Never Enough

The Zoo Crew is spinning the sleazy, high-energy anthem "Never Enough" by L.A. Guns from their 1989 album Cocked & Loaded, and the Zoo Freaks are surely cranking it up! This track, a standout from the glam metal era, has some juicy trivia tied to it. According to a Reddit post in the hairmetal community, the song’s bridge was polished by songwriter Phil Roy, who was brought in as a "song doctor" to refine it. His work earned him a co-writing credit alongside Gregg Tripp and the band, and he even received a gold record for the album’s success. The music video for "Never Enough" is a wild ride, too, with a black-and-white intro mimicking an old-school variety show before bursting into color as the band rocks a white stage for fans dressed in retro 1950s outfits. Some fans on Reddit have noted its influence, claiming it inspired Nirvana’s "In Bloom" video, though this remains a fan theory rather than confirmed fact. The video’s playful, over-the-top vibe, complete with polka dots and bolero hats, screams 1989 glam metal swagger.

Another tidbit about "Never Enough" comes from its reception. Critics, like Steve Huey from AllMusic, praised the song for its killer songwriting, calling it one of the band’s best alongside "The Ballad of Jayne." The track’s infectious energy and catchy hooks helped Cocked & Loaded hit number 38 on the Billboard 200, with the album earning gold certification in 1990 for over 500,000 units sold. Fans on Reddit still rave about its raw power, with one user lamenting that the video version cuts the opening guitar intro and solos short compared to the album’s punchier take. The song’s live performances, like those captured on the 1989 Boston 1989 album available on Bandcamp, showcase the band’s prime-era intensity, with Phil Lewis’s vocals and Tracii Guns’s guitar riffs firing on all cylinders.

L.A. Guns got their start in the gritty heart of Los Angeles’s Sunset Strip in 1983, born from the fusion of two local bands: Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns. The band’s early days were marked by a revolving door of members, but the core of Tracii Guns (lead guitar), Phil Lewis (vocals), Mick Cripps (rhythm guitar), Kelly Nickels (bass), and later Steve Riley (drums) solidified their classic lineup. Their big break came in 1987 when they signed with PolyGram Records, recording their self-titled debut album that summer. It sold 750,000 copies, earning a gold record and landing them tours with heavyweights like AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard. By the time Cocked & Loaded dropped in 1989, with "Never Enough" as a key single, the band was riding high, blending the dark edge of Guns N’ Roses with the party vibes of Mötley Crüe. Their sleazy, blues-infused sound and relentless live shows made them Sunset Strip legends.

Today, L.A. Guns remains active, with their official website at lagunsmusic.com offering updates, tour dates, and merch. You can follow them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback posts. Fans, or Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow devotees, can join communities like the L.A. Guns Official Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories, photos, and tour experiences. Another fan hub is the r/hairmetal subreddit, where L.A. Guns tracks like "Never Enough" still spark lively discussions. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new Zoo Freak, L.A. Guns’s legacy of sleaze and swagger lives on.