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Scott Griffin

Published on
June 4, 2024 at 3:35:32 PM PDT June 4, 2024 at 3:35:32 PM PDTth, June 4, 2024 at 3:35:32 PM PDT

Scott Griffin

BIO

Scott Griffin has always done things a little different than what is normally expected. Not as much because he wanted to, but more because he learned early on that the only way life was going to let him get from point A to point B was to do it his way.

Growing up in the suburbs of the San Fernando Valley, just a 15 minute drive through Laurel Canyon to the world famous streets of Hollywood, Scott started playing guitar around the age of 13. He then began playing local legendary Hollywood clubs such as the Whisky, the Roxy, the Troubadour and the Viper Room around the age of 20. But that initial step would prove to be very brief, for just as he made it to the club level, he could see the once bourgeoning music scene rapidly withering away. So he put his guitar away for the time being and decided instead to study music at college for four years on grants and loans, living the life of a bohemian, and choosing the piano as his instrument of study.

Scott's Gear

Later, after finally moving from the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood and noticing a sort of resurgence again in his style of rock, Scott began playing gigs and recording again with local bands such as Rocket Ride and Dog Days, as well as getting up and playing at local jams around town. It was here that Scott would make important contacts that would make it possible for him to get back into music. But once again, he would have to alter things slightly. Initially getting a little bit of name recognition after being asked to play gigs with Dizzy Reed’s (Guns N Roses) cover band, Hookers N Blow, Scott then got called to do some shows with the Bullet Boys, but this time on bass. Many more bass gigs soon followed with various bands, until ultimately joining L.A. Guns as their bass player for almost 10 years. Scott would end up playing over 400 shows worldwide, and recording and co-writing a critically acclaimed/fan favorite album “Hollywood Forever” with them and legendary producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Van Halen).

A move to Las Vegas would then open the next chapter in his life, and as his first experience with L.A. Guns ended, the life of a Las Vegas strip cover/tribute band musician began. Still on bass, but ending up also being the lead singer in an original punk band, the Sin City Rejects who released an independent record “Death of a Nation”, Las Vegas proved to be a very profitable move for Scott.

Still playing guitar, always writing, recording, keeping some sense of chops up, a call from his former Guns drummer, Steve Riley in December of 2018 would bring him full circle when he was asked to be in L.A. Guns once again, but this time as the lead guitarist. Featuring original members Steve Riley and bassist Kelly Nickels, and Canadian export Kurt Frolich on vocals, this version of L.A. Guns played their first gig in May 2019 at the M3 Music Festival in Maryland which also featured bands such as Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Skid Row, Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Warrant, Dokken, and many others.

More gigs are on the horizon for Scott and L.A. Guns, as well as other projects and collaborations. With Scott, there are no rules, no boundaries, only opportunities and experiences.

Welcome on board, Scott!

Follow Scott on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/scottygriffinrocks

Exclusive Interview: Scott Griffin

1) What are you working on now?

L.A. Guns' new album “Renegades” is going to be released on November. Friday, November 13th. We’ve released three singles so far in the meantime. Our record company has kind of had to make some adjustments to our initial promotion plan due to COVID. But we’re dealing it as best we can. They’ve already sent the album out to publications and reviewers worldwide and we’ve had a really positive response. Other than that, I’ve just been at home playing and writing. Same as usual. Making the best out of the bad situation we’re all in.

2) What is your musical background and influences?

Actually, as we all know, Eddie Van Halen recently passed away. He was in fact 100% of the reason I started playing guitar. I had heard them but never even saw a photo of them yet. I was still just a kid and had never even been to a rock concert yet. I heard they were going to be on this TV show called Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert so I stayed up late to watch them and my life changed forever after. I woke up the next morning begging my mom for a guitar.

3) What is the role of education in music?

I think it’s sad that music is not represented in school as much as it traditionally was. I’m lucky to be old enough to have caught the tail end of that time when a musical education: learning an instrument, knowing the basics of music, etc was still considered a solid part of a well-rounded education.

4) How do you feel about the current ‘state of the music industry’?

I think we’re still in a transitional phase. Something or someone has to come along with a ground-breaking new path that will become THE new way of how we deal with music in a creative and profitable way.

4a) What opportunities do you see for musicians in the current situation?

It’s a wide open road right now. Like I just said, there will be something that happens that will pave the road and everybody will follow. But until that time, your guess is as good as mine is as good as the next person. It’s still the Wild West I think.

5) Why do you play the Nobels ODR-mini?

It sounds great, looks cool, and takes up half the space of a traditional effects pedal. And then there’s hundreds of other effects to choose from too. I’m like a kid again and I want them all. I need a new phase pedal in fact. That will probably be my next addition.
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