“Personally, I am not into this old rocker thing that’s happening… Not digging seeing some of my heroes fat, bald, not being able to sing or play like they did or now looking like some f**ked up Santa Clause, nope… not digging it…!!!”
— Kelly Nickels of Riley’s L.A. Guns
Metal News — In a brand new post on their official Facebook page, Riley’s L.A. Guns have announced they are calling it a day.
The band first formed in late 2018 when 2 classic L.A. Guns members Steve Riley (drums) and Kelly Nickels (bass) brought back former L.A. Guns member Scotty Griffin (guitars) and added Kurt Frohlic to sing lead for the quartet.
Riley, Nickels, Griffin and Frohlic released their official debut L.A. Guns “Renegades” on Golden Robot Records in November 2020.
The band then found itself embroiled in a legal battle with former band-mates Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns, but after some back and forth, the 2 sides came to an agreement in April of 2021.
After the official settlement with Guns and Lewis, the newest version of the group agreed to add ‘Riley’s‘ to the front of their name and continued going forward as Riley’s L.A. Guns.
Sadly the group’s longtime drummer Steve Riley passed away in October 2023 after battling a severe case of pneumonia.
Now with their latest (second) release behind them, they have decided to call it quits.
Below is a message from Kelly Nickels of Riley’s L.A. Guns
What up everybody?
So I just wanted to officially say that Riley’s L.A.Guns are calling it quits. For obvious reasons and some not so obvious reasons it’s time to move on. We’d like to thank all of you that helped us along the way. All of you that kept an open mind and gave us a chance, for your support and positive vibes.
It was an amazing experience playing together and we all had a great time every time we got together. Meeting old friends and making new ones is all the inspiration you need to keep going but not when your heart isn’t in it anymore, especially without Steve at the helm. Personally, I am not into this old rocker thing that’s happening… Not digging seeing some of my heroes fat, bald, not being able to sing or play like they did or now looking like some f**ked up Santa Clause, nope… not digging it…!!!
Doesn’t mean you won’t see me at some old Honky tonk joint jammin around, but for now…we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds. Thank you again and have a great weekend.
–Kelly Nickels
Back on January 14th 2025, the band posted on social media sharing the final product, of their latest release “The Dark Horse” on Golden Robot Records.
“When you worked really hard on something and are finally able to hold it in your hands. I think they look f**kin great. So happy with the way these came out. Thank you Golden Robot Records. I think Steve would have been proud…Not sure what the future holds for us but it was a hell of good time. keep rockin…!!!“
— Riley’s L.A. Guns
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