Long Live Mock 'n' Roll

The members of Hair Raid look like they each aspire to be part of a desperate and different, yet very iconic and over-the-top '80s band. Borrowing from the styles of Bret Michaels, and members of Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard, their mocking name says it all. It's no secret that I'm not a fan of cover or tribute bands. However, I have an immense appreciation for people and bands that don't take themselves seriously, and do what they do in at least a somewhat ironic way.

If there was any doubt about just how Hair Raid saw themselves, every question was answered when they busted out a can of aerosol hairspray on stage to touch up a voluminous wig that one of them was sporting. It was in this way that the band mirrors everything that was ridiculous about the '80s -- from the fashions, to the larger-than-life personalities that dominated the music and entertainment world. Big speakers, loud synths, flashy outfits, and the apparent desire for some sort of pathetic attempt at sex appeal were all things that defined '80s pop culture. And Hair Raid nails it.

They play nearly every '80s song you'd expect to hear requested by a frat boy on a night out with his buddies. And they do it with humor and the kind of mocking tone that only comes from people who appreciate the original product, but adore its eccentricities and flaws.

Hair Raid also pays plenty of attention to detail, doing choreographed jumps during the Van Halen song of the same name, and making sure the inflection in each tune is just as the original version had called for.

Again, it wouldn't ever be the kind of thing that some people might decide to do on a Thursday night, but you can’t but smile and laugh along with everyone else. The crows was relaxed and enjoyed themselves, whether they were old enough to have appreciated the tunes when they were popular in an unironic way or not.


Thursdays, 9 p.m., 2010