The "classic lineup" of the group would reunite in 1999 and began recording new material. However, the group continued to change lineups and Guns eventually left to form the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in 2002. L.A. Guns continued without Guns, bringing in guitarist Stacey Blades, however, following his decision to put Brides of Destruction on hiatus in 2006, Guns formed The Tracii Guns Band. The group's lineup consisted of former L.A. Guns members Black, Alexander as well as Jeremy Guns (though the lineup would eventually change), with the group eventually changing their name to L.A. Guns. Both groups continued to record and tour under the L.A. Guns moniker until 2012, when the Tracii Guns-led version of the group disbanded. Riley died in 2023.
L.A. Guns (feat. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis) released a new single "Let You Down" on May 6, 2020. It was released as the first single from their then-upcoming fourteenth studio album Checkered Past, which was released on November 12, 2021, and featured producer Adam Hamilton on drums.
In May 2022, it was announced that Shawn Duncan had replaced Shane Fitzgibbon as their drummer. In the following month, guitarist Ace Von Johnson revealed that L.A. Guns had been working on new material for their next studio album. The resulting album, Black Diamonds, was released on April 14, 2023.
VAMPIRE
L.A. Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been around the world
I heard it with my ears
Walking down the Sunset strip
Cast no shadow at The Whisky
At the Rainbow getting lit
Shot off some guns at night
Shot off my guns so many times
Shot off some guns at night
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Shot off my guns so many times
Cocked and loaded with my fangs I grip
The world for a while as it takes me on my trip
Flying high never coming down
Only come out at night when the crazy shit goes down
Shot off some guns at night
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Shot off my guns so many times
Shot off some guns at night
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Shot off my guns so many times
I woke from the dead
And this is what I said
I'm gonna rip and tear
Off their heads
Walking round this city so many times
I had the best women I drank the best wines
Shot off some guns at night
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Shot off my guns so many times
Shot off some guns at night
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Shot off my guns so many times
The lyrics to L.A. Guns's song "Vampire" are a testament to the dark allure of Hollywood, with its rock 'n' roll excess, wild parties, and twisted passion. The opening lines establish the tone, as the singer declares that he has been a vampire for 14 years, and has seen and heard everything there is to know about the world. As he walks down the Sunset strip, he casts no shadow, a metaphor for his otherworldly, immortal status. He drinks and parties at iconic venues like The Whisky and The Rainbow, enjoying the decadent pleasures of the city without a care in the world.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Shot off some guns at night, out there in those Hollywood skies," underscoring the reckless, dangerous energy of the scene. The singer is cocked and loaded with his fangs, ready for anything that comes his way. He flies high, never coming down from the rush of the lifestyle, but only ventures out at night when the real craziness begins. As the song progresses, he becomes more aggressive, declaring that he will "rip and tear off their heads," possibly referring to his enemies or any other threats to his way of life. In the end, he reflects on his long years in the city, having experienced the best of everything, but also having paid a heavy price for his indulgences.
Line by Line Meaning
I been a vampire for 14 years
I have been living a wild and reckless life for a very long time.
I been around the world
I have experienced many things and been to many places.
I heard it with my ears
I have personally witnessed and experienced a lot in life.
Walking down the Sunset strip
Strolling down one of the busiest and most popular streets of Hollywood.
Cast no shadow at The Whisky
I am so used to the Hollywood nightlife that it no longer affects me.
At the Rainbow getting lit
I am always enjoying myself and getting drunk at The Rainbow Bar & Grill.
Shot off some guns at night
I have made many mistakes and done wild things while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Out there in those Hollywood skies
Doing crazy things in the wild and never-ending nightlife of Hollywood.
Shot off my guns so many times
I have made many mistakes while under the influence and have regrets.
Cocked and loaded with my fangs I grip
I am always ready for whatever the crazy Hollywood nightlife throws my way.
The world for a while as it takes me on my trip
I am just going with the flow and enjoying whatever comes my way in life.
Flying high never coming down
I am always on a high and never willing to come down to reality.
Only come out at night when the crazy shit goes down
I am only interested in participating in the wild and reckless activities that happen at night.
I woke from the dead
I realized that I was leading a destructive lifestyle and needed to change.
And this is what I said
I decided to make changes in my life and become a better person.
I'm gonna rip and tear
I am going to work hard and do whatever it takes to turn my life around.
Off their heads
I am going to get rid of the negative influences in my life.
Walking round this city so many times
I have been wandering aimlessly through life for a long time.
I had the best women I drank the best wines
I was always looking for the next thrill and using people and material things to fill the void.
Contributed by Allison K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.