CLASSIC MOVIE – The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

The glam metal scene in Los Angeles between the mid-to-late 1980s was one that celebrated excessiveness, with the images that bands portrayed as something larger-than-life and almost cartoon-like. Having already explored the punk scene of 1979 with her film The Decline of Western Civilization, documentarian Penelope Spheeris (who would later direct the rock comedy Wayne’s World) chose to once again explore the Californian alternative culture with the sequel The Metal Years almost a decade later. Whilst bands were given the opportunity to discuss their views of music, drugs and alcohol abuse, the treatment of groupies and the perils of success, most of those interviewed were criticised for painting a negative and somewhat immature picture of the scene.

The film follows Spheeris as she explores the rock scene in Los Angeles, specifically that of glam metal. Whilst she herself remains off-screen, Spheeris can be heard asking an array of musicians about their personal philosophies on life, music and sex. These sequences are balanced by featuring contributions from various outside sources. Faster Pussycat, who had begun to enjoy modest success with their self-titled debut album, are one of the most prominent acts featured, with singer Taime Downe discussing not only what he would do if the band suddenly fell apart but also how his nightclub, Cathouse, has a policy that allows young women to gain access quicker. The band would also perform two of their tracks, the single Bathroom Wall and Cathouse.

Whether or not Spheeris intentionally tried to bring out the most ridiculous aspects of the personalities during interviews is uncertain but most of those who contributed come across as naïve and idiotic. Poison have little of interest to say, whilst W.A.S.P.‘s Chris Holes spends his entire time on screen drunk in a swimming pool, whilst his mother looks on disapprovingly. Other bands that fail to make an impact include Seduce, Tuff, Odin and London. All of these, with the exception of Tuff, also perform for the movie, whilst Lizzy Borden also offers a rendition of Steppenwolf‘s Born to be Wild. Kiss‘ frontman Paul Stanley is interviewed in a bed full of semi naked women, whilst Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith (who, at that time, had started to make a comeback after almost destroying their career) discuss their long history of substance abuse.

The contributors who seem to have the most to say are Alice Cooper and Megadeth‘s Dave Mustaine, who appears at the end of the movie after Spheeris has spoken to the glam bands. Mustaine, despite having his own addictions, seems to be more levelheaded than his contemporaries and has a clearer picture of what he expects from his own group. The most annoying segment of the film features Bill Gazzarri, who owned a club in Los Angeles at that time and filled his stage with young beauties who paraded their bodies around to their audiences. The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years is every bit as dumb and ridiculous as one would expect a movie to be that focuses on these types of bands, but for those who enjoy watching outrageous metal groups doing their thing then this is required viewing.