Saturday September 19, two bands synonymous with the Sunset Strip and 80’s-mid 90’s Hollywood decadence came to Franklin to play the songs that gave them the fame and infamy their known for at JD Legends. When MTV reigned and Headbangers Ball was the go to source for all things metal. LA Guns, have proven to be among the everlasting work horses of that era, still touring and releasing new music over 25 years later across the country, the world and still haunting the Whisky when in town. The fans haven’t forgotten about Jayne. The black and white leather clad (depending on video) down boys, Warrant, formed in the early 80’s recognized and hailed by millions for some sweet videos and a vixen or two. Major success came in the late 80s-early 90’s with Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich and Cherry Pie, continuing with Dog Eat Dog and Ultraphobic in the face of grunge. Lineup changes happened including Jani Lane’s eventual departure, new vocalist Jaime St. James on Born Again then a brief original member reunion. After Lane’s passing in 2011 the band went forward with current, ex-Lynch Mob lead vocalist Robert Mason.
Dayton’s Crystalfish warmed up the sand and ‘beach crowd’ with some rocking covers with originals coming soon. It was a special Saturday night so they pulled out some Skynyrd and the “Saturday Night Special.” The nationals have made their “Dirty Deeds” legendary so it was time for Crystalfish to start their own with Bon Scott’s mean-spirited but funny how-to tune.
Bush offered some moments of “Zen.” Then they went pre-Pyromania on Leppard’s “Switch 625.” They took a Journey to the classics on “Anyway You Want It,” finishing with a three punch power shot of Classic Van Halen with “Dance the Night Away,” “Little Dreamer” and “Somebody Get Me a Doctor.”
The West Coast Sunset Strip scorchers started like it was ’88 all over again with “No Mercy.” They Cocked and Loaded early for a loud and proud “Showdown (Riot on Sunset),” then got into some “Sex Action.” Some more bullets came from ’89 with “Never Enough,” and the wish of many women in attendance “I wanna be Your Man.”
The Hollywood Vampires finally showed some fangs on the dramatically charged “Over the Edge.” The sun blazed roads burned under their “Wheels of Fire.” Known by lore, legend or fact, they’re still Waking the Dead at the “Hellraiser’s Ball.”
Dedicated to their favorite West Hollywood lady friend with a taste for leather “Gypsy Soul” was our first Tales from the Strip. They gave “One More Reason” to love the old-school and for the gear heads revved the engine of the always faithful “Electric Gypsy.”
In a spinal tap like moment, the lights went up and house music played, only to have the band return for an encore.
The song that put them on the map and many came for, remains one of music’s enduring mysterious, what happened to Jayne? They finished, emptying the chamber with a loud “Rip and Tear.”
Warrant opened with those damn “D.R.F.S.R.” From the filthy rich it didn’t take long to go where the “Down Boys” go. They offered the first taste of fruit on “Sure Feels Good to Me.” The evening’s first tune from the Robert Mason era started with Rockaholic’s “The Last Straw.”
The first of the power ballads came out with a few lighters and a sea of cell phone glows for “Sometimes She Cries.” The wet downer “Mr. Rainmaker” showed up but couldn’t take away little miss sunshine.
“So Damn Pretty (Should be against the law)” followed the underrated ballad “Blind Faith.” They finally got dirty with the dogs pulling out the “Machine Gun.” The crowd screamed for the opening acoustic chords of “Heaven.” Next, the hard luck story of Desiree under the motel light’s, needs her “Bed of Roses.”
One more shot from the Rockaholic Mason on “Sex Ain’t Love.” The symbolic candles burned and roses fell for “I Saw Red.” It was a nice night but Mason asked if it was OK if we all went down south, somewhere hot, where secrets are dumped, buried and forgotten. Just for the record, we went down to “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
They came back ready to serve up their signature tune. A cool drink of water was needed for that sweet “Cherry Pie.”
Sponsored by AAA Wastewater and Voodoo Tattoo’s.
All images by Mike Ritchie
