POP/SNEAK PEEK : DEATH ROW RECORDS STORY TOLD IN NEW BOOK.

Byline: - Fred Shuster

Ronin Ro, author of the first book to reveal the often astounding truth behind violence-plagued gangsta-rap label Death Row Records, says he's not looking over his shoulder as a result of his revelations.

``I get scared sometimes, and some people may perceive me as a snitch, but I'm a big believer in right and wrong,'' Ro said.

Ro's just-published book, ``Have Gun Will Travel: The Spectacular Rise and Violent Fall of Death Row Records'' (Doubleday; $23.95), tells the story of Marion ``Suge'' Knight, described by Ro as ``the most intimidating executive the music industry had ever seen.''

Responsible for turning gangsta-rap into a multimillion-dollar business, label chief Knight broke platinum-sellers from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tupac Shakur and others while surrounded by Compton gang members enlisted as security.

``Suge's men were the Tonton Macoutes of hip-hip,'' Ro said, referring to Papa Doc's much-feared gang, which terrorized Haiti for years. ``His biggest downfall were the people around him.

``At the beginning, when the company was producing music and Dre was on board, they had a professional reputation. When Dre left, Suge's job became keeping these cutthroats and stumblebums where he could see them.''

Knight is serving a nine-year state prison sentence for parole violations, and Death Row is under investigation by federal authorities for allegations of weapons trafficking, drug dealing, tax evasion and money laundering.

``I really don't think Suge will be that upset (by the book),'' Ro said.

New York-based Ro, who spent time researching ``Have Gun Will Travel'' in Las Vegas - where Shakur was murdered - and Los Angeles, said he applauded Snoop Doggy Dogg for leaving Death Row and signing with another rap label.

``Snoop says he fears for his life, and I know what he's talking about,'' Ro said. ``These people are capable of doing anything for money.''

More Mavericks

Country-rockers the Mavericks are taking an expanded band on the road this spring.

``We've added a horn section, percussionist and backup vocalist,'' explained singer Raul Malo. ``The larger band is not as spontaneous because you have this whole other factor to deal with. But there's still plenty of room for anything to happen.''

The Mavericks appear May 8 at the Greek Theatre in support of their new album, ``Trampoline'' (MCA), which received a four-star review in Rolling Stone.

``The way the record was made, we recorded everything live, like the old blues and Motown stuff,'' Malo said. ``In the end, we cut 18 songs in seven days, with just two or three overdubs.''

A busy Spanish Kitchen

Local buzz band Spanish Kitchen has two area dates next week. The quartet appears Tuesday at the El Rey Theatre in a free show and Thursday at Hollywood Moguls.

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Photo: no caption (Book cover - Have Gun Will Travel: The Spectacular Rise and Violent Fall of Death Row Records)