Unfortunately, Phil did, and it was 15 years of him putting Tracii down When he decided during the middle of our 2016 tour that he was going to do some shows with Tracii, I was taken aback. I didn’t go on the internet and sling mud at him. He went on a rant online about how much he disliked the guy and how he’d NEVER share a stage with him again. Steve Riley: Well, when Tracii left in 2002, Phil was upset. Sleaze Roxx: When Phil left this last time, how was that for you?… So we’re on Golden Robot Records, we have an album ready to go and I have my brother Kelly Nickels, the other half of the “classic” rhythm section, back. The response has been positive and very quick. We got management and then we got an offer to do a record. He gave us his blessing and we did the M3 Festival. We were offered the M3 show, we asked Mick if he wanted to be a part of it. Let’s do this.” He was really hurt by the guys, but I welcomed him with open arms and we got to work. You’re my brother, you always have a place here. They were upset and that’s how they dealt with it.Īfter all of that took place, he called me and said “I’d like to come back.” I said “Kell, come back. He’s not like they said…he’s a sweet guy. He wanted to start from scratch with some fresh ideas and according to him, they were offended that’s they went online and tore him up and said all this crap about him. He said he listened to it and he didn’t like it. I’ve been friends with Kelly since 1987 until the present day. I was disappointed that it didn’t happen because of that. As much as I was into it, Phil was equally against it. He’s a “classic” member of the band and I was in favor of him coming back. He wanted to rejoin the band, before we recorded Hollywood Forever. Steve Riley: Kelly contacted Phil and I in 2012. Sleaze Roxx: How did you reconnect with Kelly and did anyone reach out to Mick about being a part of the band again? Unfortunately, I can’t fight it because he and I own the name. I’ve invested too much in my 35 years, between handling the business end of things, getting tours and putting together record deals… It’s great to have Kelly back in the band, a guy who wrote some of the band’s hits. So then Tracii leaves in 2002 and Phil comes back, and we keep going. This is almost like what happened in 1995 when the “classic” members left and Tracii and I decided to keep moving forward. I think if someone wants to go out and do something, THEY should call it something else. I NEVER considered calling it something different. I don’t think that most people are aware that Kelly wrote the band’s biggest hit Ballad of Jayne. I’ve always been open to people coming back and have always pushed forward. I saw “classic” band members come…Let me say this, I haven’t been opposed to the “classic” band members from coming back. The reason that it didn’t cross my mind is because I kept the name, the brand going for all those years. Steve Riley: Ruben, I NEVER went down that road. Sleaze Roxx: Steve, was there ever a point where you thought, “Hey, maybe we should call this something else?” I think something like “Cocked & Loaded” would be a great name and has ties to L.A. You have one member trying to keep things together and trying to convince people to not leave but they do. It’s sad, but it’s one of those things that happens with “classic” line-ups - they break-up. We’re also listing the band members on everything that we are doing. We’re designing our logo to set us apart from Phil and Tracii. I know there’s a lot of confusion out there right now. Guns and with Kelly back, this is just awesome. Guns line-up since 1987 and I’ve never quit on the band. Kelly is back on board and I have been a member of the “classic” L.A. Guns going and that’s what I’m doing right now. Then, Phil decides that he wanted to leave. Phil and I kept the band’s legacy alive and well for 15 years after that. Unfortunately, all of the “classic” members left at one point or another. This goes back to my experience with the line-up of W.A.S.P., that I was a part of, breaking up. I’ve always been the guy that has tried to talk the “classic” members out of leaving, because I think it’s important to keep the “classic” line-up whenever possible. I’m the only guy that hasn’t ever left the band. I’m the guy that was handling all the business side of the band and I’d put things together, put together tours and made records happen. Steve Riley: Well, first I’d like to say that I’m the only member from the “classic line-up” that hasn’t ever left the band. Things appeared to be going full steam ahead. Sleaze Roxx… I last spoke with you when you were doing promo for Hollywood Forever. Ruben Mosqueda of Sleaze Roxx spoke with L.A.
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