When
people ask me – the great Harry Turtleneck, to
name the single greatest thing to do in Los Angeles,
I inevitably tell them it’s stalking Jennifer
Love Hewitt.
I mean - that’s a no-brainer.
But
if I were asked to name the second best thing
to do, I’d have to tell them it’s going
to see 'Metal Shop' at the Viper Room on Monday nights.
It’s a mess: four spandexed dudes (probably) in
their 40’s, hair all teased out, prancing around
like David Lee Roth at the height of his ass-less chaps
period. They churn out note for note covers of such
classics as Warrant’s ‘The Down Boys,’
Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ On A Prayer,’
and a Motley Crue two punch (‘Shout at the Devil’
into ‘Live Wire’)
But
their true genius is comedy. Like Spinal Tap before
them, these cats realize that rock and roll (particularly
the glam variety) is a complete joke – from the
makeup and crotch grabbing, to the synchronized homo
stage moves, the ‘how many of you girls like cocaine?!?’
stage banter, to the endless songs about rocking you
like a hurricane. Words can’t really convey the
sights, the sounds, the smells of a 'Metal Shop' show,
so I won’t try.
All
I’ll say is GO SEE ‘EM!
They
play other venues around town time to time, but word
has it the Viper Room on Mondays is the best place to
see ‘em.
To
get more information on the Viper Room go to:
www.viperroom.com
