On Friday, August 25 J.D. Legends got slaughtered with the music and presence of one of the ‘90s most hard-hitting bands. Slaughter missed the glam era coming out with 1990’s Stick It To Ya cementing their legacy with immediate hits “Up All Night,” “Fly to the Angels,” and “Mad About You” among others. Though they did flirt with the ’80s and Elm Street with Vinnie Vincent.
It was great seeing Mark Slaughter, Dana Strum, Blas Elias and Jeff Bland stick it to the crowd live like it was the ‘90s all over again. Though they’re still celebrated on Hair Nation, they missed the spandex and hairspray or refused to wear it, by the turn of the decade.
They spared no hit that evening playing a healthy assortment of debut tunes and a select amount from The Wild Life. A decade or more had come and gone but they still played with vigor, youth and excitement. Strum’s bass even bore a similar shade to a guitar in Wayne’s World.
The B-Man John Bolio MC’d the night introducing both bands telling a few road stories. The guiltiest of Guilty Pleasure’s started the evening with a barrage of ‘80s and ‘90s covers by the biggest and best of the a joining decades. They got started with some pretty, painted up Poison and some sweet and deadly “Love on the Rocks.” We went to back to the ‘80s Sunset Strip and probably any given bar or venue at the time, right into the men’s room stall and a lucky number on the “Bathroom Wall,” until it was changed to Buick.
Guns blazed loud and loaded on “Never Enough.” The crowd rocked out with Dokken’s take on love while the sky filled with hallucinogenic trippy clouds with “Fly High Michele.” The Crüe said, “Don’t Go Away Mad,” While Jani Lane sent a supernatural sing along from “Heaven.”
The crowd rocked out with Dokken’s take on love while the sky filled with hallocinagenic, trippy clouds with “Fly High Michele.” The Crue said, “Don’t go Away Mad,” While Jani Layne sent a supernatural sing along from “Heaven.”
Back in the ‘90s a lot of people needed a lot of “Patience” waiting on GNR to show up. Bon Scott bellowed out his credo from beyond on the hell scorched highway. Rhino Bucket got one more “One Night Stand” and Def Leppard continued to “Let it Rock.
From the late ‘80s Vegas Strip to their decade’s long journey to Franklin, Slaughter was still a welcomed invasion as Elias emerged pouncing the skins. Their logo wrapped in flames lit up the stage as “Mad About You” started all the crazy things you do with the first live representative of Stick It To Ya. The large screen sprayed images of logos, titles and lyrics along with graphics with visual representations of the songs, like a follow-scream along.
Their reputation still held strong bringing them from town to town, rocking crowds and “Burning Bridges” where needed. “Spend My Life” brought back every girls dream fantasy and rock stars lifestyle.
You can never go wrong with some Led to the head as Zeppelin got some shouted covered love on the “Immigrant Song,” Elias took his time beating the crap out of his kit while a very animated, lit-up Muppet appeared on screen.
Strum performed like he had mastered lightning in a bottle giving both sides face time and plenty of guitar pics, glistening in the evening air, sweating with all smiles. Slaughter took a more subtle approach, whether mic or guitar in hand, but no less the showman. Slaughter had stuck it to father time as well. Music is the fountain of youth and we were all there to drink from the holy audio grail.
They took advantage of the ‘ego-ramp’ stepping over speakers and drinks to greet the closest and most dedicated Slaughter soldiers. “The Wild Life” stoked the flames, lit fires and summoned the party chaos as a selected tune from their sophomore set. “Days Gone By” summoned past emotional and musical nostalgia along with phones and lighters before the sky-high mega ballad came.
The knife throwing continued as the eternal carnival lights still blazed bright, illuminating the clouds and Ferris wheel as unknown assailants played sharpening games with the revolving woman. “Real Love” brought back the 90210 vibe of the West Coast ‘90s.
They saved their biggest hits for last as “Fly to the Angels” soared through the evening sky while day walkers and vampires crossed sunset paths, prowling the streets. The weekend had come and everyone was alive and “Up All Night.”
Slaughter’s a great example of bands that came to popularity right after the ‘80s glam-slam and though they’re often categorized in that era and often tour and play with those acts, they’re a reminder of the ‘90s and beyond with heavier songs and MTV Headbangers Ball fanfare before grunge ruined the party.
They’re proof that the long arm of the ‘80s reached into the early ‘90s and produced offspring without makeup and hairspray. The night was proof that glam and hard rock never, truly went away despite being told to never mind.
Something wicked came in the best of ways, whether you first saw them in the ‘90s, were a repeat attendee and offender or were late to the party a few decades but eventually made it. They delivered. Check out the new collectors editions of The Wild Life.
Images/Words – Mike Ritchie
Slaughter – www.slaughterusa.com
Guilty Pleasure – www.facebook.com/GP80srock
