Interview with Stacey Blades

STACEY BLADES: More or less, I'm actually gonna release the book again with a total different layout, pictures and font. Plus there will be 4 or 5 new chapters. So much has happened in my life in the last 2 years!

Will you be writing another book or doing any new DVD's soon?

See above answer, lol. Our tour manager Jeff has shot over 2 years of road footage and live shows with us. We are hoping to go through all of that and release a home DVD sometime this year or next!

How was it working on your solo album "Symphonic Slam" different than any other albums you ever worked on ?

Working on the solo album was just amazing!!! Had to approach it totally different because the guitar was the voice and melody. We agreed to do some of the same type runs throughout certain selections as you would with say a vocal melody. Adam Hamilton just did an amazing job producing that record!!

I would love to do another solo instrumental record. Maybe a blues based one! I love that shit!!!

You have played in bands like FRAIDY KATT,ROXX GANG ,MOJO GURUS,SUPERCOOL,SMACK & LA Guns. Can you tell us what experience each band gave to you ?

Fraidy Katt was just an amzing band. If we had of come out in 89' we would have gotten signed for sure. We were just 2 years to late, lol. Great look and just incredible sleazy catchy songs out the ass!

Roxx Gang I'm thank ful for coz it really put me on the map and got me on my path to success. Did 4 albums with them. Weird situation though. Kinda like being on a Warship at battle, lol. Mojo Gurus was just an off- shoot of Roxx Gang. I fuckin hated it and it was stupid as shit!!! lol

Super Cool was fun but very dysfunctional and featured Eric Stacy and Vikk Foxx.

S.M.A.C.K: Great band very modern street pop punk. Came very close to a deal with Island Records

In 2004 you decided to join LA GUNS . What has been the most memorable experience as a musician while touring with the band?

Actually it was 2003. God there is sooo many!! It has just been amazing every night. Those guys are like my family and we really love playing with each other!

Can you please introduce the band and describe what they bring to LA GUNS?

Phil Lewis- Vocals: Just incredible voice and such a talent. Great songwriter and frontman. Was also in the band Girl with Def Leppard's Phil Collen

Steve Riley- Drums: wow what can be said about Steve. Fuckin bad ass! Was in WASP from 84 to 87. Task master and one of the funniest I've met! Great drummer to boot.

Scotty Griffin-Bass: Kelly Nickels part 2, lol. Scotty is my bookend! Great musician and just total rock star! Awesome songwriter too!

Raw energy with lots of sexual MOXY!!! I will say this. when you come see the REAL LA Guns(this band) we sound just like the records do. BOOYAAA!!! lol

As a guitarist who influenced you musically ?

Hendrix, Page, Joee Perry and most importantly Randy Rhoads

How long have you been playing the guitar and how did it come about that you chose the guitar vs other instruments?

I started on Piano at the age of 9 and my parents bought me an acoustic guitar for Xmas when I was 11! So that was 32 years ago, lol

Any guitar tips for our readers that you would like to share?

Listen to as many different players you can and don't get stuck with just one style. try infusing different style techniques into your playing.

For yourself was there one moment at a concert that made you realize you wanted to play onstage ?

I saw a giant poster of Ace Frehely with a Tabacco Burst Les Paul at my buddy's house when I was 9 and it just spoke to me!! Hearing the first Van Halen album also changed me too, LOL

Is there any plans as of yet for LA GUNS to tour outside of the US ?

Yes we were recently in Australia. We are also going to Korea for 3 shows and then start a month long European tour after that in the Fall.

What do you love most about your fans?

How fuckin passionate and cool they are!!! God bless them

Any plans to go back and play in your home town of Alberta Canada?

We did play in Calgary on a Canadian tour we did back in 04' Hoping we can go back and play there.

BC RIch is one of your endorsements .Any other new endorsements on the horizon for Stacey Blades?

I am also endorsed by Crate Amps and a Custom Shop Guitar company called DRC. they are based out of Yucca Valley, CA. Awesome guitars! Very similiar to Charvel!

What are some of your personal favorites on the last LA GUNS CD release ? Can you share some of those favorites with us ?

Yes Tales From the Strip I assume you're referring too. God that whole album is just fuckin amazing!! Skin, It don't mean nothing, Vampire, Gypsy Soul to name a few.

Any new albums set to be released by LA GUNS in the near future?

We really want to do a new record but let's face it, there are hardly any deals out there. sucks the music industry took a massive shit!!

What is the song writing process of the band? Is it a "combined effort" with the lyrics and music?

We all put our 2 cents in, lol. Usually it starts with a riff or 2 and we all build it from there. Sometimes a whole song is already written as well. Phil does write all the lyrics and he's damn good at it!!

Where can people check out and purchase your instrumental CD and the bands ?

The one and only 1 stop shop---Amazon.com!!

For people reading this that don’t know anything about LA GUNS tell them why they should check out the band.

Great band with cool blues hard rock style. Phil's voice is just so beautiful and unique and of course GREAT SONGS!!!!

Thanks for taking the time for this interview Stacey . Were looking forward to seeing you and LA GUNS out on the road ! Any closing thoughts for THE METAL PIT readers?