American Hair Metal
by Steven Blush

Published - 2006 by Feral House

American Hair Metal is a “coffee table” guide to the glam metal of the 80’s featuring pictures, quotes and profiles of the bands that graced the decade of sleaze.

The book begins with a brief overview of the scene including the few women who rocked alongside the guys and attempts to describe the origins from influences such as The New York Dolls and Kiss. Each page is filled with memorabilia, rare photos, classic quotes, even fan letters and drawings all taken from the era capturing the vibe favourably. Some stand outs of mine include photos of Brett Michaels at his best, Motley Crue backstage, separate pictures of Steve Lynch, Stephen Pearcy and members of Kix backstage with “friend” and a mid motion shot of Tommy Lee upside down strapped into the rotating drum kit.

Some of the best quotes come from who else, but Nikki Sixx, including “We just wanna get laid and wasted” from 1986. “I don’t do drugs! I think drugs are bad” in 1987 at the height of his addictions. Then from 1988 “We really thrive on the word ‘sleazy’. Everybody has groupies, gets drunk, does drugs. Everybody has wild sex. We’re just very honest. We admit it”.

The book is rounded out with profiles in an A-Z index of the biggest, baddest and best bands of the time perfect for new fans or refreshing your memory. Its probably one of the best pictorials/guides I’ve come across in any genre and personally have enjoyed reading American Hair Metal several times. It’s an essential to any sleaze rock fan and I suggest you track this one down if you can find it as you won’t be disappointed.

Dirty Rock review by 'Jonni Starr' 2007