Word and Live Photos: DJ
Myglobalmind and Screaming Digital Productions
Hairball, born from the frost-bitten music scene of early 2000s Minneapolis, Minnesota, has metamorphosed into the crown jewel of rock tribute experiences nationwide. What ignited as a passionate side project between virtuosos with an insatiable hunger for 80s rock has exploded into a cross-country touring juggernaut, transporting the raw spectacle and adrenaline-fueled energy of arena rock to venues starving for authentic nostalgia. With their obsessive attention to detail in costume transformations, pyrotechnic staging, and note-perfect musical precision, they’ve cultivated a fiercely loyal following that bridges the gap between leather-clad veterans and young rockers just discovering the golden age of hair metal.
Last time when the Tribute band Hairball stormed the stage in Huntsville, AL, it wasn’t just a concert—it was a time-bending spectacle that left the audience breathless. I have to be honest with you, I typically approach these cover band tribute shows, however you want to label them, with a hefty dose of skepticism. I’m painfully aware that channeling these iconic anthems is not for the faint of heart, and isn’t everybody’s cup of whiskey who yearns to see an original band sweat it out live. But let’s cut to the chase—that glorious era of the 80’s hasn’t just survived, it’s thrived in ways nobody predicted. A new battalion of young rockers has excavated the musical treasures of the 80’s and discovered what we veterans always knew: this music didn’t just dominate the airwaves, it saturated every molecule of existence.
This is precisely why I believe bands like Hairball aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural custodians preserving a musical legacy. They don’t merely play these anthems; they resurrect them with reverent precision, donning the battle-worn makeup and flamboyant costume regalia that defined an era. They’ve mastered the art of packing venues to the rafters in heartland cities that would otherwise never experience these sonic masterpieces performed live. The secret to their magnetic pull? They’ve tapped into the very soul of blue collar America, where work-hardened hands still raise lighters (now cellphones) to power ballads that speak eternal truths. Their formula has proven so successful that they continuously evolve their arsenal, expanding setlists and refining production elements with surgical precision. Make no mistake—these aren’t mere impersonators. These are world-class musicians whose technical prowess and vocal acrobatics channel the very essence of the original artists with such stunning authenticity that even the most jaded critic is forced to headbang in approval.
Anyways they came back to Huntsville and me being a sucker for photography and 80’s rock, I had to cover this one again. Last time they put on a great show, so much I took the missus with me to help with photos. Over their nearly two decades of performing, the band has refined their craft to perfection, with each member mastering multiple character transformations throughout a single show. Their reputation for delivering high-energy performances has made them a staple at festivals, casinos, and concert venues nationwide, often playing over 100 shows annually.
Whether they were channeling the otherworldly spectacle of Kiss with a blistering rendition of “Shout It Out Loud” or igniting the fuse on Crüe‘s nitro-charged “Kickstart My Heart“, the wall-to-wall crowd on Friday night transformed from casual spectators to a unified army of rock devotees, their collective energy surging from the first power chord to the final cymbal crash. A particularly exhilarating surprise was their foray into Whitesnake territory this time around, delivering “Still of the Night” with all its serpentine seduction and belting out “Here I Go Again” with such conviction that even David Coverdale himself might have paused to take notes. I mean, seriously—who among us mortals can resist the majestic power of WS when it’s executed with such surgical precision?
When I spoke to Dave Moody, one of the singers, last time ahead of the show at Mars, he elaborated on how much heart and effort they put into the shows, how they have everything down to a science with timing of getting in and out of the costumes etc. It’s always fun to see him come out as Gene Simmons or Dee Snider when they play Twisted Sister with “I Wanna Rock“, those guys are all great performers.
Big shout out to the Wounded Warrior Project and how the band always pays a tribute by bringing on stage members from the Armed Forces who serve or have served, really cool thing to do. If that’s not patriotic, I don’t know what is.
The sonic onslaught continued relentlessly as they unleashed GNR‘s euphoric “Paradise City” before shifting gears into the high-voltage territory of AC/DC, where “Thunderstruck” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” sent shockwaves through the foundations of the venue itself. On a more somber note that showcases the genuine heart behind the hairspray, I wanted to extend heartfelt wishes to Happy—the six-string wizard whose lightning-fast fingers have been temporarily dealing wit health challenges. We stand with you in spirit, brother—keep fighting the good fight, stay metal-strong!!! Until our paths cross again in this never-ending tour of decibel-pushing perfection, I implore every red-blooded rock aficionado to catch Hairball when they invade your hometown—your rock ‘n’ roll soul will thank you for decades to come!!!
https://hairballonline.com/shows
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