The Best of Metal Hair Bands and Where They are Now

Megadeth

I bet your asking youself - "What happened to those guys?" Don't worry, they are still making music although, personally, not as good as it used to be and not with all of the original members. But, still rockin' nonetheless. Some interesting facts about lead singer, Dave Mustaine, is that he is now a born-again Christian and has his own line of coffee. If you're like me and want to remember the wailing, balls out guitar god that he is, DO NOT see Metallica's "Some Kind of Monster." As you probably know, Dave used to be Metallica's guitarist when they first started and got kicked out of the band for excessive drinking. Anyway, in the forementioned documentary, Dave reminisces about those days and starts weeping like a baby. I did not need to see that.

Iron Maiden

Led by Bruce Dickinson, these medieval metal thrashers are still rocking to this day. I saw them in concert about five years ago and it was one of the best concerts I had ever seen. Along with Eddie and the crew they still put on one hell of a show! Bruce Dickinson has had his hand in fencing, operatic training and last week, as I was perusing the video rental selections I came across what seemed to be an interesting choice, "Crowley," a faux documentary about Aleister Crowley set in present time and scientists discover they had conjured up Aleister and he now is inhabiting a professor's vessel. Seemed fun. Then I see who co-wrote this thing - none other than Bruce Dickinson himself. I just had to rent it and it was just as it seemed. Both horrible and magical at the same time. Run to the Hills!

Poison

Back in college, I probably saw Poison play about five times. They were sufficient enough. See, I was one of those gals who was born too late. I was about 10 when I discovered metal and rock and fell in love but was too young to see any concerts then and by the time I was of age, the rockers were a bit on the old side. It was fun all the same. Lead singer Bret Michaels has a never-ending show on VH1, Rock of Love (currently Rock of Love Bus). I am ashamed to say I watch this program every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Bret seems to be touring solo these days and I honestly have no idea what the rest of the band is up to.

Motley Crue

Back together again and touring, I am so pissed that I missed the Motley Crue reunion tour that touched down in my neck of the woods. They are preparing for CrueFest 2 so maybe I'll get another chance. I just know that when I saw a very bloated Vince Neil going solo years ago in college, I was not impressed. But the magic happens when they Shout at the Devil and form their magic bond together. I am not sure what they are doing personally but if you haven't already read their biography, "The Dirt." It is one of those reads that you laugh, you cry and thank god you did not meet them in an alley in the 80's (or on a plane).

Diamond Dave

David Lee Roth. What more do I have to say - Diamond Dave, with your elaborate hawk-squeals and high kicks that could rival the Rockettes...He is an enigma and hard to handle. Van Halen (not Van Hagar, respectively) tried to tour with Dave again in the past year (maybe it's been 2 years already) and they had to cancel midway through because of the strife of having to try to work with Dave. Still, Van Halen's only Van Halen with Dave's beautiful hawk sounds bellowing behind Eddie's riffs.  Right now, Dave has released his own country album, check out "Pickin' with the Devil."

Metallica

Who cares? Metallica used to be raw, heavy and in your face with a message. Now, I still listen to their pre-Black album stuff but just hold on to those memories and try to pretend they no longer exist as they are now: Pompous, self-righteous and not deserving of my time.

Skid Row

Ok, so they really only had two albums, not including their B-sides but I still really loved this band when they came out. Singer Sebastian Bach has recently been on several reality shows most of which I didn't finish the series. He is a likable guy on the shows and still works hard on his music. I must say that I enjoyed his new album (a few of the songs anyway). He is still touring and for awhile Skid Row was touring with only one original member, Rachel Bolan. Yes, this was at the same concert that had a bloated Vince Neil by himself. I did snag a Skid Row guitar pick that was thrown out into the audience, which wasn't hard seeing there were only twenty of us there.

Guns N' Roses

I have waited for over ten years for the new album (by Axl) and it's likable. You just can't replace Appetite or Lies or even Use Your Illusions I & II. Also, the other band members had gotten together briefly with STP frontman but that didn't work either. I am guessing that all of the original band members are impossible to get along with but I still love their old stuff and it's just sad they can never replicate that feeling and sound.