(guitars)
1983-2002
In 1987, LA Guns fell apart, and he and Mick hired Phil Lewis and Kelly Nickels, and kickstarted LA Guns' career. From 1988 to 1992, LA Guns saw quite a bit of commercial success and released a string of gold albums. In 1991, Tracii joined the supergroup Contraband with members of RATT, MSG, Vixen, and the singer from the band Shark Island. Contraband formed after MTV featured both RATT & Vixen on the same episode of Unplugged. RATT at the time had Michael Schenker filling in for Robbin Crosby, so three of the members were already in. Contraband opened for RATT & LA Guns on tour in late 1991, but broke up soon after due to poor record sales and band members returning to tour with their respective bands. In 1992-93, Tracii left LA Guns again (or was fired by the band), or basically LA Guns took an unclear hiatus. This is when Tracii formed, recorded, and toured with Killing Machine. Killing Machine featured singer Riley Baxter and Tracii's guitar tech Kent Holmes on bass. Killing Machine's album was only released in Japan. Killing Machine continued without Tracii, but has since broken up. Riley Baxter went on to join the Space Age Cowboys (on bass) and form his own band more recently.
Eventually in 1994, Tracii re-joined LA Guns and recorded another album. In mid-1995, LA Guns was dropped from their record label and felt the backlash of a change in the music world, and faced the departure of Phil, Mick, and eventually Kelly. Tracii & Steve then re-formed the band with new members and continued throughout the remainder of the 90's with small successes and a string of albums and tours. Tracii had become the band's main focus and spokesperson. In this time, Tracii also played in Gilby Clarke's band and also in the Starfuckers (which was another of Gilby's bands). In 1999, LA Guns' famed lineup (Phil, Steve, Tracii, Mick, & Kelly) reunited and toured into 2000. In mid-2000, Tracii was named the replacement for CC DeVille in Poison (although Tracii only rehearsed with the band three times before CC returned). Tracii and the LA Guns continued. He also had filled in for a few bands like Faster Pussycat (in 2001) and The Misfits (around the same time).
Tracii departed LA Guns in October of 2002 to form the Brides of Destruction with Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx. LA Guns has forged on without him, and the Brides released an album in 2004 and toured the world that same year. Brides' second album came out in 2005 (without Nikki Sixx), and the band broke up in early 2006. Tracii has stated that he does not want to continue with Brides unless Sixx were to return. Also in early 2006, Tracii joined Quiet Riot for a short time (he only rehearsed with the band a few times before they parted company).
Tracii continues to be associated with the LA Guns name as he has released a few "rare" LA Guns recordings in 2004. He also has remained friends with LA Guns bass player Adam Hamilton (and guitarist Stacey Blades). Tracii speaks fondly of LA Guns, but says he will never work with Steve Riley again (Steve supposedly mishandled LA Guns' money in the late 1990's when he was managing the band). In the spring of 2006, Tracii reunited with Paul Black and former LA Guns drummer Nickey Alexander. The band has toured under the name "The Tracii Guns Band" (or Tracii Guns Group) playing old LA Guns songs, some BOD material, and cover songs. Tracii, Paul, & Nickey plan to release new (and some re-recorded) material in the near future.
Tracii also played in Johnny Thunders' band (before Johnny died) and auditioned to be in the Red Hot Chili Peppers (in the mid-90's).
photos by Trevor Guns
Tales from the Strip, Hellraiser's Ball (DVD), & Loud & Dangerous.
He is also featured on the Tracii Guns: Killing Machine / All Eyes are Watching album, the self-titled Contraband album,
Gilby Clarke's 99 Live and Swag albums, and the Brides Of Destruction's Here Comes The Brides & Runaway Brides.
Tracii has also done session work for many other musicians.
LA Guns MEMBERS