After some early lineup changes, the group – consisting of vocalist Phil Lewis, lead guitarist Tracii Guns, rhythm guitarist Mick Cripps, bassist Kelly Nickels and drummer Nickey Alexander – signed with PolyGram and released its self-titled debut album in 1988.

[1] It reached number 50 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[2][3] Alexander was replaced by Steve Riley,[1] and the 1989 follow-up Cocked & Loaded reached number 38 on the Billboard 200.

[8] The classic lineup of Lewis, Guns, Cripps, Nickels and Riley reunited in 1999 to record Cocked & Re-Loaded, a new version of the group's second album.

[9] 2001's Man in the Moon featured Mark "Muddy Stardust" Dutton on bass,[10] and 2002's Waking the Dead was recorded by a four-piece lineup of Lewis, Guns, Riley and Adam Hamilton, after which founding member Guns left the band.