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Written by Donovan Henderson - View Profile
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Thursday, 20 April 2006 |
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It's a question challenging the intellects of today's most brilliant historians: What is the definition of an ’80s Hair Band?Think about it; it's not that easy. The 1980s is a decade famous for its decadence and its one-hit wonders and, I'll admit, its cheesy "metal" music. I, however, loved it.But there are hairs to split when it comes to what constituents a Hair Band and what doesn't. A band that went with the 80s trend of big hair is not necessarily a Hair Band.Aerosmith, for example, had poofy hair in the ’80s but they are by no means a Hair Band. The quintessential Hair Band, I think, is Poison. Doesn't get any more Hair than that.During a recent poker night with the fellas, this conversation came up, went on and on, and eventually we got stuck on this vexing problem: Is Van Halen a Hair Band?The answer, of course, is no. But we had one member of the crew who insisted, and still does, that Van Halen is a Hair Band because they had big hair (which they did.)How does that make sense?See if you follow: Bands like Aerosmith and Van Halen, who established themselves as credible rockers in the 1970s, are therefore excluded from the "negative" brush that comes with being called a Hair Band. (Understanding that many a child of the 80s like myself don't consider Hair Bands a bad thing.)However, there is an exception to that exception. One of the all-time greats, KISS, not a Hair Band in the 70s, most certainly was in the ’80s once members lost the makeup.Exclusions don't end there.There are bands that started in the ’80s that, even though they had "hair," will never, ever be Hair Bands. Metallica leaps to mind. Other metal bands that aren't "Hair," would include, but not be limited to, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Queen, and so forth.Here are a dozen Hair Bands, in no particular order, that you can hear on 94.3 Max-FM, one of my favorite radio stations.1. Poison2. Bon Jovi3. RATT4. Def Leppard5. Guns 'n Roses6. Cinderella7. Whitesnake8. White Lion9. Nelson10. Winger11. Great White12. Motley CrüeHave any others? Don't agree with my "rules"? Let me hear what you think. I wrote this at 2 in the morning, so faulty logic or glaring exclusions can be blamed on that, and too much exposure to the fantastic tunes of the 80s. | |
Where's yours?
Written by Jared on 2006-04-24 07:57:38
You need to post a pic of your "metal" hair now that you don't have any!
BTW, I think the main problem is that bands like Winger, Nelson, White Lion and a few other (most of Poison, too), gave hair metal the bad rap.
I think we need two classifications: 80's metal and Posers. The bands I mentioned previously (and MANY others) are Posers; while all the good bands (from Van Halen and Metallica to Guns and Roses and AC/DC) are just 80's metal.
Another thing, if you are going to use hair metal, I think the argument could be made that GNR ended the hair metal genre. Sure, their first video (Welcome to the Jungle) was one of the grandest over-uses of hairspray, but everything after was pretty much straight rocker stuff. Not glam, just rock. |
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Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. |
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
| | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
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|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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