Does 'That Metal Show' Suck?

In case you don't have cable That Metal Show airs on Vh1 Classic and is hosted by Eddie Trunk.

I haven't decided if the show is decent...or complete shite. Ok, so I'll be the first one to stand up and support any form of mass media that brings Metal back to the forefront of popular culture. That said, I must admit the production of That Metal Show sort of makes me want to put a pail over my head and bang it with a mallet. We're talking cable access level here. I know Vh1 Classic/Viacom has some money to produce a halfway decent show. After all, someone ponied up money for a dedicated set. The show even has a few live camera operators - a true luxury in the day of automation. The writing is decent - not great. The guests are the real crux of the show. So far, I haven't been all that impressed with the selections. I don't think it's a matter of scheduling, either. Musicians love to talk about their bands.

Eddie has some help with the show. Comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson act as co-hosts.

Last night, Eddie kept saying "hair band" over and over. Bloody hell, it's "Glam." Why mock? Why be derogatory? The opening conversation topic was "Is there still a backlash against hair metal?"

One of the points: "MTV didn't play Motorhead at 2 in the afternoon."

Yeah, there's a reason, but that's a different article all together. (And yeah, I like Motorhead, so save your hate mail. Fact is, they've never been as popular as Def Leppard - and videos were all about advertising revenue).

The topic - which could be debated for days - was given 90 seconds. Sigh.

I dunno. I feel like That Metal Show could be really cool - but the segments are choppy and the guests never get to say much. The interviews are just not great...and the hosts seem to banter with each other more than actually fostering a Metal discussion. As we all know, Eddie Trunk is very well connected. Hopefully this means the show will continue to evolve and be another outlet for our favorite genre of music.

Comments

[Jon Hyde]

To be fair, I am not sure the term Glam emcompasses it either. I feel the fans of our music have taken teh term "Hair Metal" back. Sure it can be used to mock, but we use it with reverence. I'm just not sure that a band like...let's say Babylon A.D was all that Glammy. When I think Glam, i think all the stuff from the 70s. Then if you take it to Glam Metal, I think Poison. I think Cinderella(for the Night Songs album cover alone). I think all the bands who overdid the makeup. But other bands who came out in the 88-92 world just dont fit Glam. Hell I generally call it all 80s Hard Rock but I could never call Tesla, Tora Tora or even Skid Row glam bands, but I would call them Hair metal withotu blinking an eye.
Just my unasked for 2 cents. :)

[r0ck0n]

eh, when people ask me what I listen to I'd tell them I listen to hair metal...I dont think its derogatory at all.

that said, i think the show has potential,but i think its too short for them to really have time to do all the things they want to do...

[Glenn]

As far as the show is concerned , with all its flaws I think that a strong showing of support from fans could inspire the network(s) to produce other programs geared toward glam, hard rock and heavy metal

[aXe mAn]

When I say "hair band" or "hair metal", I don't mean anything bad by it either. I know there are some people that use it in a bad way, but I don't.

And staying on topic, I haven't seen That Metal Show, cause I don't have digital cable, haha...

[Rhodeislandrock - Heavy Metal Addiction]

I've watched every episode of That Metal Show and I think it's shit. I'm with you, if it supports the music I love and brings it to the masses, then I will watch and hope for the best. Unfortunately the show doesn't have much content.

Florentine & Jamieson are comedians but what makes them Metal experts? Eddie Trunk has the connections and has always flown the flag for Metal but all they do is bust the guy's chops all show. That's great but I would rather have Eddie do the show solo and use some of his cred on exclusives and interviews. The guests get a couple of minutes to plug what they have out, the Throwdown debate is a joke because Jamieson always wins and I've answered every Stump The Trunk question.

I would either put Eddie solo or hosting Metal Mania again (another show that's a joke....its the same loop of videos everytime!)

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[Pat]

Hi, I agree it's a big let down! Only a half hour show and they seem to waste so much time on themselves not enough with the guest. They bring up a topic and then they don't or have enough tim to elaborate. Hopefully, this will improve!

Pat

www.myspace.com/bls_viking

[fletch]

The show could be so much better. Eddie Trunk seems like a nice enough guy, but he isn't well-suited for this show. Eddie idolizes bands like Rush, Queensryche, Pink Floyd, et.el. That Metal Show, which blossomed due in large part, to Rocklahoma 2007, should showcase the bands that played there. Yes, Queensryche was there, but only as an add on because WASP dropped. and they were ONLY there because Eddie pushed so hard for them to be added. Let's face it, Eddie is more into the late 70's/early 80's Arena anthem rock bands, not Rocklahoma bands.

That being said, I am a fan of Jim Florentine and Norris does a great impression. He is mostly why I watch the show. Too bad for Robin that it didn't work out between them. I thought they complimented each other well, but then again, what the hell do I know.

[gerry g]

I've never liked the term hair band. It implies a priority of looking good over playing good, even if it is subtle. I know for a fact David Coverdate HATES the term.

Pop metal describes most "hair bands" or "glam bands."

I remember doing an interview with C.C. DeVille, and he said: "I know what Glam looks like, but I'm not as aure what it SOUNDS like." It's a good point.

[JT]

The term "hair metal" doesn't bother me. As others have said, we have taken back the phrase and it is a valid way of describing one of the types of music we love.

When deciding on a name for my radio show, I went with "Hard Rock Nights" because I didn't want to limit myself to Motley Crue and Poison. I occasionally play some Blue Oyster Cult, Ted Nugent, and Led Zeppelin - classic hard rock that is not even in the same realm as "hair metal" but is still hard rock.

And that may be a problem with Eddie's show. "That Metal Show" - without knowing who he's talking about, I would think Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Pantera. And yeah, they are mentioned occasionally. But then you turn it on and there's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rush. That's not metal. Nor is Lita Ford, Ace Frehley, or Mike Piazza. (I still can't figure out why Piazza was on the show.) It's just not "That Metal Show."

The format doesn't bother me. I enjoy the show. It reminds me of college actually, sitting around in someone's dorm room debating the most inane musical topics. So I guess that's why I like it...it takes me back to a more innocent (or maybe ignorant?) time in my life.

[bumblefootboy]

i love the show. you ppl are nuts. quit your crying and enjoy it.

[Kenny Crawford]

I like the show, but Eddie Trunk is a complete tool.

[JGMD]

Well, the Sirus station is called "Hair Nation" and I don't think they are slamming the genre. I think of "Glam" as like New York dolls or something. I never associate that term with 80's metal.

I think the production of the show is what it is supposed to be. Kind of like the metal show you would have done in high school with a home movie camera. Eddie is Eddie, never trying to be something he is not. I agree with the previous post that I would rather see him do the show solo. Florentine and Jamieson are funny at times but don't add anything to the show and sometimes distract from it. A couple of other points:

- The "whatever happened to" segement is the best part of the show. I loved the one about the singer from FastWay, one of my favorite bands from the era.

- The Throwdown is stupid.

- The guests seem weak given Eddie's connections (but I actually liked Piazza).

- They should consider adding up and coming metal/rock bands to do a quick song to end the show.

The show hasn't changed since season one. Any good show should continually make changes to get better.

[Ryo Vie]

As far as production and set, "That Metal Show" reminds me a lot of "Remote Control" and I like that. They even joke that it's filmed in "Eddie's Mom's Basement."

I think it's a decent show, as long as you don't take it too serious. For "serious" interviews with bands, I'll read your interviews or Hard Rock Hideouts.

I like the humor in "That Metal Show" and I think it works well. And they get some cool guests.

[David]

Hair Metal, 80's Metal, Glam Metal...whatever you call it to get the point accross doesn't matter really the music still fucking rocks....for the most part.


If the show was an hour long I think they could work 90% of whats wrong with it out. They try to fit in too many subjects in 30 min. God knows VH1 Classics can afford to have the show on for an hour instead of "NOW! Power Ballads" for the 100th time.

[EddieLongHair]

The show COULD be cool, but isn't. Mainly because of Eddie Trunk. I agree with Kenny, Trunk IS a tool. Yes he has connections in the biz, but I'm sick of hearing about how he knows this guy or he hung out with that guy. And sorry to say, but he just doesn't look the part.

[don]

i think the show is supposed to be the way it is. they want to do things that they consider fun. could it be better? well yeah, most things could always be better but overall i like the show. and i really feel that most people do not know all of the stump the trunk answers including me. piazza was on the show because he's a huge metalhead and he used to be on a metal radio show if i'm not mistaken. i'm a rush fan and no they're not metal but a long time ago you might have been able to throw them in there but i can see why someone would gripe about them.

as for the term heair metal, well it it not the same thing as glam. they may share some characteristics but they have their differences as well. back in the 80s when i described some band that was lighter metal and more image conscious (winger for example) i would say that they were hair metal. if i described a band like judas priest then i used the term heavy metal. tehre was nothing deragatory in the usage of the term hair metal. it is what it is.

when talking about metal there are so many different directions that music the goes that it's impossible to satisfy evryone. i'm sure there are speed and thrash fans who want that kind of metal on "that metal show." life goes on so if you don't like it don't watch if you do then watch. it's really that simple. personally i watch the show and if i want them to get a certain band well there's always the idea of writing or emailing them. a good positive email campaign can do wonders.

[CK]

I refer to all of it as 80's Rock. I can listen to Poison, Ratt, and Cinderella one day and Metallica, Megadeth, and Maiden the next. They all came in to my life in the 80's and I like all of it in one way or another. There are always going to be differing degrees of metalness!!! Thank God for diversity!!!

[ai]

This show sucks just as much as the music. That fat fuck host what an idiot if he ever got out of his parents basement he might realize the 80s are over,he probably still wets the bed, the other two on the show are just as bad. If I was in a metal band the only way I would go on that show is to punch the three of them in their dumb throats. Also, Scott from Anthrax go away you suck nuts as well!

[JB]

It's like Headbangers Bowl, on AIDS.

[Omar]

This show is the worthless piece of shit ever, they just speak about the same "overrated overused bands" AC/DC, Metallica, Guns n' Roses,Queen, Slayer... C'MON HOW CAN YOU SAY PANTERA IS THE MOST EVIL BAND EVER?

If the show is "that metal show" they should include black metal, power metal, progressive, symphonic...

I have never heard about Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Lordi, Korplikaani, Trollfest, Ensiferum, Charon, Terabestoni, Eluveitie... C'mon not even DRAGONFORCE! (The most cliché power metal band).

They need to expand their horizons, speak about finland's music (the best true metal in the world) and stop making stupid discussions like "New Metallica vs Old Metallica".

Who gives a shit? We've heard everything before from those bands.