L.A. Guns' Phil Lewis on Once Steve Riley Joined, "It really became a f***ing nightmare" 2023

This is a full in bloom interview excerpt with L.A. Guns frontman Phil Lewis.
Phil talks about recording L.A. Guns' 1988 debut album, band dynamics, Steve Riley, Tracii Guns, Mick Cripps, Kelly Nickels, and Jim Faraci.
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LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE PHIL LEWIS INTERVIEW:
• Phil Lewis of L.A. Gun...
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Outro by FOOL OF FATE
#laguns #motleycrue #ratt

[@indivisibleman]

We appreciate you. Take the time you need . . . nobody does what you do this well. I hope it rewards you monetarily because there's plenty of us that love hearing these things.

[@fullinbloom]

I appreciate the kind words, Indivisible Man!

[@dsaltlife2925]

That first LA guns album still kicks A$$

[@damndirtyrandy7721]

Still rock it on the playlist

[@kennywaynebearhead]

You’re my absolute number one rock journalist. Your interviews are just fantastic.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Kenny Wayne Bearhead! Much appreciated.

[@scottwhite2757]

Missed you man, Phil is the best !! LA Guns !!!!

[@thomasaronson6482]

Electric Gypsy,Sex Action.I Agree if Traci ain't playing w Guns, he should be playing with Motley CrueNow

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Scott! Good to see you in the comments again.

[@Boss429..]

We ALL wish you the best during your difficult time. Welcome back dude! Your interviews F@&$N’ ROCK! 🎸

[@hjsdshabdhgadhfgadhf]

Great interview, nice to hear an interview where nobody from Guns is really slamming each other. Seen Guns years ago, multiple times, man they were a freakin machine in there time, great memories.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Boss!

[@Boss429..]

@@fullinbloom You’re welcome. When it comes to the most kick a$$ rock interviews, you’re THE BOSS! 🎸

[@RFXLR]

Glad your back brother! Blessings to you and I hope things improve

[@fullinbloom]

Much appreciated, @RFXLR!

[@ryderl3988]

I opened for L.A. Guns, right when Steve joined the band. Ed Fitzwater was the new stage manager..Ed was Great and Steve was great..Phil, you were out of your mind bitchin about the bus...The sound guy put marks on the stage where there were dead spots with the wireless mic....Nooo. You had a fit and threw the mic against the wall. Steve sat down and talked to me like a person...BTW this was Lawton, Oklahoma. March 1988....Traci's guitar solo was LEd Zepplin and Van halen Riffs...We were only suppose to open for you one set. But we had to play another, before you got on stage...

[@CHillTennisEntertainment]

I absolutely LOVE your channel! Hope all is well. Thank you for everything that you do.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Welcome back! I love their 1988 album. The first time I saw their video for Sex action I jumped in my car and went to the record store and bought the cassette. Kick ass hard rock.

[@scottlosey4978]

That first LA Guns album, in my opinion, is significantly better than Guns and Roses Appetite......sleezy, not over produced, and fucking raw. Perfectly captured the ambiance of the late 80s Sunset Strip. If I can be completely candid, I don't like Bon Jovi, but their debut with Runaway and She Don't Know Me is killer.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

agree@@scottlosey4978

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you sticking around, John!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

You`re welcome and thanks for the awesome interviews and content.@@fullinbloom

[@rickwitt5735]

It's great to see you back! I hope everything is resolved in your favor.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Rick!

[@paddytguitar]

Good to hear you’re all good 🙏 life should always come first. Looking forward to more posts!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @paddytguitar!

[@rickfortine7454]

I'M NEVER LEAVING YOUR CHANNEL BROTHER ... FULL IN BLOOM IS THE PLACE TO BE !!!

[@fullinbloom]

I remember Rick Fortine. Thank you, my friend.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Your interviews are brilliant. You get so many gems out of these rock stars. I hope my subscriptions and all the comments I have made on your videos help you and the channel. Please keep going. All the best.

[@fullinbloom]

You're awesome, Vampyre! Thank you for everything.

[@flrpitflrp1965]

Saw them a few weeks ago, they are still incredible

[@russellearnest4284]

I've given every LA Guns album a chance. I even liked a couple without Phil Lewis (American Hardcore and Shrinking Violet) but something about when Tracii and Phil are together, they just make the most beautiful, dirty rock n roll that can't be touched. The last 4 with those 2 have been phenomenal. Especially the new one. Keep it coming and thanks for the interview. Keep them coming too🤘

[@JackTorrance333]

Cheers bro! Glad you’re back. Hope all is well.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Jack Torrance 333. Cheers!

[@SeaToSkyImages]

You have the best rock interviews on KZbin BAR NONE. I'm so happy to see that you're back, and I hope things get better for you. You have my full support.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Sea to Sky Images! Much appreciated.

[@michaelhowardrosskrh74]

I wore out the debut and cocked and loaded albums. Great time for a great band. Saw them live in providence RI back in late 80s. Great band, at that time.

[@DoubleDguitar]

Hope you are well, thanks for the update. Always enjoy your videos. Heading to the other channel now.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Double D Guitar!

[@neilchauvin4551]

I agree with these sentiments. I can’t get enough of your interviews. You do an excellent job getting your guests to open up and get in to the minutiae we all love. Health and family first, always! Thank you!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Neil! Much appreciated.

[@mattrock12]

So happy to see your video come up in my feed! Your channel was sorely missed. Great to have you back, Adam. You're a sight for sore ears 😊🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Matt Rock 12. It takes a hardcore listener to even know my name....one of the few, I assume. Thank you again!

[@pedraw]

I've missed these videos. You always seem to get the best of the artist because you ask simple questions and then...........imagine this, let them answer. I hope life is improving for you, take care.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, @pedraw!

[@joewestwood7505]

Hang in there man! We appreciate you and the videos. NO ONE interviews like you, period.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Joe! I appreciate you listening.

[@kevinfryman7143]

I got to meet and talk with Phil Lewis prior to a LA Guns show, and he was such a genuinely nice guy. Very down to earth.

[@jonshaw4948]

Glad to have you back. You and yours are in my prayers.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Jon!

[@mikestillwagon5675]

Welcome back!!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Mike!

[@dragonfly1694]

Welcome back good sir & all the best to you during this difficult time. And thank you. Your efforts are appreciated by many, I always give your channel a plug by word-of-mouth. Another good interview, Phil Lewis is a gentleman, refreshing to hear his honesty on LA GUNS without any of the usual mudslinging. Plus he's still got the pipes. Respect.

[@fullinbloom]

You're good people, Dragon Fly! Thank you for listening.

[@roymartin500]

I hope everything gets better Bloom. Don't worry about us, we'll still be here.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Roy!

[@cripprocktony]

Thanks for everything! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for listening, Ugly Ugly 6th!

[@kevbev1524]

Skol brother, Good to hear your inquisitive soothing voice once again. ❤😊

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @kevbev1524! Much appreciated.

[@allthecolors6900]

Hey ma. Greay clip. Hope all is well with you, amigo. I love your interviews. You actually let the artists speak and tell their stories. Just saw LA Guns in the Philly area with KKs Priest, and Burning Witches. Awesome show. Phil can still sing!! And Tracii is still a beast on guitar

[@A-1GINDALOON]

Glad you're back dude!! New channel sounds awesome 👍

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @A-1GINDALOON.

[@julietrask7497]

Well that’s news to me Congo drums? Thanks for this interview, love Phil. Welcome back we missed you. Looking forward to more episodes.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Julie!

[@dylanakent]

Phil is awesome! Thank you from one of the only Girl fans that existed in the US!!! 😃

[@leticiabromley6013]

Not the only one, Dylana😘🎸😊...and Phil has always been divine..a great, dirty, sexy singer and frontman.

[@jamescaldwell982]

Great to have you back 🤘🎸🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, James!

[@ianhoyle8459]

Love your videos which got me through difficult times. I won’t unsubscribe and hope things are better for you now.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Ian. That means a lot to me. Glad they could help!

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Thanks for this interview. I always enjoy learning about the rock biz, even if I’m not a big fan of a particular band.

[@p_e_t_e]

same, most of the bands he covers aren't/weren't my cup of tea but i can't get enough of the interviews!

[@fullinbloom]

Good to see you pop up in the comments again, Why the Horse Face! Thanks for continuing to listen!

[@fullinbloom]

Thanks for listening, @peters7893!

[@Axefiend777]

So glad you're back! Cheers!!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Axe Fiend 777! Glad you're back, too. Cheers.

[@21stcenturyparagraphs]

Like any average metalhead of the period, I was a W.A.S.P. fan when I noticed the LA Guns debut in the Spring of '88. I thought it was a solid hard rock album, but if there was one thing holding it back it was the drumming, imo, Steve Riley's drumming would have added so much more fire to it and live performance wise his drumming brought the guitars up to a level he was used to in W.A.S.P. after all that touring. Riley also had studio experience which may have benefited the drum sound on that debut in a way that someone green couldn't have, imo.

[@DannyGadish]

I agree Steve was a fantastic drummer and had an earth shattering sound and groove. These days I have to give it to Phil and Tracii though, they're the heart of the band.

[@shaunclifton5281]

Steve is super cool. When I saw him with LA Guns in 2014, he was beyond grateful and kind to fans, signing Everything they brought in , including WASP albums. He played great.

[@dennisdevelin]

I agree!

[@brianmullins8863]

You're the best in the biz! I hope things settle down for you. I'll be following the new page for certain! Thanks for all you do!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Brian!

[@HaXaW5150]

Glad to have you back FIB. 😎

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @HaXaW5150. Glad to have you back as well.

[@chrishubbell3313]

Love your channel & look forward to your posts🙏🏾✊🏾🤘🏾

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Chris!

[@gregoryhodge9452]

I saw them in Knoxville, TN a month or so ago and that was the loudest concert I have ever been to.😊

[@stickmaster90]

I love your interviews!! Growing up on all these artists, it’s just so cool to hear things from an artists perspective

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for listening, stickmaster90!

[@kmcewenguitar]

All the best! Great to see you back ✌️

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @kmcewenguitar!

[@johncollins1365]

Yo brother hang tough. Long time fan of FIB. Hope things get better soon!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, John! I appreciate you.

[@johncollins1365]

@@fullinbloom I think I speak for everyone when I say that we all appreciate you. I would gladly pay a monthly Patreon fee for your content. You deserve to have a syndicated radio show. Sending good vibes your way, brother. Hang in there. You’re gonna come out on the other side of your struggles even stronger than before.

[@angelripper_420]

We love your posts stay strong brother take all the time you need where always here, respects 🙏 ✌️👍👊🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Angel Ripper....420!

[@ReverendBad]

hope all is well! Thanks for the great work!

[@DjBobbySteels]

Welcome back!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, DJ Bobby Steels!

[@mikewarren5322]

Thanks for all your past posts and hopefully you continue to do many more.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Mike! Much more to come...

[@lancejasper7708]

A lot of killer music from L.A. Guns...songs like One More Reason...or Sex Action...or Over The Edge...

[@thomasaronson6482]

Electric Gypsy

[@shaunclifton5281]

I Wanna be your man 🤘

[@100hooker]

Ballad of Jayne.

[@IMGWindham]

I found you

[@ludurigan]

fuck, life does get rough, huh? here is hoping that you can get back on your feet. keep rocking man it is sure great to have you back

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @ludurigan!

[@jrblanston]

I'm glad you're back, dude

[@fullinbloom]

Glad you're back, too. Thank you for listening, JR!

[@coyfineartportraits6216]

Blessings to you sir!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Coy Fine Art Portraits!

[@0U812FU]

Youre a class act and wish you well with whatever issue you have going on... Great to have you back!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, OU812FU!

[@atticusfinch3931]

Great interview not like that loud mouth never let you get a word in Eddie Trunk

[@shaunclifton5281]

100 % Agreed. Mr." He's a good friend of mine " , and that pathetic whining he does. Trunk is like nails on a chalkboard.

[@scottclark7592]

all the best to you in difficult times- you do make a difference.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Scott!

[@christopheranderson2158]

My band opened for Guns in Duluth, MN around 2000-2001 on kind of a one-off gig at a pretty decent sized club. It was winter and we got hit with a blizzard and like 18” of snow. Needless to say, the crowd was a bit light, but they never cancelled the show. They showed up, were super nice, and played their asses off. Steve and I chatted for a while over a couple beers after our opening set and shared some cool stories from his WASP days. He was really cool. Phil was also one of the nicest “rock stars” I’ve ever met. Really a great dude. After their set, we all hopped over to the strip club across the street and had some fun! 🤘🤘

[@r.g.armstrong2688]

Love this channel and i love the way this journalist speaks. Don’t even know your name, but thank you.

[@warrensleep9881]

Phil Lewis is an absolutely brilliant and even when he's complaining he still comes across as a perfect gentleman!

[@ChadEtchison]

Wishing you the best.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Chad!

[@todd-1]

Steve Riley seems like a cool dude.

[@shaunclifton5281]

He is man. He was great to the fans the 3 times I saw him. Took some killer pictures with him.

[@whamsie4022]

“If the county fair wants us, we’ll do it…” just make sure our name appears above ‘Puppet Show’ on the marquee.

[@stevewelborn8744]

Brother I will never unsubscribe. If you were gone a year I would still be subscribed. I would just be hoping you would come back

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, Steve. Amazing!

[@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737]

Your interviews are excellent! Welcome back,thanks for all the great work.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for listening!

[@wileykoepp]

Love your interviews. Gotta take care of #1 first. We all appreciate your work!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Wiley! I appreciate you.

[@frank-ski]

We truly appreciate what you do and you have to take time for yourself and your family and friends. Life is about balance

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for listening, Frank.

[@e-rod1596]

Get well Bloomer!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, E-Rod!

[@metalmayhem4365]

No apologies take care of business we'll be here waiting for those awsome interviews 🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Metal Mayhem!

[@roberttaylor6374]

Much respect...you're THEEE BEST INTERVIEWER OUT THERE!!!!! YOUR VOICE..YOU DONT INTERRUPT AND ASK THE QUESTIONS WE WANT TO KNOW!!!!!!

[@terencesingerline135]

Really have enjoyed your channel and the interviews..Thank you so much for all the time and effort into these cool chats

[@thejacwag2466]

Great interview and photo editing. Love it man

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Jacwag!

[@Davo-gj7gl]

I love these interviews 👍

[@efilnikufesin2069]

Hang in there brotha!!! 🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, @efilnikufesin2069!

[@efilnikufesin2069]

@@fullinbloom Definitely man!

[@michaelashleymusic]

No shame in that man. You are appreciated. No judgment. Humbled that you care enough to tell us. Glad you're back. 🤘

[@Jebbie1976]

Go with God Steve Riley. Thanks for the music. 💔

[@ruination775]

All the best man. It is fantastic to see your Content, and hear your Voice again. Stay safe Brother 🙏

[@supernothing77]

Thanks for your content. Sorry to hear about the rough times

[@RolandDeschain1]

I agree with Phil Lewis that Tracii Guns should have gotten the guitar slot in Motley. He has deep, deep roots in that whole scene, and in the band's history. It would have been perfect.

[@todd-1]

I don't think Brides Of Destruction ended so good!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Yeah I figured he had a blow out with Nikki.

[@user-ty2xv6xw8j]

Glad he didn't ❤

[@firesideshats]

Also Nikki and Tommy are fame whores they want who hot

[@robertpavlicart1332]

​@@todd-1in fact they didn't....Nikki said Tracii owes him money...

[@termsofusepolice]

I always preferred Phil's voice to Axl's. Great to have you back FIB!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Terms of Use Police!

[@jamesp9141]

Glad you're back! Hope all is well with you. Been wondering where you went off to Brother. Going to check out the new Channel.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you for the kind words... and sticking around, James!

[@patricknunez8884]

You have a Great Frigging Voice for this type of medium, keep up the good work.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Patrick! I appreciate that.

[@patricknunez8884]

👍

[@dizzyred1390]

I’ve checked multiple times thinking, did I accidentally unsubscribe??!???? Glad ur back !!!

[@fullinbloom]

Glad you are too, Dizzy Red. Thanks for sticking with me!

[@davidperez5089]

SR the drummer with the awkwardly perfect posture.

[@philiprein8985]

Ive been saying this for decades. It seemed like no one else noticed! haha

[@davidperez5089]

@@philiprein8985 Apparently that's where he kept his exta sticks, in his man Pocket

[@mostlycrazyallthetime]

So glad mr full in bloom is back. .my friend ..you are hands down the best interviewer on the planet . Sorry to hear life got upside down for you...really hope you can keep moving forward .

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you so much!

[@shaunclifton5281]

Funny...I saw LA Guns at Rockhouse Live in Memphis 2014. At that point, Steve Riley was drumming and Michael Grant was Killing it on lead guitar. All the guys were super nice . Steve was right there with Phil, and they seemed to get along great 👍

[@rolltider17]

I was at that show!

[@shaunclifton5281]

@@rolltider17 Pretty Kick ass show , huh ? I loved it

[@rolltider17]

Yes it was! I really hate that Steve is gone. He was always nice to me. I know he had his differences with Phil and Tracii though.

[@shaunclifton5281]

@rolltider17 At Rockhouse, Tracii gave me his credit card while playing guitar ( he was doing 1 hand hammer-ons ), and told me to go to the bar, get him some Jack Daniels and whatever I want. I have to say...I actually like Michael Grant's performance, stage presence, and playing better. Damn he's Good...plus he actually looks like a Rockstar. Tracii always looks homeless.

[@rolltider17]

That’s awesome! 😂 I miss Michael too. He was my favorite guitarist they ever had aside from Tracii himself. And he was always really good to fans. I have a picture of the two of us together at the last show I ever saw him with (he was let go a few weeks later). I like Ace too, but Michael was on another level.

[@jimthar17]

The Missing Peace is a great album. All LAG fans should check it out. Honestly all the albums the reunited version have released are good. They have that classic LAG feel to them.

[@DawnFarr-pe2bv]

Beautiful song by LAGuns~ Ballad of Jane~ all good looking young men and beautiful voice and guitars and of course Rip~ the passing of drummer!!!! With warm love and look forward to Revelation 21:3 and 4. Wisconsin was mentioned~ I was born there in 1970. Just thought wow!!! Since Phil Lewis has a beautiful voice and I still love to watch the video~ Someday, not in heaven, but on earth you will see your old drummer~

[@GuitarDudeXXX]

Dude! Love your stuff and am always excited when a FIB notification shows up in my feed. You're doing great, man. Keep it up!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, GuitarDudeXXX!

[@showmegod5376]

Good. Keep posting. Hope your good man.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Show Me God!

[@kissdiaries]

Good to hear you, hope you are doing fine!

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Kiss Diaries!

[@bigtrex76]

Hope your well Mr full in bloom

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Big T Rex!

[@dimebagdave77]

Very cool to have you back man🤘

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Dimebag Dave!

[@whamsie4022]

Ratt did “Out of the Cellar” at SoundCity.

[@jamesnewberry1191]

THanks for letting your guest talk.

[@fullinbloom]

Thanks for listening, James!

[@rrsjr]

Hope you're doing ok, man, I dig your channel.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you so much, @rrsjr!

[@westernfilet]

Welcome back and we will always be here. Take care of yourself and yours.

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, Western Filet!

[@kenkudsin4489]

Welcome back brother! We missed you!

[@fullinbloom]

I appreciate it, Ken!

[@rdefabri]

Glad you are back!

[@fullinbloom]

Glad you are, too. Thanks for listening!

[@Downhuman74]

So weird. He takes a swipe at Steve Riley but acknowledges that guy was great at keeping the band going for a lot of years. No animosity at all, he just doesn't like the guy.

[@justinclark8867]

Lewis also referred to Riley as the Covid pandemic back in 2020.