On Saturday, September 28, a night of hard, loud and adrenaline filled glam rock played the Blue Note stage in Harrison, OH. The venue accustomed to the likes of Enuff Z’ Nuff, Pretty Boy Floyd and Headliner Trixter had its walls rattled and roof shook by the still active and touring ’80s veterans and giants that filled the MTV airways. The show was both time-warp worship and proof that the ’80s scene, though decades behind us, is still around and proving its staying power in 2024 and beyond. New comers Band Inc. opened the show as the group of young upstarts, though too young for MTV, definitely knew the music of the nights ’80s anthem makers.
The sunset strip scene and sun has shined on L.A. since the ‘80s continuing to gleam its Aqua Net glow. Grunge may have hit with a few hard gut shots in the beginning but spandex, leather and big hair proved triumphant over “Teen Spirit”, Pearls and flannel, (though Trixter sported some in early videos).
New blood to most, Boston Mass’ heavy rockers Band Inc. started the evening scorching the stage early, prepping for the impending glam assault while spreading their own gospel to the crowd for mass consumption. Formed by vocalist/bassist Giuliana Lucia Amaral in 2018, they’ve already blazed an impressive highway to hell, not even needing to sell their souls quite yet. They’ve already supported the godfather of shock rock, Accept, Buck Cherry and what must have been an oddly unique evening for Dave Matthews fans. They’ve also spilled sweat and maybe blood on the sacred stage at The Whisky A Go Go. Amaral carried the energy and vibe of a young Sean Yseult, while strutting her mojo, a babe in her own toyland.
In a hell of an opener, she put foot down immediately establishing mission station and turf as the “Queen of Insanity.” Many have assuredly tried so far, but she’s put them all in their place speaking with attitude and perhaps a fist, “You’re Not The One.”
“Ruined Myself” roared to screaming life like a cannonball of self-expression. “Young N’ Reckless,” was a collective shared crowd mantra everyone had lived, and learned from, one way or another.
They went a few decades backwards hammering the gods with some good, all time “Rock and Roll.” It’s still good to know that Zeppelin’s respected by new generations and the standard blueprint for hard rock. They finished with a scorched earth policy of oil and gasoline spewed high speed by the “Midnight Rider.”
Amaral and Co. had the look, swagger and showmanship to go far. They could’ve fit in the ’80s or any decade after.
In true OG style, Pretty Boy Floyd celebrated choice cuts from their 1989 debut Leather Boyz with Electric Toyz, a collection that’s stood the test of trends and time. Visually and musically they radiated the evenings most authentic ’80s vibe. If you looked just at the stage you’d of been transported back to The Decline of Western Civilization or Headbangers Ball. It was a repeat appearance for them though they played a show just as star studded and energized, symbolically turning Harrison into The City of Angels. Steve Summers, Nick Mason, Dizzy Aster and DieTrich Thrall played through the fountain of youth taking everyone back to the glory days, proving they were one of the surviving acts that really did ‘make it.’
“Your Mama Won’t Know” told the ageless tale of the decade of decadence and what you could but probably shouldn’t of gotten away with back then. The ’80s were a different decade if you didn’t live it.
Like a lightning bolt through black painted fingertips, they were still “Leather Boyz with Electric Toyz,” waiving the Hollywood banner high and heavy. They probably have some storied staple gunned fliers in the basement or attic somewhere.
A good ole’ ballad never goes out of style or memory, as “Wild Angels” flew through the speakers and ears, illuminating cell phones and a few vintage lighters.
The engines roared as attitudes cranked harder than straight shots of Jack Daniels, playing like “Rock n’ Roll Outlaws” till the reaper climbed aboard for the ride.
It was a two-day bender with a “48 Hours” get out of work free card to commit as much mayhem, damage and debauchery as possible and pay the price the next day, however you saw fit.
The arena lights still shown bright for those classic power ballads. There weren’t roses or sweet children around but Floyd still had the power to pen a classic, “I wanna be with You.”
In a hail of gangster gunfire and blazing bullets “Rock n Roll” rained down in full-blast tommy gun action style, they were gonna set the night on fire one way or another.
Chip Z’Nuff and crew celebrated their library of historical licks, riffs, rockers and ballads, also celebrating the band that influenced basically every band in existence, from Liverpool. The Fab Four made fine complimentary set fellows with Z’Nuff’s glam polished, psychedelic ‘60s flair. It was time to tune in and drop out, totally radically.
For old-schoolers hearing a ‘80s glam set begin with “The Magical Mystery Tour” was surreal, rare and probably the most nostalgic thing possible. Something wicked came, that wasn’t terror-fying but over the big top and clown embracing. The peace, love and non-brutal violence started with “Kiss The Clown.”
Things got crazy with the locomotive whistle and chugga chugga choo choo on “The Love Train.” They showed lasting power and Strength on “Baby Loves You,” getting their wings via McCartney and the “Jet” setting pioneers.
The song that put them firmly in the mega-ballad spotlight was next, flying high with historical MTV airplay and the song Z’Nuff said every other glam band wish they’d written. They didn’t need no steel horse or sweet home, with its unmistakable drum intro and guitar band Michelle enchanted the crowd to the clouds, back to the late ‘80s.
They were definitely a “New Thing” in the beginning, bringing bright colors and a ‘60s psychedelic vibe to the spandex drenched video landscape. Michele may have been an acid-trip video for its time, though “New Thing” was the graffiti splattered intro to their glam/hydro-colored world.
Members of Band Inc. came back out to celebrate honoring Z’Nuff and the music everyone grew up on. Unbeknownst to the crowd, it was a preview of the evenings Trixter led grand finale.
The Hardrock Nite ended in tribute to their wonder years, with a little help from the crowd. Though the modern day version didn’t need all the bombast or hair. Great songs, guitar pick tricks, a young guitarist playing double duty, The Beatles, some ’80s classics and modern material kept the crowds coming back.
Trixter came forth, giving it to everyone good from the first note to the final group R&R party. Steve Brown, P.J. Farley and Ben Hans rocked the stage and crowd better and harder then you’d think a trio could do. Brown told stories several times between tunes about band history, road insanity and recording certain songs. The crowd even got a rare Dial MTV reference, for those that remembered or called in.
The “Rockin’ Horse” has rocked back and forth since 1992. They drew a line on stage, marking territory with debut first track “Line in the Sand.”
Ink machines buzzed with bars burning as “Tattoos and Misery” called on the New Audio Machine, speaking the tale of hangover’s, toxic encounters, and new ink you woke up with, with no memory of when, where, why or how.
Early ‘90s nostalgia knocked, with a black gloved hand remembering the cherished “Road of a Thousand Dreams.”
Newest juice “Human Era” took the road of memories and knowledge/experience gained. Don’t call it a comeback, they’ve been there before. A little bit older and bolder, the stage floor keeps them immortal. Though the all-hours diner is always open, regardless of year, decade or tour.
“Surrender” was a classic deeper cut though it got the video treatment. Paul Simon got some love on “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” setting yourself free.
MTV got turned on full blast with part two of the patterned ’80s release plan with the power ballad/concert footage of, “One in a Million.”
“Waiting in that Line” turned up the heaviness with its slow heavy groove, slink and grind. Then the time machine garage door opened to global exposure to give it to Harrison good. In 2024, they were rockers with plenty to say.
KISS kept the party going till the very end, “Rock and Roll All Nite” kicked off as everyone came out for one last extended performance, crowd appreciation, salute. It was a star studded party and as close to a KISS stage could be without pyro, confetti and explosions. It was band/crew camaraderie and showmanship with some friendly shredding competition.
If you came only knowing the hits, you got a loud and proud education of each bands library and introduction to new blood.
It’s amazing how many bands MTV openly, proudly celebrated in the ‘80s/early ‘90s, slammed the door on for grunge, and have long since outlasted the station and its influence. Though the station and name still exist, its pretty ridiculous. Trixter among many other active glam masters proved, grunge won the first couple rounds, historically speaking, but as modern day glam metal shows prove, they rope-a-doped, with a spandex wrapped flannel fist of their own.
Images & Words: Mike Ritchie
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