Trying to Find an Answer

BY

Mikaela A. Salcido

Do you remember the 1980's? Songs like "I Saw Red" and "Wanted dead or alive" ruled the airwaves. Poison, Bon Jovi, and Whitesnake saw their songs and records rise on the BillBoard Charts and there was DaveTV. Who didn't like singing along to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard or banging their heads along with Metallica's "Master of Puppets." Spandex, bandanas and make-up were in, and everything was about fun. Hollywood Boulevard was packed with longhaired rockers and the Rainbow Bar and Grill hosted Rock Stars for the civilians to see. The community made an impact and had business booming.

Flash forward to today, 1997. No longer are rockers flashy. No longer is music fun or happy. Hollywood Boulevard stores and it’s once filed rock & roll items are gone. Business shops no longer cater to the Heavy Metal scene. Also, Sunset Strip has been striped of good music and unsigned talent. We are sitting in a sea of drudgery and angst with more of a push to be depressed than to get up and have a good time. The question is: What happened to the heavy metal? Suddenly, the bands that were welcomed by fans, radio stations and MTV alike were shunned and decidedly not cool. In addition, quickly, without a trace, these bands, singers, and musicians vanished into the night.

There has been speculation about exactly what happened in early 1991, but no one is exactly sure. Did these bands pack up and head for friendlier crowds, in Europe, Japan or the Midwest? Were they simply rejected by record labels that were desperately looking for the "next big thing?" On the other hand, were they taken away... into the night by some extraterrestrial force?

Lately, scientists have been leaning towards the latter. Like the Incas, who mysteriously vanished from the Western Hemisphere so many years ago, the rock stars of the 1980's are gone. The Incas' culture was alive with science, art, and fulfillment - things very similar to the Hollywood Metal Years. No one is quite sure about what happened to the Incas, and no one is quite sure what happened to the metal bands. Where is Warrant? What happened to White Lion? In addition, has anyone heard from Lita Ford in ages? It seems as though only Metalica was allowed to stay. Perhaps as a token or a gift, or perhaps for something far greater yet to come...

One can only wonder what happened to these artists. Perhaps they were aliens themselves, joining our culture to bring joy and share their talents. Moreover, when they felt they had accomplished all they could, they left us to build on what they had taught. If only they could see us now. One wonders if they would be happy...

In the catacombs of Europe’s century old buildings and Hollywood’s, California rundown front to the City of Industry industrial districts, passageways wind through rough walls connecting small rooms, each fronted by a sturdy iron door or heavy gauged locks. Hollywood arena of musicians packed rooms up on Hollywood and Western studios where behind these doors musicians compose and rehearse through all hours of the day and night. Many of them did not have a place to live and in these rooms one aspiring longhaired young man said, "in these walls we eat and sleep music." Wandering crooked hallways, waves of sound clashing and coalescing: powerful drums and bass, menacing and ecstatic vocals, the heavy crunch of distorted electric guitars. In some rooms, lone guitarists practice scales, arpeggios, heavy metal riffs, and Bach transcriptions. Occasionally, an open door gives a glimpse of musicians taking a break for a smoke and air.

Stricken by the resemblance of this underground rehearsal spaces to the practice rooms of conservatory is almost equal. Although Europe’s halls and Hollywood’s Musician Institute of Technology show a different décor, the people are similar: musicians in their late teens and early twenties assembled for long hours of rigorous practice. Male and female within the Sunset Strip Rock and roll and Heavy Metal scene, all desire the big break of a contract. There is a parallel sense of isolation for the sake of musical craft and creativity, a kindred pursuit of technical development and group precision. And like conservatory students, many of these heavy metal musicians take private lessons, study music theory, practice scales and exercises for hours every day. They also share the precarious economic future faced by classical musicians; in both cases, few will ever make enough money performing to compensate them for the thousands of hours they have practiced and rehearsed. Judgement against this type of music has always been an issue amongst people of all ages. However, those against it argue that it is suppose to be fun and that’s what it should remain. Although, I do believe it is more than fun.

Through time, legends of Rock and Roll with the likes of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and upwards to the screaming orgies of girls desiring the Beatles. Repeatedly music is a never-ending continuance of growing styles. Music history in the later part of the early sixties and seventies revolutionized the birth of the "fuzz box," and waltzes of psychedelic mind bending guitar works of Jimi Hendrix. Afterwards, the never ending cocktails of cocaine and doing the disco thing with John Travolta became the new wave of dance music. Early in the seventies, the Bee Gees tittle film, "Saturday Night Fever" became a fast pre and post Disco era and no sooner did the outburst among the rock an rollers who stated, "disco sucks" was seen on decals. Heavy metal and Hard rock music evolved into the worlds newest and most controversial modal of progressive rock which stemmed from British new wave of underground musicians. Now, as the termagant music variously termed, "Hard Rock" or "Heavy Metal" headbandgs toward its third decade, it’s changing again. It is changing in the way it’s played, heard and sold.

Heavy metal has never experienced such radical transformations as the kind that now Rock in the 90’s. The noisy warehouse and the musicians who haunt them evoke images and raise issues that will be the central focus of this discussion. In addition, the thorough evaluation and interviews made to bring this episode into a close is emphasized. This research of a cultural history within a focused community focuses on why Heavy Metal took a plunge without leaving any clues. In addition, we will look at possibilities in which answers may be found. The issue to be assessed entails one question. We ask, "what happened to Heavy metal?" In addition, the thorough evaluation and interviews made to bring this episode into a close is emphasized.

The lines between hard rock, funk, pop, rap and alternative have blurred; audiences have merged; and industry executives, trying to gauge the next big thing by the last, complain that "every other label is looking for the next Nirvana. "It is symptomatic of the changes a foot that metal/rock’s biggest success story is a band who's sound, look, and outlook might have drawn hostile responses from mainstream headbangers a scant live or size years ago.

"People are really rebelling against the spinal tap formula, "says Tom Zutaut, A &R Geffen Records. "They are burned out on heir bands with no originality or cr4eativitgy and just a lot of head banging. Bands like Soundgarden, Guns n roses and Pearl Jam pushes the limits of definition they are not afraid to step out and do things differently. That’s why they’ve been accepted so well by a whole new generation."

Nirvana has taken incredible guitar sounds and vocals, brought them into the mainstream, and single handedly saved us from for the next few years, "agrees Steve Jones, A&R manager of Hollywood Records (Scream, Motorpsycho, Sacred Reich. "It was a surprise to see them so successful, " He says. "They have embodied heaviness, the alternative look, style, scene and level. There's a big cataclysm and out of that comes public acceptance, having tuned minds doors open."

Columnist Sabrina Kaleta, says, "Metallic is my favorite band because they combine musical ability, attitude and songs. Those are the components of a great group. You can get by with any two of the three, but led Zeppelin, for example, was great because they had all those things. Bob Chiappardi, president of Concrete Marketing, says the metal/alternative movement is snowballing. "It will be interesting to see what happens with it, whether it hangs around or is like the blues metal of a few years back. In the next couple of years things will get heavier in general," Says Chiappardi, whose company represents such bands as Winger. " There will be a need for a new Iron Maiden type band. Younger kids come back to it repeatedly; there needs to be a new blood in the heavy metal gothic sound. By then, the end of the Eighties was rapidly approaching, and metal was again becoming a jaded form of music. Every new pop and thrash metal band sounded exactly the same, and of the old ones only a few remained. Sunset strip scene began to deteriorate with bands like, short lived Pretty Boy Floyd, Shotgun Aley, Aces and Eight, and Jungle Alley. The Hollywood and high rollers Glam band scene soon took its fall. Mötley Crüe and Guns n’ Roses still ruled the music world along with Metalica, in the absence of Def Leopard and Bon Jovi. The thrash world was quickly dying as bands were repeating everything done before; and Slayer, Megadeth, and Metalica had slowed and softened up on their approach in different degrees. Death and doom metal had already revived, but speed and Glam needed a savior.

The heavy metal genre "itself has become de-emphasized according to Richard Sanders, BP of artist development at Arista. "It is subdivided and divided again within those subdivisions and so confused that heavy metal no longer exists as it did I the 70’s and 80’s, " he says, "alternative is the catchword of the day, but it has been done before. The early metal bands ere blues, ten came riff bands like Van Hallen, then power and speed came out of punk. It is a natural progression and quite refreshing."

EMI’s director of A and R, Julia Eisnethal observe that "the greatest changes have occurred within the recording industry, video and retail outlets."

There is a higher level of acceptance in these areas for the force for the genre, it is a message and that fact is it is not the flavor of the moment music. "All of this is long overdue" says Eisenthal, who believes that the terms "metal " and "alternative" are used primarily for the conveniecvne of the music business and radio. Metal and alternative music is about a vive and place. There are no rules, only attitude."

4

In the music industry, record labels become concerned with "hits" to bring capital into the pockets of the fat cat’s. They also, partake of the music evolution. Marketing techniques among the radio stations push them to play a top hit songs. Also, disk jockeys that roll records are not much into change and continue to play the old songs. According to these old fogies, they are old in their traditions and do not give in the dues towards the new artists or styles. Contradicting as it may sound, record industries take performers as their toys. What is meant by this? Let’s just say the old saying, "out with the old and in with the new." Rather hard to comprehend the side of the radio wave and those sitting on the top level of the Capital records building, In all actuality, it is the same everywhere. For example, Mexico’s industry gets out the old in less than a year. Many times, it is based on appearance of young, cute sexy, macho looks. In the feminine side, it becomes worse. Women are used as sex kittens for the dogs and the women stupidly follow wagging their tails for all to see in spite of having little or no talent. The sex is what sells in the Latin music industry. Now lets get back to the United States and its ordeal of "hits." The people back in the East Coast still have a faithful following towards Hard Rock and Heavy metal music. According to managing director Martin Hooker, death metal continues to be active. However, the signs of less activity in the selling side of the business, it continues to be active. Gratefulness should be given that Europe and U.S. does not do away with artists such as in other parts of the world.

Hollywood talked of never to compromise their art for popular success, but there is little evidence of the music pretense that art can be pursued apart from commerce. Though this may be the case, commerce always rules and who can compete. Critics of music and radio stations will argue that commercialism is to be played and therefore specific types of music should be set aside on the racks. The direction of rock is clear within the radio stations. Record companies are obsessed with the "greatest hits" and "the best of" albums. Another issue with the radio stations is the categorizing of styles.

The point of contention is how to categorize so called alternative Seattle acts, such as Nirvana, Pearl jam and Soundgarden. It’s an alternative-preconceived notion of heavy metal, says Gregg Steel. Greg steel, a well-known disk jockey agrees to music being so niche and hard to categorize something. It is important for people in radio to play songs that are right and not have a knee jerked reaction. According to Greg Mull, Los Angeles radio station KNAC has fallen after many years of airplay of hard, unfocused metal. Rather wrong, KNAC contributed towards many acts that played heavy dues along the Sunset strip of Gazzaris, Whiskey, Troubadour, and the Cat Room.

Los Angeles increased the number of hard rock heavy metal specialty shows on album rock stations convened with full time hard rock formats, signals a more hospitable home for the genre than in years past. In addition, even to p 40 is involved in breaking some of the more popular artists. Two major outlets for hard rock heavy metal is KNAC in Long Beach, California which debuted in 1986.Keeping on track with the community of Hollywood, the core will be KNAC. Although core KNAC artists include Motley Crue, Metalica, guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden, as well as harder acts such as Megadeth and Slayer, Disk Jockey Gregg Steel admits that he can not alienate the masses. He says, "we are a commercial station and on the air 24 hors a day, we need to appeal to as many people as we can." He says, "but we want our fans to know we’ll always play hard stuff."

To keep it’s heavy metal fans happy, KNAC would air "Manic Metal’ every Monday night from 11 to midnight, featuring such artists as Gorguts, Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death. Steel describes the music as ‘the heavy true heavy, death metal, the stuff ki8ds are buying that is getting nonsupport anywhere except o college blocks and a slap from the PMRC.

In addition, industry mongrels continuously seek the newest hip thing. Los Angeles radio stations have become swallowed by the commercialism and have doomed historic radio stations. The PMRC has also contributed to the destruction of the sacred metal music and freedom of speech privileges amongst Heavy Metal and other artists… including country music. Therefore, if one accepts my hypothesis that it mirrors cultural values, then it is an opportunity to explore and find a device for making judgments against modern life. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal rarely has been considered by academics, rock has some scholarly value. Furthermore, some music contains trash, some has real musical value, and those judgments tend to be far too personal for generalizations. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to speak on the warped mind of Tipper Gore and the PMRC.

Metal has been ignored or reviled, not only by academics of all stripes but even by most rock critics. In the United States and many other countries, heavy metal is arguably the most important and influential musical genre of the eighties. Throughout the decades, it became increasingly clear that between them, hip-hop and heavy metal was redefining American music. Moreover, surrounding the heavy metal and the people who make it over character, behavior, values, censorship, violence, alienation and community, mark metal as an important site of cultural contestation. The most obvious attacks came from groups with the mission to establish Christian fundamental, The Parent’s Music resource Center, Christian fundamentalist groups, rock critics, and Dee Snyder put an intense reaction towards heavy metal. Recently, a market study was made and found that ten million people in the United States, "like or strongly like" Heavy metal and nineteen million strongly dislike it. Heavy metal engages in some fundamental social values. The following represent structures of Los Angeles County crime statistics. Rather not able to perform its duties, the PMRC does not express itself on how crime is involved in Heavy Metal Music. However, more crime is seen inside the darkness of the "LA Confidential" and Mike David’s, "Ecology of Fear." LA Confidential depicts more crime committed within than in the statistics shown on the graphs below. Although there is an exception for some of the crime caused by the Los Angeles riots. No, it was not created by Heavy Metal musicians or demon music by black or white individuals who listen to Rap. In the communities of the Ghettoes along the Rampart, East LA, and Central locations becomes a more natural crime scene. Then you have the monster children. The monster children are the Charter Reform is a dominated leadership of Democratic labor types who recently placated political monster children; their politicians. These politicians might begin asking the neighborhoods about the crime issues and maybe demolish some of the ruins left from gang-infested buildings rather than a nice piece of land, which is polished, to their appeal. Also, precious County Tax payers money is needed in our schools rather than giving it away to incompetents like police department chief, Willie Williams. It may be convenient for the people to pick a good sheriff and save money rather than having others in office pick someone we do not know. Tisk, tisk… the problem we must encounter within this community. Apartment buildings, described by Mike Davis do show a true slum life were crime is unavoidable and more susceptible. In addition, yes, we do live in a weird city. Take for example, John Walsh. John Walsh looks like a grunge carrying his guitar throughout the Charter commission, Red Line, blue lines, and even stopped the subway. The overcrowding of the buses and how few people ride the few miles of open subway, the expensive shenanigans of the MTA board, the fraud, the corruption, and the agencies horrible safety record. People congratulate and ask for his autograph for standing for what he believes to be wrong and unfair.If the PMRC was giving it’s facts over crime rather than irrelevant issues such as Heavy metal and Rap music contributing to the destruction of our youth and society life would be different. The sight of seeing them swallowed up with Mike Davis would be a pleasant but grotesque description of Los Angeles and their disappearance. He and the PMRC might as well look above him because the sky may be falling on them. Poisoned Lava, monster freeways? Mike Davis is the king of "dark prophets." Rich with urban reconnaissance into the urban part and future from this interpreter gives a provocative interpretation of the American metropolis.

Police, first amendment and Civilian rights continue to be overseen. Moreover, The Rodney King issue is another example of the corruption that is involved in the Los Angeles County Police Department. Many a times it seams that the police department continues to make mistakes such as a recent seizure of wire tapping of innocent people. ""The whole concept [of the police wiretap operation] was preposterous," said Dale Hardeman, a Downey attorney. "How are we supposed to know if customers are involved in criminal activity?" Officer's Arrest Triggers Corruption Probe; LAPD: Broader investigation focuses on tips from informants who say police stole drugs and money from dealers. The criminal investigation into a Los Angeles police officer accused of stealing six pounds of cocaine has broadened into a wider corruption probe, with detectives acting on tips from informants and narcotics dealers who say the nine-year veteran and other officers stole drugs and money from street dealers. Operation Sheds Light on LAPD Tactics Drugs: Critics say police abused power by targeting telephone firm, arresting dozens of clients but no employees. Making maters worse, there seems to be a continuance of Civil rights violations. The more it becomes a problem for society to face civil right violations, economic standards for small business minority owners will continue to be low. However, white folks continue to prosper with or without any problem, The one thing in common is the worry of taxes and the pressure to regulate. For Minorities, It Takes More Doing; They Face More Obstacles, Experience Slower Growth; Mike Davis Book, "Ecology of Fear shows more gruesome scenes than the statistical crime box below.

Population, Size, and Police Cost

The Heavy Rock economy industries have taken a bug turn. Again, look at the radio stations that played Heavy Metal, Sunset strip, Hollywood Boulevards Rock record stores, and once filled clubs are no longer seen. In addition, nation wide arenas and their audiences now gather inside small venues. This brings us to the focus of the question. What happened? To correct Tricia Rose statements, Rap and Black Culture is still alive and well. However, rather not to argue with her, we need to be both active with the defamation that he PMRC and other groups have done to both Black and Rock culture.

Former Heavy Metal rocker, Dee Snyder and The PMRC have been a needle in every artist from the rap stream to the whole side of the music industry. Although our Living Constitution explains in the fourteenth Amendment, No person shall be taken away form life, liberty and property without due process. Moreover, the Constitution gives us Citizens the right to freedom of speech and privacy. Censorship in the U.S.A. has been an issue debated for long period. Professor Thomas Emerson said, "Hence, by them that Heavy Metal Hard Rock became dropping in all aspects of the industry. Hence, suppression of belief, opinion, or other expression is an affront to the dignity of man (and artists), a negation of man’s essential nature. Moreover, man in his capacity as a member of society has a right to share in the common decisions that affect him." Professor Thomas Emerson clearly shows that one has to display its words. Organizations such as the PMRC do display words. They display words to convenience them and destroy the first amendment that humans have been given to display in all forms and shapes and sounds. An individual by the name Tipper Gore had been given power and accesses to the media and political support, which supported her cause. Her cause was "Raising kids in an X-rated Society."

The year is 1985, powerful wives of politicians established the Parent’s Music Resource Center (PMRC). Tipper Gore, along with the politicians wives made a success in articulating an agenda by accomplishing its political goals. The group has pressured major and small independent record labels to place warning stickers on recordings with "adult" lyrics. Moreover, they have also successfully persuasions to state legislature to censor certain types of mystic, especially heavy Metal. A concerned mother stated, "how can listen to heavy metal, it is devil music." She then pointed to a cover of Iron Maiden’s album,
"Seventh Son of the Seventh Son." Little did she know Lead Vocalist, Bruce Dickinson for Iron Maiden sang about political issues and protesting about human disaster from nuclear creation world. Ignorance is seen before observing the truth. The PMRC has successfully persuaded state legislatures to censor certain types of music. Why not all music? For the PMRC, It’s a matter of taste that these politician wives who do not listen to heavy metal. On September 1995, the PMRC succeeded in giving Heavy Metal tittle, "porn rock. The PMRC and Congress described the hearings as neutral findings while others saw them as terrorist. Since the congressional interrogation of musicians and leaders of the music, industry suggested implicit (and illegal) threats of legislation if the moralistic demands of the PMRC for "voluntary" censorship were not met.

PMRC’s reference to twenty-year-old boys mark their concern to represent Heavy Metal as a threat to youth and enabling them to parental frenzy. In addition, they have objected to eroticism and "lesbian undertones" in popular music, along with sadism and brutality, they conflate sex and violence, which have threatened parental control. Tipper Gore’s mental status exaggerates while participating in a crisis. They also combine claims with disingenuousness about their own political influence referred to "their friends." Gores call for imposition of official values and illuminating cultural differences. Well, as we can see, it definitely has succeeded in eliminating cultural differences, this does not meet their standards. How do they provide evidence? We will see.

First, according to proving their attacks, a relying on a pamphlet by a professor of music called, "The Heavy Metal User’s Manual" by Joe Stuessy. Stuessy was called as a special witness for a senate hearing 1985 stating that Heavy Metal lyrics are violent and deviant. He continues on to say, "Heavy metal music is impoverished." "Most of the successful Heavy Metal bands projects one or more of the following basic themes: extreme rebellion, extreme violence, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity and perversion (including homosexuality), bisexuality, sadomasochism, necrophilia, etc), Satanism." Also, admitting to having these types of lyrics going beyond his understanding when they are presented in a complex and sophisticated than he is. He does not express the issues of drugs and alcohol happening within and before his age.

Connections between heavy metal and drug have existed through the entire music history. It probably began with the success of the 1960’ws speed freaks of San ‘Francisco’s
Blue Cheer. However, drugs do not explain a style of music. Look at Ms. Billy Holiday, a heroin addict. Heavy induced music full of drugs, images cross the boundaries of sub cultural scenes, and makes sense to people who are different type of drugs or none at all. Because music and drugs are involved some strategies for coping in particular instances, criticism cannot denunciate of the other. For example, the great composer, "Schumann, Schubert and Mussorgsky" abused alcohol extensively. All music is located in the real world of material and the tensions of culture. Moreover, later in the Hollywood scene, musicians such as Aerosmith and Gun’s and Roses agreed that indulging in drugs and alcohol would cause a suffering in music. However, sadly, the realization for many bands surrounding the scene, big or small, became to late.

Music Television made an incredible impact in which the Beatles would have the time of their lives if available to them. Progressive Rock made a big impact in the music industry through 1968, to 1978. Due to the valiant musicianship that performers such as Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Peter Frampton, Rush, Emerson Lake & Palmer, and Genesis, displayed fine musicianship full of new and uninhibited modals. Unlike the Hollywood scene, The Progressive rock movement created a completely new scene, until it also withered. The Progressive Rock was a definite success. However, it also snowballed for a long time. Unfortunately, things did get worse and hard rock/Metal did not hang around. "Why" continues to be the big question. In the delinquents whom contributed towards the death of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal scene is MTV. The industry changes the style of music through exposing the artist with short film productions. We call these productions, "music videos" and "technology." The movie industry is a multimillion-dollar system in which musicians see million dollar bills through the making of a music movie video. It was once said by Richie Heaven, "you come out to hear the words of the songs and hopefully you will take it with you." Woodstock in the Sixties had given music a meaning and purpose to performing. The artist and the audience where in tune with musicianship and lyrics. However, through the poisoning of television, music now has become an irrelevant them of music videos in order to make money. The hard rock and metal scene has been suckered up and eaten by the big fat fish. The big fat fish is the new performers whom the industries see potential "hit makers. It means, the industry has gathered their whips, chains, and leather outfits for the purpose of bondage and discipline to obey their master." Explained in more elaborate detail is that such artists are succumbed by the money aspect and become "hit makers." The outcome is a creation of "pop" and elaborating their music through high tech gadgets so that they can be on Dick Clarks, either top forty or MTV’s top of the charts. Among one of the least expected groups who swore by the Bible to never perform a music video, is the group, "metalica."

Metalica was once a know speed demonizing guitar, drums, and bass speed metal band. While screaming the lungs out of the vocalist, they where known to be an unpolluted speed band. Through many changes taken place of technology, metalica became eaten by the big fat fishes that flashed money thr9ogh television, and pop hits with a dab of Heavy metal to justify their previous words. "Alternative," according to Damian Sabatini, is as confusing as giving Burritos a name such as a "Wrap." By doing this, burritos are accepted with the "trendy" people and metal is now a given "softer" tittle.

Alternative metal had its roots on Neil Young’s Crazy Horse. Before bands like the Ventures and the Velvet Underground became true innovators, were Living Color, Jane’s Addiction, and Faith No More. The first and eccentric mixture of heavy metal, jazz, blues, rap, funk, hardcore, and a good dose of black culture. The second a band that borrowed heavily from the Seventies and developed its own unique sound with Perry Farrel’s high-pitched squeals. As for Faith No More, its members mixed every existing type of music available to them and fused it with their second singer Mike Patton’s bewildered screaming to create masterful albums. The same style was adopted and developed later by Scatterbrain, Mr.Bungle (Patton’s side project) and Mindfunk. These bands were quite successful before the alternative metal explosion that was to occur. Obscured by other bands that were stirring up a commotion, such as the hardcore-influenced Sonic Youth, the hyperkinetic Fishbone, the Irish Therapy, and Seattle’s Melvins. Of course, there was also Mother Love Bone, but the band never quite hit fame, despite its outstanding music. According to Bill Martin, Author of "Progressive Rock," described alternative and Grunge confusing.

Grunge is a concept that is more then just dirty clothes, ragged hair, and drug abuse. While many styles overlap with grunge, punk in particular, none have the same mindset as a "grungie." Grunge is more than a look. it is a state of mind. Hollywood began to feel the wave of Grunge Alternative during the end of early eighties and knew it would be another wave of music for the people, artists, and record industry.

Follower of grunge tends to wear torn jeans; t-shirts (with their favorite band spray painted on it) flannel sweaters and shoes are universal to a grungie. On other side of the rock world, Hollywood followers wore long hair (grungies liked natural hair), leather jackets, black pants, black shoes, and jet-black died hair. The philosophies of grungies when it comes to footwear do not have the ideologies of heavy metal. While grungies oppose to body piercing, headbanger also apposed. Though these are a few examples of style, Hollywood began to view Seattle’s new scene near and fast.

Then Nirvana exploded upon the world with their song "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Its mixture of accessible simple melodies and punk angst quickly drew hordes of fans eager to listen to something new. Kurt Cobain’s depressed lyrics attracted millions of Generation X teenagers who felt as if the old stars of Glam metal had nothing to do with their lives; flash and sex just weren’t reality anymore, or so everyone thought. Until the death of Cobain in 1994, the members of Nirvana were MTV darlings and helped impulse the so-called Seattle scene, taking away the heavy metal scene from Los Angeles. The grunge wave was so overwhelming commercially those new alternative metal bands began springing out throughout the world, eventually oversaturating the scene. Few bands remained true to their original styles. The likes of the Black Crows and the Four Horsemen are reviving the bluesier rock of the Sixties. Pride & Glory displaying a Southern-influenced rock style and Love/Hate, the Almighty, gave the intensely political Warrior Soul remaining true to a more straightforward heavy metal style.

After the wake of Nirvana, several bands quickly attained fame status. Soundgarden kept to its tried and true formula. Alice N Chains offered a dark, broody musical landscape. Pearl Jam, perhaps the second most important band of the alternative scene, offered intricate guitar arrangements and melodies, along with Eddie Vedder’s low growls and words from the heart on its masterful debut album Ten. The alternative metal scene quickly grew as MTV gave such bands heavy video rotation and took them to stardom. Later came bands like Stone Temple Pilots, which evolved from a poor man’s Pearl Jam to a force of its own. Other aspects of music made Punk turn alternative. Soul Asylum, the unique My Sister’s Machine, the acclaimed Saigon Kick, the drone-like Kyuss, Blind Melon, Big Chief, Candlebox, Dinosaur Jr., Moist, and Sponge, all had different degrees of success.

Meanwhile, progressive metal would enjoy yet another zenith among commercial circles. Images and Words, a rather complex collection of progressive-minded music delivered by Dream Theater, reached stellar sales and took progressive metal to grounds seldom tried before. Consisting of prodigious musicians, the band would also release albums such as Awake and A Change of Seasons to further broaden its musical horizon and appeal, and further establishing its reputation as one of progressive metal’s most outstanding bands ever. Meanwhile, in the wake of Dream Theater’s success, several new bands began experimenting furthermore with the most technically apt branch of heavy metal developed previously by the likes of Watchtower. Shadow Gallery, Damn the Machine, Angra, Altura, Enchant, Cairo, the classical-music-meets-metal Mozart, and Spastic are among these bright exponents of music, which continuously broaden musical frontiers. Along with these, other bands have created approaches that are more whimsical. The progressive thrash metal composed by Anacrusis and the funky speed metal of Mordred in their later albums accompanied by the progressive combination of death metal and fusion jazz harbored by Atheist and Cynic.

However, by the middle of the Nineties, alternative and progressive metal was dying out. Nirvana had ceased existing with the death of guitarist/vocalist Kurt Cobain; Pearl Jam had abstained from touring because of a legal feud with Ticketmaster. Alice N Chains gradually became less public as vocalist Layne Staley’s drug addiction deepened. In the Eighties, bands started imitating tried and successful formulas. Only a couple of bands kept breaking new grounds like the musically simple Helmet and the sometimes-psychedelic Smashing Pumpkins. Relatively new punk bands like the Offspring, Green Day, and Rancid (which came out of the ska-punk Operation Ivy) had helped with the initial impulse of the Seattle scene. Actually, mistakenly being called alternative by MTV, but their lack of musical fierceness when compared to older punk bands eventually contributed to their own downfall, excepting the Offspring. The hardcore Bad Religion, Social Distortion, and NOFX reached wide media exposure after several years of existence. Seemingly, to be making a small commotion, but the matter of punk rock surviving in commercial circles for much longer is rather questionable.

During the peak performance of "The Hollywood Heavy Metal scene, and Super Star guitarists," stadium mega, rock stars began to see a reduction in earnings along with the amateur musicians of the Sunset strip. Amateur musicians at clubs where once paid to play and now it was them who had to pay to play. Worried not showing their talent and denied the opportunity, desperate performers gave in to the insulting command to pay to perform. The pay to play had become the biggest slap to an artists face. Normally, clubs did pay a percentage to the musicians attendance. It was a decision to either not perform or pay and be guaranteed a place under the spotlight. These where the many words of aspiring musicians seeking stardom including the already famous signed acts viewed the "pay to play" issue as the beginning of an end to rock’s music scene. As one guitarist said, "It was the day the music died" Damian Sabatini.

Damian Sabatini was a young guitarist who moved from San Diego to Hollywood. Sabatini acquired the name from a dark band named, Black Sabbath. Catching the end trail of the metal scene, Sabatini did see a tremendous fear of not being able to continue his struggle. The struggle became harder and harder for him to succeed in the changing environment of the new upcoming bands from Seattle area. It was destined to end and it ended within two years. What once filled the streets with people along the clubs where now a sad and depressing scene. Sabatini had only one decision to make. That decision was to set his guitar down and let it collect dust. For it now became a dream instead of making a dream come true? Furthermore, Sabatini was too proud to have to pay a fee in order to attract people. He would not bow down.

All along the West Hollywood Sunset strip young musicians bowed down to the music industry rule to pay to perform. Young musicians from Seattle began to hit big and their songs took the charts with a new style of music called "Grunge." Heavy metal, Hard Rock, Glam Rock, and Post Punk Rock began to see it’s down fall due to the Grunge scene. Single technical front man musicians had to compete with the new dull straightforward muddy guitar sound of Grunge which a younger crowd became pleased. Moreover, the bands began to show very little showmanship and stage gimmicks. Actually, one can separate the music scene into two topics. The first one is the technically inclined musicians, whom where usually guitarists. Second, the act or theme of the show. The music became dirty, and the simple illumination of colored lights where used.

The stage set no longer had no meaning or value, which enhanced the music. What once was given emphasis on a theatrical stage set now became as plain and simple that one could get. At one time, musicianship such as Joe Satriani, Marty Fiedman, Steve Vai, and others whom displayed disciplined fine technically fingered action that left the listener amazed. Arpeggio’s, scalloped fretboards, and high tech gadgets where now being replaced by old vintage and funky looking guitars connected to a box fuzz tin can that distorted and gave the grunge sound. In addition, the heavy signed acts such as Sepultura, Pantera, Black Diamond, Megadeath, and the pretty boy look began to see a decline. Eventually the Grunge and Heavy Metal/Hard Rock scene did not last. Today, the music seems to be confused and of no value to the ear of a true admirer of musicianship. Attendance to concerts for such acts such as Rush, Santana, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer and many others had reduced from mega stadiums and sports arenas to small theatres and performance halls. According to some musicians, the executives decided to change the acts and sign new straight-ahead music. They figure they could make more money and eventually miss the big dollars that mega stars brought in for them. From the attendance of audience to the music store purchasing of posters and memorabilia did they loose. New bands do not come close to what once was a multiplatinum dollar and multimillion dollar figure earnings. A true disgrace brought upon to top performers and amateurs. The music industry fell and disappointed the many talented musicians who came seeking stardom in Hollywood and those at worldwide rock star level. It truly became the day the music died. Moreover, music publications where also affected.

Publications such as Creem, Hit Parader (now out of business), Rock City News, and others reduced the number of pages that once where produced. Today, there are but a few pages marketing posters, pictures, and short lived band articles. One magazine became black and white when at one time had been colored. Furthermore, there are at least ten pages less and the quality of the paper switched from glossy to newspaper type material. How is it that this industry becomes the fallen Babylon? According to the publications (Interview to be added the next paragraphs)…. Also, in a recent interview with the owner of the Rainbow Bar and Grill which hosted bands such as Guns & Roses and Motley Crue, described the music scene to be well off and explains it’s down fall. (Interview to be added to the next Paragraphs).

The answer to this termination and the end of the Hollywood scene might very well be lack of creativity. Alan, the roadie for " " agrees to the downfall of many bands due to alcohol and drugs. Aerosmith, today maintains a one hundred percent clean lifestyle inspite of living it up during the 70’s 80’s and early 90’s. Looking up to bands like Gun’s and Roses was a mistake for people who followed Slash’s alcoholic lifestyle by making it look cool. Many bands did break up because of drugs and alcohol. However, all of the industries musical audiences agree to the interference of the PMRC and Metal music not being able to pay the bills like the top of the pop hit songs. Though fully not convinced,

Finally, though we’ve analyzed the history and issues of the state of metal, it is important to speak on the last half of the Nineties. The last half of the nineties has seen yet another revival of heavy metal, which reinstates the fact that the heavy metal/punk scene seems to fit quite comfortably into the historic theory of cycles. This revival was due to two factors. First, a harder-edged metal provided by several new bands and reunion and comeback tours and albums from Kiss, the Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Ratt, Mötley Crüe, Quiet Riot, Warrant, Poison, Slaughter, and several other bands.

This new rise of heavy metal is considerably surprising, taking into account the fact that the newest bands are probably the heaviest and most shocking to ever reach wide media rotation. One of the new musical tendencies is rap metal, also called rap-core. Rap metal is a combination that had already been experimented with by older groups such as Anthrax, the Bad Brains, and Aerosmith. Rap metal has been played constantly by more obscure outfits like Hard Corps whom got their inspiration by gangster rap. Somewhat pioneered by the controversial Ice-T-led Body Count along with the popular and politically active Rage Against the Machine during the Nineties, the movement has its softer side among the likes of 311. The dark side of the coin has been heralded so far by Deftones, the ever growing Korn, and, recently, by Powerman 5000. Quite undoubtedly, as the media has shown, it is the strongest tendency among new bands that have already begun to copy the praised sounds of established bands.

The other new tendency is even more shocking. Moreover, the same people consider it a clown, the prime embodiment of evil, or just a cynical man who has learned that shock value and manipulation through the media can absorb the minds of youths. They eagerly try to think that they are truly rebellious. The same None other than Marilyn Manson could fit all those categories so easily, except for Kiss in the Seventies, WASP in the Eighties, and King Diamond and Venom in the speed metal realms. Taking on an slightly industrial edge, with simple riffs and screams aplenty, Marilyn Manson has shocked the world overnight, with its album Antichrist Superstar antagonizing conservative as well as liberal circles. However, as Time magazine cleverly and eloquently put it, Manson seems to be quite in the same vein as Kiss; a cleverly planned product designed for a music industry’s increasing income. Despite this, the band seems be to be encompassing an ever-growing audience, and several new bands have already ripped off the band’s style; vein slicing and white makeup included.

The two final tendencies of nowadays are in the power groove and industrial branches. Trent Reznor seems to be taking the illustrious spotlight of Cobain in this last half of the Nineties, while several bands continue to expand on Pantera’s economically and critically successful approach; most notably Machine Head. Others like Fear Factory, the hardcore Atari Teenage Riot, and Strapping Young Lad have continued to take the industrial approach in a heavier direction. While Type O Negative has gradually moved away from its industrial, gothic and atmospheric approach the band Danzig has been absorbed. In fact, the metal world is so active in these days that the Ozzfest, a heavy metal festival thought up by Ozzy Osbourne and including bands such as Sepultura, Fear Factory, Pantera, and a reunited Black Sabbath, was quite successful. One seems to be slightly reminded of the Lollapalooza Festival thought up by Perry Farrell to promote alternative music (which in turn included a wide roster of alternative metal bands). Although, the latter was obviously a more crossover cultural event, became a success.

What lies in the future of heavy metal? As any historian worth his own weight knows, history cannot and should not be predicted; although historic cycles may help with such evaluations, nothing assures that they are right. With Mötley Crüe’s Generation Swine raising expectations continuously, the Ratt and Quiet Riot reunions turning some eyes around, and Kiss swinging through million-dollar profits, one can only expect a return of the Glam metal bands. Recently, the Crüe’s musical approach casts quite a shadow of doubt on whether the bands will keep playing their brand of rock or adapt to more modern tendencies. Meanwhile, Korn and 311 keep invading new territory, while Marilyn Manson continues to shock people worldwide and alternative metal keeps dying; as Soundgarden’s recent end shows. What’s next? Pardon the naïve and jaded cliché, but only time will tell.

Also, a big major portion for the downfall of Hollywood’ metal scene and once mega star bands was due to the political messages and age differences. The people who used to buy Judas Priest and Iron Maiden tickets have grown up and are involved in adult things. In addition, these same kids aren’t interested in Judas Priest or Iron Maiden anymore. Those bands are old, too safe and the kid’s can’t relate. They relate to bands like Godflesh, Ministry and Soundgarden instead. In the economy, it was evident throughout the pay play Sunset clubs and ticket sales. Previous tickets at clubs where $10 to $15 dollars and now, in order to get people in the shows, tickets fall at $5 or even $4. However, as bad as it might seem, Heavy metal was pushed to hard and overgrew it’s limit. Glam, Thrash, Death Metal and Speed Metal gave it’s message loud, heavy, and clear. "Heavy metal was simply overkilled."