L.A. Guns are an American
hard rock band from
Los Angeles,
California, formed in 1983. As of 2014, the lineup consists of
Phil Lewis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar),
Steve Riley (drums, percussion, backing vocals),
Kenny Kweens (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Michael Grant (lead guitar, backing vocals). The first incarnation of the group was formed by
Tracii Guns in 1983, but disbanded in 1984 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles group
Hollywood Rose, becoming the first lineup of
Guns N' Roses. In 1985, the group was reformed by Guns and singer
Paul Black adding
Mick Cripps and
Nickey Alexander. Black would soon be replaced by former
Girl singer Phil Lewis while former
Faster Pussycat bassist
Kelly Nickels was added to the group. Later, Alexander would be replaced by former
W.A.S.P. drummer Steve Riley with this being known as the "classic lineup" of L.A. Guns. They achieved moderate chart success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the group went through
numerous lineup changes (with Riley being the most consistent member) and failed to regain mainstream attention.