Tracii Guns In Praise Of Guns N’ Roses Frontman Axl Rose – “He Just Keeps Getting Better; He’s Amazing”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
In a recent appearance on the Shout It Out Loudcast, L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns shared his admiration for Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, highlighting the singer’s enduring talent and continuous improvement over the years. Tracii, a founding member of Guns N’ Roses who left the band shortly after its formation, reflected on Axl’s journey and the band’s legacy.
On the Rise of Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses
“It’s interesting being able to watch Axl from afar all these years,” Tracii remarked. “It’s been over 30 years since we were in a band together, and he just keeps getting better than me. I mean, everybody has weird performances sometimes, but he’s amazing. Man, he’s amazing. He’s not 25 years old.”
Tracii praised the band’s evolution, emphasizing the critical role Axl has played in their success. “When I look at Guns N’ Roses post-me, they’re just a great classic rock band. That’s always been my opinion. The songs, and then there’s Axl, right? You kind of have the Aerosmith setup, and then you have Axl. The singer’s always going to sell the band. You could have the best band in the world, but without the guy up front, the currency isn’t very high. And so, the way Axl thinks, he doesn’t care so much about what he’s singing too, because he’s going to bring it. If he’s singing electronic music, rock ‘n’ roll, or if he’s singing in church, he’s going to bring it.”
Tracii Guns was a founding member of Guns N’ Roses, but his tenure with the band was brief, lasting only two months before he was replaced by Slash. Despite this, Tracii has maintained a deep respect for Axl and the band’s enduring influence in the rock world.
Sunbomb: A Tribute to Classic Heavy Metal
Beyond his reflections on Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses, Tracii Guns has been making waves with his current project, Sunbomb. The musical alliance between Tracii and Michael Sweet, known for their steadfast presence in the US hard rock/metal scene, recently released their sophomore album, Light Up The Sky, via Frontiers Records Srl.
Developed as a tribute to the classic heavy metal of the 80s, Sunbomb melds influences from legendary bands such as Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, and Judas Priest. The album aims to capture the raw essence of that era, bringing a powerful, guitar-driven sound to the forefront.
To celebrate the release, Sunbomb shared the track “Light Up the Skies” along with a visualizer. Michael Sweet described the track as a return to the roots of rock music, stating, “‘Light Up The Skies’ is a raw track that takes you back to a time when music was driven by guitars, with powerful grooves that woke you up immediately. Me and Tracii could not be happier with the results. In a time where computers rule, we’re trying to keep the human side of hard rock alive.”
The Creative Process Behind Light Up The Sky
Tracii played all guitars and bass on Light Up The Sky, with drums handled by his former L.A. Guns bandmate, Adam Hamilton. The project was created, overseen, and directed by Serafino Perugino, President and A&R director of Frontiers Records Srl. The music on the album remains firmly planted in the ‘metal’ category, with a nod to traditional approaches to the genre.
While Tracii wrote the music, Michael Sweet’s experience with heavier styles on recent Stryper albums made him the perfect vocalist for the project. Michael expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “I’m always humbled to be a part of a project like this. This album takes the Sunbomb vision to another level with killer songs and amazing energy. Tracii really delivered on the riffs and it made it very easy for me to come up with melodies that were fitting for each song. It’s different yet familiar at the same time in the best of ways. We’re very fortunate to be working with a label that still believes in the best music in the world – rock!”
As Tracii Guns continues to create and innovate within the rock and metal genres, his reflections on Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses serve as a testament to the enduring power of great music and exceptional talent. With projects like Sunbomb, Tracii remains a vital force in the rock scene, keeping the spirit of classic heavy metal alive for new generations.
