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The La's

1 guitar song · Tabs, Lessons & Tone Guide Rock

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Band Overview

The Las emerged from Liverpool in the late 1980s as part of the baggy and Madchester movement, though their sound leaned more toward jangly British pop-rock than acid house. The band, fronted by Lee Mavers with guitarist John Power as a core creative force, became known for their effortless blend of 1960s melodic sensibility with contemporary Alternative Rock energy. What makes The Las essential for guitarists is their mastery of the twelve-string acoustic-electric jangle, a technique that powered their breakthrough hits and remains deceptively difficult to execute with clarity and feel. The interplay between Power's rhythmic jangle work and the band's production choices created a textural template that influenced countless indie and alternative acts that followed. John Power's guitar work sits at the intersection of folk-influenced fingerpicking and power-pop energy; he wasn't a virtuoso by technical standards, but his songwriting instincts and tone choices were immaculate. Learning The Las requires discipline in rhythmic precision, understanding how to use a twelve-string for both texture and melody, and developing a feel for dynamics that lets a song breathe rather than overwhelm it. The band's relatively brief existence before lineup changes and hiatus means their catalogue is lean but potent, making every song a masterclass in efficiency and emotion.

What Makes The La's Essential for Guitar Players

  • Twelve-string jangle technique: Power achieves his signature sound through careful use of twelve-string acoustic and electric guitars, playing bright, open voicings with precise rhythmic subdivision. The key is muting technique and touch; too much aggression and the twelve-string becomes mushy, but too little and it loses definition.
  • Open chord voicings and folk-pop sensibility: The Las rely on major and minor chords played in open positions rather than complex jazz or jazz-fusion voicings. This approach teaches guitarists that harmonic sophistication comes from voice leading and song structure, not fingerboard gymnastics.
  • Minimal effects philosophy: Power's tone comes primarily from the guitar and amp interaction, with virtually no processing. This forces you to develop dynamics through hand position, pick attack, and volume control, which builds fundamental technique that works across any genre.
  • Rhythmic precision over flashy technique: Every note and rest is intentional; The Las groove on the pocket and rhythmic cohesion rather than speed or complexity. Learning their songs trains your ability to lock in with a rhythm section and understand why timing trumps chops.
  • Layered arrangement and production awareness: Many Las tracks feature multiple guitar parts recorded to create depth and movement. Guitarists benefit from studying how different voicings and octaves of the same chord can be stacked to build texture without clutter.

Did You Know?

John Power recorded 'There She Goes' on a relatively modest twelve-string acoustic-electric, proving that iconic tone comes from touch and songwriting, not expensive gear. The track's production is so clean and well-balanced that many guitarists assume it was recorded on a high-end studio instrument.

The Las were influenced by 1960s British Invasion bands like The Byrds and The Zombies, whose jangly twelve-string approach shaped their entire aesthetic. Power specifically cited these artists' use of the Rickenbacker twelve-string as foundational to his sound.

The band recorded much of their material during the peak of the Madchester movement, yet refused to fully embrace electronic production or drum machines, keeping live guitar front and center. This decision isolated them from some contemporaries but strengthened their identity.

Lee Mavers and John Power's songwriting partnership created some of the most immediately memorable melodies of the late 1980s, yet the band's limited output means their influence is often underestimated compared to more prolific acts from the era.

The Las' approach to guitar tone influenced the Britpop movement of the 1990s, with bands like Oasis and Blur borrowing elements of their jangly, melodic sensibility while adding harder rock elements.

Power's restraint as a lead guitarist is notable; he rarely takes extended solos, instead weaving melody into the fabric of arrangements. This teaches modern guitarists that knowing when NOT to play is often more powerful than technical fireworks.

Essential Albums for Guitarists

The Las 1990

The Las' self-titled debut is essential listening for its pristine twelve-string jangle work and melodic clarity. 'There She Goes' and 'Look Stay' showcase how to layer rhythm and melody guitars without creating mud; the arrangements are spacious enough that every note rings true, making this album a masterclass in production clarity and guitar tones.

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Tone & Gear

Guitar

John Power primarily used twelve-string acoustic-electric guitars, particularly models from the late 1980s that offered both warmth and clarity. The twelve-string format is crucial to his jangly signature tone; the octave doubling on the lower strings creates the shimmering effect that defines The Las sound. Power valued instruments with good sustain and balanced output across the frequency spectrum rather than heavily colored boutique models.

Amp

The Las recorded through relatively straightforward tube amplification that prioritized transparency and natural response. Clean-channel tube amps with moderate wattage were preferred to preserve the intricate detail of twelve-string arrangements. The goal was amplification without heavy coloration; the amp served to project the guitar's natural character rather than impose a distinctive signature tone.

Pickups

For acoustic-electric twelve-strings, Power relied on quality undersaddle or piezo pickups that capture the full frequency range of nylon and steel strings. The twelve-string format naturally produces a brighter, more complex harmonic palette than a six-string, and clean pickup technology was essential to translate that clarity into recorded and amplified sound.

Effects & Chain

The Las recordings feature virtually no effects processing on guitar; the tone comes directly from the instrument and amplifier. This minimalist approach was intentional and reflected the band's philosophy that great songs and careful playing eliminate the need for pedal chains. Power's dynamic touch and arrangement sense created all the movement and interest the music required.

How to Practice The La's on GuitarZone

Every The La's song page on GuitarZone includes a built-in Practice Toolbar. No app to download, no account needed. Open any song, then use the toolbar to slow the video to 0.5× speed, set an A/B loop around the exact riff you're working on, and jump between song sections instantly.

The toolbar appears automatically on every guitar tab, lesson, and cover page. Pick a song below, hit play, and start practicing at your own pace.

Practice There She Goes - Guitar Lesson