-= E L E C T R O N I C G Y P S Y =-
-= S P E C I A L A N N O U N C E M E N T =-

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- A F A R E W E L L T O F A N G S -
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Saturday, February 6th, 1999 was truly a tragic day in the history of L.A. Guns, for it marked the end of many people's favorite chapter. On Saturday afternoon Johnny Crypt made perhaps the toughest decision of his life when he reached the conclusion that it was time to leave L.A. Guns.

For a moment I would like to cast aside the impersonal tone of Electronic Gypsy and simply write to you as Gideon. For nearly three years I have had the pleasure of knowing Johnny Crypt, not as the bassist of L.A. Guns, but as the dork to goof around with, the shoulder to cry on during times of distress (of which there have been more than enough) — in a nut shell, as the best friend you could ever hope to have. Furthermore, Johnny is the main reason you are even reading these lines, for without his guiding hand and reassuring words, not only would Electronic Gypsy never even have been started in the first place, it would have miserably crashed and burned over the course of the first year of its existence due to an initial overall lack of interest and participation from other musicians covered.

Johnny leaves behind him a legacy much different from anybody else currently in L.A. Guns. Not having been in Guns N' Roses, Love/Hate or W.A.S.P. prior to his job in L.A. Guns he was unable to bring with him a huge name like Tracii Guns, Jizzy Pearl or Steve Riley, respectively. Yet for as long as anybody can remember Johnny, he has been entertaining and inspiring people wherever fate has led him. Some of you CyberVampires can trace your loyal enthusiasm for Johnny all the way back to his days concealed behind a veil of long, jet black hair in the bands Axxe or Minx back in Texas. Although they were never signed, his late 80's/early 90's vampire glam band Fatal Attraction made a lasting impression on the international underground glam scene. These sanguinary psychos managed to shock even the most jaded of the Hollywood rock cognoscenti with their over-the-top performance, which at times included backing up Saturday night traffic on the Sunset Strip with a hearse while band members in full, professional vampire makeup and attire were carried on stage in coffins. On countless occasions I have been asked by fascinated rock fans if I have ever heard of this legendary group. "Yes," I would answer, "their guitarist now plays bass in L.A. Guns!" Right before joining L.A. Guns, he played alongside Chris Van Dahl in the brilliant band Boneyard, magnificently combining the energy of Guns N' Roses with the atmosphere of The Doors.

On July 4th, 1995 Johnny Crypt, accompanied by Chris Van Dahl, joined forces with Tracii Guns, Kelly Nickels and Steve Riley to embark upon what was to be one of the wildest journeys of his life. It was an uphill battle when the band first hit the road with two new faces — and three familiar ones missing — over the '95/'96 holiday season and subsequently early '96 for the aptly named 'Fist Fight Every Night' tour. Constantly facing accusations of being a mere Mick Cripps/Kelly Nickels rip-off, in a calculated move Johnny took the first step towards assuming his future role in L.A. Guns — the role of the innovator. With his freshly acquired short, bleached blonde hair, not only did he invalidate all of the ridiculous charges of plagiarism, he also added a new, cutting edge to the image of The L.A. Guns. Bringing to 'American Hardcore' tunes like 'Pissed', 'Mine' and 'Unnatural Act', it became clear to L.A. Guns fans that Johnny's skills as a song writer were outstanding. Over the following few tours, Johnny transformed from "the new guy" into the coolest L.A. Gun. The one member, who, although he never showed off, seemed to command a presence like no other. He became every girl's dream date in leather. He embodied the spirit of the rock deity that triggers a spark in the impressionable mind of an adolescent boy compelling him to go out, buy a bass or guitar and play it ad absurdum, just to be able to "be like Johnny Crypt." As the chief editor of Electronic Gypsy, I have been in a fortunate enough position to watch as fans gradually warmed up to Johnny and eventually became almost universally enamored of this incredibly gifted man. It is more than gratifying to watch a close friend progress from underdog status to the main reason why people will literally travel thousands of miles just to catch one show.  Over the past 3 1/2 years he has become friends with many hundreds of L.A. Guns fans all over the world. 

These great people are always ready and willing to offer kind and loving words about their dear friend. Attributes that come to mind when they think of Johnny include friendly, intelligent, loyal, humble, considerate and polite. A friend in Nevada states, "What I like the most about Johnny is the fact that he is a sweet person and really takes time out withus and doesn't have that "rock star" attitude. He's a genuine person and kicks ass on bass." A Virginia friend offers, "Johnny is a shy, but big-hearted person. He takes fans very seriously — their compliments and criticisms both, and takes them to heart, because he is very proud of his work. Johnny worships and thanks the fans as much as they do him. A very refreshing attitude. A very likable and genuine, nice guy." What an Illinois friend likes most about Johnny is "the ability to keep in touch with the little people, the fans. And always remembering that it is the fans that buy the CD's and come to shows, so he is never too busy to stop and talk, take a picture or sign an autograph." And, as he humorously adds, "that he lets his freezing friends in Chicago on the bus to get warm." A friend in Indiana contends that Johnny is "generous, very talented and dedicated, has a positive attitude and a lot of drive when it comes to his music." She goes on to say, "He sets high goals for himself and strives to achieve them." Say two more friends in Nevada, "He's a funny guy, I know that much...always make you smile!" and "He's very funny and very sweet." An Ohio native recognizes that Johnny is "straightforward and brutally honest," but also jokingly says that "he smells good." A friend from Johnny's home turf, Texas, accurately sums it up, "I think the very best thing about Johnny is the fact that he pours his heart and soul into his job — and the fact that his job is his passion makes him all the more talented. Not to mention, the man can wear almost any haircut he wants and get away with it looking really good!"

What will happen now, I do not know. One thing, however, is certain: L.A. Guns will never be the same without Johnny. He may have joined the band after their glory days were all but over, yet in doing so he was able to get out and mingle more than he ever would have been able to if he had been a part of L.A. Guns at the pinnacle of their career. Though this news may be terribly disheartening right now, please do not despair, do not give up hope. Simply remember the times Johnny and his Thunderbird put a smile on your face whenever you saw L.A. Guns live. Think back to when you first met him — how his presence alone was enough to fill your heart with joy, when you got the autograph on the inside of your CD booklet, when the picture of you and Johnny was taken after a show. Cherish those memories, for as long as you do, the benevolent spirit associated with Johnny Crypt will come to mind whenever anybody utters the name L.A. Guns. I speak for thousands of friends when I say, "Johnny, I'm going to miss you."

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