The Hairband Experience Sprayed Hysteria and Adrenaline In Franklin ’80s Style
Friday April, 5 The Hairband Experience of Ratt, Poison and Def Leppard came to Franklin and J.D. Legends in the forms of Rat Trap, Rock of Love and Armageddon. Granted Leppard, predates the L.A. glam metal scene by a few years but are still lumped into the scene much like Ozzy’s ’80s output and some of Kiss’s unmasked material. With J.D. Legends making sure the ’80s are represented year round inside and out by tributes or the bands that lived and made the scene happen.
The Hairband Experience provides tributes to the bands covered that night along with Bon Jovi, Tesla and more. It didn’t matter the age or how many decades you had on your belt so far. The crowd was a multi-age merry-go-round proving, the music spawned by decadence and mega-loud clothes is as memorable and immortal as the glam gods and goddess’s that created it.
The opening Rat Trap served up hot and vintage rodent with nine Pearcy sized bites. They started with an “Insane” trip straight Out of the Cellar. With seven albums to choose from love got real f’n dirty but somebody’s gotta do it. The cellar dwellers continued with “Back for More,” One of the streets heavy hitters, somewhere down south came with steel guitar, “Way Cool Jr.”
Privacy was punctured two-fold on “You’re in Love.” and “Lay it Down.” There was no infestation or newer tunes though the rat pack probably wanted to keep the tunes in the ’80s vein, though they did slip a few years into the ’90s, staying clear of grunge.
A popular Berle’d pounding came from the attic and dinner table going “Round & Round.” “Wanted Man” blinded everyone with some Weird Science. Overall the crowd seemed happy with the selection though a few fan favorites didn’t make the set time; it would’ve been way cool to go on a Point Break inspired ride. The evening’s first dose of glam went down cool and smooth.
The Aqua Net came out heavier and more flammable with Rock of Love. Bret & CC weren’t there but the sunset strip symbolically shined brighter offering nothing but a good time. The first band of the night that’s recently seen stadium stages got some love from the band and crowd. Starting with some nasty feline finesse and OMG, “Look What the Cat Dragged In. One of the videos that stapled the glam scene, got some action and satisfaction.
Memories rode the wind inked on Flesh & Blood for life. If you couldn’t afford a late night 900 number conversation, the boys were willing to talk dirty, females only. The video that gave Michaels some freezer time, “Something to Believe In” played its ballad-like licks.
The boomer generation got some old fashion attention with our folks lack of dance and R&R. There’s many names for it, but Poison made it sound danceable and unskinny. One of the greatest ballads of the decade was next, and if you believe the story, was written in a laundry mat after an ill-timed call home. The stories that filled the boulevard of broken dreams with timeless tales of youth and innocence seduced by fame and fortune rang tried and true like a sweet “Fallen Angel.”
The show ended with the glam equivalent to “Rock n’ Roll All Night” minus the pyro and streamers “Nothing but a Good Time” hit the speakers. It’s arguable they were the KISS of glam as Michaels once said, KISS didn’t wear enough makeup. They definitely earned their ‘cake’ and ate plenty, probably winning the flier wars and using the most staples and tape to do it.
It took a few years… or decades but everyone finally got it with “Armageddon It.” Though some of us don’t require a hairdryer in the face anymore. The pyro was set to spark on old school classic “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop).” Fans were put in a permanent state of Hysteria in the ’80s mesmerized and seduced by powerful performance videos and countless MTV megahits including the carnal carnival cravings of “Animal.” “Let It Go” went High ‘n’ Dry while “Love Bites” broke out the ballads. “Foolin” brought forth the inflamed harp player. The Adrenalize‘d ’90s came knocking with seven-day weekends to “Get Rocked.” The lady of the lake summoned her wayward travelers, their quest, to travel on the river Styx, even Spinal Tap had an easier route to the stage, “Bringin’ on the Heartache.” Marilyn Monroe got immortal facetime courtesy of the ‘glam’ eras “Photograph” of her. We took a calm, cool, mellow trip down the road of “Hysteria.” Things got amped up, sugary sweet and quick, from our heads to our feet. One of the coolest concert videos of its time. “Rock of Ages” ended the official tributes though the band kept rolling with a few more tunes.
They played an odd and unique encore with a diverse scattering of unrelated rock tunes fit for Hair Nation or WTUE. Night Ranger said, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” Van Halen got some love with “Jump.” “Anyway You Want It” was the nights last Journey before the ultimate party anthem, “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
Images/Words Mike Ritchie.