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It took a long time, but vocalist/songwriter Paul Black is now finally getting the recognition that he deserves. Back in the mid-80’s, Black was the lead vocalist and songwriter in the Hollywood, CA based glam-metal band L.A. Guns. But right before the band was signed to a major label contract, Black was out. However, his influence remained. As one of the main songwriters in the band, Black wrote many songs that ended up on the first LA Guns record. Songs like “Show No Mercy” and “One Way Ticket to Love,” which became classics amongst L.A. Guns fans, were penned by Black. Recently, Black released Paul Black’s L.A. Guns-’Blacklist.’ This 18 song CD contains early demos from the Paul Black era of L.A. Guns. Hard rock fans can now finally hear what L.A. Guns sounded like before current vocalist Phil Lewis came aboard. This CD is a must have if you are a fan of sleazy, in-your face 80’s hard rock.
We recently caught up with Paul Black for this exclusive GlamMetal.com interview. In this discussion, Black talks about the release of his new CD and much more. If you would like to hear some of the material on Paul Black’s L.A. Guns-’Blacklist.’ CD, check out www.myspace.com/paulblackslaguns
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It must be a big relief for you to finally have a LA Guns CD out with your material and vocals. It took a long time, almost twenty years, how frustrating was it for you waiting all this time to finally be heard and get the recognition that you deserve?
Originally it was Tracii's idea to release these songs and I agreed. I just figured it's time now and that it would be nice for fans to have a chance to see, hear and read the history of the original L.A. Guns. I think it's always interesting to hear a band before a major record company gets a hold of them. I’m gonna do the same thing for The Mau Maus & Black Cherry. Eventually, I want to document all my past bands and my unrecorded music for Black City Records. After that, I want to document all the other bands I liked from the past whose music has been lost. I think the world deserves to hear some of the great music that’s been overlooked or buried by labels.
How difficult was it to put together this compilation of Demos? Did you find many recording that just couldn’t be fixed? How long did it take to finish the project.
The most frustrating part was recovering the tapes and sorting through cassettes to find versions that were good enough to use. I spent some time trying to retrieve the masters from the record label but it would've taken many more years. It is sad though, some songs couldn't be salvaged. It took five years to release after the initial talks with Tracii & Mick.
Where Tracii Guns or Mick Cripps involved in helping with re-mastering of the tapes or any other aspect of the project?
Yeah, after we decided to make this record we went though our tape collections and put 13 songs together. We were going to licence it out to Cleopatra records cause that’s the label they were on at the time. But it didn't happen. Now it's 18 songs and it ended up on Black City Records.
You helped write many of the songs from the first LA Guns CD. Did you ever receive any royalties from LA Guns?
Not at first.
Did you try taking any legal action?
Yes, I sued LAG and Polygram records. After that I started getting my royalties but it was too late for my name to be put back on my songs. They weren't about to recall a million records and reprint em just so I could have credit.
Did you quit LA Guns or did the record label force you out?
I used to quit as a matter of routine. But ultimately I was replaced. I don't know if it was management, the band, the label or all three behind the decision. I do know that my manager Allen Jones, who was supposed to be looking out for my career, went behind my back and bought a ticket for Phil Lewis to fly out and replace me.
What do you think of Phil Lewis as a vocalist?
Good
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What did you think of the first LA Guns CD?
There's a big chunk of me in it. I’m glad it was successful. I was never happy with the song changes.
How upsetting was it for you to see LA Guns go on to sell a few million records and tour the world countless times?
I've always been passionate about my music. It's not about fame or money or being a rock star. When you're an artist, the absolute best reward is to be recognized and appreciated for what you've done, and it hurts like hell to have someone take credit for your work or to change it without your permission. It added insult to injury when they continued a career presenting my songs again and again as solely theirs.
Did you ever attend a LA Guns show after you left the band? If so when and what did you think of them?
I went a few times. But my opinion is a secret.
Are there any other old LA Guns recording or videos that you plan on releasing in the future?
No plans for now.
What was the most memorable highlight of your time in LA Guns?
The first show. It was the first time I sang without a drum set to hide behind. It was the start of a new experience musically.
What did you do after you departure for LA Guns?
I started a great Band called Black Cherry.
Tell us about the story behind the band name Faster Pussycat. Is it true Tracii and you were actually in a band called Faster Pussycat and then Taime Downe stole the name for himself?
No, Taime didn't steal the name. Mick and I were trying to put a band together with Taime called Faster Pussycat until we hooked up with Tracii and Nickey and decided to use the name L.A. Guns. We ended up not using the name Faster Pussycat, so Taime used it.
You guys hung out with Guns n’ Roses a lot during the mid-eighties. What was Axl like back then?
He was a nice cheerful Guy
What other projects have you been working on recently?
I've been putting a new line up together for a solo record and I’m remixing the Black Cherry and Mau Maus songs.
 Do you have a day time job and what is it?
Up until about 6 months ago I had a recording studio. I was engineering, producing and composing soundtracks. I was also doing marketing for Disney. Now I’m going back to school studying film and getting ready to play live again.
Rumor has it that you plan on doing a few shows with Tracii Guns and Mick Cripps. Are any of the dates finalized and have both Tracii and Mick agreed to play?
We decided not to do it, but Black Cherry might do some shows.
How do you feel about Phil carrying on LA Guns without Tracii in the band?
It seems strange. It's also strange to me that the band that we started called L.A. Guns in 1885 no longer has any of us in it and the only thing that's survived from that first line up are the songs we created-- One More Reason, No Mercy, Never Enough, Sex Action still remain as the main core of the L.A. Guns live set.
Have you heard the new Brides of Destruction CD?
I haven't heard it yet.
Thank you for you time, any parting word for your fans here at GlamMetal.com?
I have a new album in the works. Jo Almeida from Dogs D'Amour and I are teaming up again and are in preproduction with some great new songs. It's gonna be my best work. Style wise, it's completely different from my work in L.A. Guns. Speaking of L.A. Guns the Black List record really is important to have for any L.A. Guns fan. This is where it all began. It's really a miracle that these songs are finally out in their original form with the original kids and all their flaws performing em. Go get it at www.blackcitymusic.com and if you're into The Rolling Stones, Faces and old blues pick up the Sonic Boom Record with Jo & I while you're there. And remember. If it ain't broke, fuck it up!
The Paul Black- L.A. Guns line-up consisted of :Paul Black-vocals, Tracii Guns-guitar, Mick Cripps-bass, Robert Stoddard-guitar, Nickey Alexander-drums
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