“Rip and Tear” is track three on Cocked & Loaded (1989) and one of the album’s clearest statements of intent. Recorded in Hollywood in spring 1989 and produced by Duane Baron, John Purdell, and Tom Werman, it pushes late-'80s glam metal with extra bite. Coming right after the opener and “Slap in the Face,” it’s where the record snaps into gritty, street-level swagger.
Musically, it’s pure momentum — short, punchy, and built around a huge chorus, with room for Tracii Guns’ signature bite. The production stays loud and immediate while the rhythm section drives hard. Lyrically, it leans into confrontation and weaponized confidence that matches the track’s aggressive forward motion.
Released as a single in 1989, “Rip and Tear” helped set the tone for Cocked & Loaded. It gained rock-radio traction before “The Ballad of Jayne” broke bigger and remains essential because it captures L.A. Guns leveling up without losing their grime.
The official video plays like a straight 1989 promo — performance-driven, style-heavy, and built to sell attitude. Later appearing on the 1990 video release Love, Peace & Geese, it stands as a time capsule of late-'80s hard rock energy.
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