Tag: Brides of Destruction
0 Vie’s Verses – London LeGrand Deserves Another Shot
Over the Thanksgiving break, I was re-organizing my CD collection, dusting off some old gems, and cataloging some new acquisitions. As I often do when browsing my collection, I pulled out some albums that I hadn’t listened to in a while and gave them a spin. Two of the discs I played featured London LeGrand on vocals, (Brides of Destruction’s debut and Souls Of We) and that found me pondering whatever happened to this guy?
When Brides Of Destruction released their debut album, Here Come The Brides, I was excited because it featured Nikki Sixx and Traci Guns. That was an interesting combination and I wanted to hear the album for those two alone. What blew me away on first listen were the vocals. A raspy, deep, rocking voice was singing and screaming some exceptional music and it made me an immediate fan. I wore that Brides CD out and I was happy to give it another listen (or six) just last week.
After a stellar debut, Nikki Sixx left the Brides and returned to Motley Crue full time. The Brides released a second CD, which was not even as close to awesome as their debut, but there were still a few gems, mostly due to London’s vocal prowess. After their second disc, the Brides split up and LeGrand went on to work with George Lynch for Souls Of We.
Once again it was the excitement of hearing an established musician (George Lynch) that attracted me to the album, but it was the vocals of London LeGrand that hooked me on the album. With superb songs like “Skeleton Key” and “Let The Truth Be Known,” Souls Of We put out a fantastic record with a strong vocalist that I could listen to again and again.
Souls Of We was reputed to be working on their follow up album in 2010, but everything has been quiet since that announcement. Lynch went on tour with Oni Logan and Lynch Mob and then released a solo album. He followed that up by forming Tooth And Nail with his former Dokken band mates (minus Don Dokken). LeGrand has been quiet since 2009, with the exception of a few guest appearances both live and on studio albums. Whether he’s waiting for Lynch to finish the new Souls of We, going back to being a hairstylist, or if he has other plans, is still unclear at this time.
What is clear is that London LeGrand should definitely be making more music. His voice is magnificent and perfect for glam/hard rock bands all over. There are several bands out there in need of a lead singer in which LeGrand would be a perfect fit (Britny Fox comes to mind immediately). He would also be a fantastic fit for Velvet Revolver should they ever want to get back together. Perhaps he could reach out to some contacts and form a super group all on his own. Think London LeGrand, CC Deville, Billy Childs, and Bobby Rock.
Whatever the decision, I just think it is a complete waste of talent that London LeGrand isn’t singing, performing, and otherwise making music. He is an exceptional talent that needs to be revived and back into the public eye. What about you? Love London? Hate him? Not sure who he is? Drop a line and let us know what your thoughts are.
4 Bang Tango, L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat Concert Review, Part 2
Bang Tango, L.A. Guns and Faster Pussycat came to Louisville’s Expo Five Sunday Night (7/20/08). To read about Bang Tango’s opening set, click here.
L.A. Guns featuring Tracii Guns and new singer, Marty Casey took the stage, along with new rhythm guitarist, Alec Bauer, bassist Jeremy Guns and drummer Chad Stewart. I must admit that I had low expectations for this version of L.A. Guns. I am a fan of Phil Lewis, and his band with the same name, and quite honestly, I didn’t think Tracii’s group would live up to the name. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The band opened up with the tune, Over the Edge, and played a mix set of L.A. Guns tunes, and a few cover songs. The set list in no particular order was:
Over the Edge, Rip and Tear, No Mercy, One More Reason, I Don’t Care (Brides of
Destruction), Shut the Fuck Up (Brides of Destruction), The Ballad of Jayne, Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd) and You Can’t Always Get What You Want (The Rolling Stones).
With Marty Casey as the new singer of L.A. Guns, Tracii Guns has secured a very good front man for his band. Marty Casey put on a very energetic show, and did an admirable job on the L.A. Guns classic tunes. There was a song or two where the rest of the band provided a great deal of vocals, but for the most part, Casey handled the tunes with ease, and sounded pretty good. Casey joined L.A. Guns back in June, and he already seems at home with the band.
It has been a long time since I have seen Tracii Guns play live, and I believe that I have under estimated the amazing talent that he is. His guitar playing was way over the top Sunday night. Check out the solos in the eight minute Rip and Tear video, and you will see what I mean. Total awesome playing! I was very impressed with his guitar work all night.
Jeremy Guns, the bass player for L.A. Guns, took over the vocals for the Brides of Destruction tune, Shut the Fuck Up. He did a pretty good job. I was glad to hear some Brides tunes.
As a whole, Tracii’s L.A. Guns were better than ever. They put on a better show than the Phil Lewis led L.A. Guns did, the last couple of times that I saw them.
I still prefer Phil’s vocals to Marty’s, but I believe Tracii’s L.A. Guns band is a the better of the two now. This show made me a fan of The Tracii Guns faction, and I will certainly give them the support they deserve. I am now looking forward to their new album that is due later this year. I highly recommend checking them out if they come to your town.
Stop back tomorrow, for our part 3 of our review on Faster Pussycat. Until then, I hope you enjoy the videos below.
11 New George Lynch Band – Souls of We
Ex-DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch has issued the following update:
“Just wanted to let everyone know that London and my new band SOULS OF WE – five years, anticipated, long awaited, soul crushing, and everything in between project – now has a MySpace page.
The record will be available for pre-sale today (Monday, May 12th) and will be released May 27th, 2008. Go have a listen, the clips will be running in rotation over the next couple weeks just to keep you frothing at the mouth!
Go check it out.”
-G-shot
The Souls Of We debut, Let The Truth be Known, featured ex-BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION vocalist London LeGrand.
