Breaking News: L.A. Guns Ripped Off
Friday, December 7, 2007 at 02:55AM 
My boys L.A. Guns (Paul Black, Tracii Guns version) are currently on a mini tour. Last night the band played McGuffy's in Dayton, Ohio. As expected, the show was high energy with Tracii dazzling the crowd. What wasn't so dazzling was that the band was ripped off.
Right after the band played "Electric Gypsy" they left the stage to presumably prepare for their encore. Just as Paul Black started to introduce the band, drummer Chad Stewart took center stage...and announced that someone had stolen wallets and cash. Confusion ensued, with audience members looking around and security trying to, evidently, "catch the thief (or thieves)."
It seems the theft occured while the band was performing.
Upon Chad's demands, the doors to McGuffy's were locked and no one entered or left. Then, more confusion as band members walked from the dressing room (where they had left their wallets and other personal items) across the stage, through the bar. Singer Paul Black looked hurt as did bassist Jeremy Guns. As for guitarist Tracii...well, you could tell he was ready to put the smack down.
There was a scuffle at the back of the bar (not so far from where I was standing) and then later a page for the owner of a red pick-up truck. Riverside, Ohio police responded...the audience members were allowed to leave and the bar closed early. On our way out, cops said they had "everything they needed in back of the bar." To me, this means they captured the low-life scum that tried to steal from a glam band, working hard to make a living. I don't suffer fools or thieves and if I knew the person's identity...or had their mugshot, I'd post it here.
As for the concert itself, L.A. Guns were pretty great. Jeremy Guns plays with great intensity, but that's probably because he's lived with an amazing teacher all his life. Paul Black danced like a madman all over the stage, busting out moves like the Cabbage Patch and the Carlton. No lie. In addition to the petty theft, the bar was also having audio troubles and Paul's mic kept cutting in and out. He was good natured and went with the flow. Paul was dressed to the nines in glam finery, right down to the hyper-glitter eye shadow. Too bad I didn't have the one-on-one chat I had planned. Thanks again thieves.
Tracii Guns is amazing, isn't he? In my opinion, the best part of the show was his solo and just watching his fingers move up and down the fret board. He still plays like a madman, and it's pretty clear he's one of the best guitarists of the glam era. Still passionate about his craft, he even closes his eyes while getting into the groove. It's pretty clear it's Tracii's world and we're all just along for the ride.
L.A. Guns performed "Never Enough," "Sex Action," "One More Reason To Die," "Electric Gypsy," "The Ballad of Jayne" and many more. Every time I mention Paul Black and Tracii Guns' version of L.A. Guns, there are plenty of naysayers who are quick to comment on lack of talent. This isn't the case. See them live. You'll realize I'm right. Whatever the case, I'm sure you'll agree the band didn't deserve to be crime victims.
Allyson B. Crawford
Bring Back Glam! has obtained Riverside (Ohio) police report number 0712075003. In it, complaintant Tracii Guns reports that a white Blackberry with red cover and bottle of Jack Daniels was stolen.
In fact, police did track down a man and make an arrest. There was no mention of missing wallets or cash of any sort in the official report.
Both the Jack Daniels and Blackberry were recovered and returned to the band.
A suspect, who does have a criminal history, is currently locked up in the Montgomery County (Ohio) jail. I'll refrain from posting that person's name or mugshot. He's scheduled for arraignment next week on these misdemeanor theft charges.
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