Tracii Guns, founder of LA Guns, and part of the formation of Guns N’ Roses was in town last week to play Voodoo alongside Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake & Quiet Riot). Conor Kerr caught up with Tracii ahead of the show.
► Are you looking forward to touring the UK and Ireland with Gunzo? Have you played Belfast before?
This will be my first time in Belfast. I am looking forward to this for sure.
► And how has the tour been so far? Any stand out shows?
It’s a very fast tour as we are playing every day mostly very tiny bars. Every show is a highlight because the band is still in its infancy acme is truly amazing.
► How did this project, Gunzo, come about?
I have known Rudy for a long time and we played a Randy Rhoads tribute event together this past January. After the show I asked Rudy if he would play one solo show with me and he said why don’t we just play together all of the time. That was the greatest moment of my musical journey.
► How have you found working with Rudy?
We push each other to extreme places live along with our drummer Shane Fitzgibbon who is also one of the most incredible musicians I have ever played with. We truly inspire each other and I’m looking forward to getting our original material together and getting it out there for people to enjoy. Rudy is the greatest.
► How did the other members come to be involved?
I met Shane at a studio we both work at called Patigonia Studio. We had a late night jam at a party on the premises one night and I told him someday we will be in a band together and I kept my word. Michael O’Mara was recommended by my friend Andrew Freeman who sings in Raiding The Rock Vault and it was the perfect recommendation as Michael is fronting this ball of energy perfectly.
► If you could describe the Gunzo sound, what would you say?
We shred through the best of our past catalog of music in our current set which includes Guns, Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Dio and Whitesnake.
► Do you have a favourite song, or songs, to play live? Or does it depend on where you’re playing?
I love playing the Randy Rhoads tunes the most.
► Are you planning to record with Gunzo in future?
Yes 🙂
► Are you still as excited to be on the road after all these years?
As long as I keep learning and getting better at what I do it stays exciting.
► You’ve played with some incredible musicians in your career. Tough question, but who would say you’ve enjoyed working with most? Anyone you would like to work with?
I enjoyed working with all the guys and gals I have worked with however nothing matches the level of musicianship of Rudy Sarzo and Shane Fitzgibbon these guys are living highlight reels.
► You’re involved of course in Devil City Angels. What are your plans with that? Are you planning for any albums or tours in future?
That record came out September 11 and there are no future plans.
► What are your plans once this tour ends? More touring and more records?
Exactly!!!
