| Stacey Blades | Roxx Gang | Mojo Gurus | LA Guns | Smack | January 2007 |
Me and Stacey go wayy back, I used to go to all the Roxx Gang shows here in hometown Florida..
he was always one of the nicest guys, along w/being an amazing guitar player..
Then when I got the call that he was joining L.A.Guns I was so happy for him,
and for the L.A. Guns fans around the world, cause they couldn't have picked a better fit..
So I give to you.. Stacey Blades... what he's been up to and what's in store for the future.
J-Ok Stacey its been a while since we last talked, in fact it was all the way back when you were the guitarist for Roxx gang, so let’s rewind and find out how the LA Guns gig came about. Did they track you down...or try out... how did it all happen?
S-Ya it's been a while J. In 2003 my buddy Keff called me and told me L.A.Guns was looking for a guitar player because Tracii wasn't coming back to the band. I said ya I'm totally interested because Smack was about to break up. I met with Steve and Phil and we hit it off! We set up a rehearsal and it clicked instantly! We were hugging each other after 10 minutes!
J-Do you still talk to the Roxx gang guys?
S-No, I sure don't. I left on bad terms with those guys. However since Jeff quit, I've started talking with him again which has been nice.
J-You then recorded a CD w/them of all covers, “Rips the Covers Off”. How did that go?
S-It was crazy right from the start! I had to learn all the covers for that record and learn all the LAG catalogue. Once the album was done we left for a month long tour in Europe ! The covers record was fun and it was a great way to ease into the band. Andy Johns produced it and I was stoked to be working with a Legend. We bonded quickly after that album and tour.
J-Then you recorded a full length CD of all new stuff called “Tales from the Strip”. What was it like writing w/the guys?
S-We wrote almost over a year period for that record! We knew we really need to step it up because it was the first original album without Tracii. I thought we really delivered an awesome record. We got great reviews from all over the world on it. It was great having Andy produce it as well.
J-What’s your favorite track on the CD?
S-I guess my favorite track on it would be Gypsy Soul or It don't mean Nothing. They have such a killer grove and riff. Vampire is killer too!
J-Least favorite track or wished it would have turned out better?
S-None, I think it is great start to finish!
You guys have also been touring non stop all the time w/some great package tours. Any favorites J-along the way?
S-The Dokken tour in 04 really stands out! That tour was so much fun and we really played some amazing shows on that tour! The Z- 92 Radio Festival in Omahawith Telsa, Warrant, Dokken and Ratt stands out. Daytime concert to 15,000 people. 2 months ago we played a great show with Warrant and Firehouse at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Bloomington , IL. That was fun as well.
J-Do you guys hang out with the other bands while on tour?
S-Absolutely! We love hangin out and watchin the other bands. We are buds with a lot of the other bands we tour with so it's cool to catch up with whoever we are playin with.
J-Now you guys are releasing a Live DVD. Where was that recorded and how did the shoot go?
S-The DVD was shot Feb. 06. We recorded live that night as well which was released as LOUD AND DANGEROUS. It was all done at the Whisky. The shoot was great! It came out pretty good and there is definitely a raw feel to it.
J-Is it new, old songs or a mix of everything...now that bass player Adam has left? Why? And are you all still close w/him? And how did you hook up w/Scott for replacement...
S-It's a perfect mixture of old and new songs. Adam left to do a fulltime career in producing and songwriting. It's really his forte' and he is damn good at it! We are still very close with Adam. Scott is working out great! He's a popular guy and fits the band perfectly. I've known Scott for a few years and he was one of the first people I thought when Adam was leaving.
J-Now onto the future…any plans to record a new CD of more originals?
S-We would like to release something in the New Year. We are itching to do a new album.
J-And what’s the touring plans for the next year or so?
S-Well we would love to do a full blown tour with the New Faster Pussycat next year. We will be pretty busy until the end of 07'
J-How was it dealing with the different versions of L.A.Guns touring at once...meaning Tracii Guns w/old members of the band?
S-It's a fuckin nightmare and it just won't go away. If the fans want to see the songs sung and played like they were recorded then they need to see us play. If you want to see Tracii play, then you will be hearing a very very different sounding band.
J-Are you friends w/Tracii?
S-I hung out with him and Sixx once at a Brides rehearsal. I haven't seen him since.
J-It seems to be happening a lot lately. Now Faster pussycat is out w/half the original members, and half not wanting to do it, how do you feel about bands going on, since you were also an added member of an established band? Is there a lot of pressure to fill shoes?
S-Well a little bit! I think I fill those shoes pretty good. I think as long as you have the original voice of the band and maybe a few other guys you can still kick ass and carry the torch
J-Did u get any negative reactions from die hard Tracii fans?
S-No not really at all. The fans have really accepted me well and think I'm doing a great job. There is still the odd heckler out there-- "Where's Tracii"!
J-Any other cool things you’ve been up to since your move out toL.A ?
S-I just starred in a video for Michelle Penn's" Get Away" single. I played a rockstar, no brainer there. We also just started shooting a reality pilot show about the band. We have meetings with some networks about it. I won't give it away just yet.
J-Any new rock bands your into?
S-I really like My Chemical Romance.
J-I used to ask how mp3 downloading has changed things. Now how do you think myspace has changed things? Do u have a personal site that fans can reach you at…or just the group one?
S-I have a fan site called Stacey Blades Fans. Myspace is great! It's done wonders for us!
J-Anything you wanna say to your fans?
S-Thank you for all the love and support.
J-That’s about it Stacey. Good luck w/you and the band.
Can’t wait till you get back to Florida …nothing is keeping me from the next show.
