Stacey Blades – Photo Courtesy Facebook
“Very excited to announce i’ll be joining Rikki Rocket’s solo band Rockett Mafia. This is gonna be an awesome experience and will be great to share stage with these fine gentlemen!!“”
— Stacey Blades
LOS ANGELES, California — The Rockett Mafia have just announced a new member adding Stacey Blades on guitar after Mick Sweda has officially returned to BulletBoys.
The Rockett Mafia first launched their project in January 2025 with namesake Rikki Rockett (drums), the aforementioned Sweda (guitars), Brandon Gibbs (vocals / guitars) and Bryan Kimes (bass).
The band played a handful of shows last year but Sweda has now announced his return to BulletBoys a band he helped form back in 1987.
Now as of today (February 2nd) The Rockett Mafia‘s official Facebook page shared the following message: “Please welcome Stacey Blades to the Mafia. We look forward to his awesome playing and presence this upcoming season!”
Blades also took to his Facebook writing: “Very excited to announce i’ll be joining Rikki Rocket’s solo band Rockett Mafia. This is gonna be an awesome experience and will be great to share stage with these fine gentlemen!! I’ll be posting tour dates as they come in!! Huge thanks to Rikki Rockett and Brandon Gibbs, Tyson Leslie. Let’s rock this boys!”
Sweda had previously shared a statement back on December 18th detailing some of what lead to BulletBoys reunification.
Now with the previously considered 40th Anniversary Poison tour on the skids for 2026, Rockett appears to be looking at filling the calendar with plenty of shows with The Rockett Mafia.
Blades had been relatively quiet in recent years, and while he was playing with Crashing Wayward which he helped form in 2020, the guitarist left the project in early 2025.
Blades was also a member of L.A. Guns with Phil Lewis and the late Steve Riley from 2004-2012 and involved with recording several of the band’s releases including; Studio albums: Rips the Covers Off (2004), Tales from the Strip (2005) and Hollywood Forever (2012). Live releases: Loud & Dangerous: Live from Hollywood (2006) and Live in Concert (2013). Other releases: Covered in Guns (2010).
Blades first made a name for himself joining Roxx Gang back in the 90’s and played with the Florida based band between 1994-1998.
Now, just as 2026 kicked off, The Rockett Mafia posted (January 10th) about Sweda‘s return to BulletBoys stating: “Been getting questions about Mick re-joining the Bullet Boys and what that means for Rockett Mafia… Mick is desirous to continue on with The Mob. If anything changes, I’ll report asap. I support Mick’s return to the BB as this was his baby for many years. Either way, Rockett Mafia is a force this coming year and here’s why…
We are starting to book shows and look forward to some amazing dates. This is the first week back it as our agent is busy mapping out some cool stuff. We are also planning an EP. Writing songs, etc. There will be originals and maybe a cover or two on the EP. Hope to knock it out very soon!”
With the addition of Blades, it appears now that all is well with the Mafia in the guitar department.
The band are also planning to do some of their appearances playing the Poison debut “Look What The Cat Dragged In” front to back, which appears to be Rockett‘s way of celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the band’s 1986 triple-platinum debut.
The Rockett Mafia will invade the Sunset Strip on August 14th appearing at the world famous ‘Whisky-A-Go-Go‘, and as of press time, this will be one of the shows where the band will play the “Look What The Cat Dragged In” album in its entirety! Tickets are available here.
Look for The Rockett Mafia on tour in 2026.
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