'Glam Slam' reunites metal masters of '80s
05/29/2001
By Teresa Gubbins / The Dallas Morning News
In unity there is strength – or at the very least, a larger audience.
Which explains how a middling '80s metal-rock band such as Quiet Riot came to be playing to a crowd of nearly 12,000 at Smirnoff Music Centre on Memorial Day.
Quiet Riot was happily reaping the benefits of being one of five acts on the "Glam Slam Metal Jam," headlined by Poison and including Warrant, Great White and Enuff Z'Nuff.
"We've had a really good turnout," said Q.R. singer Kevin DuBrow, all aglitter in a sparkly gold vest and black pants with gold polka dots. "That's the one thing about this tour – there's still a great interest and desire for '80s-type rock music. I had the best time in the '80s, and I'm having a good time now."
If only he'd quit then, while he was ahead. But no – he had to repeatedly tout his band's new record, urging the audience to call radio stations and precipitate an '80s-music "comeback." Way to make yourself the day's low point, dude.
Easier to swallow was the tongue-in-cheek approach taken by Warrant and Enuff Z'Nuff. EZN had the unenviable position of opening the show, but singer Donnie Vie, looking skeletal in a sleeveless T, was philosophical.
"There'll always be people who come when the doors open, and they need ... [bands] like us to play for them," he said. "It's a good summer job, and the girls are looking pretty good."
The poppiest on the bill, Enuff Z'Nuff played for barely 30 minutes – just enough for a couple of its most shimmering tunes, including "Baby Loves You" and "New Thing" – and then, pouf, they were gone.
California quintet Great White performed second (which was a mean thing to do to Quiet Riot, whose subsequent high-pitched set sounded even flimsier by comparison). Led by charismatic singer Jack Russell – whose T-shirt said "Spear Britney" – Great White came off as dynamic and assertive on chestnuts such as "Rock Me," "Save Your Love" and, probably its best-known track, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." During its performance, the band asked key questions of the audience such as, did it like to get stoned, and did anybody want to get high. Answers were usually affirmative.
Warrant displayed a savvy showmanship, with its trademark "Down Boys" slogan writ large in banners onstage, all-in-black outfits and lots of open-legged guitar poses. But the high point was frontman Jani Lane, whose sarcastic sense of humor added subtle value to the band's strong performance. His clever witticisms inserted in the middle of songs such as "Heaven" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" were a gift for those who caught them, and inoffensive to those who did not.