx, MÖTLEY CRÜE/ex-BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION bassist], it would have been a much different story but that was his choice [to leave]."

KNAC.COM: Back in the day, when GUNS N' ROSES was just getting started, what was that like and how did you meet Axl [Rose]?

Guns: "I met Axl through Izzy and we hit it off like long-lost brothers and we really are long-lost brothers. (Laughs) The version of GUNS N' ROSES I had started was a little more metal, a lot heavier because I was really exploring Wolf Hoffman, Randy Rhoads etc. So it was a mixture of really bluesy riffs played very hard and a lot of screaming. The scene in my GUNS N' ROSES days was perfect. CRÜE, W.A.S.P. and RATT had all moved on to bigger things so POISON, L.A. GUNS, JETBOY and GNR completely took over the L.A. scene taking what the more metal bands had to offer and bringing more dirt and blues into the mix."

KNAC.COM: Did Axl ever approach you to be in the new version of GNR? I would have really enjoyed seeing you perform again with GNR.

Guns: "No, he never did but, I reached out to him last year through Del James and Del told me he just laughed it off. I would love write with Axl again, just like I am excited about writing with Paul Black."

KNAC.COM: A while back you also have performed with POISON. How did that go?

Guns: "Well, I rehearsed with them four times. That's about it. Definitely a good time and good guys. Sixx always gives them a hard time. I am not sure why exactly, but I like the show and was honored to be asked to join."

KNAC.COM: In our last interview, you mentioned that Dimebag Darrell Abbott was one of your favorite guitar players and a friend. Have you heard "Rebel Meets Rebel"?

Guns: "I still don't believe he's gone. Even when I hang out with his friends the spirit is still as if he's still here. His family and friends are the most sincere, gentle people I have known in my life. Believe it or not, even Phil Anselmo has a very kind, gentle side. I love his bionic style of guitar playing. There was nothing he couldn't do, mixed with his personality; he was a real guitar god. 'Rebel Meets Rebel' is just superb, so classy, so dirty. The riffs are sick. David Allan Coe is so real and lyrics are so funny but true. I love the record and the idea. It would be nice to see Vinnie [Paul Abbott] and Rex [Brown] move onward and upward. I love those guys like brothers, including John Graham."

Read the entire interview at KNAC.COM.