On Medusa, Jack Russell of Great White and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns combine forces as Russell – Guns and promise to shake the foundations of the hard rock scene once again.
The genesis of Russell – Guns came from the shared musical DNA of its namesakes - Jack Russell and Tracii Guns - drawing inspiration from the bluesy power and heavy rock energy that defined each of their earlier work. But, these new songs are injected with a fresh, vibrant drive and modern production. The result? Medusa - an album that pays homage to their storied roots but also exemplifies the unwavering commitment to keep flying the flag for rock 'n' roll today, the kind that both Russell and Guns embody. Rounding out the powerhouse new band are Johnny Martin, Shane Fitzgibbon, and Alexxandro del Vecchio.
For Russell, the band is a welcome return to the studio after a seven-year hiatus since the release of He Saw It Coming with Jack Russell's Great White. Instead of falling into the nostalgia trap and any attempt to recreate the glory days of his former multi-platinum band, Russell chose to embark on something new alongside the incomparable Tracii Guns, a man currently experiencing his own creative renaissance.
In the pivotal year of 1984, Russell catapulted into the limelight as the charismatic frontman for Great White, a force on the Los Angeles music scene that went national with albums like the self-titled debut, Once Bitten..., and ...Twice Shy. The band achieved platinum status, selling over eight million copies worldwide, and the band’s legacy carried on into the 21st century, leading Russell to establish Jack Russell's Great White in 2011. Guns, a legend in his own right, laid the groundwork for rock behemoth Guns N' Roses when he founded the original L.A. Guns in 1983, later merging with Axl Rose’s Hollywood Rose. Following his departure from the soon-to-be iconic band, Guns reunited with Phil Lewis to resurrect L.A. Guns, forging a legacy with 14 studio albums and glam-metal hits that helped define the '80s. He’s also contributed to a number of side projects, including Contraband, Sunbomb, and Blackbird Angels.
The new band and Medusa is a gift to the legions of fans who have unwaveringly supported Guns and Russell over the years, through the good times when their brand of rock ruled through the tough times when it was considered a joke. Russell – Guns delivers everything the fans crave and more, thanks to the spirit of these two real rockers who will always make the kind of music they love.