L.A. Guns, 'Let You Down' -- New Song

L.A. Guns - the Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns version - just released a new single called "Let You Down."

The song was written very recently and the band is currently working on a new album. Yes, the track was recorded during quarantine, meaning the band members were literally scattered across the globe when putting it together.

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I have to say the track is great - really, really solid. "Let You Down" gives me high hopes for the upcoming new album. I think it will be a very strong release!

Comments

[GNR]

LA Guns - one of the few bands that I think I've grown to like even more or maybe appreciate more as time goes on.

[Mike]

Yes!! So good!!!

I hate to compare this to (or even acknowledge) the "other" band using L.A. Guns' name; this is a well crafted, moody, progressive song (progressive in that it pushed the LAG sound into new territory... the "other" song is like someone trying really hard to remake an album track from Hollywood Vampires.

The thing I love about L.A. Guns (aka Tracii and Phil) is their ability to write dark moody songs like this and then follow it up with something rippingly heavy, while still managing to incorporate some of the "sleazy" vibe they were know for back in the day.

That, and the enjoyment I get from seeing LAG totally mix up their setlist live; having seen them in 2017 and 2019... the 5-6 staples are always there (No Mercy, Rip And Tear, Jayne,etc), the rest of their set changed completely between these 2 shows. I defy Motley, Poison, Def Leppard to even add one different (unexpected) tune. Tesla is the only other band from "the era" that I can think of who totally mix it up like that.

[GNR]

Mike - absolutely agree on the Guns setlist change up is always solid. Tesla definitely does the same, now if I could just get deliver them my cease and desist order on "Signs"...

[Steve]

Mike...spot on about the diversity of Guns' set list. ALWAYS something new and different to look forward to when you see them live - while not sacrificing the hits!

I saw Motley's "so called" final show in LA. I thought for sure they would mix it up a bit with at least one or two deep cuts. Nope...they just played to the same track they used for the last two years of that tour. Major disappointment.

Poison is another great example. 100% chance of them opening with "Look what the Cat Dragged In," followed by the exact same set list - year after year.

Bravo, Phil and Tracii!

[Bkallday]

At least Motley is all original members. 🎤⬇️

[Him]

There is truth in your point, Bkallday. But there is also, sometimes, a problem with originals.

Thankfully, we can all go get really close to each other and see them on their stadium tour. For a band that went out 'on top', they are really trying hard to go out . . . at all.

[Mike]

@BKallday - correct, the band that retired and slagged on every other band who went back on their "farewell" is now back with their backing tracks, stale setlist and out of breath / out of shape frontman.

I hate slagging in the Crüe because they were the best when they were the best, and let's be honest there would not be an L.A. guns without Motley; but that band has not been collectively excited about new music since Generation Swine in 1997 (and their singer has not been able to do their material justice for just about as long).

[Dj]

I heard this the other day and thought it was an interesting choice for a lead off single. I think it has that classic LA Guns feel but it feels like they're trying to reach new territory. It sounds like a natural progression from The Devil You Know with kind of a sludgy kind of feel. Either way I think its a reflection of Phil and Tracii excited to make new music again, and that's fantastic because the last two albums have been incredible, especially The Missing Peace. They've worked hard to rebuild a brand/reputation and they're doing a good job at it.
Speaking of LA Guns related music...
Steve Rileys version released a song and it sounds like a beginning musician wrote the most basic type of rock song and found a bad vocalist to sing it, I'm sure hes a good vocalist in his own right but you cant call yourselves LA Guns with no Phil Lewis..I dont understand why he would form a new "LA Guns" to confuse the public that will be mad in the end and to compete with the real thing, you'd think Steve would have other options.
Michael Grant released a new song as well and I think his band has a lot of promise, it's cool, catchy, fun, and it's got riffs. I doubt he was going for this but it sounds more like LA Guns than Steve Rileys Bobby Blotzer experiment. Check it out if ya haven't heard it.

[Metalboy!]

Hold it, Mike ... Were they not excited about 2008’s “Saints of Los Angeles”?! ... Well, at least the song, anyway ... I sure as hell was! ... I mean, c’mon, just think about it ... That song alone is better than the entire “Generation Swine” album, as that was no killer, all filler”, IMHO, no offense ...

Still, the album, “Saints of Los Angeles” was nothing to write home about either (save for the title track), when it easily could have been ... But your point is taken in terms of them putting out new music ... What is it with Sixx, anyway? ... I mean, obviously, he’s still got some songwriting skills if you listen to his SIXX:AM sh*t.

The biggest problem isn’t so much the songwriting ain’t what it used to be but the fact they’re not Crüe songs ... If they were given the Crüe treatment, the SIXX:BM “hits” would have rocked out way more ... Even “Sex” was pretty good ... Take a cue from bands like “L.A. Guns”, or even one of your own touring partners like Joan Jett ... Put out new music!

As for L.A. Guns, though I agree with you, B.K., it would be better with the rest of the founding members at least we got Guns ‘n Lewis putting out new material and mixing up their sets.

I just wish they could put the lawsuits with Riley aside for a minute to pull everyone together for a one off with the original line-up for charity!

This new song proves once again what makes L.A. Guns (the real one) and their tunes so great ... Tracii Guns!!! ... He is the sleeping giant among ALL the L.A. guitar slingers and those who idolize ‘em ... I’m actually willing to say, even beyond them ...

I mean, just listen to his solo here ... He’s as good as any of the lead guitarists out there who would probably otherwise be touring right now, if they only could. There’s just no question about it, Guns is a complete and utter stone cold frickin’ KILLER, unmatched on that there geetar of his!

[Brian C.]

I’m on the other end of the spectrum.

This song is not very good. It needs some serious editing and is generally boring. I can not even imagine the train wreck this song would be live.

To me is sounds like a reach into new territory that others have already done and done better.

On the flip side, I love Crawl by Steve’s version of the band. It is catchy and fun and I find myself singing along to it and playing it on repeat.

So I guess to each his own...

Also, I don’t see how Phil is the deciding factor of who the ‘real’ LA Guns is. He is the one person of the 3 that owns 0% of the name. He is only LA Guns if one of the other two guys hires him! He better stay in Tracii’s good graces because it appears he burned the bridge with Steve.

[Mike]

The deciding factor is Tracii, and having Phil cinches it.

Would you support GNR started by Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan, while Axl and Slash are out there doing their thing? What if Sorum was able to swindle 50% of the trademark? Does that make his hypothetical GNR authentic?

What about Chris Slade starting AC/DC v2 with Cliff Williams, rivaling Angus and Brian?

Point being - trademark is a piece of paper that means nothing to my eyes and ears. Steve Riley played on 2/5 of LA Guns' major label releases, and wrote zero songs. The guy is a decent drummer but certainly doesn't contribute to the essential elements of LAGuns' sound.

[Bkallday]

Hollywood Vampires & Tales from the Strip rocked but was not a big fan of this last one they put out, even though Tracii is back and i expected more. There were a few good tracks but overall, nothing special. I've been a big fan of theirs for awhile now, unfortunately i even saw them once with Van Dahl singing, and that sucked big time. Lol

[Metalboy!]

To Brian C’s point (welcome back, man!), Riley’s version of the band is decent but like everybody is saying here, obviously, you ain’t got nuthin’ without Tracii Guns and even Phil Lewis, actually, as his distinctive voice is a trademark of the L.A. Guns sound ...

Too bad Guns and Lewis can’t seem to hug it out with Nickels and Riley now as THAT would be a sight to see! ... AND hear!