HEAVY: The Story of Metal

[Vinnie Velvet]

Kiss - Heavens on fire
You can see in that video they wanted to be VH sooo bad!
Look at the drum kit reminds me of Al's kits back then.

Very true.

When KISS removed the makeup and costumes back in 1983, they had a hard time deciding on how they should dress and look. And which band did they look to for ideas and inspiration back then?? VH, of course, whose image was just as big as their music.

I read a book somewhere (can't remember what it was called) where Paul Stanley really liked the way VH dressed (specifically Dave) and wanted desperately to go that route, which they did. Right down to even doing some kicks and jumps (notice during the 80s Stanley didn't play much guitar. LOL!).

Alex was a big influence on Eric Carr as well, right down to Carr using Ludwig drums. Carr sighted many times how he loved Alex's playing.

[sadaist]

"Heavy Metal" is such a subjective term...

I mean, is there a visual pre-req ??

Do you "have" to look like Judas Priest ?? Do you "have" to sound like Black Sabbath ??

Well, if you want higher caliber pussy, you wanna look like Van Halen. You look like Sabbath and you end up with this.....





Look like Sammy Hagar and you end up with this....

[Carloscda]

Very true.

When KISS removed the makeup and costumes back in 1983, they had a hard time deciding on how they should dress and look. And which band did they look to for ideas and inspiration back then?? VH, of course, whose image was just as big as their music.

I read a book somewhere (can't remember what it was called) where Paul Stanley really liked the way VH dressed (specifically Dave) and wanted desperately to go that route, which they did. Right down to even doing some kicks and jumps (notice during the 80s Stanley didn't play much guitar. LOL!).

Alex was a big influence on Eric Carr as well, right down to Carr using Ludwig drums. Carr sighted many times how he loved Alex's playing.

Wow didn't know that.
And yea Paul & everybody else was trying to imitate Dave kicks & jumps!
But as we all know there's only one!!

[sonrisa salvaje]

I'm glad this subject came up because i have been debating with friends for years about what was and wasn't heavy metal. Around 1981/1982 when i started getting into the metal and hard rock scene, there were several bands that were definitely considered metal - AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Van Halen to name a few. I think DD and 1984 somewhat changed peoples images of what VH was but i remember them being considered metal based on reputation and their first 4 albums.
Led Zep and Deep Purple were considered metal at that time. If you are at least my age, you will remember that coming off of the disco at the end of the 70's and the new wave of the early 80's, it wasn't hard to be considered metal. There was no "classic rock" or "hard rock" at that time. You were either rock and roll or heavy metal.
Motley Crue was considered metal when Shout at the Devil was out. But around 84 when the Ratts and Dokkens got big, and the Crue put out Theater of Pain, there became that distinction of hard rock vs metal. Hell, you look back now and there is a lot that seems like it wasn't heavy metal but at the time it was.

[Panamark]

I can't figure out what the difference is between Hard Rock
and Metal... (Unless we diverse into death/speed/thrash etc)
I love both....

[WesGriffin]

Generally, Van Halen is not a "Heavy Metal" band, in my opinion. But I've given up on genre titles anyway. But most of what is considered "Heavy Metal" is targeted for certain people and thoughs same people are attracted to it. Van Halen is for everybody. I'll bet that I could go out onto the street and ask all kinds of random people about classic Van Halen and a smile would come to their face, remembering the last time they heard it.

[sonrisa salvaje]

I can't figure out what the difference is between Hard Rock
and Metal... (Unless we diverse into death/speed/thrash etc)
I love both....

I agree. I love both as well. As long as it is of quality it really doesn't matter. I still refer to everything as metal but i have friends that say "that's not metal, that's hard rock!" In the same vain, i understand it is hard to put Iron Maiden and Motley Crue for instance, in the same category. What you run into results in this thread. People wondering why such and such band was included in the story of heavy metal or why such and such band would be shown on Metalmania (the Warrants, Wingers and White Lions)

[sonrisa salvaje]

Generally, Van Halen is not a "Heavy Metal" band, in my opinion. But I've given up on genre titles anyway. But most of what is considered "Heavy Metal" is targeted for certain people and thoughs same people are attracted to it. Van Halen is for everybody. I'll bet that I could go out onto the street and ask all kinds of random people about classic Van Halen and a smile would come to their face, remembering the last time they heard it.

Unless of course, the last song they heard was "Humans Being." Sorry, you said classic Van Halen. Agreed.

[WACF]

Sirius is no better, they play old Kiss on Hair Nation all the time.

Hair Nation...a channel with such huge potential.

I find it beyond ridiculous they way they program HN, Boneyard and Octane.

Jose programs HN now(Liquid Metal), he would love to expand the playlist...play new music by Crue, Tesla ect., but his boss says no.

The new Boneyard is barely listenable compared to what it once was.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Boneyard is pretty damn good, but I switch over to HN when I don't like what Boneyard is playing...

Lots of CVH on Boneyard, BTW...

[WACF]

Boneyard is pretty damn good, but I switch over to HN when I don't like what Boneyard is playing...

Lots of CVH on Boneyard, BTW...

Tons of CVH...yes.

But the repetition of core bands is killing the station.

Also...they play Black Sabbath with Dio lots...but you will not hear Bible Black unless you listen to Eddie Trunk's show.

Same goes for new Metallica,Tesla, yngwie malmsteen, Saxon, Crue, Queensryche, AC/DC ect...all gone now.

Solo Halford, Overkill, Anthrax, Testament, Dream Theatre, Blind Guardian, Savatage are erased from the playlist.

Bohdi(Octane) programs the station...but his hands are tied too...his boss says no new music.

It went from a station that played artist careers to a Gold Based playlist.

It is tough to know what it was to what it has become.

[sonrisa salvaje]

What is up with the Boneyard playing Pat Travers lately? I understand Thin Lizzy to a certain extent but i didn't know Travers was considered in this genre.

[GAR]

Was one of the characters in a William S. Burroughs novel a heavy metal kid?

I'm surprised this forum attracts even the somewhat-literate.

Like Igosplut. Or Edward Pryzdial.

[FORD]

I'm surprised this forum attracts even the somewhat-literate.

Like Igosplut. Or Edward Pryzdial.

You should be banned for life for even mentioning that fucking piece of shit here.

And I sure as fuck don't mean Igosplut.