Hair Metal Memories

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"Hair metal" has become a genre that is often used in a derogative way, and lots of great albums from that period were unfairly lumped in with lesser ones as a result. Your hosts Aaron Alcott and Bryon Dudley aim to reclaim them! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

Aaron and Bryon


    • May 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 53 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Hair Metal Memories

    S3EP30 - Danger Danger

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 51:18


    Aaron and Bryon wade through the dramatic and chaotic history of Danger Danger, the band that put hair metal superstar Ted Poley on the map! Learn the band's connections to Megadeth, Michael Bolton, and Olivia Newton-John, and marvel at the number of fadeouts possible on one record! All this and more on the latest deep dive fondue episode of Hair Metal Memories!

    S3E29 - Kiss - Animalize

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 75:58


    After getting lots of requests for Kiss albums, Aaron and Bryon tackle what might be the most hair metal Kiss album of them all, Animalize! Learn about the impact of Tom Selleck and Michael Bolton on this platinum-selling slab of rock, and we get the return of a special guest!

    S3E28 - Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 40:30


    Aaron and Bryon take a look at this much-requested cult classic and much-loved hidden treasure, Bang Tango's debut album, Psycho Cafe'. Learn about the band's rocket to fame! And just how much Kyle can you have in one band? All this and more, in the latest and loudest episode of HMM!

    S3E27 - Dio - Holy Diver

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 51:04


    Celebrating 50 episodes! Aaron and Bryon tackle a monster hit album to celebrate, Dio's platinum-selling Holy Diver! Learn how Dio was the coolest high schooler ever! Gasp as Dio gives up a promising career in pharmacology to pursue rock and roll legendry, with detours along the way with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath! PLUS: Our biggest curveball yet in Gear Talk!

    S3E26 - Night Ranger - Dawn Patrol

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 49:59


    Aaron and Bryon take on Night Ranger's 1982 debut smash, Dawn Patrol! Learn why they had to destroy the first run of this album, which member has written songs for Cher and jammed with Ringo Starr, and the secret Night Ranger connection to the Star Wars universe! All this and more in the latest and/or greatest episode of Hair Metal Memories!

    S3E25 - House Of Lords - self-titled

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 42:40


    Aaron and Bryon hit the pub for this latest episode, and explore the further adventures of Greg Giuffria and Co. as they rock a little harder and try to write some hits! The House of Lords debut album may not have made the Hair Metal Pantheon, but the history and personnel on this record insures its place in rock history, and is fully explored by your mostly sober guides!

    S3E24 - The Cult - Sonic Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 54:20


    Aaron and Bryon explore the dark side of hair metal by taking a deep dive into The Cult's 1989 Bob Rock produced masterpiece, Sonic Temple. The seriousness of Ian Astbury is seriously discussed seriously, as is the record's connection to Andy Warhol. All this and more on the most serious episode of HMM yet!

    S3E23 - Saigon Kick - The Lizard

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 58:16


    In this episode Aaron and Bryon take a microscope to this much-requested and much-loved second album, Saigon Kick's "The Lizard." Tour a Swedish studio! Witness the band drama! Learn the secret connections to Skid Row and Marillion! All this and more on the latest episode yet of Hair Metal Memories.

    S3E22 - L.A. Guns - Cocked And Loaded

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 62:52


    Aaron and Bryon take a deep dive into L.A. Guns' incredible second album, Cocked And Loaded, along with untangling the threads of this band's complex and dramatic history! Learn Tracii Guns' real name, and the connections to The Germs, Robbie Krieger, and more, on the latest and/or greatest episode of Hair Metal Memories!

    S3E21 - The Hair Metal Influence - Van Halen - Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 95:46


    In the third and final part of their Van Halen retro and discussion of the band's influence on hair metal, Aaron and Bryon get in the weeds with Sammy and the gang, before delving into the triumphant return of co-founder David Lee Roth!

    S3E20 - The Hair Metal Influence - Van Halen - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 61:00


    Part 2 of our Van Halen retro and discussion of the massive influence the band has had on the hair metal genre. This episode covers the next 4 albums, from "Diver Down" to "OU182," and the transition from David Lee Roth to Sammy Hagar, as Aaron and Bryon valiantly attempt to drink a bottle of Cabo Wabo tequila!

    S3E19 - The Hair Metal Influence - Van Halen - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 64:42


    The first part of a 3-part series focusing on mega-platinum rock stars Van Halen, and the influence they've had on the hair metal genre! Part one covers the first four albums, and a brief history of the band, as well as Aaron and Bryon tackling the question: Is Van Halen hair metal?

    S3E18 - Slaughter - Stick It To Ya

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 51:23


    Aaron and Bryon discuss this much requested multi-platinum debut album, Stick It To Ya, by Slaughter! Discover the incredible influence bassist/songwriter Dana Strum has had on the genre, the band's connections to Michael Bay and Leisure Suit Larry, and more, as they fly to the angels in this latest episode of HMM!

    S3E17 - Alice Cooper - Constrictor

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 64:49


    Aaron and Bryon delve into Alice Cooper's pop-oriented "comeback" album, 1986's "Constrictor"! Learn about machine gun guitars, a production dream team, and hear from our special guest, Alice Cooper's eye doctor!

    S3E16 - BulletBoys - self-titled

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 52:56


    Aaron and Bryon tackle the much-requested debut album from the Ted Templeman-produced bad asses BulletBoys! Learn about the band's connections to superstar drummer Carmen Appice, Ratt, Motley Crue, and Hot Tub Time Machine! Delve into the band drama, learn about the stroboscope, and discover why this one's so hard to find on vinyl, in this latest and greatest episode of HMM!

    S3E15 - Rocktemberfest

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 39:28


    Aaron and Bryon hit the road and record live from the 10th annual Rocktemberfest in Hinckley, Minnesota! They chat with concert goers, attend an amazing array of hair metal artists, and just generally have a great time in this gonzo journalism themed episode of HMM.

    S3E14 - FireHouse - self-titled

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 79:14


    Aaron and Bryon do an extra deep dive on the multi-platinum debut album from one of our most requested bands, FireHouse! Learn about the band's long gestation but immediate rise to stardom! Be shocked at what a vinyl version of this thing would cost you! All this plus extra special editions of Vinyl History Lesson and Gear Talk!

    S3E13 - Poison - Look What The Cat Dragged In

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 66:39


    In our latest episode, Aaron and Bryon do a deep dive on Poison's multi-platinum, hit-spawning debut album! Learn about the band's rapid ascent in the hair metal world, leading to them being one of the architects, as well as their connections to Motorhead, Slash, Charlie Sheen, and Stryper! Plus the guys talk about their recent trip to see Tesla and BulletBoys!

    S3E12 - London - Non-Stop Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 42:29


    Aaron and Bryon do a dusting off of one of the bizarrely influential (but lesser known) hair metal bands of all time, London, and their overlooked nugget of a debut album, "Non-Stop Rock"! With at least 33 members throughout their lifespan, former London band members went on to form bands like Cinderella, Motley Crue, and W.A.S.P. So why aren't they a household name? Tune in for the entire history!

    S3E11 - Lita Ford - Lita

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 45:12


    Aaron and Bryon delve into the inner secrets of Lita Ford's platinum-selling hair metal classic, "Lita." From her early days with The Runaways to her duet with Ozzy to her stint on Howie Mandel's show, no stone is unturned as you discover why Lita is a certified living legend!

    S3E10 - Warrant - Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 55:05


    We celebrate 25k listens! Thank you for listening!!! To celebrate, Aaron and Bryon cover the much-requested multiplatinum and just Plain badass debut album from Warrant, one of the hair metal classics. Discover the hidden connection to Fleetwood Mac and Prince! What the hell is a Minidisc or Laserdisc? All of this and more on the very next episode of HMM.

    S3E9 - Dangerous Toys

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 44:29


    In this latest and greatest episode, Aaron and Bryon deconstruct the swinging, rocking, over-the-top self-titled debut album from Dangerous Toys! Discover the influential technical speed metal band whose imminent demise lead to the band's creation! Revel in the hidden connections to Wes Craven, Pantera, and Skid Row! And be startled by Circus magazine's less than stellar review of one of the band's shows! All this and more in your favorite hair metal podcast!

    S3E8 Kix - Blow My Fuse

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 48:33


    Aaron and Bryon dig into this platinum-selling, yet not-often-talked-about hair metal classic, Kix's glammy and very rocking Blow My Fuse! Discover the hidden connection between Kix, Cher, and Celine Dion! And why A & R people seriously didn't know what they were doing! And which member of the band auditioned for The Wallflowers! All this and more, in the latest and/or greatest episode of Hair Metal Memories!

    Bonus Episode! Live At London.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 41:30


    Aaron and Bryon set up shop in the back of their favorite watering hole, London Underground in Ames, IA, and record a live episode while drinking beverages. Patrons share their hair metal memories, thoughts, opinions, and stories, in this special bonus episode of HMM.

    S3E7 Tesla - Mechanical Resonance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2022 62:15


    In the latest butane-fueled episode, Aaron and Bryon tear into Tesla's platinum-selling debut album. Learn about the spurious connection to the movie Serpico, which member gives online guitar lessons, and way too much about the band's gear, in this deep dive into a hair metal classic that has stood the test of time!

    tesla bryon serpico mechanical resonance
    S3E6 Vixen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 51:41


    HMM returns! With the only 80s all-female rock band to sell over a million copies of their albums, Vixen! Learn about Vixen's Midwestern roots, listen to some tasty solos, and take a deep-dive into the First Ladies of Hair Metal!

    S3E5 - Scorpions - Blackout

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 49:10


    Aaron and Bryon take a deep-dive into the 1982 breakthrough album Blackout by Scorpions! Learn about the egos of Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth, and the genius of artist Gottfried Helnwein! Revel in the tale of Don Dokken's contributions to this masterpiece, what gear your hosts play, and more!

    Bonus Episode! The Hair Metal Influence: U.F.O.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 56:43


    Veering from the normal HMM format, Aaron and Bryon do a bonus episode, a dive into the catalog of U.F.O., a band who greatly affected the beginnings of hair metal, and hard rock music in general. Discover how U.F.O. went from an average "space rock" band to influencing Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, and countless others!

    S3E4 - Queensrÿche - Empire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2022 60:12


    Queensrÿche's "Empire" is a classic record worthy of revisiting, one that holds up very well. Aaron and Bryon discuss this progressive metal masterpiece, Geoff Tate's fondness for wine and Roger Waters, and much more in this episode. Plus: Vinyl History Lesson! Gear Talk!

    S3E3 - Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 51:09


    Aaron and Bryon do a deep-dive on Twisted Sister's classic Stay Hungry album. Learn the connections Twisted Sister has with Sevendust, John Denver, and Jesus, which Dee Snider song was recorded by Celine Dion, and more.

    S3E2 - Giuffria

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 55:31


    Aaron and Bryon tackle the 1984 self-titled debut from Giuffria! Learn about their connections to Quiet Riot, Dio, the Vegas casino industry, and more, in the latest synth-drenched episode of HMM!

    S3E1 - Mr. Big - Lean Into It

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 57:37


    Aaron and Bryon return with Season Three, and some new segments and theme song goodness! Learn about a train crash, cordless electric drills, band connections to Stevie Nicks and Anthrax, and why Paul Gilbert should tune more often as the guys explore the Platinum-selling second album from Mr. Big, Lean Into It, newly re-released on its 30th anniversary!

    S2E10 - Blue Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 77:19


    In the final episode of season two, Aaron and Bryon discuss the self-titled Blue Murder album, the awesomeness of John Sykes, the consequences of problematic song titles, and how to say Carmine Appice's name. Special guest Ryan Sheeler tells us his memories of this great record, along with some band experiences of his own.

    S2E9 - Ratt - Out Of The Cellar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 45:10


    The 1984 hair metal classic, Ratt's "Out Of The Cellar" gets put under the microscope, Aaron and Bryon pay tribute to Tawny Kitaen, and special guest Melissa May tells a Ratt-inspired truth-or-dare story!

    S2E8 - Quiet Riot - Metal Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 62:30


    Aaron and Bryon discuss the template for the bulk of hair metal as we came to know it, Quiet Riot's 10X Platinum-selling "Metal Health." A bassist plots to kill his singer, heads are banged, and special guest Rachel Dudley earns some hair metal points back. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2E7 - Mötley Crüe - Too Fast For Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 70:34


    Aaron and Bryon tear into Mötley Crüe's raw, stellar debut, and chat with special guest Harvey Warren, who filled in for Tommy Lee at a Crüe show in Canada. Roy Thomas Baker's livelihood is discussed, and hear about a chance encounter with Nuno Bettencourt. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2EP6 - Def Leppard - Hysteria

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 80:09


    In this episode, Aaron and Bryon discuss the 20-some million selling platinum juggernaut Hysteria album from Def Leppard, which had a rocky road to its creation, but became a certified hair metal classic. Special guest Adam Lyons joins the boys to talk about his childhood memories of the album, life as a local musician during a pandemic, and what it's like to be a butcher. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2E5 - Skid Row - Slave To The Grind

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 60:38


    Aaron and Bryon dive deep into the awesome 1991 classic, Skid Row's "Slave To The Grind." Special guest Jordan "Bleujack" Voigt returns to discuss this double platinum opus, which took hair metal to some heavy, serious, and dark places. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2E4 - The Ballads Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2020 41:01


    After a short hiatus, Aaron and Bryon return with an episode devoted to that most loved and hated staple of hair metal - the hair metal ballad. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2EP3 - David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em And Smile

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 80:37


    Aaron and Bryon get down into the weeds with the classic full-length debut solo album from David Lee Roth! Learn about the Spanish version of this great record, and one of the all time great bands that play on it. Special guest Bobby Beagz Lucero of the band Slvthammer calls in from El Paso with the best rock stories yet, and everyone disses 5150, because it's not very good. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2EP2 - Cinderella - Long Cold Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020 78:39


    Aaron and Bryon publish a hilarious viewer video to the HMM Facebook page and dedicate this episode to her, then talk about her requested album, Cinderella's 1988 blues-drenched masterpiece, Long Cold Winter. Special guest Blake Delaney talks about his first CD, screwing up an expensive vinyl box set right when you open it, and screwing over Columbia Record Club. Also: the secret connection between Cinderella and Debbie Gibson. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    S2EP1 - King's X - Gretchen Goes To Nebraska

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 64:53


    Aaron and Bryon are back, with the season two kickoff! New theme music is unveiled, hair metal's definition is once again discussed, and King's X's masterpiece gets a good shakedown. Special Guest David Nantais calls in from Detroit to talk about the album, and the complicated history of Christian Rock that gets intertwined with King's X's history. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 10 - Season Finale All Call-In Show Spectacularrr!!! (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 67:57


    Part 2 of our all call-in show! This time, Aaron and Bryon speak with soundman Evan Taylor, guitarist Ryan Sheeler, our old friend Bleujack, and Matt Dake, who works in a local record store. A wide variety of topics is covered indeed, as we polish off Season One! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back with Season Two very soon!!! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 10 - Season Finale All Call-In Show Spectacularrr!!! (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2020 80:11


    To close out our first season of HMM, Aaron and Bryon decided to host an all call-in show. Our callers were too interesting, though, and we didn't want to have an enormous podcast that went for hours, so we're breaking it up into two parts! In Part 1, return guest Skotty B. Good discusses what hair metal is with the lads, and gets offended on behalf of Van Halen. Then the lads talk extensively with guitarist Greg DiPasquale of Fatal Curse about Vito Bratta, death metal, and what the metal scene in New York is like. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 9 - Extreme - Three Sides To Every Story

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2020 88:26


    It's our longest episode yet, for the longest album we've talked about so far! Aaron and Bryon do a deep dive on Extreme's third album, their magnum opus, Three Sides To Every Story! Special guest Jordan Bleujack Voigt calls us from the countryside in Iowa to talk about this complex slab of hair metal history, and we announce our first-ever contest! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 8 - Winger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 46:00


    In the second "lockdown" episode, Aaron and Bryon give their take on the debut Winger album from 1988, and why this band is way better than you remembered. Tangents include the incestuous inner circle of the band, Kip Winger's classical music career, Beavis and Butthead, and an accidental Adam Schlesinger tribute. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 7 - Faster Pussycat

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 40:43


    Aaron and Bryon do their first episode in the Age of the Virus! Using untested remote technology, they discuss the 1987 debut album from glam and punk influenced hair metal provocateurs Faster Pussycat. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 06 - Guns 'n Roses - Appetite For Destruction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 41:40


    In this episode, Aaron and Bryon talk about the mega-selling and mega-awesome Guns n' Roses masterpiece, Appetite For Destruction, and special guest Shawna Corbin tells us about getting kicked out of second grade and why there's recorded sex on this album. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 5 - Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2020 53:48


    Aaron and Bryon dissect the mega-platinum hair metal behemoth that is Bon Jovi, connecting the dots to Yes, Cher, and atheism, and special guest Chad Watkins hits us with a killer high school metal band name and tales of the best BBQ sauce ever. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 4 - Badlands

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 62:44


    Aaron and Bryon discuss one of the albums that helped launch this podcast, the debut self-titled album by Badlands! This short-lived but well-loved Jake E. Lee project is an underrated gem. Special guest Skotty B. Good talks about his experience with the album, and how he came to it via being in a Christian rock band! And much more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

    EP 3 - Whitesnake

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2019 65:45


    Aaron and Bryon discuss the self-titled 1987 Whitesnake album, answer a listener question, and talk about the strange connection between Whitesnake and the Grateful Dead with their special guest Greg Bruna. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hair-metal-memories/support

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