"Right from the beginning, it was girls, money, and drugs. From the first moment we put our guitars on."
–rhythm guitarist and co-founder of Anthrax, Scott Ian on the band's instant success. NOT!
The full title of this 80s time-capsule (which plays out like a PSA of sorts) is How to Break into Heavy Metal (Without Getting Screwed). And as we've learned over the decades, getting screwed in the music industry is pretty much an occupational hazard (as members of Laz Rockit drunkenly confirm in the video).
Produced by Leonard Kalicow and Aleks Rosenberg, the home video was intended to be a helpful guide full of pointers and tips for emerging heavy metal bands on how to make it from industry insiders and members of various metal bands.
There are some priceless appearances by other members of the world of heavy metal in the 80s such as a 24-year-old Eddie Trunk (who was with Megaforce Records at the time), and a guy named Jason Flom of Atlantic Records, who looks and sounds like he was auditioning for a role in a John Hughes film. We also hear thoughts from the staff of 80s metal bible Circus Magazine, Billboard, and the eternally cool NYC club impresario, Tommy Gunn. Highlights? Oh, yeah, there are a few, such as the solid advice from members of LA Guns telling bands that they should not try "to sound like Led Zeppelin" under any circumstances. Something I think we can all agree on unless you were once a member of fucking Led Zeppelin.
This video is so 80s it might crimp your hair or make you think you smell the toxic aroma of AquaNet Pink Can. The footage (especially the segments with Anthrax) is a total blast to watch if you're a fan of this vitally important decade when heavy metal was everything.
