'That Metal Show'...your thoughts

[MIB41]

I've been watching this show sporadically for the past couple of years, probably more out of morbid curiosity to see what 25 to 30 years does to hair bands than anything else. Initially it was fun reconnecting with some of these old bands to see where they've been and what they're doing today. And for a spell I actually found myself enjoying the show, listening to Eddie Trunk find relevance in some bands I never even knew about. And there are many on this show to be sure. But after a while I began catching an undertone that quite frankly depressed me. As each guest came out, I noticed that besides the normal process of aging that robs all of us of our youth, there was this decidedly sad attempt by many stars to keep their look from three decades ago. I've lost count of how many guys have walked out looking like they've lived out of a shopping cart with celery sticks for years. Yet they're all decked out in leather outfits, sporting hair styles that show more scalp than hair. And wear makeup that only accents the deep wrinkles. Then you've got this fan boy in Eddie Trunk who virtually drools over every guest while his two side kicks consistently play this 'Beavis & Butthead' role of high-fiving each other in their concert t-shirts, while laughing at every sad drug story from the guests. There's a quiet desperation that can't be covered by all the enthusiasm and accolades Trunk delivers. And I understand why all of these people show up. Trunk offers them this last glimpse into a limelight that faded long ago. And it's apparent that many of these folks are broke and living on hard times. So it's difficult to watch now.

And the irony to all this? I use to laugh at my parents for watching Lawrence Welk. But here I am in my late 40's watching Lawrence Welk in drag. So do any of you ever watch it? And what do you think?

[AJ Collector]

Never watched it, but I will check it out.....

[Mikey]

I sometimes watch it and feel kinda the same way.

Was just watching the one with Paul Rogers.
He actually seemed too good for the show.

[kingdom warrior]

I've watched it on and off and have enjoyed the interviews, I do like the insight to their lives and to what most people never hear about. I do agree that some of these guys have struggled to move on from their youth and age gracefully.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I watch the show from time to time. I do agree that Trunk goes overboard with the fanboy love, but maybe he's just being a gracious host?

Funny story (which I think I told here before). I was watching an episode a few months back and my wife looked up to see them interviewing a short guy with dark glasses and a cowboy hat and long blondish hair. She asked me "Is that the little guy from Smokey and the Bandit?"

I asked her "You mean Paul Williams?"

"Yeah".

I busted out laughing, "That's Axl Rose!!!"

Chris

[MIB41]

I watch the show from time to time. I do agree that Trunk goes overboard with the fanboy love, but maybe he's just being a gracious host?

Funny story (which I think I told here before). I was watching an episode a few months back and my wife looked up to see them interviewing a short guy with dark glasses and a cowboy hat and long blondish hair. She asked me "Is that the little guy from Smokey and the Bandit?"

I asked her "You mean Paul Williams?"

"Yeah".

I busted out laughing, "That's Axl Rose!!!"

Chris

Omigod... That is hilarious Chris. And what an ego that guy has too. Oh he SO needs to hear that. You made my day Chris. I'm going to ring up my buds to share this. Great story.

[Goblin19]

Now, that's funny.

[Riffster]

the girl on the show is hotter than anything though

[Earth 2 Chris]

Omigod... That is hilarious Chris. And what an ego that guy has too. Oh he SO needs to hear that. You made my day Chris. I'm going to ring up my buds to share this. Great story.

Cindy is a hoot. She cracks me up, usually intentionally. But on occasion it's something like this.

I saw your boy Hagar on an episode a few weeks back Tom. He just showed up during the "Stump the Trunk" segment. The crowd went nuts. He seems like such a cool guy.

Chris

[MIB41]

Watching this show also makes me realize how naive I was about rock bands in my youth. I use to place so much importance on these bands because of their image. MTV had such a powerful impact on society in the 80's. It dictated how we dressed and what we listened to. It was really a lifestyle. And I wanted to be like so many of these "stars". But now I look back on it and understand it was really nothing more than nonstop programming to buy product. And 99% of the bands that everyone thought were so cool got devoured by this industry. Many groups were just garage bands that Record Labels plucked off the streets and packaged to sell merchandise. After a few short years of making money for the Record companies, they were cast aside. Most of them developed addictions that either killed them or destroyed their lives. And the majority of these bands were broke and back on the streets before the 80's ever ended. So, in truth, much of the 80's was a big lie. Bands were manipulated by the industry and fans were led to believe they were more than they ever were. And the majority of people I admired and looked up to back then, I wouldn't even desire to be their neighbor today. It's a sad contrast in realities.

[MIB41]

Cindy is a hoot. She cracks me up, usually intentionally. But on occasion it's something like this.

I saw your boy Hagar on an episode a few weeks back Tom. He just showed up during the "Stump the Trunk" segment. The crowd went nuts. He seems like such a cool guy.

Chris

Yeah, I saw that. Hagar has held up pretty well and is clearly enjoying himself. Between the Tequila business he sold and his best selling book, he appears to be happy in semi-retired life. They recently placed his net worth at around $160 million. And I really think Chickenfoot is just a hobby to keep him busy instead of a serious endeavor. People like Hagar, KISS, and Bon Jovi are good business people who understood how to make money without letting the industry gobble them up. That's why they remain viable and still sell descent amounts of product.

[4NDR01D]

I've never heard of the show, but I totally hear you about bands still "rockin'" the look they had back in the day. On one hand I totally respect a guy like Lemmy, who hasn't changed one iota, on the other you just want to scream at some of these guys "Get with the times man"!.
I think the difference is somebody like Lemmy has a "classic" rock look that's pretty much timeless (jean jacket, leather pants, jack boots, cowboy hat) where as somebody from a glam band looks dated as all hell.
On the flip side there's also the complete "sell-out", never thought I'd see they day when i'd see this.

[MIB41]

I've never heard of the show, but I totally hear you about bands still "rockin'" the look they had back in the day. On one hand I totally respect a guy like Lemmy, who hasn't changed one iota, on the other you just want to scream at some of these guys "Get with the times man"!.
I think the difference is somebody like Lemmy has a "classic" rock look that's pretty much timeless (jean jacket, leather pants, jack boots, cowboy hat) where as somebody from a glam band looks dated as all hell.
On the flip side there's also the complete "sell-out", never thought I'd see they day when i'd see this.

http://www.collapseboard.com/wp-cont...o-sold-out.jpg

Actually I like that picture. Because that tells me the Metallica boys can separate their product from real life. He's not trying to marry the two worlds. They get it. Metallica is product, not a 24/7 lifestyle. Sounds like he has his perspective grounded.

[Figuremod73]

I agree. If someone immerses themselves in the rock and roll lifestyle it only leads to serious problems. Look at all the guys who have fallen toward the wayside because of it.
Its a creative endeaver and style of music. Nobody would even know i grew up with rock/metal because i can listen to modern country (at least tolerate it because its so popular in the south).
I watch this show on occasion as well. Other than the fact that theres some extremely talented people on it I have noticed an attempt by most to at least immerse themselves for at least thirty minutes to the "good old days".

[4NDR01D]

Actually I like that picture. Because that tells me the Metallica boys can separate their product from real life. He's not trying to marry the two worlds. They get it. Metallica is product, not a 24/7 lifestyle. Sounds like he has his perspective grounded.

Well, I understand your view point, and I feel it's a bit like the old "If your not a rebel at 20, you've got no soul, If you haven't turned establishment by 30, you've got no brains" type thing. And this type of thing always has me conflicted when I'm blasting Black Flag in my Audi

However, authenticity means the world to me. I think it would crush my very soul to see Joey Ramone coming out of the Gap.
I mean, were not talking about pro-wrasslin' here. it's one thing to be "Kamala the Ugandan headhunter" in the ring, and a well spoken collage educated professional acting adult outside of it.