Singer Paul Black reformed L.A. Guns, recruiting former Dogs D'Amour singer Robert Stoddard to be the new Guitarist with the group, which was rounded out by Nickey "Beat" Alexander on drums and Mick Cripps on bass. Tracii (re)joined the group a short time later. The group's lineup would change with Black being replaced by Girl frontman Phil Lewis, Bassist Cripps switching to guitar, replacing Stoddard, and former Faster Pussycat Bassist Kelly Nickels joining the group. L.A. Guns recorded their eponymous first album that was released in 1988 on Vertigo Records, charting at number 50 on the Billboard 200. On the first album's supporting tour, Alexander was replaced by former W.A.S.P. Drummer Steve Riley with the lineup being regarded as the Classic lineup of L.A. Guns. This lineup remained until 1992. In 1989, they released their second album Cocked & Loaded, which charted higher on the Billboard 200 at number 38. During 1991, the band released their third album Hollywood Vampires on Polydor Records. In 1995 they released their fourth album Vicious Circle, Drummer Michael "Bones" Gershima played on parts of this recording as this was around the time Phil Lewis fired Drummer Steve Riley in January 1992 after touring with Skid Row in support of Hollywood Vampires. Riley later returned to the band for the successful Vicious Circle club tour. After this, the L.A. Guns were dropped from Polygram (Vertigo/Polydor) Records. Phil Lewis and Mick Cripps then left the band.