'80s
Music |
Ratt was just good dirty fun. Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini & co. (you sound like an authority on the subject if you name some band members) made really fun, rokken songs about chicks and... chicks. Their songs are deceptively hard to play. The ultimate '80s dude would drive an IROC, have a BMX mullet, wear a red leather jacket and acid-washed jeans while blasting Ratt on the stereo. |
If there ever was a metal band that should have plain white album covers with the word 'METAL' on them, it should be Armored Saint. They're not speed metal, doom metal, death metal or thrash metal. They are just metal. Armored Saint, in my opinion (the world's smartest), was one of the three greatest bands of the eighties, along with Metallica and the next band in this list. John Bush (now with Anthrax) has an extremely powerful growl while still being able to hit the high notes. The late Dave Pritchard's guitar work was flat-ass amazing, Joey Vera's bass kicks your skull in, and Gonzo can drum his ass off. You really need to buy one of their albums. Now. Why are you still reading this? You're supposed to be in the metal section of the record store by now. Dumbass. |
Iron Maiden was probably the most famous New Wave of British Heavy Metal band. Have you ever heard a band with twin harmonizing lead guitars? It's quite an experience. Not only that, but Iron Maiden had Steve Harris, regarded by any critic with half a brain as the best metal bassist in history (with Cliff Burton and "metal friendly" Les Claypool running second and third). Bruce Dickinson is a wailer, able to reach insanely high notes. Amazing. |
Def Leppard started out as a New Wave of British Heavy Metal band, and then went on to mainstream success with party anthems about drinking and women. Their very early stuff (late '70s) is NWOBHMtastic, while still retaining the mostly fun vibe of their later songs. I saw them live in Huntington, West Virginia, in the fall of 2000. It was totally rad to the max! |
Blondie carried a lot of attitude in their songs and on stage. So much attitude that each time I see a picture of Debbie Harry, I think even more that she wants me. Why else would she write songs that say "Call me for some overtime", "One way or another, I'm gonna find ya... I'll getcha, getcha, gitcha, gitcha, gitcha", and "I will drive past your house"? "Call Me" would make a great speed metal song. |
Dokken was a huge band in the '80s, but is not remembered as well as Guns 'N Roses, Poison, or Def Leppard. Dokken was so important to '80s music that between '85 and '88, the spelling of "Rockin" was changed to "Rokken". Check a dictionary from that era and you'll see what I mean. George Lynch is a really, really good guitar player, so good that his signature ESP guitar retails for $2500. Too bad that he couldn't get along with the rest of the band. |
This band was an '80s classic. You can just lie back in your white recliner, crank this band up in your bright yellow waterproof Sony Walkman, and smoke a Now cigarette. You would then be in '80s heaven. Plus, one of their videos had 3-wheelers in it! |
You've come a long way, baby. A really long way.
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