Courtney Gains has appeared on screen with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, but his musical pedigree is equally impressive. Courtney first hit the LA music scene in the 90s with his band The Gathering, which was a part of the coffee house/unplugged scene. In 1999, Gains put out a solo record featuring the song “Journey Man.” The song was produced by Guns n’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, with Slash on lead guitar. The critically-acclaimed tune was in heavy rotation on college radio. In 2006, he fronted the band Benny Bliss and the Disciples of Greatness, which spun off a rock and roll anti-technology road comedy film.
In November 2009, Ripple Street was formed with Courtney on guitar and vocals. Once satisfied with the original material they worked up, Ripple Street recorded their first EP in 2012. In 2017, the band put out their first full-length LP. Working with such musicians as Derek O’Brien of Social Distortion (drums), Michael Hatley, and Greg Hetson of Bad Religion (guitars), the ‘cruise grunge’ sound was born. Courtney recently worked with Bruce Kulick (KISS) and Doug Blair (W.A.S.P.) on “Dreams in The Witch House”- an HP Lovecraftian metal rock opera. In 2021 Gains put out an acoustic five-song EP, Acoustic Gains Vol. 1. Several of Gains’ songs were featured in films. In 2024, the ep Safe Haven was put out on digital
and CD formats through Fake Fangs Records. Safe Haven was written, recorded, and produced by Courtney Gains.
Gains achieved success during the 1980s with a variety of roles in films such as Children of the Corn, Hardbodies, Lust in the Dust, Back to the Future, Can't Buy Me Love, Secret Admirer, Colors, The 'Burbs, and Memphis Belle. Later films include Sweet Home Alabama, Dorm Daze (which he also executive-produced), Desolation Canyon, and a cameo in Rob Zombie's Halloween remake. In addition to his film work, Gains appeared in the video games Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger, LA Noire and guest-starred on episodes of various television series, including Seinfeld, Monk, In the Heat of the Night, ER, JAG, Nash Bridges, Diagnosis: Murder, Charmed, Alias and My Name is Earl. Most recently, Gains voiced the role of Labrat on GTA: Los Santos Drug Wars, a two-part online video game. He also stars as Twig, a banjo-playing militia member in the 2023 action horror The Wrath of Becky, which premiered at SXSW.
Become a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
