January 21–28, 1999

six pick

A Headbangers' Ball

The Troc's "Glorious '80s Metal Night" starts off with Penelope Spheeris' 1988 documentary of heavy metal/hard rock's big-hair Hollywood days, Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years. With some great live and behind-the-scenes footage of Ozzy Osbourne, Lizzy Borden and Aerosmith, this film gets funnier with age. Like their predecessors in the film, the evening's live entertainers know how to put on a concert that's equally interesting to watch. Local longhairs Wastoid will bring on the lasers and lights for the sort of big, bold, full-metal racket you just don't hear these days. Another hometown guy who goes by the name Black Death (pictured) will do his self-described "leather dominatrix Satan thing," playing guitar and singing over recorded bass and drum sequences while wearing demon wings and perhaps acting out S&M scenes—if the mood strikes him. DJ Michelle will spin '80s glam. Seriously, what the hell else could you ask for?

-Patrick Rapa

Thu., Jan. 21, 9 p.m., $5, The Trocadero, 10th and Arch Sts., 215-922-LIVE, over-21 only.