Top 10 New-School Hair Metal Bands
Posted by Allyson B. Crawford
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10. Black Veil Brides
MySpace
The band formed in southern Ohio back in 2006 and, like any good hair metal band, has weathered a slew of lineup changes. A mix of metalcore and hair metal, Black Veil Brides have somehow carved out their own sound while still being commercial enough to garner both album sales and slots at big festivals. Constantly made-up to look like 'Shout at the Devil' era Mötley Crüe, the band loves all the trappings of big 80s metal: makeup, fire and explosions, especially in videos.
Key track: 'The Legacy'
Key track: 'The Legacy'
9. Reckless Love
Universal
These Finnish rockers wear their influences on their collective sleeves. Think big hooks, big solos, big hair and you've got the gist. For Reckless Love, the 80s party never really ended. The band's self-titled debut came out via Universal last year and special "cool edition" features an acoustic cover of the Def Leppard classic 'Hysteria.' Since that time, they've played the Download Festival and started work on a new album.
Key track: 'Beautiful Bomb'
Key track: 'Beautiful Bomb'
8. Gemini Five
Michael Johanssen
There must have been something in the water in Sweden at the turn of the new millennium. Gemini Five formed in 2001 and have been called Sweden's answer to Mötley Crüe. The band has released several albums since 2005, including their most recent 'Black Anthem.' Gemini Five give fans a mix of hard rockers and power ballads – just like your favorite bands "back in the day." According to the band's Facebook page, some Gemini Five footage and album covers will be used in the upcoming Tom Cruise movie, 'Rock of Ages.'
Key track: 'When the Body Speaks'
Key track: 'When the Body Speaks'
7. Crazy Lixx
Crazy Lixx
Crazy Lixx formed in Sweden in 2002 and has a close Hardcore Superstar connection. Crazy Lixx toured as support for the latter in 2008 and when they needed a new guitarist, the band chose the former's axeman Vic Zino to fill the void. After finding a new guitarist, Crazy Lixx released 'New Religion' last year via Frontiers. Alongside Hardcore Superstar and Crashdiet, Crazy Lixx are pleased to take their spot among the "New Wave of Swedish Sleaze."
Key track: 'Want It'
Key track: 'Want It'
6. The Last Vegas
The Last Vegas
The Last Vegas [of Chicago, Illinois, not Nevada] rose to fame thanks to Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx. The band won Guitar Center's On-Stage contest, with a chance to open for the legendary rockers. After winning and hitting the road with Mötley, The Last Vegas signed to Eleven Seven Records, of which Sixx is president. The Last Vegas released 'Whatever Gets You Off' in 2008.
Key track: 'Whatever Gets You Off'
Key track: 'Whatever Gets You Off'
5. Lynam
Lynam
The Birmingham, Alabama rockers might not classify themselves as a hair metal act, but the songs say otherwise. When singer/guitarist Jacob Lynam sits down to write, something magical happens and out comes a complex guitar riff with melodic vocals... and a gang chorus. It doesn't get more party metal than that. Plus, there are songs about porn stars and parties. Bassist Mark Lynam [real name Mark Dzier] will also be featured in the movie 'Rock of Ages.'
Key track: 'Tanis'
Key track: 'Tanis'
4. Hardcore Superstar
MySpace
The Swedish metallers might not be so widely known in the US, but former 'American Idol' contestant James Durbin is trying to change that. He recently tweeted his love for the group and even went so far as to say he wants his album to sound like them. The band has been around since the late '90s, making the members major stars in their homeland with several number #1 hits and Swedish Grammy wins. The band released 'Split Your Lip' earlier this year.
Key track: 'We Don't Celebrate Sundays'
Key track: 'We Don't Celebrate Sundays'
3. Bad City
Atlantic
It only took a couple years for Chicago's Bad City to land a major label deal with Atlantic and capture the attention of Paul Stanley and Billy Corgan. Then the band toured with Hinder and Slash... and released their debut album, 'Welcome to the Wasteland,' last summer. The guys in Bad City don't like the label hair metal, but they have no problem finding inspiration in the band's from the golden era of the sound. Just because you don't have big hair doesn't mean you're not glam.
Key track: 'Take Me for a Ride'
Key track: 'Take Me for a Ride'
2. Crashdiet
Gustaf Sandholm Andersson
The Swedish rockers were apparently the first glam band signed by a major label [Universal] in a decade and for good reason. The band has had three frontmen since forming in 2000. Singer Dave Lepard died in 2006, and was replaced by H. Olliver Twisted [who now sings for Reckless Love under the name Olli Herman]. Their current vocalist is Simon Cruz. Crashdiet has released an album with each singer with their most recent being 2010's 'Generation Wild.' They recently filmed their performance at Sweden Rock Festival for an upcoming DVD.
Key track: 'Riot in Everyone'
Key track: 'Riot in Everyone'
1. Steel Panther
Universal
Steel Panther is a parody act, albeit one signed to a major label [Republic]. The band isn't new – the act started as Danger Kitty, then Metal Shop, later became Metal Skool and finally Steel Panther. Parody or not, the musicians in Steel Panther are top notch and have real glam street cred. Singer Michael Starr was in LA Guns for awhile [under his real name Ralph Saenz] and guitarist Satchel [Russ Parrish] worked with both Jeff Pilson [Dokken] and Rob Halford. The group walks around in spandex, uses hairspray on stage, make inappropriate jokes – and rakes in the big bucks while doing so. Steel Panther is currently working on a new album.
Key track: 'Death to All But Metal'
Key track: 'Death to All But Metal'
Filed under: Top Ten Lists
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