Legendary duo Jack Russell and Tracii Guns helmed the mighty RUSSELL / GUNS up until Jack's untimely passing in August of 2024. They were accompanied by Johnny Martin, Shane Fitzgibbon, and Alessandro del Vecchio, and in January of 2024 released their debut LP, 'Medusa.'
Never before produced in vinyl format, this Record Store Day issue of 'Medusa' is the perfect opportunity to honor Jack and give the fans something special in his memory.
About the collaboration, Tracii shared the following:
"Jack was one of the greatest rock voices of our generation. It was a total honor to play guitar on this, his final studio record."
Record Store Day 2025 is on April 12th - visit your
favorite local vinyl purveyor to score a copy!
For Jack Russell, this RUSELL / GUNS project represented a long-awaited return to recording and new music, coming seven years after the release of 'He Saw It Comin'' with Jack Russell's Great White. Without dwelling on the past and attempting to recreate the storied origins of the multi-platinum hard rock entity, Jack was excited to be moving forward and collaborating with the mighty Tracii Guns, an artist who has been experiencing a creative resurgence of his own.
On 'Medusa,' Jack and Tracii discovered a common thread in a collection of songs that draw from the bluesy power and heavy energy of their most celebrated material and roots yet were infused with a fresh, energetic drive and modern metallic production.
About the album, Jack previously commented,
"It was so great making a record with Tracii! Initially, I had reservations about making this record, but in the end, it kicks ass."
'Medusa' is an album that showcases inspired artistic integrity and commitment to rock'n'roll from two extraordinary rock stars of the 80s and 90s.
In 1984, Jack Russell burst onto the scene as the frontman for Great White, a prominent presence in the Los Angeles music scene. The band's self-titled debut, along with platinum-selling albums like 1987's 'Once Bitten...' and 1989's '...Twice Shy," sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Their rock legacy continued into the 21st century, and in 2011, Russell went on to form Jack Russell's Great White.
Tracii Guns is a legend in his own right. He founded LA Guns in 1983, which later merged with another group called Hollywood Rose, laying the foundation for one of the true giants of rock: Guns N' Roses. After departing the band and reuniting with former Girl lead vocalist Phil Lewis to reform LA Guns, he signed with Vertigo Records and released 14 studio albums with the band. He also ventured into various side projects, including Contraband (with Michael Schenker and others), Sunbomb (with Michael Sweet of Stryper), and more recently, Blackbird Angels with Todd Kerns (of Slash & The Conspirators).
Ultimately, RUSSELL / GUNS' 'Medusa' is a gift to the millions of fans who have steadfastly supported both Tracii Guns and Jack Russell throughout the years. It's everything they were waiting for, and this RSD vinyl issue is the perfect monument to a great rock 'n' roll partnership.
