L.A. Guns founder Tracii Guns discussed his collaboration with Steel Panther’s vocalist Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr) in a recent interview on The Logan Show.
“That ability for Ralph to come in, or Michael Starr to come in, and still do almost the David Lee Roth shtick, but sing these ‘less fun’ songs, that’s all I could say — L.A. Guns with a little bit of dark sh*t around — it really made it fun for that year,” Guns said.
“‘Forgiving Eyes’ on the EP — that whole EP’s killer. That’s the other singer that I had really great chemistry with,” he continued.
Guns reflected on the period when Saenz recorded vocals for L.A. Guns’ song ‘Wasted.’ This collaboration showcased a unique partnership between the two musicians.
This collaboration represents a significant chapter in both musicians’ careers. The partnership had deeper roots than many fans realize.
Research from Metal Storm reveals that Saenz joined L.A. Guns in 1997. He replaced Chris Van Dahl and performed alongside Tracii Guns, Steve Riley, and Johnny Crypt.
Documentation from Joel Gausten shows the collaboration led to the ‘Wasted’ EP release in summer 1998. The EP marked the band’s return to traditional rock sound. This shift came after their previous experimentation with heavier material on the ‘American Hardcore’ album.
Coverage by Rockeyez details Saenz’s journey after L.A. Guns. He formed Steel Panther and adopted the stage name Michael Starr. In his new role, he developed a more theatrical approach while maintaining his high-energy performance style from his L.A. Guns days.
Both bands share roots in the Los Angeles glam metal scene. However, they chose different artistic directions. L.A. Guns maintained their serious traditional rock approach. Steel Panther embraced a more comedic and theatrical interpretation of the genre.
