Interview with L.A. Guns Drummer Steve Riley (Former W.A.S.P.)

November 09, 2020

Interview with L.A. Guns Drummer Steve Riley (Former W.A.S.P.)

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Steve! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Steve Riley: Hi Mick. Hope all is well. Thanks for having me on The Cosmick View.

CV: Do you feel there will ever be a time like the 1980s Sunset Strip again? What made that time so memorable in your opinion and why are music fans still drawn to it 30 plus years later?
SR: I really don’t know if there will ever be another scene like it was on the Sunset Strip in the 80’s. It was one of the longest lasting scenes from any city as it lasted from 1982-1992. I was fortunate to be involved in both waves with being in WASP and then joining L.A Guns. The thing that stands out is it was such a strong scene because there were so many good bands with great songs and we were all friends who toured together and supported each other. It all comes down to the songs being good and lasting through all of this time. Without the good songs you really don’t have much.

CV: Does today's Rock music have the same flavor as it did back in the late 70s and 80s in your opinion? Many critics feel that modern music is suffering from a dilemma of too much digital and not enough talent. Would you agree?
SR: I really feel for the new rock bands coming out today because it is so hard to get your music heard. We were so fortunate to have MTV and radio in the 80’s to get our music to both eyes and ears. I also am sad that the digital age has taken away the urge for young musicians to want to master their craft and instruments. I think there is enough talent out there but it is just too easy for a lot of them to rely on computers and get away from really doing it themselves.

CV: Besides being decades later, what makes today's L.A. Guns different than the band from back in the day? And what things do you find to be the same?
SR: Both Kelly Nickels and I wanted to make sure that our new album Renegades stayed true to the L.A. Guns sound that our fans like. Most Classic bands go through lineup changes but you have to be true to what got you here in the first place with the sound and style that your fans liked in the beginning. What stays the same is the attitude and the connection to our fans.

CV: Has L.A. Guns ever really considered themselves a Heavy Metal or even Hair Metal band per se or was it all just Rock ‘n Roll? Was such a description more of a general media lumping of the time given the genre's massive popularity and overall appeal during the 80s?
SR: L.A. Guns has always been just a Rock and Roll band. I always found it funny that the 80’s bands were labeled Hair Bands as all rock bands have had long hair from the Beatles on. It’s OK as you just have to roll with it.

CV: L.A. Guns has a deep rooted and dedicated fan base. Do you see that level of commitment as a testament to the band's songwriting power to connect with its audience on a personal and emotional level?
SR: I think our catalog of songs is what is strong and it is the main reason we are able to still tour and play those songs. As I said, without strong songs you don’t really have much. We are so grateful that our fans have stuck with us and it is a testament to our catalog of songs we have.

CV: Music is timeless and has no age barrier if people remain forever young at heart. Has the band’s audience changed? Are you seeing more generational groups of fans attending shows than ever before...original fans bringing their children and their children's children?
SR: We do see more young fans at our shows. We have our trusted base of fans that grew up with us, but we do see more young fans that are discovering our songs and it really makes us feel good.

CV: Where do you see the music industry as a whole heading following the COVID pandemic? Some feel things will be changing for the worst, making it even harder for artists to make a living, especially with regards to live, audience attending shows and touring. What are your thoughts?
SR: Well this has been one hell of a year for all in the music industry. We all had to move our 2020 schedules into 2021 and we have our fingers crossed that things will clear up somewhat by then. I tell you what, when this does clear up it will be one hell of a party and the shows will be really special. I have faith that we will get back to normal but it may take some time.

CV: Did recent world events hinder the band’s efforts in any way to complete the new album, "Renegades?"
SR: We were very lucky that we decided to write and record Renegades by the end of 2019. We were thinking of doing it in 2020 and we would have been screwed if we did. We finished it in December 2019 and were able to work it throughout this year and give the fans something new with a different single every 2-3 months and now the full album on November 13th 2020.

CV: Do you feel "Renegades" will set a new standard and sound for L.A. Guns? Is there any concern to attract a newer, younger audience or can fans count on the tried and true L.A. Guns’ style and attitude of down and dirty Rock ‘n Roll?
SR: We want to stay true to the sound and attitude we always have had, but we always mixed it up on all of the albums we have done. This new album Renegades has that same feel but it moves from one song to another and it never gets boring. We hope we pulled it off and so far the response has been great.

CV: Do you feel bands can reinvent themselves without losing touch of who they really are and without losing the essence of what core fans were originally drawn to?
SR: I think if you are a classic rock band that has been around as long as us, you have stay true to who you are and what your fans like about you. To try and reinvent yourselves at this stage is so risky and you have a big chance of losing your core audience.

CV: What's next for L.A. Guns following the release of “Renegades?” What can fan expect to come post 2020?
SR: Well we want to release more singles from Renegades throughout the first half or 2021 and get out there on tour to play some of it live. We feel this album has so much legs and we have a wealth of material to go in and do another album for Golden Robot Records when that time comes. We hope to see all of our fans really soon.

CV: Thank you again Steve for spending some time talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success!
SR: Thanks so much Mick! Be safe out there and see you soon brother.

Check out L.A. Guns at:
Official: www.LAGUNS.net

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.