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.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9NHDRF48aw[/youtube]
[via Metal Sludge]
