HAIRBALL made its way to the Henderson Pavilion for a very stormy night September 8th. Heavy rain along with lightning and thunder pounding the sky all around the venue, and it was beginning to look like the real show was outside not inside. As it got closer to the start of the show you could see the crew with big brooms pushing the water off the stage, but as they say "the show must go on", and at 7:30pm the lights dimmed and the intro started to blast through the packed venue. It was time for HAIRBALL.
I was very interested in seeing what Hairball could bring to a town filled with tribute shows, and having seen most of them I knew where the bar was set. Hairball is a show that highlights some of the biggest and most iconic arena rock bands of all timed their tribute included songs from KISS, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Cheap Trick, Poison, guns N Roses, Journey, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Ozzbourne, Queen and AC/DC.
Right out of the gate was a burst of pyro, and the opening chords to the KISS song "Deuce" that got the crowd on it’s feet! For Hairball the singers dress the part of the band they are covering, and a very imposing Gene Simmons character walked out onstage along with the signature platform demon boots. The band jumped into "Rock n Roll All Night" with the crowd singing along, a mix of older and very young fans for a fun filled family atmosphere, with younger kids who obviously grew up listening to their parents play classic hair band arena rock. After a couple KISS songs it was straight into Van Halen for the classic "Running with the Devil". Hairball used a rotating cast of three singers to keep the show flowing between costume changes along with a very talented three piece band.
After a few Van Halen songs it was time for "Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, and some Motley Crue tunes that included "Kickstart My Heart" and "Girls Girls Girls", and during the song a young girl about 7 or 8 years old was pulled up onstage by the guitar player and danced the entire song while the band was smiling ear to ear at her enthusiasm.
A crowd favorite, everyone was on their feet for Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" as one of the singers came out in the classic white Dream Police uniform singer Robin Zander wears onstage, and gave an amazing performance of the iconic song followed by another Cheap Trick megahit "Surrender".
Next was some classic Poison and the hit "Look What the Cat Dragged In" and the party anthem "Nothing But A Good Time", then it was time for an arena band that stills sells out the biggest arenas around the world, Guns N Roses. Hairball launched into a couple Guns n Roses songs before the band played a few from Journey, Alice Cooper, and picking up steam up for some metal with Ozzy and Black Sabbath.
I was very impressed by the vocal range from the singer who performed as Freddy Mercury singing a couple Queen songs, this was the highlight of the show and he was nothing short of amazing. After the Queen segment the band left the stage to a thunderous applause of the audience, only to return and close the show out with some classic AC/DC.
This is a completely amazing show, amazing musicians, talented singers, realistic costumes and a light show along with pyro to give you that feeling that you are seeing the real thing. I highly advise you to catch this show when it comes through your city or town. For more information on Hairball and upcoming show visit http://www.hairballonline.com
For more information on show coming to the Henderson Pavillion visit the City of Henderson Website at http://www.cityofhenderson.com
Hairball Slideshow photos: Harold Mountain / JustAFan Photos
