On Wednesday, April 16, Tracii Guns made a special appearance on Loudwire Nights to celebrate the exciting launch of L.A. Guns’ latest album, Leopard Skin. Make sure to catch the complete conversation in the audio player located towards the end of this article.

Diving deep into the new album, Guns also took the time to reflect on his remarkable career and shared insights about the iconic bands that have consistently inspired him throughout his musical journey.

“I know this might sound odd, but I really only follow about 20 to 25 musical groups,” Guns shared candidly with host Chuck Armstrong. “While my collection isn’t vast, it includes a diverse mix from Beastie Boys to Poison Idea, and of course, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. I often browse through my records and ask myself, ‘What am I missing? What do I crave to hear from my collection?'”

Guns has always been vocal about his admiration for Led Zeppelin and the legendary Jimmy Page. However, he is equally open about his deep respect for Black Sabbath and their iconic guitarist, Tony Iommi.

“The entire Sabbath lineup was like a different flavor of Led Zeppelin, wasn’t it?” Guns remarked. “Ozzy’s favorite bands were Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. What’s fascinating about Tony is that despite his challenges, he produced some of the most terrifying guitar sounds imaginable. I first discovered Sabbath at the age of 11, and the intro to ‘Iron Man’ genuinely unsettled me. It was incredibly sludgy yet still echoed the essence of Led Zeppelin; it felt like a whole new level of music.”

Guns expressed his enjoyment in witnessing the evolution of what he terms “hippie heavy rock” as it transitioned into a more defined heavy metal genre.

“I witnessed this transformation in the early albums of Def Leppard and Iron Maiden. I loved that era because it was a blend of styles; it wasn’t strictly one thing,” he noted, illustrating his passion for the genre.

As he reminisced, Guns was reminded of another significant band that holds a special place in his heart.

“The only true metal band that I really adored after that was Pantera,” he said, reflecting on their influence.

Pantera embodied the spirit of Van Halen, with that ‘go for it’ attitude while still maintaining a focused sound. They were adept at crafting catchy pop-infused tracks. I’m sure Phil Anselmo will hear this and say, ‘What’s wrong with you, dude? We didn’t write pop songs!'”

EXPLORE MORE: Phil X on Celebrating New Album, Shares Memorable Bon Jovi Story

Despite his assertions, Guns believes that Pantera couldn’t help but write infectious pop songs, as their formative years were shaped by the era of grand records filled with memorable hooks.

“Even if Phil claims otherwise, their music features huge choruses, expansive sections, and unforgettable riffs. The production quality of Pantera is simply outstanding. Everything about them is a testament to timeless rock and metal,” he concluded passionately.

Key Insights from Tracii Guns on Loudwire Nights

• Early Days of Guns N’ Roses: “By the time I turned 19 and we transformed L.A. Guns into Guns N’ Roses, it was a pivotal moment. That was when Izzy Stradlin and I finally got to be in a real band together. We had in-depth discussions about how to maintain our metal roots while shaping our identity. We dedicated countless hours to defining what a great rock band should be. My naivety paired with Izzy’s worldly wisdom created our music formula: a unique education in rock.”
• Becoming a Parent During the Pandemic: “Having a child overseas just weeks before the pandemic caused a global shutdown was surreal. I ended up spending five full months in Denmark, as travel was off the table. This unexpected situation allowed me to bond deeply with my son during those early months of his life.”
• Prolific Music Production: “These days, I’m not just writing; I’m actively recording. I no longer mess around with demos or acoustic versions. It’s straightforward: I write and record. This is my passion, my hobby, and what truly excites me,” he explained, highlighting his creative process.

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

On April 16, Tracii Guns joined Loudwire Nights, which you can replay online here. Tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET on the Loudwire app, or check if the show is available on your local radio station for on-demand interviews.