LA Guns at the Red Carpet

I wasn't planning on going to a show last night, but I heard on Friday that national rockers LA Guns were playing at the Red Carpet Nightclub in downtown St. Cloud. A few friends were going, so I decided to join them-I ended up having more fun than anticipated!

I got to the Carpet just in time to buy a ticket to the show and snag a free T-shirt in my size from one of the deejays from one of the local rock stations in town. I got in after the doors opened and wandered around, running into an old classmate and nearby neighbor of mine. A few minutes later, I ran into another friend who I was finally getting to meet in person for the first time.

We spent some time catching up before going back to the concert area shortly before the opening act Arena took the stage. A Twin Cities band, they offered up a good mix of original and classic "hair metal" cover songs. I was surprised how well the audience responded to them, leaving them thoroughly anticipating the headliners.

By that time, my friend and I were hanging out on the side of the Red Carpet with other members of the local rock radio station. There I ran into another former classmate and  fellow metalhead. We spent some time catching up just before LA Guns took the stage. There are two versions of this band: one featuring original guitarist Tracii Guns (the "Guns" of Guns N' Roses) and one with classic lineup singer Phil Lewis. This was Phil Lewis' version, one that has been to the Red Carpet several times before.

For my first time seeing LA Guns in any incarnation live, I thought they were excellent! Great hearing some of the classic songs that were part of my later high school years, as well as some older, deeper cuts. The crowd was eagerly waiting more at the end of their set, but they soon crowded up near the band entrance after the guys in the group promised to hang out after the show.

My friends and I didn't wait that long, however. Instead, we chatted for a while and decided to grab a bite to eat at the nearby Perkins before calling it a night. We made our seperate ways home that night on some icy streets, but it was well worth it for a fun night.

Next show is Adelitas Way at the Park in Fridley on Tuesday. Until then, take care and have a great week!