Vie’s Verses – Hair Metal Bands That Just Missed – Where Are They Now?
In the late 80s, hair metal was all the rage. It seemed that every other day a new glam band was hitting the airwaves with their latest single. We all remember the well known bands—Motley Crue, Poison, Warrant, Cinderella—the list goes on and on. But what about the lesser known acts? What about the bands that were on the cusp of greatness and for some reason could not break through to the next level?
Here are five great hair metal bands from the late 80s that just missed out on being part of the upper stratosphere of hair metal greatness.
Dangerous Toys
Dangerous Toys burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 1989. On the strength of their hit single “Scared,” the band gathered a large following on Dial MTV as well as rock radio mediums. With their redneck play on hair metal, Dangerous Toys was a beloved band. Their sex-tinged songs like “Sport’n A Woody” and “Take Me Drunk” combined with the fast, intense playing of Scott Dalhover and Jason McMaster’s unique voice made them fan favorites amongst the hair metal scene. The tongue in cheek, humorous lyrics also worked to the band’s advantage and were found somewhat innovative during the time.
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Dangerous Toys developed a cult following on the strength of their eponymous debut. In 1991, during the early stages of the grunge explosion, Dangerous Toys released their sophomore album, Hellacious Acres. While not doing much worse than their debut album, Hellacious Acres failed to be the follow up album that Columbia records expected. The album dropped off the charts after 9 weeks.
Several personnel changes and two more albums would follow (Pissed and The R*tist 4*merly Known As Dangerous Toys) but neither charted and the band was all but forgotten by both die-hard and casual fans alike.
Where Are They Now?
Singer, Jason McMaster tried to keep the Dangerous Toys name alive, but after the release of their live album in 1999, even he had to admit that it was time to move on. In 1999 he formed Broken Teeth with former Dangerous Toys guitarist, Paul Lidel. Lidel left the group in 2006, but McMaster still sings for the band. Their latest album is 2010’s Viva La Rock, Fantastico. McMaster is also fronting the heavy metal band Ignitor.
Drummer Mark Geary and bass player Mike Watson formed the Austin based band, Proof Of Life.
In 2008 all the original members of Dangerous Toys reunited for their 20th Anniversary show in Austin, Texas. The band performed a two hour gig that while not well attended (approximately 200 fans) was well received by critics and fans alike.
Rumors exist that the band still gets together annually to perform live shows. Perhaps they will be asked to perform at a future hair metal festival.
Did You Know?
After the release of their second album, Dangerous Toys was the opening act for the Judas Priest/Motorhead/Alice Cooper tour. The tour was a complete failure and was cancelled 10 weeks in.
Electric Angels
Formed in 1989, the Electric Angels were a Hollywood strip, sleaze band that did not get even close to the amount of recognition they deserved. Their self titled debut album still holds up to this day as an incredible glam metal record. After moving to New York City, the band signed with Atlantic Records and recorded their self-titled debut. The album was released in 1990 just as the fall of the era of glam metal had begun. Unfortunately, the timing for Electric Angels was catastrophic, and Atlantic did almost nothing to support the band or the record.
Where Are They Now?
Guitarist Ryan Roxie went on to record for Alice Cooper and Slash as part of Slash’s Snakepit. In 2005, he started blogging and hosting a podcast called, The Big Rock Show which he still hosts to this day. At that time Roxy also moved to Sweden, where he currently resides. He has released two albums, Peace, Love and Armageddon & Two Sides To Every Story with this band Roxie 77.
In 1995, lead singer, Shane, bassist Jonathan Daniels, and drummer John Schubert formed the band, The Loveless. They released one album, titled A Tale Of Gin And Salvation. Reviews of the album were favorable, but fans did not flock to buy the record and the band split up soon after.
In 2000, Electric Angels performed a one off reunion show for The Tour Bus. The band has not performed together since.
Did You Know?
Electric Angels recorded a sophomore album titled, New York Times that was never released.
Junkyard
Formed in 1987, Junkyard was a sleaze glam band that was poised to take off in the world of metal. They released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Fronted by the insanely talented David Roach, Junkyard’s eponymous album produced a modest hit with the song “Simple Man.” The ballad of the album, “Hands Off,” was another classic Junkyard song that fans of the band loved.
Unfortunately, Junkyard hit multiple walls when hair metal gave way to grunge, and their second album, Sixes, Sevens, And Nines succumbed to the sophomore jinx. After the fatal collapse of that album, the band disappeared and was not heard from again until the dawn of the new millennium.
Where Are They Now?
Guitarist Brian Baker has been a member of Bad Religion since 1994 and regularly records and tours with that band.
In 2007, lead singer David Roach joined local band, Dealer.
In 2008, Junkyard put out a CD of unreleased material that was recorded in 1987. The songs were from the original demos the band used to get signed with Geffen records. A short tour followed the release of the album.
In 2009, Junkyard was schedule to perform at the inaugural Rock Gone Wild event in Iowa which was cancelled due to financial issues. The band has not been heard from since and it is not known if they are working on any new material or have any plans to tour.
Chris Gates, lead guitarist and main songwriter for Junkyard has released a new southern rock CD with his band Chris Gates & Gatesville. The new CD is called Welcome to Gatesville.
Did You Know?
Junkyard recorded their third album in 1992, but the album was never released. The band split up shortly after recording the album.
Love/Hate
In 1990, just a little late to the hair metal party, Love/Hate released their stellar debut album, Blackout In The Red Room. Backed by the popularity of their strong single, “Why Do You Think they Call It Dope?” Love/Hate got some instant recognition and developed a strong fan following. After touring as a support act for Dio and then AC/DC, Love/Hate went into the studio to record their sophomore album, Wasted In America.
When sales of Wasted In America failed to meet Columbia’s expectations, the band was dropped from the label. Love/Hate went on to record Let’s Rumble at their own expense. The album was picked up by BMG Records for distribution. Unfortunately for Love/Hate, the release of the album was delayed several times and by the time it was released, sales were poor.
Love/Hate would go on to record three more albums (I’m Not Happy, Livin’ Off Layla, and Let’s Eat) but none of them would match the initial success of their debut album. By 2000, with the release of a greatest hits compilation, the band had gone their separate ways.
Where Are They Now?
Lead singer Jizzy Pearl joined LA Guns in 1999 and remained there until 2002 when the band decided to reunite the original lineup. Pearl then joined Ratt as their lead singer until 2006 when original singer Stephen Pearcy rejoined the band. Pearl went on to release two solo albums, both of which failed to chart. Jizzy rejoined L.A. Guns (with Tracii Guns) in 2009.
Guitarist Jon E. Love is now a music producer in the Southern California area. He occasionally performs with two bands, The Hard Rock All Stars and The Dirty Rats. He has also worked scoring major motion pictures.
Love/Hate reunited in 2007 for a one-off show that was held at Club Vodka in Hollywood, California. Although the band had a great time with that performance, no reunion came out of the performance. Currently there are no plans for a reunion, or Love/Hate shows of any kind.
Did You Know?
Lead singer Jizzy Pearl has written three books — two novels and a book of short stories.
Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys
Moving forward from his stint as lead guitarist for Billy Idol, Steve Stevens formed Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys in 1989.The band consisted of Steve Stevens on guitar and bass, Perry McCarty on vocals, and Tommy Price on drums. Atomic Playboys did not fare well either critically, or commercially and it is the only album this band released. Usually referred to as a Steve Stevens solo album, there were plans for the band to tour and produce future records that never came to fruition. Led by the amazing vocals of Perry McCarty, and filled with brilliant guitar work by Stevens,Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys is one glam metal album that needs to be added to your collection.
Where Are They Now?
Steve Stevens tried to release a couple of solo albums in the mid-nineties that met with neither critical nor commercial success. In the early 2000s, he rejoined with Billy Idol for whom he still does guitar work. He is currently in the studio with Billy Idol working on Idol’s next studio release.
Perry McCarty went on to record a demo with Robbin Crosby of Ratt after Atomic Playboys disbanded. In the mid-nineties, he rejoined his original band, Warrior, and they released an album in 1998.
Did You Know?
Artist H.R. Geiger, best known for his visual effects work on the movie Alien, did the cover for Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys.
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Love/Hate is a real head-scratcher. The first album is ridiculous, and a must-have for any collection.
Another one that has always perplexed me – Salty Dog. Their debut album is incredible, start to finish.