Who cut the cheese? Forays into hair metal

[dinosaurkale->]

There were a couple of bands who ended up part of that scene because of their probably label-mandated big hair, but were really good power pop, Enuff Z'Nuff are probably the most famous but I was really thinking of Candy. They looked like Poison but sounded more like the Raspberries, which I suppose might preclude them from being genuine hair metal, but they're well worth a listen.

Jellyfish is also under this category

[interceptör]

I also used to listen to a band called Bonfire, but I have no idea what they sounded like. Another band was the infamous Stryper. Oh, and Great White.

L. A. Guns I'd label as street rock rather than hair metal; I still regularly listen to Hollywood Vampires.

[dinosaurkale->]

LA Guns is atop 5 for me
I prefer LA Guns over G N R

[burpgun]

There were a couple of bands who ended up part of that scene because of their probably label-mandated big hair, but were really good power pop, Enuff Z'Nuff are probably the most famous but I was really thinking of Candy. They looked like Poison but sounded more like the Raspberries, which I suppose might preclude them from being genuine hair metal, but they're well worth a listen.

Enuff Z'Nuff managed to have a few songs that were Cheap Trick level good while having the most intense glam metal look. I mean, just go look at the video for New Thing.

[dinosaurkale->]

ENuff Z Nuff is incredible
I almost saw them play a few years ago...Chip Z Nuff and some other random members.

sucks most of these acts play state fairs nowadays. they don't really come around to cities too much

almost saw WASP a few months ago too and I regret not going.

[Plumerai]

Just remembered a couple more that were all about hair & costume like WASP but was more metal sounding than Ratt/Poison: Lizzy Borden & Laaz Rockit.

[budda12ax7]

The First RATT album...good stuff, some great Warren solos....
DOKKEN---first three albums...George Lynch great and innovative rhythm player with some great solos
Motley Crue- First Album-great uptempo punky/metal.

Dio- First two albums- Vivian Cambel-Rainbow in the dark solo a highlight solo of the genre.

Anything Roth/Van Halen Era...

STEELER- with Ygnwie Malmsteen...just listen, trust me on this-just listen....cold day in hell...should have been a hit.

First two OZZY solo albums...It's Randy...enough said.

Winger, Britiany Fox, Warrant, Cinderella, KIxx (great first two albums), are all second/third tier stuff in my opinion.

STEELER-cold day in hell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go582lMotR4

Motley Crue-Live Wire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahq4blDfU5s

Randy Roades- Over the Mountain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQDMIlUCFUI&t=1s

[mediocreplayer]

A couple of missing bands:

Tesla: they might fall under the "Too ugly to qualify" classification but some solid songs + the acoustic live record.

Europe: Good looking, big hair, and probably better than all the bands on this list (but they were never too big in the States). Some amazing songs with the right amount of cheese.

And I don't care how old David Coverdale was in the 80s. Whitesnake kicks all kinds of ass. I still listen to Slip of the Tongue once or twice a year.

The descriptions in this thread make me curious to check out Enuff z'Nuff. I'll give them a listen later today.

L. A. Guns I'd label as street rock rather than hair metal; I still regularly listen to Hollywood Vampires.

I agree. Several very good songs on this album.

[dinosaurkale->]

try listening to Enuff Z Nuff with your eyes closed first for a few songs. i'm being serious

[Futuron]

At the end of the chorus of The Final Countdown, where it goes "OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", I always thought that sounded like when the vacuum cleaner gets stuck on a curtain.

Naturally every time I hear that sound this song gets in my head.

[Plumerai]

Naturally every time I hear that sound this song gets in my head.

Anytime I hear a small plane fly by I think of Van Halen's Panama because of the music video

[interceptör]

Just remembered a couple more that were all about hair & costume like WASP but was more metal sounding than Ratt/Poison: Lizzy Borden & Laaz Rockit.

Heyyy... WASP wasn't all about hair & costume. Despite their unfortunate wardrobe choices and pseudonyms, (at least) the first two albums are actually very good. And the singer has a super impressive voice.

Wonder where all the "satanic" paraphernalia of the early 80s hard rock came from. Venom?

[Plumerai]

Just remembered a couple more that were all about hair & costume like WASP but was more metal sounding than Ratt/Poison: Lizzy Borden & Laaz Rockit.

Heyyy... WASP wasn't all about hair & costume. Despite their unfortunate wardrobe choices and pseudonyms, (at least) the first two albums are actually very good. And the singer has a super impressive voice.

Wonder where all the "satanic" paraphernalia of the early 80s hard rock came from. Venom?

I still own & enjoy the first WASP record. I have all the variations of the Fuck like a Beast singles. Slayer started off with all the leather, spikes & makeup too. Maybe it was an LA thing. Here's Hetfield with leopard print gloves & zebra half shirt

[PorkyPrimeCut]

I have nothing to add (it's all awful) except this...

In parts of Yorkshire, at one time or another, "Who cut the cheese?" meant "Who's farted?"

You're welcome.

[Larry Mal]

It meant that here, also.

Anyway I saw Whitesnake back in the day because I got tickets free. I wasn't old enough to drink and didn't have any drugs so I saw the concert sober, which no one should ever do.

The free tickets were from the side of the stage, so I could see that they made the keyboard player play a level beneath the rest of the band in the basement listening along on headphones. I guess hard rock just wouldn't work with some pussy keyboard player on stage was the idea.

Steve Vai was with them and he had a three necked heart shaped guitar that he was spinning around and shredding on.

It was... of its era.