Well that was fast. It’s being reported that Tracii Gun’s version of L.A. Guns parted ways with singer Dilana Robichaux sometime last week…less than three months after she joined the band. While an official explanation hasn’t been given yet, Robichaux is claiming it was anything but amicable.
In a posting on her Facebook page (note: the original posting has since been removed), the former Rock Star: Supernova contestant claimed that “I never quit. Tracii walked out saying ‘thank you, it was fun while it lasted’. This band is a fuck’n joke.” She later said via another Facebook posting that she has written notes about her time on this “fucked up L.A. Guns tour,” and hinted that it could be published soon.
While Robichaux is obviously infuriated with the split, Tracii played down the recent shakeup in the band via the following posting on Facebook:
“Doni [Gray, drummer] and I are sitting here reflecting on what a magical time we had with Dilana singing. We were told by everyone that it was taking a huge chance musically. That’s what it’s all about right? Taking chances! It was truely the best L.A. Guns I ever heard on stage hands down. I’m glad I took the chance and I’m glad it’s captured on video because now I can truely watch those videos and go WoW! Sometimes the greatest art comes from the madness and this was the case here . I know Dilana is ripping on every aspect of the situation and I know that’s how she vents so I am ok with it. I am glad alot of people got to see it live because I know it ruled. We are sad that it has to end so soon but, everything happens for a reason and we feel like we broke some ground just for arts sake and it fealt great! On to the next thing and into the Christmas season we go!”
While he speaks highly of his now former singer, he didn’t touch upon why his version of L.A. Guns split with Robichaux in the first place. One thing is for certain, though: Tracii’s band is continuing forward. Though Robichaux claimed that the tour was canceled, Guns confirmed that the band will continue the tour with former Blacklist Union singer Tony West. Those thinking that Tracii is done playing with TV stars can guess again, though, as Metal Sludge has discovered that West has had his fair share of TV time as well.
Best of luck to Tracii and his Guns, because a band that makes Axl Rose and his Guns look stable needs all the help they can get. You can watch footage of L.A. Guns performing with Dilana after the jump. Read more »
Last week, it was revealed that singer Jizzy Pearl (ex-Love/Hate and Ratt) had parted ways with the Tracii Guns-led version of L.A. Guns. And just last night, it was confirmed that singer/songwriter Dilana Robichaux, best known as the runner up contestant on the reality competition Rock Star: Supernova, was the band’s new frontwoman.
Tracii himself gave the following statement via the band’s website about the new singer in his version of the 80’s hair metal group:
“Dilana is the new singer for L.A. Guns after an incredible amount of scrutiny and mixed opinions the final straw was her audition where she completely took control of the environment by injecting a type of soul into these old new songs that I have never heard before. The first tune we jammed on was the Otis Redding classic “These Arms Of Mine” and even a very skeptical Jeremy looked up at me and mouthed Holy Shit to me and I had the same feeling. Then we ran through “One More Reason,” “Never Enough,” and of course “The Ballad Of Jayne” and it was an awakening of just how professional and soulful of a singer Dilana is. After getting responses from Label Steve Vai [Favored Nations], my agent and manager who are all really into a drastic positive change for L.A. Guns and myself , we all feel this is a ballsy and risky change that we all collectively feel good about. I expect there will be some changes in the live setlist and I hope we can get straight into writing mode ASAP and record some fresh Rock n Roll also ASAP . We hit the road starting in San Antonio Texas September 21st.”
What makes the addition of Robichaux interesting, besides the fact that she’s the first female member of any L.A. Guns incarnation, is that she’s actually the second Rock Star contestant to be in Tracii’s version. As you may recall from our brief history lesson last week, Guns had tapped singer Marty Casey from Rock Star: INXS fame to join the group in 2008. Though they reportedly recorded music and even filmed a reality TV pilot, Casey left within a year (and was replaced by Jizzy Pearl). While Casey competed in the first season for the chance to front INXS, Robichaux was in the second season competing for the chance to sing in Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted, and Gilby Clarke’s supergroup.
Those who actually watched the reality music competition…like me…(ok, the show was cheesy, but was a fun guilty pleasure) know that Dilana is a gifted singer and performer. It’ll be interesting to see what she brings to L.A. Guns (or Tracii’s L.A. Guns. We’re still unsure which is the “official” version). Go to the band’s official website for a rundown of upcoming shows, and check out Dilana performing Nirvana’s “Lithium” on Rock Star: Supernova after the jump. Read more »
Well that was fast. It’s being reported that Tracii Gun’s version of L.A. Guns parted ways with singer Dilana Robichaux sometime last week…less than three months after she joined the band. While an official explanation hasn’t been given yet, Robichaux is claiming it was anything but amicable.
Posted by Zach Shaw on Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 3:44 pm
L.A. Hired Guns, Splits