The Resurgence Of LA Rock ‘n’ Roll 

The world of rock ‘n’ roll has definitely had a topsy-turvy year. Although we’ve finally seen the likes of Guns N’Roses reforming with their original lineup, we’ve also been hit hard by the recent deaths of Scott Weiland and Lemmy. But rock ‘n’ roll has always known how to bounce back when times are hard. And Los Angeles has always been the spiritual heartland of kick-ass rock music, so from reunions and revivals to the intriguing new wave of rock-based video and slots games, here’s a look at how LA rock ‘n’ roll has survived into 2016.

 

Origins

Los Angeles rock ‘n’ roll really got going in the 1960s where a new generation of bands such as Love, The Byrds and The Doors flocked to the hot new venues like the Whisky A Go Go and the Roxy on the Sunset Strip to explore the newfound freedoms of the age. But it wasn’t long before things took a darker turn.

 

After the city’s notorious punk scene imploded through the trailblazing antics of the likes of The Germs, Fear and Social Distortion, a new sleazy and streetwise sound emerged upon the streets of Hollywood with hair metal bands like Motley Crue (pictured), Poison and Guns N’ Roses displaying a fearsome sound and an androgynous new look.

 

Survival

 

However, the arrival of grunge brought a death knell to such rampant displays of misogyny and egomania as best witnessed in Penelope Spheeris’ revealing documentary The Decline of Western Civilisation Part II: The Metal Years.

 

Despite this, the Los Angeles rock ‘n’ roll scene managed to adapt with a grittier and leaner sound with bands such as Rage Against The Machine, Jane’s Addiction and Hole (pictured) delivering a disaffected take on 1990s rock ‘n’ roll.

 

But before long, the rise of new internet technologies signalled out the death knell of the traditional music industry as file-sharing and computer-based recording techniques killed the live scene as bands left the Strip in favour of alternative hangouts such as Spaceland and the Silverlake Lounge.

 

Revival

 

However, there were signs that the hunger remained for many teenagers for the traditional pleasures of rock ‘n’ roll. Games such as Guitar Hero allowed young fans to emulate the guitar-playing skills of their heroes via a guitar-shaped controller, and gamers can also see the influence of the LA rock scene in titles of games like Sunset Showdown that is also available as a mobile slots game on the Betway site alongside a range of roulette and poker games to let you hunt down the ace of spades.

 

But it’s a curious irony that a slots game may be the closest that many fans get to Sunset Strip just as one of its stars recently passed away. The Motorhead singer Lemmy (pictured) was a frequent figure at the notorious metal hangout The Rainbow Bar and Grill, but with a petition being launched to install a permanent statue of Lemmy at this iconic bar, it looks like rock’s influence on Los Angeles is here to stay.