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The time is ripe for all our fave spandex clad rockers of the 80s to congregate with package tours, Brazilian mega-concerts , and reunion shows at Sunset Strip clubs. Here is a brief run-down of the major summer show -
Enuff Z'nuff, the only band in this quadruple play with any sort of musical credibility, are billed last. Perhaps the fact that they did their make-up a little too well back there in 1991 dulled folks to their songs, which were actually hummable and melodic Fly High, Michele, etc. As for Warrant, the vision of band members as current day computer programmers and such, courtesy of one of those "where are they now" shows, is firmly ingrained in my mind. Just how are they going to squeeze into those spangly, spandexy outfits again is beyond me. The lead singer, Jani Lane, used to be passably cute in a sleepy eyed kinda way. Now, he's pretty bloated, and barely recognizable as the star of such stellar videos as Cherry Pie and Heaven.Their ballads, like Heaven and I See Red were their best material, and they'd probably be played on the radio today if a non-glam rock band had recorded them. What can one say about Poison that hasn't already been said? Like Warrant, the only song Remotely memorable is the "monster ballad" Every Rose Has Its Thorn. Poison is a prime example of a band known for everything but their music - groupies by the busful, a terminally obnoxious guitar player, a singer who was Pam's boy-toy before Tommy. And does anyone remember the video they shot after the L.A. riots with a church choir from South Central doing back-up vocals? That was a long-forgotten last gasp. This video was similar in tactic to Warrant donning flannel shirts and trying to be hard-edged on a song called Machine Gun. Quiet Riot? Talk about a quick ascension to the top of the charts, and an equally drastic slide down. In by '83, out by '85. Like all the other bands mentioned above, the real purpose of their music and persona was sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. When rock critics back in the day (or today) ream them, they miss the point. If you want music that is going to single-handedly save the whales and free oppressed third world people or make progressive music aficionados express their appreciation, go elsewhere. This is just dumb, mindless party music, and there's no harm in that. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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