L.A Guns Review and Photos 5-18-25

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Warehouse Live Midtown in Houston transformed into a haven for hard rock enthusiasts as L.A. Guns headlined a night brimming with gritty riffs and high-octane performances. The evening featured Canadian hard rock band Sticks N' Stones and Houston's own Dead Man's Hand as openers, setting the stage for a memorable night of music.

Dead Man's Hand: Southern-Fried Rock with a Local Twist

    Kicking off the night, Dead Man's Hand delivered a set that showcased their wild eyed, southern fried rock & roll style. The band's gritty guitar work and authentic Southern rock vibe resonated with the hometown crowd, setting a robust tone for the evening.

    Dead Man's Hand, a Houston-based Southern rock band delivered a high-octane blend of storytelling, big hooks and harmony vocals. Formed in 2010 by singer/guitarist Trey Gadler and guitarist John Adams, the band creates music that emphasizes their roots in American folk-inflected hard rock with a Southern/Texas core. The lineup includes bassist Brent Marches and drummer Van Eric Turner, both bringing experience from bands like Azrael’s Bane and Z-LOT-Z. Together they form a tight-knit rhythm section that complements the band's dynamic sound. Dead Man's Hand has shared the stage with notable acts such as The Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, Jackyl, Bret Michaels and Skid Row.

Sticks N Stones: A Genre-Defying Performance

    Next up, Sticks N' Stones took the stage, offering a unique blend of hard rock and metal drawing on their love of those genres from the 70's to the 2000's. Their set defied easy categorization, weaving together aggressive rhythms with unexpected melodic turns. The band's dynamic performance kept the audience engaged, showcasing their versatility and musical prowess.

    Sticks N' Stones a high-energy hard rock band hailing from Toronto, Ontario, is led by brothers Nicholas and Robert Lisanti. Being known for their electrifying performances, the band delivered a potent mix of hard-hitting riffs, intricate guitar solos and heavy breakdowns that resonated with the rock and metal fans in attendance. Sticks N' Stones has shared the stage with notable acts such as John 5 (Mötley Crüe), The Dead Daisies, Buckcherry, Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper), further cementing their reputation in the rock scene. Their performance was characterized by a raw, unfiltered energy that captivated the audience.

L.A. Guns: Sleaze Rock Veterans Deliver the Goods

    As the headliners, L.A. Guns proved that their nearly four-decade career has only sharpened their edge. Touring in support of their latest album, Leopard Skin, the band delivered a set that balanced new material with classic hits. Opening with "Cannonball," they immediately captured the crowd's attention. The setlist included fan favorites like "Electric Gypsy," "Over the Edge" and "Sex Action," as well as new tracks such as "Hit and Run," which showcased their continued evolution while staying true to their roots.

    The band's lineup, featuring Tracii Guns on lead guitar, Phil Lewis on vocals, Ace Von Johnson on rhythm guitar, Johnny Martin on bass and Shawn Duncan on drums, demonstrated tight musicianship and undeniable chemistry. Their encore, including "Never Enough," "The Ballad of Jayne" and "Rip and Tear," left the audience on a high note, reaffirming their status as stalwarts of the glam metal scene.

Final Thoughts

    The concert at Warehouse Live Midtown was a testament to the enduring appeal of sleaze rock and the vitality of live music. L.A. Guns' performance, bolstered by strong opening acts, offered a night of unrelenting energy and musical prowess. For fans of the genre, it was an evening that delivered on all fronts.

L.A. Guns Setlist:
Cannonball
Electric Gypsy
Over the Edge
Sex Action
Hit and Run
Like a Drug
Speed
One More Reason
I Wanna Be Your Man
Lucky Motherfucker
Never Enough (With Hell's Bells intro)
The Ballad of Jayne (Joined on stage by Phil's Daughter)
Rip and Tear