Concerts Start Up Again In Texas

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Review & Photos By Jeff Arnhart

After what seemed like an eternity the Houston music scene saw the reopening of Warehouse Live Friday night on September 11, with a short notice acoustic visit by L.A. GUNS frontman Phil Lewis. After six months of a total shutdown by state and city officials, John Thomas of Warehouse Live came up with a social distancing plan that would allow for Warehouse Live to open their doors and get Houston rockin' again. Justin Ellerton of Blackhorse Limo reached out to the L.A. GUNS frontman to be the first act on Warehouse Live's main ballroom stage in what had seemed like forever.

The acoustic evening opened with a socially distanced set by Trey Gadler, John Adams and Brent Marches of the local band DEAD MAN'S HAND. After bringing a solid set of southern style acoustic rock the stage was cleared with the exception of a microphone stand, two barstools and a music stand.

Phil took the stage looking a little out of his element and started out the evening with a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11. After a few strums into the first song on his black acoustic, he stopped and apologized for his guitar being a little out of tune. Once the adjustments were made he continued his set which opened with "Long Time Dead". After a couple more songs he relaxed and joked about how nervous he had been when he walked onto the stage alone. He even thanked Justin of Blackhorse Limo for not booking a band like SLAYER to open for him. At this point the frontman for the hard rocking L.A. GUNS was definitely connected with us on a more intimate level. After running through several more L.A. GUNS songs Phil told us the story about when the bubble had burst in the late 80's music scene in California and he then left L.A. GUNS and spent the next several years touring the country in a van playing small clubs and bars. The band was FILTHY LUCRE and in 1997 the album Popsmear was released. Phil then performed "Baby I Want" a "beautiful song" as he put it, from this album which was a real treat for us since he rarely plays anything form this era. Finishing the set he ran through several more L.A. GUNS favorites including "The Ballad of Jayne" and finally finishing up with "Rip and Tear" with all of us singing along. He thanked us all and asked if we could give him a moment to "mask up" then he would come out and say hello. A rocker and a true gentleman he took the time to meet and greet with all of us.

This was a great start to a post-Covid era, Houston is rocking again at Warehouse Live.

Check out some more photos from the show!
Photos By Jeff Arnhart

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